Tipping Question
10-04-2007, 07:42 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: MD11
Posts: 315
I just got this crazy idea.
Ask the capt if it is ok if you split the tips verses taking turns when you start the pairing.
I always ask the boss if he is a tip splitter or a turn taker before we ever get into the cab the first time, this keeps us from looking like monkeys fornicating with a football in front of the driver.
A quick "this is for both of us" or "the capt is taking care of us" may keep you from feeling uncomfortable.
Ask the capt if it is ok if you split the tips verses taking turns when you start the pairing.
I always ask the boss if he is a tip splitter or a turn taker before we ever get into the cab the first time, this keeps us from looking like monkeys fornicating with a football in front of the driver.
A quick "this is for both of us" or "the capt is taking care of us" may keep you from feeling uncomfortable.
10-04-2007, 11:16 PM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: Junior
Posts: 280
Speaking of tipping..
Does anyone leave tips for the hotel maids? If everyone else does and I don't then I am embarassed. My wife accompanied me on a trip a while back and chewed me out properly for not leaving something for the maids. I looked into it and it appears to be expected in most parts of the country. Are we as cheapo pilots exempt from this? I have never heard it mentioned amongst crews.
Does anyone leave tips for the hotel maids? If everyone else does and I don't then I am embarassed. My wife accompanied me on a trip a while back and chewed me out properly for not leaving something for the maids. I looked into it and it appears to be expected in most parts of the country. Are we as cheapo pilots exempt from this? I have never heard it mentioned amongst crews.
10-04-2007, 11:21 PM
#45
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Posts: 59
To give an input to the original question of this post (why do we alternate tips) was explained to me grew from an early purple tradition when everything collapsed on Memphis every night. The Captain tipped on the leg leaving Memphis. The F/O tipped on the leg heading back to Memphis. The S/O had the jug, provided the coffee, was the junior guy & therefore not expected to provide a tip. It was intended to be a "thank you" to the job done by Second Officers that was expressed by both the Captain & the F/O. Maybe someone with a better memory or an earlier date of hire than I can add to this thread.....
10-04-2007, 11:28 PM
#46
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: Excessed WB Capt.
Posts: 1,084
To give an input to the original question of this post (why do we alternate tips) was explained to me grew from an early purple tradition when everything collapsed on Memphis every night. The Captain tipped on the leg leaving Memphis. The F/O tipped on the leg heading back to Memphis. The S/O had the jug, provided the coffee, was the junior guy & therefore not expected to provide a tip. It was intended to be a "thank you" to the job done by Second Officers that was expressed by both the Captain & the F/O. Maybe someone with a better memory or an earlier date of hire than I can add to this thread.....
10-05-2007, 06:31 AM
#47
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: Triple Capt
Posts: 608
There's some good stuff in here. Stuff I didn't consider, and as always, good perspective from Albie. Yes, familiar drivers know the FedEx drill at layover hotels -- FedEx crews split the tips. At least that's been my experience. I fly with one Capt a yr who says "pay your own tip" and I do and don't think anything of it.
I didn't know Carey in IND had the tips in their contract. That's interesting. I'll still tip anyway.
When I go to FRA, I always tip Manfred, no matter what. I became very ill on a layover there and Manfred took care of me while I was in the hospital. He and Benjamin always get a tip from me.
In Japan I almost always want to tip them, they do the best job. Wish everyone was a concientious as the Japanese.
Finally, I think it's good that we do have some traditions as a pilot group. The cookies while jumpseating, no probation guy buys drinks or dinner, and even some of the Capts who buy a dinner somewhere along on a 10 dayer is all good stuff in my book. As a 8 yr FO, I have seen stuff that I will do when I become my favorite Capt to fly with, and I was led there by some great guys wearing 4 stripes who showed me the old school way, and the way it's supposed to be fraternally done.
I didn't know Carey in IND had the tips in their contract. That's interesting. I'll still tip anyway.
When I go to FRA, I always tip Manfred, no matter what. I became very ill on a layover there and Manfred took care of me while I was in the hospital. He and Benjamin always get a tip from me.
In Japan I almost always want to tip them, they do the best job. Wish everyone was a concientious as the Japanese.
Finally, I think it's good that we do have some traditions as a pilot group. The cookies while jumpseating, no probation guy buys drinks or dinner, and even some of the Capts who buy a dinner somewhere along on a 10 dayer is all good stuff in my book. As a 8 yr FO, I have seen stuff that I will do when I become my favorite Capt to fly with, and I was led there by some great guys wearing 4 stripes who showed me the old school way, and the way it's supposed to be fraternally done.
