What? It's too much to ask for a hotel that makes thousands and thousands of dollars off us per month to check an app to see when we are there? Yes I expect them to be punctual, it's their job.

Some hotels are ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS there waiting regardless of us being early, late, on time, whatever. Always. Some hotels are never there and are consistently an issue. Why is it that some are there and some are not? Someone is not doing their job. That person isn't getting my money.

I don't expect to be treated like royalty but if you want something above and beyond, which is what a tip is, then at the very least do the job you are assigned.

By the way I very often have to lift my own bags and hotels are not late picking up all that much but it happens, and is usually the same offender(s). I work at a regional, perhaps my hotels are not as regal as yours.

 

SFO probably not the best example with it's high cost of living, thinking more small'ish mid-size towns. Either way, as someone else said the vast majority of time drivers are courteous, safe and help with bags. When they are late it usually comes with an apology so it is rare for me to even begin to think about withholding a tip.

To each their own I guess.

 

About 2009 I realized that when I started in this business (in 1997), as a commuter pilot I was tipping a dollar. Figured with inflation, the poor economy in 2009 and the fact I was making like ten times as much, I could raise it to $2. So that's what I tip now.

 

A tip isn't for above and beyond. It's for a safe ride to and from the airport and for manually moving your bags into and out of the van. The justifications are getting to be funny. I love the post glamorizing the posh lives some of these van drivers are leading. Are you kidding me? As much as many of you pity yourselves it would be really amusing to listen to you if you were trying to get by on what the drivers make in the cities we fly in and out of. I'm out of this discussion. Either you have some class or you don't. By the way, you should be leaving a buck for the maids too.

 

I'd argue the fast food fatty generation is out of control. I refuse to eat overpriced airport fast food. You enjoy that 10 dollar subway sandwich or big mac though

 

Yea if they get me there safely, punctually, and load/unload my bags they will get a tip. I consider loading bags above and beyond.

A tip is 10000000% for going above and beyond, it's not automatic and never will be from me.

Settle down with the condescension.

 

It may not be the driver, but that is who you are stiffing.

 

When I get back to the hotel and both the desk agent and driver run to the back and eat their mcdonalds I know I made the right decision.

I always ask why they are late. If they have a reason then I'll probably tip them.

Again, do your job and get a tip. If not then you'll get nothing.

 

Please tip maids, otherwise they clean your toilet with someone's toothbrush. Maybe yours.