Anyone else ever solicited for a tip from a DME driver?

[Mr.MouseFan]

I took DME from POP back to MCO last night and I was the only person on the bus. All I had with me was a carry on bag that I stowed under the bus. Upon arrival to the airport, the driver took out my bag and, me not thinking, I thanked him and grabbed my bag. He, in turn, replies, "What, no tip?". First I was embarassed because I completely forgot about the tip, but then I became really annoyed at the fact that I was just flat out asked and in such an indignant way.

Has this happened to anyone else? Did you do anything about it, or just let it slide? Either way, it certainly wasn't very "magical".

 

[Niagara2]

I am sure that if Disney knew that a Mears driver asked a DME guest for a tip they would tell Mears to take him/her off the route. If that person worked for Disney they probably would of been fired.
It is customary to tip at least $1.00 per bag if the driver stowed it for you. My guess is that at least 25 percent of people do not tip these service providers. It goes with the job. Not saying it is right, but that is how it is. One time I was not prepared and only had a $20 bill on me, and no one around that would make change. I felt bad that I didn't tip that dollar but was not about to leave $20 for being handed a bag. I tried to explain and he said yea sure and slammed the door!
Once I had someone ask for the tip that was in my hand already but I was trying to get my bags up on the curb without falling over. I had a five ready to give him as we had 4 bags. When he asked for the tip, I put the five back in my bag and took out a dollar. It is not right to ask!

 

[OKW Lover]

The general guideline is to tip anybody that handles your bag for you. If you had brought your bag onto the bus with you, then a tip wouldn't have been expected.

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

The issue with me isn't about tipping. I had the cash on me and was going to tip, I simply forgot. The issue I have is with the way I was "asked". I work in the hospitality industry as well and I would never even imagine saying that to a guest.

 

[seashoreCM]

Even where tips are customary, asking for them is rude and out-of-line. Let Disney know.

 

[goofy4tink]

'IF' the driver touches your bag, then yes, he/she can feel entitled to a tip...about $1 per bag. But.....if you have only your carryon bag with you, on the bus in your lap or on the seat next to you, then no, no tip should be expected.
I have had drivers who were just flat out wonderful...they were cheery, they welcomed me to the bus, they gave lots of interesting area info and facts, they thanked you for riding with them. Those drivers get a tip from me even if I have no bags..they made my ride more enjoyable, they went out of their way to be pleasant.
On the other hand, I've had a situation where I had a larger carryon bag that had to go underneath the bus. But, the driver never acknowledged my presence other than to take my bag..no hello, no welcome..nada. I don't think he opened his mouth once to say anything to any guest that arrived. Then, on the bus, again, nothing was said except to announce the resort we were at...and then he got up, and announced that gratuities are always gratefully accepted!!! Then stood there, with each person's bag, waiting with his hand out...I kid you not!!!! He got nothing from me, not even a dollar.
You have to understand that there is signage, on every DME bus I've been on, that says...'gratuities are gratefully accepted for outstanding service'...I can read, the sign is right above the front window and is hard to miss. I don't need a non-conversant grumbler asking me for a tip!!!

So, it's up to you. But to have a driver say something like that, 'what, no tip?' is just outrageous. I would have said 'Yeah, but only if you deliver my bags for me.' and kept walking.

 

[Traveliz]

I had a driver two weeks ago who said at every stop the whole thank you for riding with us blah blah spiel and then ended with "your generosity is appreciated." Sort of like asking for a tip. He did have my bags stowed and I did tip him but it was a little crass I thought.

This past week I had a driver who was really nice and didn't say a word about gratuities.

Liz

 

[keishashadow]

The issue with me isn't about tipping. I had the cash on me and was going to tip, I simply forgot. The issue I have is with the way I was "asked". I work in the hospitality industry as well and I would never even imagine saying that to a guest.

well he did remind you

still, u think he'd have thought up a better way to do so by now

for better or worse, many segments of service industry really do depend on tips to make a living wage, tip early - tip often

 

[mgilmer]

My wife often accuses me (and rightly so) of being overly generous with tips, but if someone asks for one, they get nada from me.

 

[Alesia]

My wife often accuses me (and rightly so) of being overly generous with tips, but if someone asks for one, they get nada from me.

Same here.

 

[goofy4tink]

well he did remind you

still, u think he'd have thought up a better way to do so by now

for better or worse, many segments of service industry really do depend on tips to make a living wage, tip early - tip often

To the best of my knowledge, the Mears drivers (which includes DME drivers) aren't paid all that badly. They aren't making minimum wage. It's not like a waitress or a cab driver.
They are paid to drive the bus...if they do something outside that service, that makes your ride with them better than you expected, or if they handle your bags, then yes, a tip is nice. But no tip should be expected for just sitting down and driving the bus. As I already said..there is signage on every bus that says gratuities are gratefully accepted for outstanding service. I personally don't believe that merely driving the bus is considered 'outstanding service'..and I tend to tip pretty well in the majority of situations.

 

[Alesia]

To the best of my knowledge, the Mears drivers (which includes DME drivers) aren't paid all that badly. They aren't making minimum wage. It's not like a waitress or a cab driver.

I'm not sure about cab drivers, but servers are actually paid well below minimum wage. Where I live, they make about $3.19 an hour.

