I'm close to 100 completed missions at almost a 1k payout.
I haven't done any client missions, but was contacted for two pano missions with guaranteed payouts of 30 each, which I did.
Seems like payout has slowed since the holidays overall, but so has my flying due to weather. I did right over 600 bucks in the first month with DB.
I've been pretty lucky over all with the home owners/occupants. There is another DB thread around here somewhere with some great info and concerns. I'll try and find a link.
Anyway with my experience (I shoot for 2 other companies besides DB with a similar procedure) I find it best to make yourself noticeable, but not to disturb the occupants. For starters, talking with owners or tenants is an extra "step" in the over all process and is not required. If an occupant confronts me while I'm on the premises, I simply state that, "we find it best not to disturb the occupants" and this will usually start to ease the convo.
Example: Last Sunday I was out to shoot a 5 million dollar castle! Not for DB, but under the same circumstances. I passed the guard shack as the gates were open and continued up the driveway to eventually park right in front of the "castle"
. This is the same thing I would have done having been on a drone base mission. The castle sits on 49 acres in a heavily wooded area, street access would have been impossible. I got out my P4, launched, and was just about in position to start the pano when I heard the home owner coming out of the huge front doors. He came right up to me and started asking all kinds of questions as you could imagine. After a brief convo all was well and he was making sure that I got the vineyards in the back!
Keep in mind, the ignorant (and I'm using this in a nice way) are afraid and scared of "drones" because of the news. Once contact is made (which I think is great), this is your chance to shine and educate if you feel the need. Take this time to show people what you are doing and how. Only we can show the public how we're helping them. The news is not going to do that.
Hiding down the street is not the best practice, and remember, VO's do nothing if the pilot can't maintain VLOS. It seems some here are misunderstanding this regulation. The person manipulating the controls must maintain VLOS per 107. Now this rule is getting ready to change, but as of now you can't fly beyond VLOS and rely on your VO to maintain VLOS.
Drone Base is great for all. I do wish the payouts were better, but I also think taxes are too high too. Being in a metropolitan area as I am, I'm very lucky. I have had several DB missions that were across the street from each other! And several more that were just on the next block over. When I'm out performing DB missions, I average over 3 per hr. I was averaging 15 bucks a mission in the beginning and now I'm around 10. That's not bad if you compare it too some of your typical jobs. Not to mention the fun factor
. As mentioned though this will never "pay the bill" , but is excellent fill in work!