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.

 

[RichardRambone]

TIPS- To Insure Proper Service

I had an old guy tell me he used to put the tip on the table at the beginning and if service was shat he would start taking it off as the meal progressed. Thought that was interesting.

 

[landlover]

i worked for tips as a bartender and a waiter through high school and college. what this no class ass muncher line guy did was down right outrageous. I would have told him to get back in his cage for acting like an animal. Then went and had the lav done and still not tip him. what a moron. hope he gets fired

 

[maximizer]

i usually tip 5-20 bucks for baggage, ice, coffee, papers etc, but not for simply fuel. never had a lineman say anything other than "thank you". just try to treat people like you would like to be treated.

 

[Kiwi]

lol new zealand, you folks sound funny

We look funny too... [look 3 inches to your left]
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n251/matho1/22-10-05_2044.jpg

 

[TXGold]

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.

Thats funny. I need a trainer like that. Glad to see someone tipped you

TXGold

 

[sidesaddle]

tip ?!

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.

A few months ago I was at a hotel in EWR and they had paid parking. As I pulled up the the little shack to pay, I handed the guy the paper parking card and my credit card to pay for it. When he handed me the clipboard with the reciept for me to sign there was a line to put in a TIP!!! Are you kidding me tip for parking in a parking lot!

 

[Lazy8]

A few months ago I was at a hotel in EWR and they had paid parking. As I pulled up the the little shack to pay, I handed the guy the paper parking card and my credit card to pay for it. When he handed me the clipboard with the reciept for me to sign there was a line to put in a TIP!!! Are you kidding me tip for parking in a parking lot!

It seems to me like more and more businesses are using the credit card receipts with tip lines. You feel like an ass for not writing one in even if the employee sitting behind the counter makes twice your salary and just punches buttons on a cash register all day.

g

 

[flywest]

It seems to me like more and more businesses are using the credit card receipts with tip lines. You feel like an ass for not writing one in even if the employee sitting behind the counter makes twice your salary and just punches buttons on a cash register all day.

g

I love the room service bills. First you have to pay big $$$$ for a sh!tty sandwich, plus a $3.00 delivery charge, AND a 20% "gratuity charge". Then they put the "tip line" on the bill when they bring it up to your room, and the delivery guy stands there expecting you to write in a big fat ADDITIONAL tip.

Sorry pal. Get your 20% that I already have to pay from your manager.

 

[Blackjet]

Maybe he did not like the fact that you called in for a quick turn, the staff hustled and got you knocked out, but then you had the time to kick back and eat your lunch in the FBO. Exactly what is your definition of a quick turn? Quick turn with a time for a sit down lunch padded in? I've never heard of that. I've always thought quick turns were for going right back out, not leaving in a hour or two.

By no means am I suggsting this guy was in the right, but you were out of line as well abusing a courtesy that most FBO provide. It's actions like this that start the FBOs charging for things that use to be free. He should have approached this in another fashion.

He came in to where I was eating my lunch, chewed me out and left.

 

[DruDown]

I agree that Tips are earned, not required. Even if you do get reimbursed for tipping by your company, it does not mean you have to give $20 every time you pull onto the ramp - it's that mentality that has made so many line guys just expect the cash. Just because I get reimbursed does NOT mean you are entitled to it.

Rampers/line guys have a job to do with specific duties, just like we pilots have. And absolutely, if the line guys go above and beyond, a little cash is definitely deserved. But, if the guy brings me ice and papers and calls the fuel truck over, then he's done his job and that's what he gets paid to do.

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but do your job, get paid your salary/hourly. Go above and beyond, get tipped. Like someone else had posted, I hate the feeling of being guilted into tipping, or worse, the guy who hangs around by your side until reach into your pocket.

I hold the FBOs slightly responsible for this behavior as well. There needs to be clearly defined job descriptions for the line guys and a well written code of conduct that needs to be strictly enforced. Even when requesting a quick turn, especially at a place that advertises as the best quick turn FBO, I'm under the impression that that is their job, that's the service we are paying for in ramp/handling/service fees.

Something else I've noticed recently is line guys walking up the stairs of the plane while the PAX are still trying to get off. Dude, I know you are there, I know there are other planes coming or going, but chill out - when my PAX get off, I will address the needs of the airplane with you, but stay out of the way of my PAX.

My other pet peeve is when you pull into an FBO with a high profile PAX and somehow the FBO learns before hand who is on board (usually the limo driver let's them know) and there are 40 line guys out there to help you. Atlantic Las Vegas is a great example of this. Half of the time they have no idea where they tugged you the night before, there's no one available to get you ice or fuel, but a high pro PAX shows up and they are all lined up waiting to get a glimpse and possibly a tips.

Sorry for the ranting, just had to get it off my chest - thanks!

Dru