Tips

[Ned]

I've had a folks give me a tip after a flight. Usually a one time intro ride or a photo flight. Is it common for a pilot to get a tip. What about you guys that fly 135, corporate or for a Fractional. Do you get ips or have a company policy?

 

[Buschpilot]

When I flew tours in Alaska, it wasn't uncommon for a passenger to slip you a twenty after the flight. Usually if you make it known that someone gave you a tip, others feel need to follow suit.

I've also had passengers ask if its appropriate to tip the pilot...anyone have a good witty response to that? I never had a good answer other than "uh, sure". The more at ease and comfortable you make people feel, the better the odds of scoring some change afterwards.

Now I fly corporate/135, and I feel lucky if I get a smile and a "thank you"!

B

 

[navigator72]

Tips are good

I have flown scenic tours for the last 2 summers. I get quite a few tips, My best day was over $130.00 in tips. Most passengers don't tip but if you can get the first person to tip you, you start a domino effect which is great! When someone asks if I accept tips, I usually say something funny like "wow, I can go get another 6 pack now).
Goodluck
p.s. the wealthy don't tip as much as the poor, hmmmm I guess that is why they are rich!

 

[d328pilot]

If it is a cute girl she can give me her phone number instead of a tip.

 

[ifly4food]

Back in my CFI days, it was rare, but occasionally I did get a tip. Usually it was for something out of the ordinary like a scenic or photo flight. I once got a $50 tip on an "ashes drop".

I always just gratefully accepted them.

 

[FL000]

I rarely got tipped in charter, but when I did it was big. Gamblers would tip $100 per pilot. Others might slip a ten or twenty, but anything at all was appreciated. One student gave me a one of a kind pen (after he passed his checkride) which was quite nice. Occasionally I'd get merchandise like hats, shirts, etc. (oops, check the date! uhhhhh none of the above is true!)