Allow more then 2 hrs at MCO

[BCV23]

I just flew back yesterday on SW. Walked right up to a waiting skycap and I always tip too. I think people who have always used curbside know to tip and since 9/11 other people are slowly learning the drill.

Security line was about a 30 second wait. Also I didn't need to show id at boarding either at Midway or MCO. Checked in about 8 am so maybe that's why it was so easy.

 

[TripletDad]

What amount should I tip a Skycap for handling my bags and doing cupside check in?

TripletDad.

 

[BCV23]

We've always tipped $1 or $2 per bag. I think a dollar per bag is still the standard but if the bags are larger or very heavy I do $2. I wonder if different parts of the country vary in this regard??

 

[sgtdisney]

I agree usually $1 or $2 per bag. If the sky cap is especially helpful I always give him a little more. We bring 3 suitcases usually, I give 6 to 8 bucks most of the time..

 

[Lexxiefern]

We always tip $3 - $5 each bag. We usually have no wait at all using them. Saves us so much time.

We just went to Disney in January and had no wait at all with curbside checkin. There was a very long line for security, but it moved really fast and we were through it in 10 minutes.

 

[CarolA]

I flew out of MCO today. I had to go to the SW counter to change a ticket. Line was very long, but I was thur the line and security in under 30 minutes and that includes being randomly selected for a VERY through search at security!

 

[mrsstats]

In March we used Southwest curb side. It was a Saturday flight around 1 pm. Took us 1 hour to reach the skycap desk to check in. Lines inside were even longer. No problem getting thru security, that went quickly. I say you need at least 2 hours for check in.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mrsstats
In March we used Southwest curb side. It was a Saturday flight around 1 pm. Took us 1 hour to reach the skycap desk to check in. Lines inside were even longer. No problem getting thru security, that went quickly. I say you need at least 2 hours for check in.

Your experience was the same as ours in Feb. What frosted my doughnut was that the fools in the skycap line were not even tipping!!!! Just finding a shortcut. I guess Saturdays are a big day for travel and 2 hours seems just about right. I will NEVER fly on a Sat. again.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Your experience was the same as ours in Feb. What frosted my doughnut was that the fools in the skycap line were not even tipping!!!! Just finding a shortcut. I guess Saturdays are a big day for travel and 2 hours seems just about right. I will NEVER fly on a Sat. again.

I can't believe in this day and age that people either aren't aware or just don't care to tip a skycap. At the very least you would think people have heard the 'horror' stories of mis-routed luggage when someone didn't tip. (Not saying that actually happens but who knows.) I wonder if these same people refuse to tip waitresses as well. We are flying to Orlando on a Saturday (and a morning to boot) this summer. Guess I had better plan extra time...

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Hi,
Had no problem flying out of Hartford, skycap station was empty.
My guess, from Chicago, people are savy enough to know to tip.
I was bad in Feb. I had my money out in my hand in plain sight, a skycap literally ran over to help me, guess he was tired of being stiffed. Pi**ed a bunch of people off, but, perhaps it taught them a lesson. After my bags were checked I sat outside to smoke and wait for Dee and I watched these people. Maybe, and I am being generous, 2 out of 10 tipped, the rest just walked away.

 

[sgtdisney]

Could be true about Chicago. I always have money in my hand too when I get out of the car.. Just a force of habit, I guess.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Must be cause we are old Prodigy people with class.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Must be cause we are old Prodigy people with class.

 

[Pinnie]

I have always tipped the skycap. Then again, *I* am an old Prodigy Classic person, too!

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002

 

[tlens]

I don't mean to sound stupid but what is skycap? Are you talking about the guys who come to help you unload luggage? Is this different than curbside check-in at a particular airline (eg: US Air)? I don't tip the US Airway curbside guy.

 

[CarolA]

You should tip the USAirway curbside guy! Even thought these guys are in uniform they are normally NOT airline employees and your tips are part of thier compensation.

If you don't tip, don't be surprised when your luggage is 'lost' or "late" (And yes it happens!)

If you do not physically carry your luggage inside the airport to the counter! TIP!! Anything else is rude!

 

[tlens]

AHHH! I didn't know that. I figured since they wore US Air Uniforms they were no different than the people at the ticket counter inside. If they don't work for the airline, how can they give you boarding passes?

 

[sgtdisney]

The airlines give the skycaps a computer with the ability to print out the boarding passes as a convenience to the passengers. They also use it to print out the routing slips for the luggage. Some airlines even allow you to print out your own boarding passes from the comfort of your own home before you leave for the airport.

 

[NotUrsula]

The ones that work the curbside check-in points here actually have to pay the airline for the privilege of wearing the uniform and checking bags for them. Their only income comes from tips. If you are willing to really hustle, it can be a very good living. The slots here are coveted and tend to be passed down through families.

The setup differs at different airports, but as far as I know, all of them are to some degree dependent on tip income.

I tend to think that most people who don't tip Skycaps at all just do not know that they are supposed to. There are an awful lot of people out there who only fly once every decade or so, so it's entirely possible that they might not know. I know that I've actually been asked about it while I'm standing in line with cash in hand. The usual question is, "Is there a charge for this?"

 

[DebbieB]

I fly USAirways almost exclusively (living in Pittsburgh there's not much choice) and have never got a boarding pass curbside. What city did you get it in? I've been using the e-ticket kiosk on my last few trips.