Do you tip hotel van drivers?
 

I'm just sitting here in my hotel room on a layover, reading through APC and just had a thought and decided to post it. I've debated with my crews over the tip/no tip of shuttle drivers to/from the hotel. What's your opinion on this? I think it's tough because I make less than these shuttle drivers do I'm sure, yet I feel cheap if I don't give them a buck each and every time they pick me up and drop me off. Yet no one tips me for getting them to their destination. I know I'm a professional though, so I shouldn't get tipped, I'm just curious to see what my fellow pilots think about this issue.

These people live off tips. 1 buck per trip... IF they do their job. My conditions are very simple, they have to put my bag in the back, AND then take it out... only doing one or the other does not constitute doing a good job. Also no tip if they are not friendly on the ride.

I don't mind loading and unloading my bags, but if they as much as answer their cell phone for anything other than company business. NO TIP. I was in New York the other day and the van driver had 2 crew on board and an old lady to drop off and he started texting. I asked him to stop and reminded him that it was illegal in NY anyway. He had the nerv to get huffy with me over the situation. Im sure he was not happy about the call I made to the the hotel manager and the Diamond Desk.

I agree.. one other factor. TIMELINESS IF i have to wait for an hour, no tip...

Ayep...they have to earn a $0 tip.

One guy tossed my LW Rollaboard onto my brand new $300 Scott flightbag, gouging the leather on the top flap. Needless to say, he didn't get a penny (but I did effectively bring it to his attention). Actually, I should have charged him the $50 for the leather repair...

Sounds like a normal rampy to me.. Didn't you use to toss bags AB? Karma sucks!!! haha

T.I.P.S. = To Insure Proper Service. I usually tip $1 per trip, but I've heard the standard is $1 per bag. Then again, if they dont load my bags, or if they throw my belongs around, I dont give them anything. Just my 2c

thanks, I appreciate it... i'd say about 50% of the crew's I fly with tip at all... i've been told the tips are negotiated into the contracts with the hotels.. I almost always do except if I don't have any cash, or they aren't friendly or don't do anything, then I won't...

TIPS are also tax deductible. I have an envelope I keep in my computer bag that I keep a tally on. This year I accounted for over $200 in transportation TIPS. Ask your accountant, or whomever does your taxes, if this is appropriate for you.

I don't tip, that's the captains job ;)

Usually I'll tip the driver if I'm the only one going somewhere, like to a restaurant, etc. But going to and from work (i.e. the airport), pretty much never.