I used to tip a couple bucks every ride when I was at TSA. Now I'm at Lakes and make next to nothing. I haven't been paid in 2½ months. I cannot afford to tip anybody right now.

 

Lots of good points that people have brought up. I'll just tell my story.
It all started when I was the only crew member on a van in CVG. Since we trained there, I knew the drivers all real well. I got into a conversation with one and asked about pay/benefits. He stated that he made $13 per hour and usually worked 50 hour weeks (with 10 hours of 1.5 pay). So, by using my pilot math skills, $715 a week seems to be the number. This along with running crews to a busy crew hotel (3 or 4 members at a time), figure on the low end, 1 crew an hour ($30 or $40 a day cash).
This was in December 2007. On New Year's Eve, I made a resolution to not tip the drivers during trips. Instead, I would put the $6 per trip (3 overnights) away in a jar for the whole year. At the end of the year, I had $290.00 in cash shoved into a jar!! Yay! Many drivers, especially in Canada, stood there waiting for me to tip and some looked angry as I walked away after thanking them, but I guess they'll get over it.

Special circumstances do arise though. I park at a local hotel because it is cheaper than the airport parking. These guys are great, and I usually give them $2 each way. The hotel is nice enough to let me park there, and they go out of the way to pick me up, sometimes late at night.
The airport parking at my home airport (RSW) is great too. If running late, I sometimes have to park at the airport. This place has guys that direct you to a spot, then the van comes to your car, and the driver loads/unloads your bags (even has an umbrella for you in the rain!). I always tip these guys!

 

I have always wondered why pilots do not get tipped. I tip a few bucks for some girl to cut my hair in a few minutes, even when it is crappy. I tipped 5 bucks tonight for some guy to bring me a couple of drinks at dinner over a period of less than 30 minutes. But a few days ago I flew a plane of 76 people 800 miles, taking into consideration their well being, smoothness of flight, on time departures and arrivals, and the safety of their lives. I got paid pennies on the dollars for 2 hours of work than I spent more than 4 hours of my time considering preflight and post flight duties. Pretty pathetic.

 

yes, but then you'd be assuming that every van driver gets paid $13/hr. maybe we should ask each driver what their hourly wage is before we choose to tip them or not.. what would be the threshold for them getting a tip?

 

As I've said before...certainly I don't mind tipping (off first year pay, of course). And I certainly would never accept a tip as an Airline Pilot...I've taken "gas money" tips from folks at local fly-ins for taking them around the patch, but when the uniform goes on, I want nothing to do with waiting tables as a server in college...

 

Usually I pay for service. Wichita ALWAYS earns my money. Standing a half hour in MSP doesn't.

 

I'm sure there is some reasonable reason for why we don't get tipped... I don't know the reason though.
yeah I agree with you... sometimes you just wonder why we have to tip. I don't like getting my hair shampooed at salons, but most salons require wet hair (to cut long hair) so then I'm "forced" to tip not only the hair stylist, but the shampoo girl as well. But then again, I realize that that is the cost of getting a haircut... if I didn't want to pay up, I could always become cousin it or do a homejob.
Seems like you're supposed to tip just about anyone. I don't always agree with it either. But you know, I don't think we should not tip bartenders or van drivers just because WE're not getting tipped. That's not their fault.

 

I have to disagree. PROVIDED you keep a log with your actual expenses, you may well document expenses far exceeding the government rates and your per diem. To do this you must keep a log of your actual meal and incidental expenses. This may include many expenses that we do not often think of, such as gym fees away from home, when they duplicate a gym membership that you have at home, haircuts, when your wife normally cuts your hair at home but you are away for too long, shoe shines that you would normally do yourself, and your employer requires, but you don't have the equipment to comply with away from home, taxi fare for pretty much anything, and ACTUAL meal expenses. NOTE: the IRS does not require receipts for meals under $75. NOTE: Please do not consider this liscence to deduct a $75 breakfast in Fargo, North Dakota. The only way you could manage that would to pay for five crew members, or to have ten shots of single malt scotch with breakfast. On the other hand, if you have a several day layover in LHR or NRT, it is extremely easy to spend way more than the government rate.

 

Back when I had a job flying i tipped if:

They were on-time (they are required to track our flights and arrive when we do)
They are kind
They take my bags and are gentle with them
If they screw up any of these I don't tip...I get paid to little to tip unless they do this.

If they give me a ride to a store/bar/restaurant I usually tip at least a dollar for each leg, usually more.

 

i can't think of how this is appropriate for anyone. i would assume you get per diem (and that doesn't matter, really...it just matters that you're eligible for per diem). because the deduction you'd already be taking off of the gsa numbers for per diem allowances include tips. there's no legitimate reason to deduct tips separately unless you're just not taking advantage of the real money to be had in deducting the difference between your per diem and the gsa numbers.



If you take a detailed approach in doing your taxes, tips are not included in you per diem. Each overnight city has a $-amount associated with spending your time there. You deduct per diem form all your expenditures accumulated over each overnight, and if you are doing a "smart" job, you will get a higher deductions amount.
I believe tips are earned, as so many people pointed out. I also think most drivers make more money than a regional FO (without tips). For IRS purposed I tip van drivers and maids a set amount for each service provided for each overnight (it might be a little more than they actually see...although that might be unpatriotic and socialist...but it's my money..and I'm the one paying the taxes....and I'm the one given the leeway on reporting my expenses....if you think I'm cheating or cutting corners, I can think of lots more ways I am getting the short end when I sign my check to Uncle Sam)
...But that's just me... and I am cheap...