My students late and I'm on here...

chrisreedrules

chrisreedrules

Master Blaster
My student has been coming to this flight school for over a month now. Twice a week for over a month and lives fairly close to here. He just texted me to tell me that he is running late because his GPS took him to another airport 45 minutes across town. I'd normally call BS but if you met this guy (think Spicoli from Fast Times) you would understand how this is a very real possibility for him. I've been extremely frustrated with a number of my students lately. Just venting. I need a vacation. That is all.
 
cmhumphr said:
Just start charging him because he obviously doesn't value your (his instructors) time.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

It's his money (You are charging for the time, right?)

I would let him be as late as he want's to be. When it starts costing him maybe he will find responsibility.
 
I would not sign off his x-country or IFR until he could at least drive to the airport by himself without going to the wrong airport.

If he cannot drive to the airport I would be more than worried about him landing at the wrong field ;)
 
Wait, he's been driving to the airport for a month and he's 45 minutes away at a different one? Drugs are bad mmmkkkaaayyy!
 
We had a guy who was regularly late, even with charging for tardiness and no shows (he had a zero-to-hero package deal and thus a large amount on account).

Finally, I had the Chief Pilot write an email to his father. He has not been late since.
 
My students got a 3 strikes and you're out policy. Staring with the third late/no show they were billed from our starting time for a late show or billed for the entire scheduled duration for no show. Time is money. Waste either of mine and I'll waste yours.
 
With that kind of situational awareness, I think he's better off not flying in my opinion...I mean really? Same airport for a month and he still can't find it without a GPS/blindly follows his GPS to another airport? Reeeaaally?
 
Btw, I put up with a alot as a CFI, but no call/no show and lateness are 2 thingsthat truley piss me off.
 
ryan4sail said:
SO far, I've found that my biggest pet peeve is when a student shows up super early. I'll purposely schedule my day so that I have a hour break between flights when i can grab a bite to eat, check my email, etc. They show up 30 mins early, and expect me to be ready to go... No way dude. We were scheduled for 3:00, not 2:20..
Click to expand...

I know the feeling! Then the student tries to guilt trip you into thinking you're wasting their time... Well it's not my fault you're ready an hour early... LOL
 
I was late once and the instructor wasn't happy, but then I'm paying so that's a non issue. But just the once is allowed. Otherwise I have been at the airport at 7am-3pm (and onto 7pm sometimes during accelerated instrument) whether I needed to or not, as there's always some work to do if not study or fly. I think some people need the motivation and push, but then it's their money. My trip to the airport always takes 20 mins, which is good also.

Alex.
 
Jeez, you guys are rough. I fully get (and adhere to) a policy of punctuality, but all of the acrimony can usually be mitigated by a phone call, right?
 
killbilly said:
Jeez, you guys are rough. I fully get (and adhere to) a policy of punctuality, but all of the acrimony can usually be mitigated by a phone call, right?
Click to expand...

When I was a CFI, if you called me and were a good student who was always on time, not a problem. If the schedule was tight, depending on their tardiness I may just make it a ground lesson, or a shortened flight. The ones that truly got me pissed off was the intro/newer students. My regulars were always great, but you can't realistically charge a brand new student for not showing up. I fully understand and agree to a point with time is money, but if you charge a first timer you can almost guarantee you'll never see them again.
 
He showed up... "Duuuude... My GPS sucks mahn. I was in a hella rush and I put in the wrong airport. I didn't even realize it until I got there".

Me: "So you didn't realize it was taking you three times the normal amount of time to get here"?

Him: "I dunno man, sometimes I just lose track of time when I'm like, driving".

*sigh... This is gonna be a great student. Whats funny is he is actually a pretty good pilot.
 
I have a couple people that insist on showing up about 3 or 5 minutes late every. single. time. Not enough to cause any problems really so I don't feel right charging them, but it annoys the crap out of me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top