Here in the Middle East, very few of us tip. Those of us who do get very good service. It is funny to watch the ramp guys pushing and shoving to see who is the guy who gets my pax and crew bags.

Hey, you want service, you got to give up the change.

 

I dine and ride vans regularly in Australia and Japan where there is no tipping, and the service is just fine--what gives?

You even get "white glove" taxi service in Japan!

 

Van drivers get paid full salary (not a reduced pay salary like a waiter), and basically force themselves to carry your bags on the van, leaving you no choice but to let them put your bags on the van.

I usually don't tip them unless I'm asking for a special run to town.

 

Social differences.

USMCFLYR

 

After a good floatplane tour in Alaska, we gave the pilot a substantial tip. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

 

I don't tip in Japan as it is not expected.

I don't tip jackass drivers who make me sick with their idiotic driving.....

Most other times a buck or two.

Some of you are much to concerned with what other people do with their money...

 

I have no problem tipping when its appropriate. I do have a problem with tips jars being placed everywhere and no its expected.

 

I wonder how that was started ?
BTW nice avatar.
Ally

 

True, but then again, EVERYTHING is expensive on first year pay.

Seems like the guys (and girls) that don't tip have got the $1000 headset, latest smart phone, latest tablet, and have ZERO problem going out on the overnights and chronically outspend their perdiem. To include tipping the bartender the usual amout for every beer.

Yet they ***** about how broke they are and say they don't have the money to tip the van driver.

Come to think of it, it's not just year one pilots.

As mentioned by Atlas, it's that person's money and they can do as they wish. I just can't stand to be around the coworkers that cry/complain about how broke they are as the reason they don't tip but their obvious spending habits dictate otherwise.

I'm a dollar each way kinda guy. Holidays I usually step it up to 5-10, just because I've worked service before. And many times then, just like now it wasn't by choice to be working the holiday. Like others have mentioned, the majority of van drivers AREN'T making anywhere near what 2nd year and higher pilot is making contrary to popular urban legend.

 

Amen. A tip jar at Subway in the airport? Uh...yeah. Thanks for making my $8 sandwich, since that's your job. Here's a couple more, just to say thanks.

$1 each way if I'm with the whole crew.
$2 if it's just the other guy and me.
Nothing for the maid - not sure why I would