HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP THE PILOT
 

<BR>Going to Europe for the first time. <BR>I was wondering--how much should I tip the pilot? <BR>And what about the flight attendants--what should I leave them? <BR>

Total tip should be 15% of the fare. To calculate flight attendants' share, estimate the value of the in-flight meal. Flight attendants get 15% of that. The rest goes to the pilot.

If the service is exceptionally good, I like leave 20%...If a cute female flight attendant takes me into the lavatory for special favors, I start with a base $50 and tip on the quality of the services.

Ta-roll!

Don't forget that if the person in front of you does NOT lean their seat back at all, you should give them a tip, too. <BR> <BR>Likewise, if you don't lean YOUR seat back, you should expect a tip from the person behind you. Don't be shy about this - if the person behind you doesn't offer, just ask. Explain that you SPECIFICALLY did not recline your seat in order to make their experience more comfortable - in fact, more like a business class seat - and so therefore they should give you a tip. I have even used this money in the past to "finance" the rest of the tips for the pilot and stewards. <BR> <BR>And don't forget to add 15% for any duty free items you may have purchased.

One clarification: the 15% to the pilot should be before taxes (which can be significant on an international flight).

You recommend 15 percent of the fare, but what if you are using frequent flyer miles, then how do you figure it? Can I deduct from the tip if they run out of the chicken by the time they get to my seat?

it's always about the pilots isn't it?? What about me? I haul your 200 lb. bags onto the belt, I listen to you whine about your seat selection, beg for upgrades, wait while you fill out luggage tags with dozens of people in line behind you...and do you ever consider tipping me??! NO, its always the pilots and the snippy flight attendants who get the cash...I'm sick of it!!! I think 15% of the weight of your luggage is a fair gratuity for what I do for you.

Santa Chiara: <BR> <BR>Easy: <BR>1) 15% of the number of FF miles in $$ seems adequate <BR>2) tip them before they start serving , you can be sure chicken won't run out (especially if applying rule 1)).

Tip the pilot just enough to wake him but not enough to send the plane into a barrel roll.

On European flag carriers, a 17.5% service charge has already been added to your ticket, along with a hidden charge of two pounds seven shillings sixpence for disinfectant for the cabin crew's shoe soles (not the Dover sole, sorry, finished) to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease to Business Class. <BR>Tipping is not authorized on Aeroflot, because it cuts into the "Bribes to Flight Crew" profit sharing plan.

A few more hints: <BR> <BR>If you bring only a carry-on bag, the tip should not exceed 22 X 14 X 9. <BR> <BR>It is permissible to reduce the tip by 1% for each knee that becomes useless while crammed into cattle class, plus another 1/2% for each armrest hogged by your neighbor. <BR> <BR>If flying United, don't forget to also tip a US Air pilot.

I find that a gift wrapped Haggis-in-a-Tube(TM) will make certain the pilot will never forget you. <BR> <BR>

Do you tip in the currency of the country you're going to or coming from? Or does it have to be the currency of the home of the person you're tipping? In which case, will there be a currency conversion service available (for which you'd also have to tip)?

would it be better to tip a little before you take off with the promise of more for really good service or does this only work with cruise ship captains?

Good one KT. <BR>Barbara, to be on the safe side tip in each currency. If it is Air France don't forget to add a tip in French Franks no matter where you are going. <BR>Also a good tip at the beginning of the flight increases your chances of actually landing on a runway. <BR>

if I don't have French franks, will a New York frank do??

To be completely equitable, all tips should be in Euros, Eurodollars or Euro coins. <BR> <BR>I only tip the pilot 8% unless he gives special service, like making sure the good sights pass below on my side of the plane. <BR> <BR>And don't forget the attendant in the restroom.

Attendant in the restroom, is that who that guy was? I think I may have over tipped him!!!

The only tip the pilot is getting from me is to keep the nose up.