Trained Attack Line Guy

[400A]

Do any of you tip for a standard quick turn with no additional services?

While stopping in Waco TX. the other day my co-pilot and I were chewed out by a line guy for not tipping him for doing an average quick turn. He came in to where I was eating my lunch, chewed me out and left.

I normally tip for lav service, baggage help, cabin service or extra efforts with the boss, but not for putting gas in the plane that I paid full retail for. Am I out of line here?

 

[Raskal]

Just to irritate some people: In TX, no, you're not out of line at all. It's Texas, not TEB

 

[AirBadger]

Was that CNW or ACT?

 

[400A]

It was at ACT Texas Aero.

 

[Pattern-Master]

As a former line guy myself, I would say no you were not out of line. I would only get tipped for quick turns involving fueling, lav service, bag unloading and loading, and any out of the ordinary stuff. And when I say quick turn, I mean have the truck standing by and running for a fast hook up to the plane as soon as they parked. I rarely recieved tips from the fractional guys, mostly just from the corporate pilots. I would never expect a tip from just simply parking an aircraft when no services were reqiured.

 

[Mercury]

So much for the customer being priority one, I can t believe he had the nerve to chew you out. I would definately pass this along to the CSR or ramp supervisor at Texas Aero.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

On a slightly similar note, I'm TIRED of seeing the now ubiquitous tip jar. Doesn't matter what they're doing on the other side of the counter - they want a tip.

It my opinion, it's not so much that it's service worth tipping but rather a ploy to give customers the oppourtunity to rid themselves of loose change after the sale. It seems that thats all people drop in there anyway.

 

[400A]

So much for the customer being priority one, I can t believe he had the nerve to chew you out. I would definately pass this along to the CSR or ramp supervisor at Texas Aero.

It was passed on, and in Texas Aero's defense, they are taking action and have been very responsive to me.

 

[Mercury]

Glad to hear they are addressing the issue

 

[CitationXDriver]

As a former lineguy, I would also agree your not out of line. As with any other industry, tips should be earned rather than expected. And yes, I know there are people in the serving industry who would spit in my food for that statement. In our industry there are some things that always deserve a tip, the lav being priority one here, lets face it, its a stinky job only enjoyed by a very small, demented portion of the population, $10 at a minimum. I think any other situation where a line guy steps up to the plate and helps vastly improve the quality of service, above and beyond what is normaly expected, tips can be decided on a situational basis. You can always stand off to the side and see that momentary pause by the line guys; after they are done fueling, bringing ice, etc; waiting to see if your gonna throw something to them, those are usually the guys least deserving, that and the sharks that come over in the last 30 seconds of hard work, expecting a 20 spot from Mr. Fancy Pants. Just my two cents, but I am happy to hear that management is being proactive in your case.

 

[pilotpat]

I tip for service that is outstanding. Period. Did the person go above and beyond? Then, a tip might be in order. I agree that so many think that because they drive up my rental car, or put a pitot cover on that I'm gonna chuck some cash their way. And I hate to say, but I especially dislike when my plane gets ditched for the G5 coming in, hoping to grab some cash...sorry, dude - all I've got is a Falcon.

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

gratuity
an award (as for meritorious service) given without claim or obligation


Note - without claim or obligation.

 

[Kiwi]

I feel good that I live in a culture where tipping is NOT required or expected. Service in my part of the world is usually better than I have experienced in the USA. But I do give tips for exceptional service.

Go figure...

As far as the line guy was concerned - I would have laughed my ass off...

 

[Metro752]

I feel good that I live in a culture where tipping is NOT required or expected. Service in my part of the world is usually better than I have experienced in the USA. But I do give tips for exceptional service.

Go figure...

As far as the line guy was concerned - I would have laughed my ass off...

lol new zealand, you folks sound funny

 

[JP4user]

What was their (management) response about this idiot?

 

[illeagle]

What would you expect to receive as a tip for coffee, ice, papers? a few (3)bucks is what i usually give. We get reimbursed for tips on the road.

 

[sleepy]

I tip for lav service and baggage help. I don't tip when I buy fuel. I worked line service in my early days and never expected a tip for doing my job, now everybody wants a tip.

I only tip waiters, bartenders, van drivers and the lady that cuts my hair.

 

[AA717driver]

lol new zealand, you folks sound funny

Better watch it, Metro, Kiwi's a big dude. He'll kick 'yer a$$! TC

 

[Raskal]

I tip for service that is outstanding. Period. Did the person go above and beyond? Then, a tip might be in order. I agree that so many think that because they drive up my rental car, or put a pitot cover on that I'm gonna chuck some cash their way. And I hate to say, but I especially dislike when my plane gets ditched for the G5 coming in, hoping to grab some cash...sorry, dude - all I've got is a Falcon.

:laugh: LOL. I know what you're saying, I love pulling up to the ramp in a lowly hawker with 4 line guys walking us in only to see all of them take off before we can even shut down cuz a global pulls in next to us. Sometimes all we're left with is a wave from the lady in the coffee cart as she goes flying by.

On a tip note, we do tip pretty regularly. Any time someone services the lav, helps out with bags, helps with the pins/covers (especially in the rain), makes a quick turn fast by having the gas ready, etc. All the time? No.

One thing that's annoying is ASE, it's pounded into your head that all those guys work for tips. waaaaaaah, awwwwww, booooo-hooo. They are very helpful, but I HATE getting the tip guilt trip, especially by a bunch of 40 year old ski bunnies. Annoying.

 

[Princedietrich]

I used to work the ramp myself way back when, handling corporate and fractionals and the occasional big sports charter. We were pretty much a tipless operation (and yes, I did make a hilarious typo a few moments ago) and we didn't expect to receive them. We were, however, very thrilled and very greatful when we did get one.

I remember one occasion when a Netjets C750 customer tipped me a 20 for carrying his CAT 50 yards from a car to the plane. Dang heavy cat it was too.

Many times with the sports charters, we didn't get cash tips but we did get the leftover galley catering. Believe me, those baseball and basketball teams went all out on the catering but hardly ever ate any of it. We'd all be in the line shack pigging out like kings, chowing on baked pasta and ice cream and potato skins and piles of sandwiches.

There was one charter for a baseball team, I won't say the name but the initials were Seattle Mariners, who somehow managed to crap 9000 pounds of cargo into a 727-100. They had a suitcase, gear bag, and golf clubs for each person in addition to all the team equipment. These guys even carried a full set of freeweights, an exercise bike, and a frogging trampoline with them! We got it all into the cargo hold somehow, all the while the team trainer was barking at us for not going fast enough. When it was all done, he huffed at us and remarked how slow we were, but we ended up getting a 20 each from the PIC the FO and the FE.