Ok, as some of you know, I'm still kind of a greenhorn (just past 200 hrs) and don't fly into big city FBO's much, if any. But is it customary to tip the FBO employee's even though I'm flying a small airplane? I know a lot of the big iron (Bizjet guys) tip at the bigger, fancier FBO's. I have my plane parked at the Fullerton AFI FBO in southern CA and so far they are letting me park for almost a month for free as long as I buy fuel from them and the staff at AFI are absolutely amazing!! Very helpful, friendly, and have helped out tremendously with local knowledge including proper ATC communications for certain VFR routes. And Larry, AFI's mechanic has been extremely helpful, too!!

I know I should tip if I think I should, but just thought I'd try to get any body's opinion. Maybe I'll buy them pizza one day or bring in a fruit basket.....

Sure... Good service is hard to find anywhere any more. An atta-boy letter to the boss, and pizza to the ground crew would probably make their day.

Gump

When I worked as a lineman I got 2 tips over a year and a half. We didn't have jet fuel at the FBO so I never dealt with the big boys. I didn't expect a tip from the airplanes we dealt with but those two were appreciated. Now that I am in the big iron world we generally tip unless the service sucks. I don't think tipping etiquette has changed in the last couple of decades but the pizza idea would be a nice touch. I've heard that cash tips at big FBOs often go into a Christmas party fund so they can buy an extra case of Pepsi. Or whatever they think is appropriate.

That's funny. We fueled jets part of the time for a couple of summers. If the owner was aboard, gratuities were normal. If it was NetJets or the like...forget about it.

On the other hand, we also did several catering gigs over the years, they were happy to pay and everyone was happy.

Give 'em a tip 58, they'll appreciate it.

gb

58Skylane wrote:....... Maybe I'll buy them pizza one day or bring in a fruit basket.....

Good idea, istead of cold hard cash (easier for the crew to divvy up). And think about it-- what would you rather get, a fruit basket or a pizza? I'm voting for the pizza-pie!

I usually use Mogas but whenever I have the truck come out I usually have them help me check the tires too. I always tip them. Most of them around here are students working for a Commercial rating and I'm sure they can use the cash. Pizza would be good too.

Stripper ...........Oh and Merry Xmas

Yes, I believe it is proper to tip Strippers too.

Glidergeek wrote:Stripper ...........Oh and Merry Xmas

Ok, Stripper sounds good. Anybody know where I can get a $100.00 stripper in LA??

Thanks for the reply's. I think a few pizza's will be on the lunch menu this next week for the crew.

My buddy John flew a 604 for the big boss for a BioTech company out of the New York area and one of there main routes was to the west coast office in San Fransisco. I met up with John and the other pilot at Oakland and I remember seeing John handing over a pretty good size tip to the FBO staff. I can tell the FBO staff really takes good care of John, his co-pilot and of course there beautiful 604 when the roll in about every other week.

Hundred bucks will buy alot more paint stripper than they'll use in year. You can get 3 gallons and 2 mexicans at Home Depot and have money left over. You'd be better off with pizza.

Glidergeek wrote:Hundred bucks will buy alot more paint stripper than they'll use in year. You can get 3 gallons and 2 mexicans at Home Depot and have money left over. You'd be better off with pizza.

Oh!! You were talking about "Paint" stripper??? Silly me, what was I thinking!

On another note, I think I remember now, that we talked last year I was down here. Maybe I'll try to make over to Riverside this time (no promise's though).

Were you thinking I was thinking something else? http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/sear ... iation=ads

Line personnel sometimes do a lot of "extras" for crews to help out. The name of the game is service, and if the service is good, a tip/tips is/are in order. Help carrying out catering, bags/pails of ice, newspapers, and even personalized lift in the van to the terminal etc helps take the load off a crew and makes a difference. I think that the line personnel can do a lot to help, or very little, and good service above and beyond should be recognized, even though its part of the job. Just fuel, I don't think, requires much, nor is expected.

Jack

Glidergeek wrote:Were you thinking I was thinking something else? http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/sear ... iation=ads

Yeah......I really wasn't thinking about female strippers. Well, not for the FBO crew anyway

I have worked at 3 FBO's over the past 8 years and have been flying for the past 12 years. I think its a case by case basis, I've been to plenty of big airports and the line service has been next to horrid, but of course on the flip side I've had people go way out of their way to help out as well. Those I would always tips, but the ones who don't do much I don't bother. As for a line guy myself, I don't see many tips anymore because of the smaller airport I work at, but we used to pull in 100-300 a night (total over 5 guys) at the bigger FBO. It all depends, most line guys are pilots or want to be pilots and a nice conversation about flying outweighs any amount of money.

T to, I insure, P prompt, S service = TIPS
I am always surprised that a lot of people don't know what TIPS derives from.
In my younger years TIPs were a big part of my income so I always look to give TIPS to the deserving.
If I pull up to an FBO and the guy comes running out to help fuel the airplane,share information, like an available loaner car or my luggage you can bet I'm going to take care of that guy with healthy TIPS. I can also ask that he keep an eye on my airplane.
On the other hand I have been to FBO's where finding some one is a task. The bottom line is I know when I get prompt service and I render TIPS to insure that this individual will continue to give prompt service to all not just myself.

Sorry Bill but your wrong on that one

The word originated in about 1706 and it meant, to share

Its never had the meaning above that's an old wives tale

The story I got was, orginally, it was, TIPS=To Insure Proper Service, and was paid in advance.
Today good service seems more like a rare event.

mr scout wrote:Sorry Bill but your wrong on that one

The word originated in about 1706 and it meant, to share

Its never had the meaning above that's an old wives tale

Floyd,
After googling this it appears that I am an old wife! according to snopes However in an effort to redeem myself I believe it is a conspiracy of a bunch of cheap skates. Especially the take that it means you should TIP ahead of getting service
It does appear that the word Tip has had several slang versions , I have a tip on a horse, tip my hat, etc.
Actually if you go to websters you will find that tip has 10 different meanings including giving money but technically you are correct it does not derive from to insure prompt service but is accepted slang. It still works for me