Airport Transportation Tip ?

[SteveS]

Having been to WDW about 40x in the past 20 years, I have never taken any of the shuttle services. I have always driven or rented a car. I know that their are several shuttle services which I have all the information I need but one important fact.

What is the normal tip to the driver?

We are 2 adults with 2 suitcases, 1 backback, and 1 laptop bag.

Thanks

 

[Kimberle]

We always take a towncar. I tip abt $15-20 each way.

A lady who's dh works for Mears posted her a few weeks ago. She said he makes a little above min. wage, and generally only gets a few dollars from just a few people. Sounds like the Mears drivers would really appreaciate a few dollars as a tip.

I felt kindof bad reading that post. Thought I've never used Mears, several years ago, I frequently used a similar service where I live. I never tipped. I thought the drivers were considered "professionals" and had no idea they relied so heavily on tips.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[taxi_man696]

The easiest thing to remember is ANYONE that works in the service industry relies heavily on tips to make a living.

Here in Las Vegas we are taxed on a 23% tip weather we get it or not. You would not believe the amount of people that think 1 dollar is enough regardless of the trip amount. The truth is quite different.


I would tip any service person 25-30% based on the quality of service.

T-man

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by taxi_man696
The easiest thing to remember is ANYONE that works in the service industry relies heavily on tips to make a living.

Here in Las Vegas we are taxed on a 23% tip weather we get it or not. You would not believe the amount of people that think 1 dollar is enough regardless of the trip amount. The truth is quite different.


I would tip any service person 25-30% based on the quality of service.

T-man

25 - 30% is highway robbery. My general rule of thumb is I paid the car service/shuttle service to get me to my destination. However toting my bags and giving me additonal information about my destination is outside of their job description. I tip based on these services. I make a mental tally sheet. If they assist with my bags into the car then a $1 per bag, another couple bucks if they are pleasant and give good info, and then I add another $1 per bag that they assist with when at my destination. I tipped the Mears Transportation guy $4 for just myself that last time I was in WDW alone. I only had one rollaboard suitcase that he did assist me with on both ends and he was a nice driver so using my formula he got
$1 + $2 + $1 = $4

 

[taxi_man696]

Make note that I said "I" would tip 25-30%. That is me becaise I know how hard it is to be a driver in a city with traffic, abusive drivers, rental cars that have NO IDEA where they are going, and irrate passengers that want to tell you that your taking the long way and this is their first time here.

People tip baggage handlers $1 per bag, drivers get the same luggage (twice) and hardly ever see $1 per bag let alone a decent tip for for the safe and effecient ride to your destination. So yes I feel a 25-30% tip is not only appropriate but down right deserved. That is IF service is done courtesly and with a smile, by a driver that can communicate in English to his passengers and took a shower this week!!! LOL

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by taxi_man696
Make note that I said "I" would tip 25-30%.

Your job is to get someone to their destination safe. Why should I tip you for doing what I already paid you to do???? I shouldn't have to tip for safety.

 

[taxi_man696]

Princess,

It is apparent that you are one of the many people in this world who look for any excuse to not spend an extra buck or two to help a guy pay his bills.

The system of tipping has been a long tradition in this country. Wheather it is right or not is immaterial, it is a custom of the USA.

If you choose not to tip that is obviously your choice, however, you may find yourself to be one of those who's shuttle, town car, or taxi doesn't show up on time for your ride back to the airport.

I suggest you rent a car then you don't have to worry about the extra coupla bucks that is definately going to change your life SO DRASTICALLY, but just may help a guy feed his kids an extra day.

sorry to be so sarcastic but I hear this type of thing all the time, heck my own mother is the same way. She leaves a dollar for a 25 dollar tab in a restaurant for cripe sake!!

The question I like to ask is "Is that $5 bucks REALLY going to change your life??????

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by taxi_man696
Make note that I said "I" would tip 25-30%. That is me becaise I know how hard it is to be a driver in a city with traffic, abusive drivers, rental cars that have NO IDEA where they are going, and irrate passengers that want to tell you that your taking the long way and this is their first time here.

That is IF service is done courtesly and with a smile, by a driver that can communicate in English to his passengers and took a shower this week!!! LOL

I agree with you taxi_man696............take prncess674 posts with a "grain of salt". I have had a few exchanges with her.

If a taxi driver

is friendly,informative, speaks english,etc I always tip 25%.

P.S. We love Las Vegas!

 

[buffett010]

Just wanted to let you know that I agree with you to some extent, but I don't feel tipping should be based on a percentage, but the quality of the service. For example, I used to waitress, and thought 15% of a breakfast bill was ridiculous due to the fact that when I worked dinner (hence, a more expensive meal) I made more money for the same work. You bring the same amount of beverages - sometimes even more on coffee refills - the same number of meals, and treat breakfast customers the same as dinner customers.

