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

[goofy4tink]

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.

I'm telling you....if that sign is still up on the front of the bus, and the word 'tip' or 'gratuity' comes out of a driver's mouth, there will be not tip coming. I will not be 'asked' for a tip...it is up to me to decide if a tip is something that is deserved or not. Like I said, I've tipped a driver who did nothing extra for me, he drove the bus. But, he was friendly and outgoing and kept up a spiel as to the local area when the DME movie wasn't on. He was really entertaining.
Then, there was the driver who never said a word to anyone, other than to let us know about tips being gratefully accepted..at each resort stop. And, we were also held 'hostage' on the bus (for safely reasons according to the driver) until he got all the bags out...yeah, that way he figured we would all have time to dig around and get his tip ready while we sat there, waiting on the bus. Nope...even though I had a largish carryon stowed underneath the bus, that driver got nothing from me. Not a dime.

 

[chartle]

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.

Most cab drivers do not get a wage at all.

They lease the cab from the taxi company for a set price for a shift, a 24 hour period or the whole week. They keep all the fares and tips, but have to pay for all the gas and to process their credit card transactions.

You may think its easy money but remember they are self employed so they have to pay all the taxes that your employers pays and if you want Health Insurance it comes straight out of your pocket. If you want a vacation you have to factor in not having any income while away into your budget.

If you ever want to figure out how much money you need to make being self employed I would say double your current income and it should be about right.

My FIL drove a cab and some days he barely broken even. If wanted to do the airport runs you had to sit in a line at the airport waiting your turn. If you waited 2 hours for your next fare that was two hours you weren't making any money.

Sorry for the soap box I guess it was building up in me, can you tell I used to be a "independent contractor" i.e. self employed.

 

[Thumper_Man]

I had a similar experience like this one year I went to Las Vegas. Not with a shuttle driver, but a taxi driver. He had the meter running before I even got in the car. They're not supposed to start it until you're actually in the car. Then purposely took the long route to hike up the fare. As I got out and paid his hiked up fare, he had the nerve to ask "what no tip?" I told him, "here's a tip for you; don't ask for tips 'cause then you'll never get one. Tipping is optional, not mandatory." That said, he drove off like a bat out of you know what and I went happily on my way.

I generally try to tip when I can, but I will tip at my discretion. Good service, good tip. Bad service, bad tip or no tip at all.

 

[Edd]

I think I will call Mears tomorrow and see if the drivers are taught to keep you in the bus until they unload the proper luggage. I believe I asked this question about 4 years ago, to a supervisor VP, and was informed that was not the proper procedure.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think I will call Mears tomorrow and see if the drivers are taught to keep you in the bus until they unload the proper luggage. I believe I asked this question about 4 years ago, to a supervisor VP, and was informed that was not the proper procedure.

It will be interesting to see what they say. I've had several drivers hold us on the bus for 'safety reasons'..while others have allowed us to hop off and go about our business if we have no bags to claim.

 

[stitchlovestink]

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!!

to me it would be very aggravating to be held hostage even if I did have bags underneath. Hold me hostage on your bus and I promise you will not receive one penny from me.

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.



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.

bolding is mine...
But they should only be touching your bags if you want them to. My DH is very capable of putting a bag or two that we carried onto the plane under the bus. Otherwise they will go onto the bus with us. I don't 'need' the driver to handle my bags. Thankyouverymuch.
And regarding the other bolding.... It is my understanding that if your flight now arrives after 10pm, YOU MUST collect your own baggage and take it on ME w/ you as there is no ME luggage service at MCO after 10pm. So they've kinda changed the rules on that one so people really aren't 'not using DME as it was intended.'

