It wasn't that long ago that I was a regional FO and I tipped on every overnight even making $26/hr. Next excuse.

 

Yep. I've been tipping since the day I checked out as an RJ FO.

Like I said, it's a class thing.

 

Plus, using "but FOs don't make money" isn't even an excuse. Most are making almost double what they were making 10 years ago. And they still tipped back then.

 

And I guess starving FO's don't go out to eat other than fast food -- that would require ... (the T-word.)

 

See, you're missing the point. They don't carry cash because it's inconvenient. That's why they don't tip. Or something ridiculous like that.

 

They actually don’t have any money unlike your millennial trust fund.

 

My parents are dirt poor. And I'm not a millennial. Only one more false assumption for an insult strikeout.

 

My credentials (since this entire thread seems to be a credibility contest):

Former regional FO
Current major airline new hire
Millennial

There's no valid excuse for not tipping. "I don't carry cash" is just a dumb argument. Start carrying cash. Problem solved. I get a pack of fifty 1s from my local bank and store the extras in my lunch bag. It's easy.

"They're just doing their job" is a dumb argument. You're just doing your job also, but do you enjoy it when people compliment your smooth landing? They wouldn't have to do that. You wouldn't *have* to tip the van driver. But it's a gesture he enjoys. Spread some enjoyment. You don't like it when people make snide remarks about your crappy landing. I bet the van driver doesn't like it when you sneak off with your bags and no tip.

"They make plenty of money already" is a dumb argument. Even as an FO, stop kidding yourself. In this day of upward salary pressure, the guy who just hefted your bags makes at most 1/2 of what you make. And plenty of people before you tipped when the wage differential was much smaller.

"I don't make enough money to tip drivers" is a dumb argument. If you eat anywhere other than your kitchen or out of your lunch bag once a month you're lying to yourself.

"No one else tips" reflects more on your employee group than on the societal norm. I've never seen a major airline crew not tip. I very very rarely saw anyone from my regional airline not tip. If your group is flaky on tipping I'm sure the van drivers have noticed it more than I have.

 

You sound like one.

 

You're only tipping because of a notion that it is proper to do so. Basically because everyone else is doing it. You still haven't listed anything to support why you should REALLY tip a van driver. Why don't you go down to the ramp and tip those guys hefting your bags?