Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Tipping the Pilot

Is it customary to tip the pilot on an unguided, self outfitted trip? We are paying the service to put us in a good area and haul us and our stuff in and out. Thanks folks.

We tipped our pilot, on the one fly-out trip I did. I appreciate good service, no matter the venue, so I tend to tip accordingly.

They dropped us off, did a fly-over mid-week, and picked us up exactly when they said they would. We didn't kill a sheep on that trip, but that wasn't their fault.

The whole tipping thing is stupid. It should never have started. It has gotten to the place where people feel hurt if they don't get tipped for doing their job.

Why should you have to tip to be put in a good area? And they haul your stuff in and out; cry me a river. Isn't that what they're supposed to do? Oh, and they get tipped for being on time? Aren't they supposed to be on time? Isn't that what they're paid for?

What is even worse is when some magnanimous big wheel decides to "tip" customs staff, etc. in some of the lesser developed countries. Then what starts out as tipping turns into the necessity to bribe in order for the various officials to do their job.

Tipping is retarded.

Tipping is retarded. Agreed.

Do you tip you plumber, electrician, mechanic, physician? How bout tipping your local utility company for bringing you constant power, and the water district and so on.

How much do you get tipped?

I'd probably trip for that, have never had midweek flyovers, haven't been picked up when they said, etc etc.

Nope I've never tipped my bush pilot

But only a few times that it's been my show.

Most of my flying was as a hired hand for an outfitter

Haven't tipped the pilot in the past, am giving it some thought and unless my pilotmhelps me load, unload game outa the aircraft I'm probably not inclined to tip in the future either.

On time is a relative term in bush flying ime, I don't hold it against the pilot for delays

Chit happens

Pilots don't expect to get tipped, but if they do an exceptional job, or go above and beyond in some way then a tip can be a tangible way of showing your appreciation.

And believe me, the pilot will appreciate it and remember it.
It helps make up for the many inconsiderate and thoughtless passengers the pilot has to deal with.

Like the guy that ate an apple and then just shoved his apple core down between the seat cushions. Or the guys that showed up two hours late to the airport without calling, because they decided to stop at the saloon on the way. Now they are half drunk, and the pilot is going to be two hours late getting home that night. And the pilot has a 6:00 AM show time the next morning to fly on two less hours of sleep.

Or the guy that has been told that he can only bring 75 pounds of gear with him, and he shows up with 175 pounds of stuff and blows up at the pilot. And the pilot is just trying to keep them both safe and alive.

Again, the pilot doesn't expect a tip. But if you think he deserves one, then don't hesitate to do it. It doesn't have to be much. Even $10 bucks with a smile and a suggestion to get himself a better meal the next chance he gets is just fine.

In any case, try to thank the pilot for getting you to your destination safely, even if the ride was rough, and especially if the weather was bad.

May your next flight be a safe one and and an enjoyable part of the adventure.

I've never tipped a pilot with money.

I have shared food, homemade baked goods, elk sausage, venison and elk meat etc. pilots really seem to appreciate those things they can take home and share with the missus.

Tarkio,
That is also a great idea.

I had forgotten about another fly-in trip we did in Canada, a fishing trip, back in '99. On the dash of the Beaver was a placard that read, "Tipping your pilot helps him remember where he left you."

Funny... I always tip the pilot at least $100, sometimes $200, and you know what? I'm usually the first guy to get picked up, and the first guy to get into the field when weather delays... also get my choice of spots. YMMV

Just don't act like a pompous, entitled SOB and I probably won't hear you mentioned with the same disdain I've heard for the Murkowski clan.

Chartered or not, pilots of the smaller planes always seem to appreciate simple gestures of gratitude.

Well deserved when they do more than simply pilot a plane. On our trips, they did several circles to show us the lay of the land, pointed out near by game, had to load meat (moose) on their own when we placed it on another lake some distance from our camp. They also pointed out potential camp sites or sheltered areas relative to prevailing weather patterns. They also put us in spots not heavily frequented (no signs of previous camps) such that our party could land in the Beaver, but had to bring us out individually to make it out. Dropped us at a larger pond with room to get off with a full load.

On a moose outing, they once came and moved us at no charge when it seemed game had cleared out of the area. Last, they once stopped a day ahead of schedule and let us know a major storm was on the way. The offer was to be ready to go in 2 hours. The party elected to leave early, and I'm glad I was out voted. It rained for 3 days like I've never seen it rain before.

Yep that'd qualify to make me crack my wallet open. That's some good service, above & beyond the call ime

I have always considered tipping as a way of showing appreciation for a job done above and beyond what they are already being paid for.

When it becomes a must-do then it is a short step until you will have to pay it in advance --- like many guides ask for Asian countries.

If you don't like the idea of tipping you would absolutely hate having a stranger stick their hand out and saying " I would like my tip now" at the beginning of your trip

that's a pretty good attitude to have about it imo Phil

probably one of the reasons your outfit enjoys the good reputation it has.

All anyone needs to know about tipping and when it's appropriate in the four previous posts.