That being said, I also feel that I'm on vacation, so I will spare no expense. I always tip well here where I live, but I tip even better when I'm on vacation. I'm having a great week, so why not give those helping me have a great week a great tip. We travel to Vegas frequently, and I throw money away gambling, so I feel justified giving large tips - might as well give it someone that could use it rather than just to the casinos!

When you're having a good time, reward those that are enabling your good time to continue!

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by taxi_man696
The question I like to ask is "Is that $5 bucks REALLY going to change your life??????

Enough with the personal attacks. if you read my original post I stated that I tipped $4 dollars for a one way ride from MCO to WDW which I think is very generous for a single person with only a carry on bag.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Nick@ VB+OKW
I agree with you taxi_man696............take prncess674 posts with a "grain of salt". I have had a few exchanges with her.

If a taxi driver

is friendly,informative, speaks english,etc I always tip 25%.

P.S. We love Las Vegas!

Excuse me but I am entitled to my opinion. sorry if it is oposition to yours. I didn't know that you were the only one who could express an opinion

If you look at my math. I tipped 20% which is on the high end of standard. A one way fare from MCO to WDW is $16.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Nick@ VB+OKW
I agree with you taxi_man696............take prncess674 posts with a "grain of salt". I have had a few exchanges with her.

If a taxi driver

is friendly,informative, speaks english,etc I always tip 25%.

P.S. We love Las Vegas!

I tip the same amount, English or not.
I also tip the skycap at least 2.00 per bag, but, not sure if I should, after all, isn't his/her job to get my bags inside and get my boarding pass?
And, the valet parking guys, well, same scenario, but, I do tip them at least 3.00 each way.
I guess I am glad that some people are not my customers. LOL

BTW, you are not alone in the "exchanges" with this wonderful person.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
BTW, you are not alone in the "exchanges" with this wonderful person.

.............

 

[seashoreCM]

Regrettably I still believe that tips are dependent on the quality of service on an absolute scale. If it took "forever" to get to the resort, then the tip is less. If the driver helsp you with your bags, the tip is more.

I could rationalize that the Mears driver getting lots of small tips is probably getting the same number of dollars as the town car driver who gets one big tip. The Mears driver to better earn tips is just going to have to hustle more.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[prncess674]

I will reiterate my point once again tipping 20% is NOT CHEAP!!!! Perhaps if I had a tomb size suitcase which apparently most people here carry then maybe tipping more per bag would be necessary. Frankly I rolled my 22" roll a board back to the back of the van and all the driver did was lift it into the back. This is a very different scenario than a sky cap who lifts my bags off the conveyor belt walks to my car, and loads my car, this service is worth $2 a bag, perhaps more. Frankly, the Mears driver really is getting $2 per bag if you read my original post. He gets $1 for lifting the bag on the front end and $1 for removing it from the back. If they would let me I would just do it myself. Most Mears Shuttle drivers are VERY lazy and don't go above and beyond the call of duty. They hardly move loading bags and the service is minimal. I managed to carry my fairly light weight bag all the way across the country now this guy expects a tip for lifting it once.

If I should tip 30% what is the $16 per person one way for? Why not make it a tip only industry, by making the ride free but you tip a ridiculous amount. Skycaps and car service drivers provide a decent service and are actually helpful. If you use Mears service you will also need the assistance of a skycap if you have that muck luggage because Mears does not help with the bags at baggage claim.

Gail can't you let sleeping dogs lie ???? This conversation is not related to tipping skycaps. The original poster asked how much to tip the Mears driver.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by prncess674
I will reiterate my point once again tipping 20% is NOT CHEAP!!!!

Gail can't you let sleeping dogs lie ???? This conversation is not related to tipping skycaps. The original poster asked how much to tip the Mears driver.

No need to "shout"(NOT CHEAP!!!!).............maybe thats why there is a reputation with your posts . Gail never shouts in her posts......and she always is helpfull to fellow travlers.

 

[ripleysmom]

Hmmm.....I can just imagine how much DCL personnel would love prncess.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by ripleysmom
Hmmm.....I can just imagine how much DCL personnel would love prncess.

what does the disney cruise line have to do with tipping the Mears shuttle driver??????

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Nick@ VB+OKW
No need to "shout"(NOT CHEAP!!!!).............maybe thats why there is a reputation with your posts . Gail never shouts in her posts......and she always is helpfull to fellow travlers.

At least my posts have been on topic. All you have done is attack me personally. You have also done nothing but slay racist remarks by assuming that most people who drive a taxi must be foreigners who don't speak english and only those who are white are deserving of your hard earned tip.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Gail can't you let sleeping dogs lie ???? This conversation is not related to tipping skycaps. The original poster asked how much to tip the Mears driver.

One: I never said you are cheap.
Two: I was expanding on your logic about tipping.
Three: I don't carry mega bags, and, we always rent a smart cart
to get the bags to the rental car.
Four: re: sleeping dogs lie, sure, you can go to sleep now.