Tip the marina managers ?

[Rxflyer]

I wondered how many folks give a Christmas tip to the marina manager(s). Being new to this, I just don't know if they're "looking" for this. I've never known anyone to turn down a tip, especially these days. Do you tip the people who run your marina ?

 

[Redhook98]

I pay them $3700 per year for sub-standard service, no security and lack-luster power. Why would I ever think of tipping?!?!?!?!

 

[Redhook98]

Why? I don't understand what on earth the marina manager (harbor master) could do that would deserve a tip. I guess if they provide a service to you directly and personally, then perhaps, but I've been in my marina for a decade and never even met my harbor master.

While we are on the subject of tips, I've flown thousands of people spanning a twenty year passenger airline/charter aviation career, and have never been tipped, not once, even after a buttery soft landing. I would submit that the service provided by your airline pilot deserves a tip before your harbor master. (The thought had occurred to me to pass my hat out the cockpit door and down the aisle at cruise for tips, but airline management would have disapproved.)

Just playing devils advocate, but you don't get compensation enough by being a pilot?!?! Come on...... Really....

 

[Hampton]

You've heard this story before, but it's worth repeating here. A flight attendant gave me crap one day after arriving in Atlanta for not rushing down the jetway stairs and grabbing 3 strollers for people waiting for them. I was paid to say "Goodbye" and I was. After grabbing the strollers out of the belly of a 767-300, schlepping them up the stairs, and helping them set them up and get on their way, I had to explain something to the flight attendant.

They tipped the cab driver that put those strollers on the curb more than they PAID me for flying them from Miami to Atl, getting their strollers out of the belly of the jet, hauling them (1 at a time) up the narrow metal stairs, setting them up, and helping them load them. She said I was full of crap.

Cabbie - place stroller on curb - $1 each.

First officer in 7th year at major airline. Gets paid about $100/hour when aircraft is moving only. $125 from MIA to ATL including flight planning, walk-around, pre-flight cockpit inspections, computer programming, Flying the damn plane, and schlepping strollers. 200 people - 60 cents per person. $.60. Sixty little pennies. It takes about 15 years experience to get hired at a major airline. Average age for getting hired at Delta Air Lines - 37. Medical - gone. Retirement - gone. Job security - gone. Job satisfaction - leaving. Me, I'm still flying.

Think about that.

 

[Woody]

This is a common myth. It takes years to make decent money at an airline. In my career, I have had to start over four times. Everytime you start over, you lose your seniority and start back at about 25K per year. My last time starting over was three years ago.

A brief personal history - but my story is more common in aviation than uncommon.

In 1993 I was flying cancelled checks making 24K. 1994 - moved to a business jet charter company, flying a citation V for 24K, eventually making captain for 35K.
In 1998 I was a captain on a Falcon 50 making around 80K (maxed out). In 1999, I went to work for ATA as a Boeing 727 First Officer for about 28K per year. In 2004, I checked out as a captain on the Boeing 737-800 and started earning about 145K per year. In 2005, the airline went bankrupt, and I moved back to first officer at 60K and then the airline went bust. I ended up at AirTran, flying the B-717 for 28K in late 2005. In 2006, I was hired by UPS and went another year at 28K flying a Boeing 767 internationally. My pay is currently over 100K, but it looks very likely that UPS will furlough 300-400 pilots by april, which would put me back on the street again.

I missed my chance at passing the hat, as the packages are even more stingy than the passengers.....

I almost forgot, amongst the furloughing, there is constant pressure for concessions in pilot pay and work rules. The initial investment to get yourself qualified to serve as a pilot for just a charter company is close to 100K, (including a four year college degree) and requires you to spend virtually every holiday away from your family and friends. The personal cost is even higher if you choose the military route as you are literally risking life and limb to pursue your addiction. You want to talk about pilot pay any more? I stand by my statement that your average everyday airline pilot would be more deserving of a tip than the harbor master.

Of course it should be said, I am joking when I state that you should tip your pilot. But in a world where we seem to be tip happy for no logical reason, I say why not tip the pilot! I mean, if you are going to throw money around, give it to the person who has your life in his/her hands, and performs their duties day in and day out safely.

Do you tip your Dr?

 

[Hampton]

Do you tip your Dr?

