Etiquette with gift to OJI upon checkout

[Braun]

mostly because it reunites people a few times a year and is usually a really good time.

I wonder if that is a big difference between FSS and ATC. FSS are smaller units generally in smaller communities. Back in the pre-historic days, we worked and socialized with our co-workers a lot.

Also, given that back then we were paid almost from day one with all expenses in TCTI covered (including every third weekend home), the cost of a checkout party wasn't as onerous as it would be now for the current trainees. Heck, I don't even know what trainees get paid now but I know it ain't what I got. Not to mention that a large mug of draft beer in TCTI was $.55.

Haha .55$ beer...impressive...sorry to say I probably wasn't born when you were there haha. ACC's can be weird places i've found. There are people you ''work with'' that you never really get to know because they are in other sub-units and often sub-unit conflicts don't help with that issue. The occasional beer call is always a good time i've found but I can see why some people don't like the idea.

[Lloyd YWG FIC]

sorry to say I probably wasn't born when you were there haha.

Ya, somehow I'm getting the impression you ain't really all that sorry.

[Civet]

Thanks for the replies all. Though I must say I am a bit taken back by a few. I understand in certain situations there may be a generation, or culture gap, which may be to blame for differences in opinions on this, but I didn't expect such a polarized stance. I suppose I could have made my OP more clear, but I fully intend on purchasing a gift for my OJI. As I stated, he was fundamental in my success and I feel thrilled to express my gratitude for that. This was not something I felt as though was a tradition I needed to comply with, (as is a paying for a check-out party) but something I specifically wanted to do, and was looking into the possibility that this was indeed already a "tradition".

Yes, OJI's are paid extra for their time, and yes that's what they signed up for, but at the end of the day we can all agree there is a significant difference between an engaged and invested OJI and one who is not. Expressing gratitude in a more tangible form then a hand shake and fond words seems like it should be the standard and I am shocked that it is not. Someone who so clearly is a fundamental piece in any trainee's career, who can be instrumental in both success or failure. I see no reason as to why expressing gratitude for a positive relationship (and result) is unnecessary. It is impossible to say weather or not I, or any other trainee, would have checked out without their specific trainee/OJI relationship. As was mentioned earlier, I hope to "pay it forward" in the future to any potential trainee I may have, but in the mean time I can't be so cocky as to assume that I would have received a license no matter what OJI I may have had. Any other "He would have checked out regardless" circumstances are assumed, and the only result that is measurable is the specific positive one with that specific trainee and OJI. Offering a gift in acknowledgement of this I would have assumed standard.

[yeah yeah]

Civet, I agree wholeheartedly with everything you wrote. My personal guideline for initial checkout is to budget a gift equal to one day's overtime. Over a 25-35 year career, it's a drop in a very large bucket. For subsequent checkouts I buy a bottle of the nice stuff. My last checkout was shared between two OJIs equally and they each received a bottle of Dom Perignon. Again, it's a drop in a bucket.

[Married a Canadian]

Civet, I wouldn't be taken aback...it isn't personal or anything...it is just a viewpoint. I don't get the mentality that somehow an OJI is doing the trainee a favour by actually doing their job.

Yes, OJI's are paid extra for their time, and yes that's what they signed up for, but at the end of the day we can all agree there is a significant difference between an engaged and invested OJI and one who is not

If an OJI isn't invested in training, they shouldn't be an OJI. Why bother training at all if you don't want to or can't be bothered to help an ab initio?
Aviation isn't a service industry like hotels, restaurant's and pubs and the like. The annual salary especially at a centre is more than adequate remuneration. NAV Canada is paying their OJIs to do what you are praising them for.....if they aren't..then that says more about the OJI than it does either the trainee or NAV Canada.

I am not criticising the act of expressing gratitude, and showing thanks...but assuming that buying a gift or the like for an OJI earning $160 000 plus at an ACC should be standard?? Not in my case.

[Saxub]

Sure some salty people here. If one of my trainees bought me a beer or a bottle of wine after a successful PPC I'd happily accept and think nothing of it. Why make a big deal out of it? They are trying to do something nice for you and acknowledging the fact you trained them well. Say thank you and move on.

[Lloyd YWG FIC]

I don't think anyone is being salty or are making a big deal of this subject but then I have a tendency to read the posts as if we were sitting in a lunch room having a conversation. Sure, some ribbing and gentle mocking take place but it isn't personal. How could it be, most everyone here is anonymous. Having said that, one of my nicknames at work was "Dark Cloud". I guess I got a tad bit cantankerous towards the end. I apologize if any were/are offended by what I posted.

I'm fairly confident that if a successful trainee in the CYWG FIC went to any other OJI qualified person to inquire as to an appropriate gift, they would be told that it is not necessary ten times out of ten. They might suggest a box of donuts or cookies for the unit, but I can't imagine any of the folks I worked with suggesting a gift. I would be disappointed if they did.