10-05-2007, 06:56 AM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: MD-11 Captain
Posts: 4,304
I'm sure I'll get flamed for this but I'll throw it out for discussion anyway ...
I have no problem tipping the minimum wage van driver domestically, especially if they are there waiting for us at the appointed time.
That said ... I'm always a bit uncomfortable tipping internationally. Here's why ... I suspect that tips are neither expected nor even considered "good manners" internationally. I always tip non-the-less, mostly because I don't want to be flagged as some sort of "cheap screw". But, I suspect that doing so flags us as uneducated "ugly americans" for not complying with the local customs. I've never really accepted the Memphis bubba mentality of "We make a lot more than they do." as proper etiquette?
When I flew for a major international airline and we NEVER tipped internationally. I suspect that "Miss Manners" would consider that appropriate?
Go ahead ... flame away.
Mark
I have no problem tipping the minimum wage van driver domestically, especially if they are there waiting for us at the appointed time.
That said ... I'm always a bit uncomfortable tipping internationally. Here's why ... I suspect that tips are neither expected nor even considered "good manners" internationally. I always tip non-the-less, mostly because I don't want to be flagged as some sort of "cheap screw". But, I suspect that doing so flags us as uneducated "ugly americans" for not complying with the local customs. I've never really accepted the Memphis bubba mentality of "We make a lot more than they do." as proper etiquette?
When I flew for a major international airline and we NEVER tipped internationally. I suspect that "Miss Manners" would consider that appropriate?
Go ahead ... flame away.
Mark
10-05-2007, 06:57 AM
#49
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: A300 Capt
Posts: 156
- I recall the tradition beginning as GPFRTRS describes. Of course $2 bought coffee and a muffin back then. The #1 Captain used to pull out a $50 bill and state “I don’t have anything smaller”. I watched from the curb as a DC-10 F/O (B.K.) was prepared with fifty $1 dollar bills and gave him change @ 0600. PRICELES
- Transportation in DEN also is billed to include the tip. Some of these limo rides are approaching $50-60, so the standard tip should be $10. The drivers depend on this. IMHO, we are pitching in our bucks for bag handling. It would be helpful for the company to direct the hotel/limo/transportation desk to advise the crew in the bid pack of what they are paying for.
- I like the idea of each of us tipping individually. My memory is overloaded with biometric check ins, electronic FP/R signing, the changing names of training managers, and O grams much less remembering who’s turn to tip and “looking like monkeys fornicating with a football in front of the driver”
GO ROCKIES
- Transportation in DEN also is billed to include the tip. Some of these limo rides are approaching $50-60, so the standard tip should be $10. The drivers depend on this. IMHO, we are pitching in our bucks for bag handling. It would be helpful for the company to direct the hotel/limo/transportation desk to advise the crew in the bid pack of what they are paying for.
- I like the idea of each of us tipping individually. My memory is overloaded with biometric check ins, electronic FP/R signing, the changing names of training managers, and O grams much less remembering who’s turn to tip and “looking like monkeys fornicating with a football in front of the driver”
GO ROCKIES
Last edited by Freightbird; 10-05-2007 at 07:27 AM. Reason: Rockies beat Philly 10-5 in game two
10-05-2007, 07:01 AM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: headbanging
Posts: 954
I'm sure I'll get flamed for this but I'll throw it out for discussion anyway ...
I have no problem tipping the minimum wage van driver domestically, especially if they are there waiting for us at the appointed time.
That said ... I'm always a bit uncomfortable tipping internationally. Here's why ... I suspect that tips are neither expected nor even considered "good manners" internationally. I always tip non-the-less, mostly because I don't want to be flagged as some sort of "cheap screw". But, I suspect that doing so flags us as uneducated "ugly americans" for not complying with the local customs. I've never really accepted the Memphis bubba mentality of "We make a lot more than they do." as proper etiquette?
When I flew for a major international airline and we NEVER tipped internationally. I suspect that "Miss Manners" would consider that appropriate?
Go ahead ... flame away.
Mark
I have no problem tipping the minimum wage van driver domestically, especially if they are there waiting for us at the appointed time.
That said ... I'm always a bit uncomfortable tipping internationally. Here's why ... I suspect that tips are neither expected nor even considered "good manners" internationally. I always tip non-the-less, mostly because I don't want to be flagged as some sort of "cheap screw". But, I suspect that doing so flags us as uneducated "ugly americans" for not complying with the local customs. I've never really accepted the Memphis bubba mentality of "We make a lot more than they do." as proper etiquette?
When I flew for a major international airline and we NEVER tipped internationally. I suspect that "Miss Manners" would consider that appropriate?
Go ahead ... flame away.
Mark
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