Tipping line-person?
Posted by MNSoaring@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 16 comments
what do y’all do? I’ve seen some comments on tipping and I was trying to get an idea of how much is appropriate if your plane has been kept safe and sound for a few days and the tie downs were nicely knotted for you.
14Three8@reddit
If I’m renting, I’ll tip for excessive bag assistance or ridiculously fast fueling on a busy day.
If I’m working, a buck a bag.
Gabriel_Owners@reddit
I usually toss em a twenty.
AWACS_Bandog@reddit
god where were you when I was a lineman. XD
Swimming_Way_7372@reddit
Ive seen owners hit every one on the ramp with 100s.
bobnuthead@reddit
I remember multiple instances of receiving $100 for offloading 2 bags and walking them to the car.
TheGuAi-Giy007@reddit
Line guy here for a major chain and a larger operation. From experience, certain companies give crews line stipends.... Meaning some companies will tip you just for being a nice line guy and filling the airplane. There are clients who tip odd denominations like 2$ bills.
Then there are passengers who might tip depending on what you do, how you do it, do you just start taking bags? How's your approach. Wealthy people are strange, and with that strange comes with just sort of turning your brain off.
I do the same 20$/hr job that I would do with or without tips, it doesn't matter to me. Be it a G550, or a Piper Warrior - its not my airplane, but, I will treat it like it's mine. Airplanes are just cool to me, not just as a pilot (atm penguin..), but as a nerd who knows a lot about airplanes and weather, and airports. I don't do the job solely for the money? But, I do the job so I can stay in touch with my inner me. The trucks might suck, and someone might be mean every blue moon, but be a 35,000$ piper or a 90million dollar Gulfstream. They get the same level of care and attention.
CharlieMurphay@reddit
On our bird, when we fly the owner, he tosses hundreds out to anyone and I usually dont tip on top of that unless they do us some sort of big solid favor additionally or something. If it’s a charter I throw $20’s around for attentive service. I understand if things are hectic and busy and I’ll still tip even if service was slow. Read the room kind of thing. But if we’re the only bird on the ramp and nothing is being done even after we ask, thats fine. I have no problem doing everything myself without help, but don’t expect a tip.
In a small ga airplane, if the line person makes a point of taking care of me, I’d toss $10-20 at them. I’d try and make a point of telling the individual you appreciate whatever specific thing they did for you. Why not?
Also, leftover catering seems to be greatly appreciated. Donuts or sandwiches or whatever.
DearKick@reddit
In aircraft management, I tell clients that they should generally tip line people when they first get an aircraft. Some of them tip really well others not so much, others don’t. I figure it balances out, if it was my personal plane I’d usually tell them to split a 20$ or whatever. For a quick turn in a bonanza tbh I hardly ever tip more than 10$ though.
Personal-Alarm-7394@reddit
I've had a Gulfstream with heavy bags, wanting fuel, and had multiple rental cars tip absolutely nothing on a quiick turn and a C182 tip $40 after helping with one bag and getting like 20 gallons one day. Go figure.
If you feel the service was superior, please consider tipping. Even if it's a couple bucks so we can buy a Gatorade from the vending machine, especially going into the busy and hot summer season. I do not think any less of you as a customer if you decide not to tip, but it is very much appreciated if you feel like we helped you get on your way a little faster!
jseasbiscuit@reddit
I always tip the line guys because our company will reimburse us for it. In the 135 world it helps a lot because if your company has a good rep about tipping, it could make the difference in getting services faster at slammed fbos. I also feel bad when these guys are getting cooked on the hot pavement in the middle of summer helping me throw bags, so I like to make sure they feel appreciated for a tough gig
BrickSpecific1776@reddit
Depends on the situation. If you rock up in a G6 with 100 bags and need the usual coffee ice papers, a ton of fuel etc etc, then yeah throw em some cash. If you're just putting around in a 172 they definitely wouldn't expect a tip.
Though a bit of an anecdote: When I worked on the ramp we had this really nice dude named Greg, every time we would tow his 172 for him (like 50ft from the fence to the front of the fbo) he would give us a dollar or two and tell us to buy ourselves some coffee. Doesn't matter how busy we were, Greg always got put on the line or fueled up first lmao.
AWACS_Bandog@reddit
I feel every airport I worked at had a Greg.
Dr_Peter_Venkman_@reddit
If they dump a lav for you, that’s automatically at least $5. If they are Johnny on the spot and get your fuel and other needs met asap that’s at least another $5.
AWACS_Bandog@reddit
As a former Line guy:
It is never expected, but always appreciated. If I got a buck, it meant I could get a Coke from the vending Machine. (I guess its $2 now). Generally just reserved for if we go above and beyond (Loading your heavy shit in the plane for you/taking it out. Pumping your Lav Tank, etc beyond the basics).
as a Pilot, the only time I will tip every time regardless is if I'm using them during a Holiday (Christmas/New Years/Thanksgiving etc). I know its gonna be skeleton crew manned and either slammed or desolate with no in-between. A few bucks helps it suck a bit less.
172drivr@reddit
depends on the situation. i do not automatically tip but am not opposed to it in some circumstances.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
what do y’all do? I’ve seen some comments on tipping and I was trying to get an idea of how much is appropriate if your plane has been kept safe and sound for a few days and the tie downs were nicely knotted for you.
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