Why We Require a Deposit
Like many other trades, the escort pilot industry is built on professionalism and trust — but unfortunately, that trust is often taken for granted. Anyone monitoring pilot groups online will see constant complaints from experienced operators who travel hundreds of kilometres only to be stood down at the last minute or never paid.
One of the best lessons I ever learned came during my apprenticeship over 40 years ago. My boss at the time told me, "I can sit on my arse and go broke — I don't need to go out and work to do it." That advice stuck with me. It's a reminder that doing work without commitment or fair payment is not just risky — it's unsustainable.
To avoid those situations, we operate with a clear, fair policy:
- We require a signed agreement before locking in your booking.
- A deposit is required at time of booking to confirm the job.
- This deposit is credited toward your final bill if the job proceeds.
- We accept payment via bank transfer, credit card, PayID, or cash.
Tiered Travel-Based Deposit Policy
To confirm bookings and protect against last-minute cancellations, we require a deposit based on the distance to the job:
| Distance to Job | Required Deposit | Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km | $100 | Fully refundable if cancelled 48+ hours in advance (minus $20 admin fee) |
| 101–300 km | $150 | Same refund terms |
| Over 300 km | $250 | Same refund terms |
Note: These deposits are not additional charges — they are applied directly to your final invoice. If the job proceeds, there is no separate charge for travel to the job site — that’s included in your quoted rate.
Need Extra Peace of Mind?
If you're concerned about paying a deposit to someone you've never worked with before — we understand. For peace of mind, we also support escrowed payments.
With escrow, your funds are held securely by a trusted third party until the job is completed. We never see the money unless the agreed terms are met — and neither do you. It's a secure and transparent option available to any client who prefers extra assurance.
Escrow.com charges a small fee for this service — approximately $50 AUD for smaller jobs. We're happy to split the escrow fee with you as part of our commitment to fair business.
You're hiring us for peace of mind and reliability — and our processes reflect that.