Originally Posted by
rickair7777
You'd never traveled before you learned to fly? I distinctly remember tipping bell hops and van drivers for handling my bags when I was a (non-pilot) business traveler, and a recreational traveler.
Some service people just get tips in our society, I don't know why people think there's a special carve-out for pilots to not tip van drivers??? It's not strictly mandatory, but people will notice and it will reflect on you.
Me? No I did not travel before I learned to fly. I suspect that’s true of many people. My point is: making a blanket statement that people getting into commercial aviation should just “know” they are going to be tipping is a little silly. Some things you just learn when you first get out there.
Its interesting that you say that it’s not strictly mandatory, yet act like it is. I’m not sure where we as an industry think it’s ok to dictate how others spend their money. If they want to tip, great! If not, who cares?
No personally I do tip. 2 main reasons. First, many of the drivers I come into contact are good people I get along with, work hard, and I’m happy to do it. Second reason is strategic. I want to leave a good impression so future scheduled trips go off smoothly. However if someone doesn’t tip, I really don’t care. That’s their business, not mine.