Just wondering how or if most of you bill for a stand by pump?

I would have to say full price! If the contractor is that concerned about the placement and does not want to wait if something goes wrong. They should buy a stand by pump. 

Really

this is 2007

not 1977

should you throw in some national guard troops too?

Based on what I have seen (and on several occasions) it would be more important to have standby crews for the ones who get drunk and arrested the night before the pour, or the crewmembers who have the "concrete flu" the morning of the pour and never show up.   

 I will stand up for my hard working finishers who might be walking re-bar all day toting a vibrator or pulling stick all day.Concrete finishers may not be the most "book intelligent" people in the world,but they sure have my respect.It takes a "smart" person to place concrete correctly,and finish it.Man,we can't be that smart,we operate concrete pumps.

really Bis, If we were rocket capable we would work for NASA ;~)

I don't think Speedy meant any disrespect. Concrete Placers ( THE PROFESSIONAL ONES ) are great craftsman that stand out in the crowed. They usually are the ones busting some guy in the face at the local tavern, just kidding! On a serious note. I did a job at a school the other day and we were rite out side the classroom doors. The doors open and the teachers and kids were amazed. They said that what we were doing was way more exciting than what they were doing. I told them " STAY IN SCHOOL OR YOU WILL BE OUT HERE DOING IT" That is why I run a concrete pump. 

I know of a company that would charge half price for back up unless they used it. pfft, remember they did that once and both broke down, wonder who looked stupid.

We charge $500 for a back up (32 or 34).  And we send 2 men with each pump.  Customers don't like that but if their is a problem they wouldn't be complaining.