DALFA

The bigger question is:

What's the deal with this whole tipping everyone all the time?

Let's take a look at the whole tipping thing for a second. You go out and eat or drink and you tip the waiter/bartender right? Why do you do that? Because they're paid $2/$3 per hour and tips make up the rest of it. I mean, the law is such that it allows employers to pay them that little.

Why do we automatically tip a van driver?

Although van drivers don't enjoy a wealthy compensation package, they generally make $9-10 per hour on average. In Omaha they might make $8 and in SFO they might make $12-14.

Should we tip? Well, isn't a tip a showing of appreciation for a job well done or for going above an beyond what your job description says in this case? I have 1 bag and 1 tote and if you're friendly and load/unload the bags in the van then you get my dollar tip. If you're rude and ****ed off at the world you're not getting squat. Flying domestic 3 day trips i'd say there's at least 1 van driver every other layover that in my opinion doesn't deserve a tip...and I don't shell out the $1. Sorry. It's a tip, look up the definition.

Do people tip pilots on their way out the door because the flight was on-time and the landing was smooth? No.

Do people tip flight attendants for great service (even though we do practically the same thing bartenders do)? 99% of the time...No.


So why do we automatically tip everyone? Are you trying to look good ...or???

notEnuf

Flew with a guy who gave out $2 bills just to see if people noticed, what a tool! Oops, yeah that was me. Once I said "all out of Bens but here's a Tommy." That was kinda toolish, never said it again.

BoilerUP

I give out $2 bills...fewer singles to carry in my wallet and yes, they make for a nice novelty.

/notDelter

DFW Refugee

TIPS= "To Insure Prompt Service."

I would guess many here have never worked for or relied on tips to make a living, pay for school, or just have extra cash. If you have, you know that it's a significant experience. If not, please TRY and put yourself in the service person's shoes, and just tip them.

Personally, I start the van driver at 2 Euros/Dollars. If there's a significant delay, poor attitude, etc... probably less. Holidays, they're chatty, friendly, took the scenic route, etc... more.

If your wife/girlfriend/mother was standing there and you didn't tip, do you really believe they'd think more of you?


BTW: I got a $30.00 tip from a pax, JFK-->LAX a number of years back. I tried to refuse, but she said she'd heard what we make and figured it might help. With the help of three crew members, we drank it at the hotel!

2StgTurbine

You tip for a scenic route? Personally, if the van driver shortens my overnight so they can show me the "scenic" side of Cleveland, I don't think I will be tipping.

But as you stated, the important thing about tipping is to get the van driver to associate your airline with $ in their pocket. That way when they hear that we need a pickup and they just left the airport, that van driver will do a 180 to get us even though it will cause the Southwest crew already on the van to get upset

BobZ

in many cases service industry workers have suppressed wages due to the inferred gratuity income.

servers in Georgia resturants more often than not are making about $2.00/hr in pay. its legal and the gratuity inference is why.

I tip transport drivers because they have my personal safety in their hands.

and they handle my bags.

and to engender good will and loyalty to their duties.....that may not directly benefit me.....but perhaps the next crew down the line that driver may go the extra mile for...because he remembers I didn't stiff him on a $5 tip.

captjns

$5.00 is my standard. Some sports who earn well north of $200,000 a year are so tight that when they pull a quarter out of their pockets the feathers molted off the eagle. Or god for bid they take a single out of their pockets George Washington is rubbing his eyes cause he hadn't seen the day of light since it went into their pockets.

Sometimes F/O's and F/A's need OJT their first trip out. I don't expect $5.00, but at least a buck.

notEnuf

Aren't all our contract driver already trained? 1 from the FO 2 from the CA. Anything more and they've won the lottery! Especially with 5 or more FAs.

Ramprat

Unbelievable how big of a cheap skate some people can be. $1 is literally what you are paid for less half the time it takes to start ONE engine for one leg. If the guy has to schlep my heavy steel framed bag twice and gives me a safe ride to the hotel, take my dollar. After a plane swap or two it's kind of nice to not have to toss it around once more.

kme9418

I have been wondering how long "$1 has been the standard tip". With about 100 years of aviation behind us, shouldn't inflation have it up to about $2 yet? But I'm just an FO at a bottom feeder airline so I still only tip $1 and so does most everyone else I fly with.