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Tips on Tipping

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots are strongly encouraged to tip airport line personnel, especially those fueling aircraft, as these tips significantly supplement their often-meager wages.
  • The author's personal anecdotes about comical blunders and challenging incidents during his time as a line boy illustrate the demanding, unpredictable, and sometimes messy nature of ground operations, justifying the importance of tipping.
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When I was a teenager learning to fly I spent a fair amount of time working as a line boy at Teterboro Airport. I don’t think I ever deserved a tip, but I appreciated every time somebody thought enough of the job I did to hand me a few crisp dollar bills.

You may have wondered about tipping etiquette when you fly. Should you tip the guy who fuels your airplane? Without a doubt, the answer is yes. Tips are always welcomed by line personnel, since those few extra dollars in their pocket can make a real difference in supplementing meager hourly pay.

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