Tipping your instructor

[piercewhat 0]

How many people have actually been given tips? Did you tip your instructor when he or she was training you?

[USNLawdog 0]

It's called beer and it is in fact an accepted currency at most drop zones.

"I've taken the liberty of drafting your confession, you will be given a fair trial and then taken out back and shot."

[pyke 0]

Interesting questions...and a typical dilemma.

I had four friends come out to the dz recently and make some tandems. They pulled me aside later and asked if they should tip their instructors. I told them it wasn't a common practice, but if they felt they wanted to - I assured them the TM wouldn't argue. Then they asked how much. That's where I really drew a blank.

After spending in excess of $130 for a "joy ride" how much would you tip?

I told my friends that I had seen anywhere from $5-$20 offered to a TM - but I felt bad telling them to up their price another $20, when it wasn't even 'normal' to tip.


So, how do others address, handle the situation?? Do you encourage tipping??

Just wondering...

Kahurangi e Mahearangi,
Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic

[Buried 0]

i think i've only tipped ~10$ for my first tandem.. after that I find other means. Instructors don't expect it, but do appreciate it.

Where is my fizzy-lifting drink?

[tigra 0]

Wow- where can you do a tandem for $130.00???

I'm sure the tips are appreciated but not expected. When you pay close to $200.00 for the "joy ride" not including video, tipping seems inappropriate and its not something I would encourage. (I'd rather have them apply that $20.00 towards their next jump!
But here's another tipping question sort of along those lines. Do you tip a tattoo artist when you've already paid a lot of money for your tattoo?

[Tonto 1]

Tips take different forms. I've been given a Cypres, a Bonehead, an Alti 2, a Pro Dytter, goggles, slots, beer.... I've only been given money once.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[piercewhat 0]

Always tip your tattoo artist

[JohnMitchell 14]

There's some other threads on this you can link to. Tipping TM's at our DZ is not uncommon, but never expected. We try hard to give all passengers a super cool experience, and some want to tip. Not a big deal if they're rolling in coin, and I certainly don't mind. Occasionally I get tipped by someone really young, college student type, and I almost want to give it back so they can save up for another jump, but that would be tricky to do without insulting them. Only tip if you really feel like it.