[Married a Canadian]

Don't consider myself salty...

Original poster asked a question, was given a response...expressed surprise at response...and I expressed a further opinion afterwards. Whole point of an internet forum is you don`t have to agree...I have never had a problem with that..especially in this case because as you correctly say...it is not really a big deal.
I don`t think it is necessary or required to do what is suggested in this thread....others are free to disagree.....my reasons are based on where I have worked and how I view the ATC salary and OJI description. No saltiness there....just personal opinion.

[DanJ]

It isn't about not being necessary, it's as if some of you guys are making it sound like it's not allowed, or at least, not a good idea. Neither of which, the OP actually was asking about.

[Saxub]

I don't think anyone is being salty or are making a big deal of this subject but then I have a tendency to read the posts as if we were sitting in a lunch room having a conversation. Sure, some ribbing and gentle mocking take place but it isn't personal. How could it be, most everyone here is anonymous. Having said that, one of my nicknames at work was "Dark Cloud". I guess I got a tad bit cantankerous towards the end. I apologize if any were/are offended by what I posted.

I'm fairly confident that if a successful trainee in the CYWG FIC went to any other OJI qualified person to inquire as to an appropriate gift, they would be told that it is not necessary ten times out of ten. They might suggest a box of donuts or cookies for the unit, but I can't imagine any of the folks I worked with suggesting a gift. I would be disappointed if they did.

Fair enough.. from an outside perspective reading this thread I was kinda shocked to see how many people had such a strong opinion on this specific subject. Really at the end of the day, say thanks and move on. Consider it a nice gesture and that's all it is.

It isn't about not being necessary, it's as if some of you guys are making it sound like it's not allowed, or at least, not a good idea. Neither of which, the OP actually was asking about.

Yeah, that's kinda how I read it. Guy just wanted to do something nice.

OP, if you know they drink... as some people in this profession don't, just buy a nice bottle of wine with a small card to say thanks. OR take them out for a beer, and make that the start of a working friendship outside of "instructor/student" mentality.

[Lloyd YWG FIC]

it's as if some of you guys are making it sound like it's not allowed, or at least, not a good idea.

If anyone got that impression from my comments I apologize. I never intended to make it seem it was verboten. I personally would not want a gift but I'd choke down a donut or three with a large black Dark Roast if someone were to have brought it in to work.

[RexKrammer]

The beer call is in MATS...look it up. I really enjoy the beer call idea, mostly because it reunites people a few times a year and is usually a really good time.

I'm all for a beer call and getting together as a unit. I just found it strange that controllers that have been making 3-4 times if not more the trainee's annual salary are demanding the newly qualified trainee end up spending $100's, if not in the $1000 range for everyone's drinks and food. Why can't people socialise for drinks and share the cost evenly?

[RunwayWindAltimer]

I didn't get my OJI a "checkout gift" but did give him a bottle of scotch at the following Christmas. He's the best instructor/teacher I've had in anything I've done and I didn't think twice about showing appreciation for his ability and effort as an OJI.

Get your OJI a gift if you want to, don't be dissuaded by people on here. It's not expected or required but the gesture will be appreciated. Also consider that your OJI makes good money and you've been on a training salary. There is no need to get anything expensive (certainly not 17 hours of pay, as stated earlier here).

[Braun]

I didn't get my OJI a "checkout gift" but did give him a bottle of scotch at the following Christmas. He's the best instructor/teacher I've had in anything I've done and I didn't think twice about showing appreciation for his ability and effort as an OJI.

Get your OJI a gift if you want to, don't be dissuaded by people on here. It's not expected or required but the gesture will be appreciated. Also consider that your OJI makes good money and you've been on a training salary. There is no need to get anything expensive (certainly not 17 hours of pay, as stated earlier here).

I don't see people try to dissuade it. He asked a question and it is the general consensus that nothing was expected/required. What people decide to do as an individual is up to them. Just because people say it isn't necessary doesn't mean they are trying to dissuade the person from doing it.

[TA/RA]

I just stumbled across this thread now. I qualified IFR 2 years ago and hearing the words "here is your license" what by far the biggest sense of relief that I have ever had. I consider my self a good trainee but not the easiest to train and I was on the ropes a few times. My OJIs worked tirelessly to ensure that I had the tools to succeed and helped scrape me off the floor when I hit training rock bottom. I qualified on a Tuesday and on my way home stopped at the liquor store and bought 4 bottles of scotch and a bottle of wine for around $80/each. Yes it was a $500 bill but in the bigger picture of a career that was made possible by my awesome training staff it was a small drop in the bucket. I cam to work the next day with gifts for my trainers and a card for every person in my specialty thanking them for their support and for making me feel welcome.

Most importantly, don't for get to show your appreciation to the TSS (Training simulation specialists) they are just as important as the instructors in the school.