Only the first one : )

 

[Woody]

Our old Harbor Master was great. He practically lived at the place. Always running around making sure boats were ok, warning of weather changes, on and on. Our marina is small and we actually got to know the man not just the Harbor Master. I never gave an actual tip but he knew a beer and some BS time was available if he wanted it. He retired and the new one isn't worth a nickel. I think each of us should judge our own situation and treat the Harbor Master accordingly. I don't see this the same as tips to a waitress.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Scott,

I could not agree with you more. I am annually a 1K passenger with United plus another 20-30,000 with other carriers. If I'm gonna tip anyone it's the flight deck crew that has my life in their hands.

Of course I don't tip them but if the skipper is standing at the cabin door when I deplane I always tell them thank you, or nice flight or landing or something.... I don't stand there for the reaction but I like to believe it's appreciated

Keep up the good work.

Oh my Harbor Master has helped at the marina....he helps drink my beer. Really nice guy but I can't remember if he has ever offered me one of his beers.

Shawn

 

[gmathes]

We send a Christmas gift to our marina staff each year. They go out of their way to do extra things for us, and treat us like family. They have taken their time to teach us about boating, and they recommend anchoring spots we would otherwise never find.
Gordon and Linda Mathes
2007 340 DA
Old Ferry Marina
Sneads Ferry, NC

 

[fwebster]

Don't lose sight of the elements of the marina organization.

The harbor master or marina manager is paid to manage his employees and facilities in order that you have a good experience and the services that you pay for. Nothing he does improves your expeirence beyond the minimum level of service. However, the yard guys, the dock boys, the forklift drivers, the maintenance guy, etc., even though they are paid a salary, are what can cause the quality of your experience can to exceed the norm or minimum.

If you are going to tip someone, tip the guys who really go above and beyond for you, not the guy who is already paid to do it.

One other point about tipping marina personnel.........never, ever give the tip to someone, management or not, to split or deliver it to your intended recipient(s) because it just goes in his left pocket and will never get to where you intend it to go.

 

[katricol]

I regularly tip the yard guys , mechanic's ,helpers etc who help me whenever I need to borrow a tool,need advise, a little hand w/ something etc...goes a long way over the years....Ric

 

[Presentation]

Wow, I’m glad I’m not a pilot.

 

[wetpaint]

I just got back from Dunkin Donuts and I did not leave a tip for he first time in years......I felt really good as the saying goes...A penny saved is a penny earned.........My stomach does not feel good now.....How long does a food illness last?

 

[skibum]

You guys can whine all you want. I'm still jealous.

My desk won't do a barel roll. :smt089

 

[Mr Salt]

There seems to be an issue on thsi whole web site as to what people make or for that matter don't make, how long they work and how long they don't work. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence until you get there. So that whole issue of what one makes is totally irrelaqvent here becasue there is nothing anyone of us can do about it.

Concerning tips to marina personnel I have found in the past that a simple Christmas card works wonders. There are some jobs that work on tips and some that don't. You tip a waitress/waiter don't you? Did you ever try to get out of a New York taxi without typing the driver? There are direct service jobs that work on tips and there are other jobs that do not. I don't tip the mechanic who fixes the plane, my life is in his hands as well as those of the pilot. I always thank the pilot when I get off the plane.

 

[Summer Fun II]

Mikey is my marina mechanic he's the only one i tip. But not with money he loves Arby's roast beef :grin:. So while he's working on my boat i go and get him something from Arby's. :smt001

 

[Rocket]

We always tip the dockmaster as he was helpful in securing our slip. He also gives advise on anchorages, destinations, and gave me a few lessons when we originally started with our 240da. The mechanics and detailers always get tipped as well. I try to visit them while they are working. It goes a long way.

 

[David Morgan]

No, this only increases the number of people you are supposed to tip which is getting ridiculous.

 

[Newbie]

I tip the dock master annually with my annual dockage fee. Without mine and the same from others, her job would not exist. I do tip her though when she is the one tending the fuel dock which is quite often.

I have always thought the guys who check your baggage curb side at the airport are some of the highest paid, I've seen those guys get $20.00 in 5 minutes. I think I might go apply myself...

 

[HUMPH]

If you think the Harbor Master does a good job and you like him, buy a Christmas card for him. He will appreciate that just fine I am sure...