I'm telling you....if that sign is still up on the front of the bus, and the word 'tip' or 'gratuity' comes out of a driver's mouth, there will be not tip coming. I will not be 'asked' for a tip...it is up to me to decide if a tip is something that is deserved or not. Like I said, I've tipped a driver who did nothing extra for me, he drove the bus. But, he was friendly and outgoing and kept up a spiel as to the local area when the DME movie wasn't on. He was really entertaining.
Then, there was the driver who never said a word to anyone, other than to let us know about tips being gratefully accepted..at each resort stop. And, we were also held 'hostage' on the bus (for safely reasons according to the driver) until he got all the bags out...yeah, that way he figured we would all have time to dig around and get his tip ready while we sat there, waiting on the bus. Nope...even though I had a largish carryon stowed underneath the bus, that driver got nothing from me. Not a dime.

good for you. I feel the same way. No asking as you will not get one.

Re tipping the luggage handlers (skycaps?) at MCO prior to DME... I had a terribly annoying experience and have never wanted to use one since then. We had 4 or 5 bags that they took curbside for us. I gave the guy $8 tip. I thought that was fair. Can you believe he had the nerve to come back and tell me it was not enough?! He deserved at least a $10 tip at minimum and that was lowballing himself!!! When we came back to MCO after WDW (same trip) a skycap came over to try and collect our luggage and we politely but very firmly said "NO thank you". the skycap asked if there was a problem and I gave him the abbreviated version of the previous skycap not 'liking' our tipping amount. That skycap went and told his boss who then came over to talk to us and told us we were under no obligation to tip them a dime. They are paid a salary and tips were a bonus for good/excellent service. I think that poor supervisor was mortified that an employee would be so 'nervy'. That skycap asked again if we would please let him assist us w/ our luggage as an apology for the other's poor manners. We did concede and I did tip the 2nd skycap. He was very nice as was the supervisor.
My pet peeve, is when they stop and count the tip in front of you. How rude is that. All others who receive tips at least have the decency to be discreet about counting it and don't do it directly in your face.
sorry to rant...

 

[Edd]

That skycap went and told his boss who then came over to talk to us and told us we were under no obligation to tip them a dime. They are paid a salary and tips were a bonus for good/excellent service. :

That is the way tipping is. Everyone has their own percentage and standards for tipping. Don't let the drivers or skycaps tell you what you should tip. I have always said a person expecting a tip should earn the tip.

 

[My 2 princesses]

Our experience in September was not the greatest either. First of all the driver seemed very friendly with one of the staff at FQ and they both kept chatting while loading luggage. Then when we reached MCO, she was standing in the front of the bus and proudly displaying the tips she was collecting. To us, it looked like she was asking but in a very subtle way. Then it came time to get our luggage and me with baby sleeping and DH is trying to get all the luggage and one of our strollers was not to be found. She very rudely told us that we did not bring it with us. Huh? Turns out that it was on the other side and she did not look properly. I guess she was too distracted while loading it on and thus accused us of not bringing it in the first place.

 

[Edd]

When the drivers are holding a hand out and holding money wrapped around their fingers that is a very strong suggestion that they are looking for a tip from you. Nothing subtle about that.

I never tip someone who hints for a tip because usually that person never did anything to earn a tip. If you want to see better drivers you have got to make them realize that they have to work for that tip, don't tip if they don't do a thing for you other than the requested duty, otherwise you will eventually get the ones that do the work, nothing else and than hold their hand out. In many ways that is happening in the transportation business.

 

[Edd]

I called Mears this morning, but ended up with all the phone transfers at the Magic Express. The policy is this:

Drivers are taught to welcome the guests to WDW and step off the bus allowing the passengers to follow behind them. Those with luggage will be helped by the driver and those with no luggage can go on into the resort and check in. Drivers are not allowed to keep passengers on the bus while they set up luggage outside at the resort or at the airport. Drivers are not allowed to solicit tips as tips to drivers are not required. You can tip a driver if you feel like he has gone out of his way to help you.

The busses should have no drivers signs requesting gratuities. The lady wasn't sure but didn't think there were any official signs on the bus requesting gratuities. Like she said, tips are not a requirement whether the drivers handle baggage or not.

