Tipping a Ferry Pilot

Tipping is about service. If he went substantially above and beyond due to maintenance, weather issues, etc., to get the airplane moved, a tip would be appropriate IMO.

Otherwise, I'd pay the agreed-upon rate.
 
Do what you feel is right.
Ether way you’re good :)
 
Are you paying him directly, or does he work for a company. If he’s working for someone, he may not get all of it.
 
Give them this tip,, "don't fly junk"
 
Is it normally done and how much is appropriate?

Flight is 5 hours


I've done many ferry flights for numerous clients around the U.S. Some tip, some don't. I charge enough that I make money either way and I don't feel put out if they don't. I want them to call me next time.

Give them this tip,, "don't fly junk"

More often than not, you'll be asked to fly something the owner doesn't want to.
 
Is it normally done and how much is appropriate?

Flight is 5 hours
Entirely up to you, but certainly not expected.

I do a lot of ferry flying and I think I’ve had two clients add extra/round up on the check at delivery and those were multi day trips.

I certainly appreciated it, but don’t think any less of all the folks who haven’t tipped.
 
I have gotten the impression that folks on the east coast are likely to assume that tipping is expected for more occupations than folks in the west. True or false?
 
Thanks all. He works for a company. He kept my plane in his hangar (at his home) while waiting for good weather, and took care of the plane before and during the trip. I tipped him.
 
I have gotten the impression that folks on the east coast are likely to assume that tipping is expected for more occupations than folks in the west. True or false?
I’m from the west and currently live in the east. I haven’t noticed a difference in that regard.

I currently fly HNWIs around the east coast and not a single one of those people tip.
 
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Just talk in a British accent and they'll love you for how you talk and definitely accept that they won't get a tip.
 
For me, I think it may depend on whether you are flying with the ferry pilot. I flew with my ferry pilot from Indiana to Washington state. Since he was a CFII, I was able to receive some instrument instruction and logged something like 10 hrs of instrument time during the flights back. And he was a wiz with the 530W and taught me a fair amount about loading SIDs, approaches, etc. Well worth the tip!
 
I have gotten the impression that folks on the east coast are likely to assume that tipping is expected for more occupations than folks in the west. True or false?

True, especially NY area. We tip for almost anything.
 
Every time I see this thread title I think “cow tipping”.

Carry on.
 
Every time I see this thread title I think “cow tipping”.

Carry on.

Me too. Thinking "you have to sneak up on 'em at night" as a response.

Or maybe "I always heard you can tip a ferry Pilot, but you can't tip him MUCH!"

Oh wait...maybe that was something else.

It's been a long day.
 
More often than not, you'll be asked to fly something the owner doesn't want to.
Truth right there.
I've yet to ferry a plane that was represented accurately.
I don't mind some deferred items but I'm insistent that the flippers stay on and the fan keeps turning.
 
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