 

[keishashadow]

To the best of my knowledge, the Mears drivers (which includes DME drivers) aren't paid all that badly. They aren't making minimum wage. It's not like a waitress or a cab driver.
They are paid to drive the bus...if they do something outside that service, that makes your ride with them better than you expected, or if they handle your bags, then yes, a tip is nice. But no tip should be expected for just sitting down and driving the bus. As I already said..there is signage on every bus that says gratuities are gratefully accepted for outstanding service. I personally don't believe that merely driving the bus is considered 'outstanding service'..and I tend to tip pretty well in the majority of situations.

i wouldn't tip the bus driver from MCO to resort, agree that is their job. I do have the frame of mind that anytime somebody touches my luggage, i need to throw a dollar or two/bag @ them. Perhaps if they insituted a mandatory $1 bag fee with luggage brought along, fewer peeps would drag their gear on the bus, i.e. a step forward in quest to not slow down the arrival process for those who don't.

I'm not sure about cab drivers, but servers are actually paid well below minimum wage. Where I live, they make about $3.19 an hour.

& servers are required to report certain % tips on federal income tax even if said tips not received, such a weird system

 

[Lewisc]

This come up with DME started. This is really a union issue between the drivers, Mears and Disney.

Mears drivers who drive DCL buses are paid a few dollar extra for luggage handling. Not only aren't DME bus drivers paid for handling luggage but the DME material given to guests implies the gratuities are included. Bell services is paid to deliver luggage, it would have been nice to take care of the driver.

I don't blame a driver for informing passengers of the fact that Disney is not paying the driver for stowing bags under the bus and that a tip is normally given for that service.

It's certainly not magical when an employee complains about being stiffed nor is it magical when Disney doesn't pay the drivers nor inform guests what a typical tip is for luggage handling.

To the best of my knowledge, the Mears drivers (which includes DME drivers) aren't paid all that badly. They aren't making minimum wage. It's not like a waitress or a cab driver.
They are paid to drive the bus...if they do something outside that service, that makes your ride with them better than you expected, or if they handle your bags, then yes, a tip is nice. But no tip should be expected for just sitting down and driving the bus. As I already said..there is signage on every bus that says gratuities are gratefully accepted for outstanding service. I personally don't believe that merely driving the bus is considered 'outstanding service'..and I tend to tip pretty well in the majority of situations.

 

[clkelley]

I have never had a driver flat out ask for tips, but in almost every instance lately, the driver won't let anyone off the bus until he/she has unloaded the bags from underneath.

It is very aggravating to be held hostage like that if you have no bags underneath!!

 

[keishashadow]

I have never had a driver flat out ask for tips, but in almost every instance lately, the driver won't let anyone off the bus until he/she has unloaded the bags from underneath.

It is very aggravating to be held hostage like that if you have no bags underneath!!

the perfect term for it

the official reasoning is probably safety something or other

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm not sure about cab drivers, but servers are actually paid well below minimum wage. Where I live, they make about $3.19 an hour.

I think you misunderstood me....I doubted that bus drivers, for Mears/DME, make less than minimum wagem, in fact, most likely make a bit more. Waitresses in our area make the same as they do in your area.

the perfect term for it

the official reasoning is probably safety something or other

Yep, that's what I was told as well...as I sat there cooling my heels. I had no bags to retrieve, but had to sit there whilst that driver unstowed every single bag..that way he was free to accept any tips coming his way. He could stand guard over the bags and the guest would have to point out his bags....almost making the guest feel the need to tip.

But yes, I do think that if someone touches those bags, they are entitled to a tip. And there is a fair amount of misinformation as to who gets tipped for DME baggage touching. IF used the way Disney set it up, it's bell services that don't get tipped. That's why you don't have to be in your room to have your luggage delivered. Any other time..you have to be in the room to 'accept' the luggage. Read....'give me a tip'.
But, when using DME as intended, no one should have to 'touch' a bag, so no tipping is required. But, if someone decides to bring their bags with them, then all bets are off. They are not using DME as it was intended.

 

[phunchak]

I took DME from POP back to MCO last night and I was the only person on the bus. All I had with me was a carry on bag that I stowed under the bus. Upon arrival to the airport, the driver took out my bag and, me not thinking, I thanked him and grabbed my bag. He, in turn, replies, "What, no tip?". First I was embarassed because I completely forgot about the tip, but then I became really annoyed at the fact that I was just flat out asked and in such an indignant way.

Has this happened to anyone else? Did you do anything about it, or just let it slide? Either way, it certainly wasn't very "magical".

Take out your camera and take a picture of the bus (including number). Even if you don't do anything it will probably make him think twice about insulting the next person.

 

[Missytara]

I had an issue similar to this a few years ago on Carnival Cruise line. I am used to going on Disney or Royal Caribbean, who always handles your luggage and gets it right to your cabin. This trip was a gift for both my mom and I from her boss, so I couldn't really chose which cruise line we were on.

We were required to bring our bags with us from the airport and onto the bus; the process took for-ever......The bus driver stood at the door to the bus with his hands out for a tip as you stepped onto the bus. No problem, he handled our bags.

The bus driver then offloaded the bags and handed them off to another guy. For this service, he expected another tip. The next guy carted them over to an area where they were placing the bags just beside the ship, on the pavement. They were sorted by color, depending on what level you are staying on. This guy stood between you and the luggage and had put his hand out for a tip. Geez.

Then a crew came along with a huge cart and loaded our luggage - no, literally threw it onto this huge cart - and had their hands out for tips to get your bags to your cabin. One passenger just looked at him and laughed, and commented, he had tipped enough, thank you very much. The guy handling the baggage yelled out so everyone could here, "Yeah, you don't tip me, see if you see your baggage ever again."

I was shocked to say the least.

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

I spoke with my friend who departed earlier the same day that I did on DME and her bus driver told the bus that tips were appreciated and he would stand at the door to collect them before getting the bags.

It's one thing for tips to be accepted and even expected. It's another to basically demand a tip or hold bags hostage.