Does one tip a CFI?

Ditto, tipping is a great gesture. I tipped all of my instructors one way or another after completing a rating. Most of them don't get paid as well as I think they should. I also managed to get a few tips when I was a full-time CFI.

If they did a great job, you learned a lot, and you're looking to continue a relationship with your CFI, put a $100 bill in a thank you card or take them to a nice dinner. That little bit can go a long way in the future for both student and instructor.
 
SIUav8er said:
Theres a difference between giving someone a ride and actually working with them and instructing them IMO. Its all about the personal interaction. For example, flying charter we get tips sometimes for going above and beyond, it was all about customer service... airline pilots simply lock themselves behind a reinforced door and fly the plane. big difference
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I agree. It's about the customer service provided, not simply the point to point flying. People tip flight attendants every so often, don't they?
 
I think the topic is mis-labelled. I doubt the OP wants to give the CFI a few bucks after each lesson. Most folks here seem to be talking about a thank-you gift after a rating or license. I think it's fine if that's the relationship you have with your CFI. When I finish my instrument rating in the next few weeks, I'll buy dinner, or a gift card or something.
 
I know a guy who gets a bottle of whiskey after very pass. I think that is less of a tip and more of a "you owe me whiskey" conversation.

I was tipped $200 bucks once. That was very very nice and very unexpected.
Other than that me and the lady were taken out to supper.
I think that is more inline with standards.

I think it is great that you have had a good experience want to tip your CFI.
 
TheresaPilot said:
BEING A SERVER IS NOT DEGRADING! It is hard work! Granted, you don't need a degree to wait tables, but not everyone can do it! It is a hard job that you get paid $2.13 an hour for and people don't realize that. Yes, you may have a crappy server once in a while, but the ones that are good, are hard workers. :banghead: Servers deserve their tips, both large and small.
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:yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat:

As somebody who is still serving waiting for that first flying job, well said. The only thing I can add is that even great servers can give bad service every once in a while. Sometimes there are just too many things beyond their control.
 
Okay now I have read all the posts, I agree it is no way degrading or a double standard.
These are two very different jobs that involve aircraft.

...and I segue into -
You can always tell who was and who was never a waiter/busboy/dishwasher, when you go out to eat.
 
I did all but 1 rating (ppasel) with one CFI in around 6 months later at night. I really abused the guy and had him flying all kinds of odd days and odd hours and he got me through every single rating on schedule without problems. He became a good friend during the process and in the end I gave him $200.00 cash. It was the least I could do for him helping me reach my goal and putting up with my odd hours. It really was nothing because if you figure for every rating you spend between 30,000-90,000 depending on where you go a less than 10 percent gift in the end is worth it.

On the other hand I have worked along side CFIs who had no personal connection to their students at all, didnt like them or interact in any way except for instructions during lessons and by default got them through their checkrides. I think that a gift for a CFI is for exceptional service not for the bare minimum. You will know if you think your CFI is worth it.
 
unclenobby said:
For my 2 so far (PPL and IR) I have given the instructor a thank you card and gift cert - not because I felt I had to but because I wanted to.

Whatever you feel is appropriate.
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And thanks! I did appreciate it. Spring is coming and lunch is on me. Pretty soon we can fly and you can pay less than your "pro rata share."
 
Yeah, maybe I did title it wrong.

I am looking to give something to my instructor as a nice gesture/bonus for the training. Tipping might have impplied the wrong idea...

Thanks all for the responses and thoughts.
 
As stated: always appreciated, never expected.

I received gifts from students I never expected them from. I also received a Garmin 496 once from a student. That blew me away, but honestly the card was more valuable than the G496.
 
I had one student (well, have...he's waiting to take his final stage check and checkride) who has brought sausage biscuits to our early morning blocks, and another who got me a bag of candy.
 
USMC-SSGT said:
WOW! Where were you on that one unclenobby? Get up here, we will do your CFI in my plane and you can buy me a 496.
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Sounds like a plan sgt!! As for out fly in - I can pretty much do any Saturday once I can schedule a plane, maybe ASH or SFM.
 
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