My question for those that tip for just picking up/dropping off. What are you tipping for? Is it to get good service? Which if so then why are you/we expected to pay a guy/girl who gets paid already to try and get them to do a good/better job? If so then why is/would it be tabbo for a crew to set up a tip jar vs. the van guy? Is it because we are supposed to be professionals and tipping us is not right because we get paid so well or is it simply a status thing and would make us look/feel cheaper? Feel free to flame away here but I really am asking about peoples logic about why they tip the van driver, and not do you/don't you tip him

2-3 bucks to the hotel and then 2-3 bucks back :D
15-18% gratuity at eateries.
Fred

Van drivers remember the airlines and crews who don't tip.

So, next time your crew has been sitting on the curb for 20 minutes waiting for the van, stewing in your discontent about YOUR wasted time at the curb, consider the cost to you that welching on one dollar tip each way has...especially when the van driver pulls up and doesn't so much as acknowledge the wait. Why should he bust his hump for you to earn a tip when he knows you wouldn't give one anyway?

Again, at most regionals you can earn $2 in per-diem while sleeping for less than 90 minutes...and most of you shysters claiming broke won't think twice about tipping the hotel or restaurant bartender who does nothing but take the tops of your longnecks while on that same overnight.

If you're jealous of the money you THINK van drivers make and that's why you don't tip them, then quit flying and become a van driver. Otherwise, if the van is waiting for you, the driver is safe and they take care to load/unload your bags, drop the Washington on them and make your captain buy your beer on the RON or your coffee in the morning.

By far the most moronic post I have ever read on this site. This statement is so ridiculous I do not even know where to begin.

Of course how much money you have makes a diference on tipping. Tipping is discretionary and based mainly on income level and how much of it is disposable. This is why a movie star will tip a valet driver a $20, a $5 bill for someone else and a buck for another. DISCRETIONARY!

And no, tipping is and has never been part of the job. And to suggest that if someone can not afford to tip then they are in the wrong profession is again, moronic.

I bet the van drivers at a large hotel in a metro area makes more than the a regional FO, and maybe even some Captains.

They probably make 4 runs per hour, and get 2-4 bucks per trip. They work an 8 hour shift. That's up to $256 a day, in addition to the minimum wage pay they get (~$7 per hour).

I've actually had some van drivers tell me the crazy money they make.

I was just offered a van driving position here in DFW just for airline crew! Just for something to do while I'm furloughed. Not sure if I want to take it though. Pays $9 per hour plus tips though.

Well said. Lot's of self righteous people on these boards. All the guys here who are 100% pro-tipping your van driver, otherwise your a worthless P.O.S, are all trying to cram their logic down everybodies throats, while the other guys don't care.

Is it your damn dollar? Then what the hell do any of you "tippers" care what someone else does with it? What does that van driver do that is so special anyways? Why are they so entitled to a tip? For fulfilling the MINIMUM requirement of picking you up at the airport, then driving you back the next day? They should be thanking YOU for helping provide them with a job. Exceptional service?? You're going for a 5 minute ride to your hotel! What exceptional service can you possibly get?? "Hey buddy, good job man..thanks for not killing us.. much appreciated, heres Mr. Washington whom seems to think so as well." It's like people thanking us for not killing them after we land.. it's our damn job.

Leave the U.S and tell me about tipping culture after you spend some time elsewhere. Tips are not even expected.. much less yet required.

To add another 2 cents to this fairly excruciating topic:

As has been said a few times already in this thread, tipping is the same as a gratuity and gratuity is defined as:

'A reward, service, or payment provided freely, without obligation; An additional charge placed for services rendered' ref: wiktionary.org

Note, 'Without Obligation', so while it is obviously nice to give or get a tip for a service rendered, it is not a requirement.

Given that statement, should someone be called cheap for not tipping? Absolutely not! It is their decision not to tip for any number of given reasons, from the fact they can't afford it this week, or that they don't believe that the service was good enough. You do not know someone's personal situation, making sweeping generalizations is not constructive to any argument.

I'm fairly sure that given all the money in the world and a service that is beyond what is expected, the majority reading this would tip. However, should someone receive a tip for just completing a job that is required of them? No, not necessarily.

People are arguing the side of the van driver, saying that they don't get paid a lot or about how its a retirement job for them. Then also saying that pilots should find another job if they cannot afford to give a tip. Given this reasoning shouldn't a van driver, who knows his basic wage and that he might be given tips, get another job if he doesn't want to do it for the basic wage as he might not be given a tip. Is it the responsibility of a pilot or FA to supplement the wages of a van driver, which he signed up for?

First year FO's are living a hard life given the probable debts they have for school/flight training. Therefore, should not be judged in a topic such as this. They are working hard for the pittance they earn. All in a good cause to provide themselves with a stable (maybe) and lucrative career in the long run. Whatever stage you are in your career, leave them be when it comes to tipping.

In my slightly warped opinion of things, tips should be given for good service, and often service is not good. Now do we define good service as 'service that is required or better' or bad service as 'service that is normal or worse'? There is a huge distinction here and that is down to personal preference. I personally believe that required service is OK and good service is anything better and will tip accordingly.

Given the above diatribe, my personal stance is that I will tip if I can and not if I can't, that doesn't make me cheap, just on a tight budget; it certainly doesn't relate to how much my van driver needs it. How good/bad they were and the number of dollar bills in my limp wallet is much more of a factor.

Given all of the above, I will say that I grew up in a country where tipping is not an everyday part of life, it is rare and for exemplary service, which seems to be rare these days. I have worked a job for tips (skycap) and have lived here long enough to observe and respect the system, this doesn't mean that I agree with it.

Here endeth the dissertation, as you may guess i'm furloughed hence the time to sit and discuss, in depth, the tipping of van drivers on a public forum.

Given my work situation, maybe saving those tips from the last 18 months of work would have allowed an extra $25 per month for food for the next 12 months of unemployment. However, 'life in retrospect is a life not worth living'.

13 pages of crap about tipping! Geez.

I am beginning to have nightmares about this thread... losing sleep... not safe to fly... gotta call in sick...