Quote:
Originally Posted by DoWhat?  Good place to start might be not calling them the "line help". I was a line supervisor for a very busy FBO for a time and I can tell you that 80-90% of the line department were pilots working their way up through the ranks. It was expected that we give the same level of service to all aircraft. If the line guys are hanging around the aircraft it's to make sure your all set before they just leave you stranded on the ramp. Believe me, the last thing they are thinking about is a tip when you climb out of your fancy single engine piston airplane. |
Exactly. Quite a lot of the line guys at my FBO are working towards an aviation career (including ATC and A&Ps).
As for tips, I can't really say that I ever expect it from the pilots. Sometimes I'll get tipped for doing a lav or a vac but it is not expected. Now when we get a gulfstream in with 4 cars worth of baggage, then I expect something. I've had passengers tip the pilot right in front of us and not even say thanks for unloading their baggage.
On a side note, it seems like we've had quite a lot of line related posts lately. Maybe it's time for our own section on JC?