kronan

Just curious as to what most guys tip-

driver?
door man?
hotel maid?

usmc-sgt

Van driver $1.00

and if I have to wait at the curb for 30+ minutes in the cold and/or load all of my own bags in and out of the van (those large buses do not count) then I do not tip.

They are paid a wage for what they do and the tip is for good service, if I do not get good service which as mentioned is no more than really putting my bag in the back, than I do not tip.

Door man? Where do you work? More like holiday inn express or Wyhdham for us.

Maid- nothing although im typically only there for 10 hours and leave it as I found it minus the bed making.

Pilotpip

What usmc-sgt said.

A driver that's at a hotel with a bunch of crews is easily making an extra $50-$100 per day.

If they drive me somewhere they usually don't go (grocery, shopping, restaurant, etc) I'll give them a $5 for helping me out because it's still cheaper to do that than cab fare and they'll usually do the same for me next time I'm there.

USMCFLYR

Pilotpip -

Don't know if they are making quite that much I made probably 425/day with SWA crews staying at my hotel. It was only $3.50 a crew - pilots tipped $1 each and the F/A got together for $0.50 each. the MOST I ever made in a day was $150 and that was because OKC was hosting something along the lines of a national sport's event and my hotel was right downtown next to all the action. Now the crew's did tip better if you took them out ot eat. that is nice since we weren't suppose to do that (not in the contract - doesn't that sound familiar?) I do find it funny that the tip is still the same after 20 years. With pilot pay dropping I guess they should be glad!

USMCFLYR

PS - USMC-(S)SGT. My crews NEVER had to wait for me and NEVER lifted a single bag! Johnny on the spot here!

dojetdriver

I'm sure you know this already. But when the time comes to apply for that job you want, DON'T leave that job/experience off your resume/app.

Pilotpip

Working line service I'd make an extra $15-20 a week taking crews to the hotel or terminal. Still appreciated.

At least lunch is paid for!

The Juice

I do not tip the van driver anymore. I was for a while but it adds up, $1 dollar at a time. When I am on vacation I always tip drivers, maids, bell hop, etc.. When I am working I am at work, like the guy driving the van, and I do not tip.

Exceptions to this is if I get a ride somewhere by the driver to get some food or etc.

The airline spends a lot of money on rooms for the crews and a ride to the hotel is part of the contract, not a show of hospitality or good will. I always thank the drivers for the ride and am polite, but the buck stays in my pocket.

USMCFLYR

I don't know if it is expected or not - but I never had a crew member NOT tip. I suppose I should just let you put your own bags into the van and take them out too? Maybe if you ask for directions to the nearest mexican food place that I shold blow you off because it is not in the contract?
Sorry - Juice - but personally I think your reasoning is flawed. I might have expected this from a general person but I always viewed the airline crews as more professional.

USMCFLYR

The Juice

I have been on many van rides with diferent crews from diferent airlines and have seen tips not given.

As far as the mexican food analogy, well that is a ridiculous comparison. That is like me saying if a passenger of another airline asks me where food is in the terminal I should "blow them off" because it is not in the contract. Common courtesy is free as is customer service. Being a profesional has nothing to do with tipping. I have been to Japan a few times and I am always amazed at the level of service given by hotel workers. If you try and tip them they will waive it off and smile and give you a few quick bows. In Japan, people strive to do the best job not for tips, but because they take pride in their work. It is an insult to take a tip for doing what one is paid to do.

I have no problem taking my own bags out of the van. You use SWA as an example as good tippers, well if I made SWA money I would be more free with my money. In Regional airline First Officer world dollars=food, dollars=rent, dollars=student loan payments. I (we) live in a world where every dollar counts. This is why we eat the hotel free breakfast even if we are not that hungry, because it will save us on buying lunch later on.

I do not know what airline you work for, or if you have ever been a regional FO with student loans. Well I am, and I have loans like many others and it is not responsible for me to spend money, regardless of the amount, foolishly.

I consider myself a professional not based on tipping but on the fact that regardless of my low pay I hold myself in high standard and appearance when I fly, not what I give away on tips while I am at work.

USMCFLYR

[QUOTE]My experience is from a long time ago when I did the van driving job and I drove other aircrews to other hotels and they always tipped. Like you Juice - I can only give examples from my experience and this is what I am sharing.

No...it is not ridiculous - tipping (and since you mentioned Japan) in this culture IS courtesy. In Japan it is not cultural. I don't know if you have ever lived in Japan or just passed through, but I feel I have a pretty good feel for it.

The problem with doing your job and NOT getting tipped in this country is that you are often not even getting paid miniumum wage because you are excepted to get tipped and that is part of your sublimental wages.


Again - maybe time makes a difference, but back when I was the van driver; SWA wasn't the job that everyone was dying to get. Matter of fact - they were a national airline and not too many people were clamouring to get there. I know they were getting paid as well as the legacies.

Nope - not a professional pilot and I have never been a regional FO with student loans. I have been the hotel van driver making minimum wage or below and counting on my timely appearence and friendly service to hopefully pry a dollar from the wallet so that I could make a few bucks. And though I have never been an airline crew - whenever I have been in a hotel van - I have always tipped. MOF...Having had numerous jobs where I worked for tips - I don't always tip the *customary* 15% to waitresses for instance. I tipped less if they are very poor and more if I receive good service.

USMCFLYR