npgraphicdesign 3 #1 October 27, 2008 So let's say at your DZ there are a few packers that are always their packing, be that student rigs, fun jumper rigs, tandem, etc. 1. If you ask them consistently to pack your rig, is it common courtesy to tip them every time, once every week, once a month, etc? 2. If they are busy, what's the 'proper' way to ask them to pack your rig? Just go up and ask, or does each DZ keep a list and you just add your name to it? (in case you're too lazy to pack) 3. Is it customary to tip them regardless of whether they pack your rig once a week or at least several times a week? 4. Do you 'tip' with beer, money, or...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #2 October 27, 2008 Why do Americans have such a thing about tipping? Pay for a job/service and have done with it. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #3 October 27, 2008 Simple reasons I tip: My packer is vigilant about having me ready when I need to be. Coordinating the timing of multiple rigs is not easy at a DZ with lots of activity. She places a priority on rigs for staff and teams. I apprecate that when I am team jumping. I have specific prefrences about how I want my rig packed. Leave the nose of my Spectre fully exposed.... it snivels plenty without help. My packer is vigilant about noting and fixing or reporting problems (worn closing loop or such). My packer is also a rigger and frequently gives me tiny (but valuable) gear lessons as things come up. Often these things are issues with other people's rigs that she thinks would be good lessons for me. "Hey Jim, look at this...." Tipping isn't always about cash. Sometimes my tip is simply making sure that she has her favorite cold drink on a hot busy day. Sometimes she has more work than she can handle. I always give her "first right of refusal" and let her refer me to an alternate packer of her choice. She has never steered me wrong. Lastly, I get free hugs upon arrival and departure!!! The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,110 #4 October 27, 2008 >2. If they are busy, what's the 'proper' way to ask them to pack your rig? Just >go up and ask . . . Just ask. They might tell you yes, or no, or put your name on the list. >3. Is it customary to tip them regardless of whether they pack your rig once a >week or at least several times a week? I tip then when it's 115F out and they've been getting me on back-to-back loads all day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piahenzi 0 #5 October 27, 2008 tipping is a part of our culture. There, we're done with it. I use a packer when I am working tandem vid. He always makes sure my rig is ready within 10 mins and I can do as many jumps as I am in rotation for w/o missing a beat. I tip at the end of the weekend. Say I made 15 jumps x $6 = $90 - I will round up to $100 and so on. I tend to stick with one packer, they know what I like in my openings and I develop trust and mutual benefit with that packer - sometimes for a whole season. Do what you feel comfortable with but I tend to stick another 10-15% or so on top of the pack job price. I know I may be over-generous here for some, but I want to ensure that I am taken care of and can work without worrying that I'll be ready for the next load. It all depends on where you see the value. I can guarantee you that if a packer has 5 rigs to pack and they are all on a 20 minute call, the biggest tippers will make the load.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdfreefly 1 #6 October 27, 2008 I don't usually tip packers. If I haven't used them all day and I ask them to pack my rig after the sunset load, I think that is kind of a dick thing to do so I throw them some extra money. If they are a person I like and I feel like they've really tried to take care of me, I'll throw them some extra money and usually try to save them a beer from the communal case. That said, why do brits have such a problem understanding that an extra financial incentive can sometimes produce better results? I think the tipping thing is way over board here in the US, but if you are traveling to another country, it is wise to observe their customs. If you participate in an activity where those attending your needs are tipped by the locals, then you should tip as well. Unless, of course, you don't care if people think you are a monumental dick head. Methane Freefly - got stink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #7 October 27, 2008 I usually tip if I am organizing and jumping on a schedule, like every third load and I need to keep up the pace. If I am fun jumping and in no hurry I don't. I am in business for myself. If I need to make more money I raise my price. If I raise it too much I loose business. I figure the packers can do business the same way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnDeere 0 #8 October 27, 2008 I tip my packer no matter what. 1 pack job or ten she gets a tip. I tip VERY WELL. She save's my ass on every jump. Why should i be a cheap skate when she takes care of me????Nothing opens like a Deere! You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poe62 0 #9 October 27, 2008 If for some reason my guy isn't around to pack for me, then I just ask a packer I trust. If she is way too swamped, then she'll ask me if it's okay for someone else to pack for me. I always tip my packers at the end of the day. They are working hard doing something I don't want to do. I want to show them that I appreciate them for getting me on that next load, and I'm pretty amazed at how well they handle themselves at my dz when it gets really busy.~Nikki http://www.facebook.com/poe62 Irgity Dirgity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
