Jordtz Posted April 21, 2016 #1 Share Posted April 21, 2016 What would be considered an appropriate gratuity for the pilot of a 60 - 90 minute airplane or helicopter excursion that lands on a glacier? Thank you!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plant Posted April 22, 2016 #2 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Not that we'd EVER do this, but if we did I think we'd tip $25.00 for the two of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky61 Posted April 22, 2016 #3 Share Posted April 22, 2016 What would be considered an appropriate gratuity for the pilot of a 60 - 90 minute airplane or helicopter excursion that lands on a glacier? Thank you!!!! We did that in Alaska and did not see anyone give a tip to the pilot.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar1950 Posted April 22, 2016 #4 Share Posted April 22, 2016 What would be considered an appropriate gratuity for the pilot of a 60 - 90 minute airplane or helicopter excursion that lands on a glacier? Thank you!!!! $30.00 is what we gave the pilot. So, $25 to $30 sounds good. Most of the pilots are really wonderful and give you a great experience. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dforeigner Posted April 22, 2016 #5 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Helicopter pilots are well paid professionals who make between 80,000 and 120,000 a year. Here is a thread from some time back discussing the same issue. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1085342 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JF - retired RRT Posted April 22, 2016 #6 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Helicopter pilots are well paid professionals who make between 80,000 and 120,000 a year. Here is a thread from some time back discussing the same issue. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1085342 Good Point!! A tip to a guide in a "3rd world" country who makes maybe $5000/year deserves a tip. A well paid pilot in the US??:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dforeigner Posted April 22, 2016 #7 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Good Point!!A tip to a guide in a "3rd world" country who makes maybe $5000/year deserves a tip. A well paid pilot in the US??:eek: Exactly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar1950 Posted April 22, 2016 #8 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Helicopter pilots are well paid professionals who make between 80,000 and 120,000 a year. Here is a thread from some time back discussing the same issue. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1085342 Somehow that thread didn't actually suggest that the pilots were making 80K to 120K per year. Probably the opposite. ...........................By the way, our shuttle driver told us most pilots don't make a ton of money doing this. They usually do the job for a few years while earning flight hours. Also not sure about the Alaska pilots who are doing tours for a max 5 months making anywhere near that kind of money. Do you know how much it costs to operate a plane or helicopter per hour these days? Try checking out the cost of a plane "wet" for flying lessons. I'm pretty sure the tour pilots aren't netting those big bucks you speak of especially with the cost of running the aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dforeigner Posted April 22, 2016 #9 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Somehow that thread didn't actually suggest that the pilots were making 80K to 120K per year. Probably the opposite. Also not sure about the Alaska pilots who are doing tours for a max 5 months making anywhere near that kind of money. Do you know how much it costs to operate a plane or helicopter per hour these days? Try checking out the cost of a plane "wet" for flying lessons. I'm pretty sure the tour pilots aren't netting those big bucks you speak of especially with the cost of running the aircraft. I know what a helicopter pilot makes in a year. I never stated or suggested that the thread mentioned their salary. The thread mentions other people's opinion on tipping the pilots on Alaskan tours. Most helicopter pilots in Alaska are seasonal and then move to the mainland. Most helicopter pilots do not own the equipment or maintain it. They are owned by a company that pays people to fly them. Yes, it cost money to get the required flight hours before one can obtain a commercial license. So does getting a degree, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar1950 Posted April 22, 2016 #10 Share Posted April 22, 2016 I know what a helicopter pilot makes in a year. I never stated or suggested that the thread mentioned their salary. The thread mentions other people's opinion on tipping the pilots on Alaskan tours. Most helicopter pilots in Alaska are seasonal and then move to the mainland. Most helicopter pilots do not own the equipment or maintain it. They are owned by a company that pays people to fly them. Yes, it cost money to get the required flight hours before one can obtain a commercial license. So does getting a degree, etc. As far as those incomes. Apparently some do and many don't. http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2007/03/23/the-helicopter-job-market/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted April 22, 2016 #11 Share Posted April 22, 2016 What would be considered an appropriate gratuity for the pilot of a 60 - 90 minute airplane or helicopter excursion that lands on a glacier? If you are really impressed by the service provided, appropriate for me is 10-15% of price paid. But it is all subject to your discretion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted April 22, 2016 #12 Share Posted April 22, 2016 I think $25.00 is good. If he was? Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishfulone Posted April 22, 2016 #13 Share Posted April 22, 2016 The pilot is also your guide doing the commentary, making sure everyone on the helicopter or light plane gets a good view and gets you to and from safely. If he does all of that and you have a wonderful time them maybe give him a tip. They do get paid well. Maybe not as much as has been stated here so it''s up to you. You're an Aussie, we don't normally tip and they know it. So $1 for the hotel bell hop, $5 for sometime bigger. You be the judge and remember you don't have to base it on percentages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzsnooze Posted April 22, 2016 #14 Share Posted April 22, 2016 If you booked it independently then I would tip. If it's an overpriced Princess excursion I would not tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zahav1 Posted April 22, 2016 #15 Share Posted April 22, 2016 I would tip about 15% for any excursion, unless the guide or pilot was pretty bad. It doesn't matter if it's an expensive Princess one or private one, those who work for an excursion company and are hired through Princess probably don't make any more than the private ones. I think once in 12 years we didn't tip the guide because he was just horrible. I hate to see people end their excursions and not tip the driver/and or guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzsnooze Posted April 22, 2016 #16 Share Posted April 22, 2016 (edited) I hate to see people end their excursions and not tip the driver/and or guide. What you hate to see is your issue not mine. If it bothers you then don't look at what some else does. Edited April 22, 2016 by cruzsnooze Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
west coast cruiser Posted April 22, 2016 #17 Share Posted April 22, 2016 would not discriminate against the people who are working for the Princess Excursions I would gladly tip him after a safe trip.- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zahav1 Posted April 22, 2016 #18 Share Posted April 22, 2016 What you hate to see is your issue not mine. If it bothers you then don't look at what some else does. So, I would guess you don't tip, that's your business Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted April 22, 2016 #19 Share Posted April 22, 2016 The link is to an article from 2007. One job search website lists the 2016 median salary for Juneau helicopter pilots at $99,158, with 25 percent earning $84,074 or less and 25 percent earning $127,554 or more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtb55 Posted April 23, 2016 #20 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Tip what you're comfortable tipping. Personally, I don't care what the pilot makes. If he's providing me with a service and I'm happy with that service, I will tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel_nuts Posted April 23, 2016 #21 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Tour guides are paid to provide you with a satisfactory tour. A tip is given for service above the basic. Give commensurate to the service received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredNTraveling Posted April 23, 2016 #22 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Tip what you're comfortable tipping. Personally, I don't care what the pilot makes. If he's providing me with a service and I'm happy with that service, I will tip. I am glad that I read all the way to the bottom before putting in my two cents worth. Your comments are exactly what I was thinking. DW use to question me about tipping when we first got married (53 yrs ago) but now she even suggests that maybe I should tip a little more sometimes when the guide is really good. Good Service deserves to be Rewarded! Just Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF-1 Posted April 23, 2016 #23 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Tip what you're comfortable tipping. Personally, I don't care what the pilot makes. If he's providing me with a service and I'm happy with that service, I will tip. Amen to that. Totally agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SenorBruce Posted April 24, 2016 #24 Share Posted April 24, 2016 If you are really impressed by the service provided, appropriate for me is 10-15% of price paid. But it is all subject to your discretion. We pay for the quality of the service provided whether it's a glacier excursion or a tour of a rum factory. Did the tour guide "really want to be there" or just going thru the motions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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