kalyx522

Not sure if this thread belongs here, but I've been wondering about tipping etiquette. Usually I tip the hotel van driver $1-2. But what if I am bag-less (and therefore the driver hasn't helped load any bags into the van), is it OK not to tip at all?
Also, I have to do off-airport parking at my base. There is a shuttle that takes you to and from the airport to the parking company (it's like a 2 min drive.) Sometimes I load my own bag(s) and sometimes the driver will help. Should I be tipping the driver? So far I haven't because I do mostly out and backs which means I get on that shuttle almost every day, sometimes twice a day. Those dollars can add up and as a first year regional guy, I figure I need the money more than the driver does! BUT, there's a part of me that does feel slightly weird about stepping off the van with just a "thank you".. what do you think, what is the etiquette here?

FlyerJosh

As an airline guy, I tipped hotel van drivers $1 for helping with the bags. They got a tip if they were pleasant and reasonably on time for the pickup. I was more likely to tip them if they ran me to a restaurant.

I don't tip airport employee shuttle bus drivers or car rental bus drivers. I might tip off airport (remote) parking lot bus drivers.

rickair7777

I generally tip if they handle my bag. Rental and Employee van drivers rarely do, but if they do they get $1. A hotel driver who doesn't even get out of the van does not get a tip. I'm a big guy, and don't really need help with my bag but it's the principle of the thing.

I always give the cabbies who pick me up at home a big tip...the word gets out and this ensures that when I call a cab to go to the airport I never have to wait for long. The dispatchers know me by caller ID.

Pilotpip

I give the hotel shuttle driver a buck. When I worked for an FBO I remembered who tipped and who didn't. It didn't keep me from doing my job but if I had two crews needing the same thing at the same time, guess who got priority?

Having lunch money was always a nice perk.

cyrcadian

I have two criteria that must be met:

1. Are they paid as a tipped employee?
2. Have they performed a service above their normal job description?

If the second one or both of those are met, then I tip away. I am with Mr. Pink on the tipping philosophy for the most part, we have become a tip happy society. The one difference is that I start at 20% at restaurants.

LAfrequentflyer

I tip my bartender.

$5 tip for every $20 I spend in a bar. Never have to wait for a drink and I have one waiting for me at 1600 every Friday.

-LAFF

schwanm

Any advice on how/when to tip for somebody travelling to the US?

Bri85

I tip the airport people a buck or two. Bartenders depends on quality of drink, and service. If its just a few rounds of beer with friends 10%. There isnt alot of effort opening a beer cap. And waitresses 15% based on service.

sigtauenus

I usually tip 20% at restaurants and $1 per drink at the bar. My wife and I don't usually drink beer at a bar, mixed drinks are the norm so that too probably works out to 20-25% depending on locale. Agree with the comment above if drinking bottled beer. If I'm up for spending the money to eat or drink out, I budget the money to tip accordingly. I have enough family who spent time in the service industry that I was taught growing up to tip well, and like LAFF said, if you frequent the same place regularly and tip well, you can expect first class service every time.

bla bla bla

I tip 20% for dinner if the service was avg. 15% for below avg service.

I tip for ontime shuttle service only.