npgraphicdesign 3 #10 October 27, 2008 Quote If for some reason my guy isn't around to pack for me, then I just ask a packer I trust. If she is way too swamped, then she'll ask me if it's okay for someone else to pack for me. I always tip my packers at the end of the day. They are working hard doing something I don't want to do. I want to show them that I appreciate them for getting me on that next load, and I'm pretty amazed at how well they handle themselves at my dz when it gets really busy. You don't like packing?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyhawke 0 #11 October 27, 2008 I too pay my packer at the end of the day. I always try to give them a good tip because I appreciate their service and because my canopy is a beast to pack! THANKS DREW AND VALARIE, LUV YA TO PIECES!!!"It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities." - A. Dumbledore Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ozzy13 0 #12 October 27, 2008 QuoteWhy do Americans have such a thing about tipping? Pay for a job/service and have done with it. Well I TIP so that my rig gets done when I need it.Never give the gates up and always trust your rears! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poe62 0 #13 October 27, 2008 Quote You don't like packing?? That's putting it mildly...~Nikki http://www.facebook.com/poe62 Irgity Dirgity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertime24 8 #14 October 27, 2008 What are these "packers" people keep talking about? If I cant pack it for myself I generally dont jump it (there have been exceptions), but then again I'm also not making 15+ loads a day either.Muff #5048 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airathanas 0 #15 October 27, 2008 Quote I can guarantee you that if a packer has 5 rigs to pack and they are all on a 20 minute call, the biggest tippers will make the load.... As a former packer, I can say with confidence that this is SO TRUE!! I will also say that packers are more likely to pack for you again if you tip. Otherwise they may pass you on to someone else, maybe to a packer who is just starting to pack and they are not that good (and they don't know any better).... ...I'm just sayin'.http://3ringnecklace.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halfpastniner 0 #16 October 27, 2008 Quote Quote Why do Americans have such a thing about tipping? Pay for a job/service and have done with it. Well I TIP so that my rig gets done when I need it. At my dropzone, we go on the bribery system. I am going to keep packing tandems and going on breaks until you wave a bunch of money in my face. Of course, bribery amounts are inversely proportional to how much i actually care about the customer. If you are a respected staff member who lets me use their rig when they arnt using it, no bribes requiredBut if you are a mega tool who HAS to pay a packer because they dont know anything about there gear, and thereby keeps me on the ground instead of in the air.......pay up bitches! (In case you havent noticed, im a little salty about spending my whole summer at the DZ and only getting 70ish jumps)BASE 1384 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #17 October 27, 2008 Quote2. If they are busy, what's the 'proper' way to ask them to pack your rig? Just go up and ask, or does each DZ keep a list and you just add your name to it? (in case you're too lazy to pack) All I know is how NOT to ask. Dropping your canopy on the packer's face while she is taking a nap is the wrong way to ask for a packjob. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMK 3 #18 October 27, 2008 You’re an embarrassment; you’re a cheap bastard and proud of it? That’s why we have the poorest customer service in the UK of any major country and a British accent is greeted by disdain in restaurants around the globe. Why do you even comment on packers? In the UK they don’t exist. At least not in the conventional sense as seen at many international dropzones."Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to attend his classes" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poe62 0 #19 October 27, 2008 Quote All I know is how NOT to ask. Dropping your canopy on the packer's face while she is taking a nap is the wrong way to ask for a packjob. Are you speaking from experience? ~Nikki http://www.facebook.com/poe62 Irgity Dirgity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #20 October 27, 2008 Nikki: I have a deal for you... If you promise to wear that Halloween costume again (soon), I'll pack for you for free! If you wear that costume and sit in my lap on the plane...I'll pack for you and buy you booze too! The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poe62 0 #21 October 27, 2008 ...but I LOST the contest!!!!~Nikki http://www.facebook.com/poe62 Irgity Dirgity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #22 October 27, 2008 what ever (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildcard451 0 #23 October 27, 2008 Lesson number one: Beat your packer until they fall into line. In all seriousness, if I tip or not depends on the day/weekend I've had. If it's just one or two jumps then nah. I keep about the same 2-3 packers all year long. If they have been giving me priority to get me on student loads or keeping me on every other load all day, or went out of their way for me....then yeah, I tip. If you take care of your packer they will take care of you. If I had it my way though I would just beat them with a stick until it is packed again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnDeere 0 #24 October 27, 2008 Quote You’re an embarrassment; you’re a cheap bastard and proud of it? That’s why we have the poorest customer service in the UK of any major country and a British accent is greeted by disdain in restaurants around the globe. Why do you even comment on packers? In the UK they don’t exist. At least not in the conventional sense as seen at many international dropzones. Good call (cheap bastard)Nothing opens like a Deere! You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #25 October 27, 2008 I rarely use packers, but when I do, I tip. Oh, and Shrop: What they said. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