She gave me a long website where passengers can go to if this is happening. I checked it out and ended up at the following site. If this is happening to you she suggested you report it on the site. I would think you would go to Contact us as I see no other way to get to them. You might find another way. If this happens to you get the number of the bus, the time of day, the day it happened and if possible the drivers name. This information is necessary for them to follow up on the complaint. The site is:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

 

[goofy4tink]

I called Mears this morning, but ended up with all the phone transfers at the Magic Express. The policy is this:

Drivers are taught to welcome the guests to WDW and step off the bus allowing the passengers to follow behind them. Those with luggage will be helped by the driver and those with no luggage can go on into the resort and check in. Drivers are not allowed to keep passengers on the bus while they set up luggage outside at the resort or at the airport. Drivers are not allowed to solicit tips as tips to drivers are not required. You can tip a driver if you feel like he has gone out of his way to help you.

The busses should have no drivers signs requesting gratuities. The lady wasn't sure but didn't think there were any official signs on the bus requesting gratuities. Like she said, tips are not a requirement whether the drivers handle baggage or not.

She gave me a long website where passengers can go to if this is happening. I checked it out and ended up at the following site. If this is happening to you she suggested you report it on the site. I would think you would go to Contact us as I see no other way to get to them. You might find another way. If this happens to you get the number of the bus, the time of day, the day it happened and if possible the drivers name. This information is necessary for them to follow up on the complaint. The site is:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Thanks Edd...I think I'm going to make some copies of that and hand it out, instead of a tip if a tip is requested but not deserved.
I know that every single DME bus I've ridden on has that signage up front..it sits above the windshield and is pretty hard to miss...at least that's where I've seen it placed.

 

[Lewisc]

This wouldn't be the first time a CM on the phone gave out wrong information.

I don't know if this is still the case but Disney, Mears and the union agreed the drivers could have a name plate that says something like gratuities are appreciated.

This is really a union issue between the drivers and Mears. DCL drivers are paid extra to handle luggage. DME drivers aren't paid extra.

The busses should have no drivers signs requesting gratuities. The lady wasn't sure but didn't think there were any official signs on the bus requesting gratuities. Like she said, tips are not a requirement whether the drivers handle baggage or not.

She gave me a long website where passengers can go to if this is happening. I checked it out and ended up at the following site. If this is happening to you she suggested you report it on the site. I would think you would go to Contact us as I see no other way to get to them. You might find another way. If this happens to you get the number of the bus, the time of day, the day it happened and if possible the drivers name. This information is necessary for them to follow up on the complaint. The site is:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

 

[Edd]

What union are you talking about. Mears drivers are not union, the busses don't belong to a union. Disney employees may be unionized but they don't drive the ME busses. There is no agreement that I know of. I didn't see anything in the contract written between the airport and Disney, which I have a copy of. Of course, I haven't seen the contract between Disney and Mears, but I am sure there is a lot that is just talked about and not written.

Seemed to me the CM's were always right when it came to the Disney luggage question. I talked to two ladies and the second one claimed to be a DME supervisor. The first was just a CM, Sally, and so I went with the supervisor bit. The second one, Kim, confirmed the information I received from the first one. I could go to a VP named Jim, but it seems employees know more about what is happening than bosses these days.

Bus drivers at Mears were never unionized. That is the reason for low pay and high turnover. DCL drivers are not paid extra to handle the luggage. They receive the same pay as the DME drivers and it is all based on longevity by Mears as Mears runs both the DME and the DCL..

 

[Lewisc]

Ed--I'm relying on memory. I don't remember which posts were "credible".

Credible posters said DCL drivers are paid extra for handling luggage. Mears/Disney decided not to pay DME drivers for luggage handling. I'll speculate Disney thought DME luggage delivery and RAC would take care of most luggage.

It is customarily to tip a shuttle bus driver (even a free service) who handles your luggage. Disney and Mears agreed the drivers could have a nameplate that also said something like gratuities appreciated. I thought that was a union request, I guess it was just a response to driver requests. A couple of drivers posted at the time and gave us information.

JMO but it's not really fair for Disney to tell guests a tip isn't necessary, for a service that's customarily tipped, without compensating the employee.

I don't think it's fair for bus drivers to "shake down" guests for a tip. I also don't think it's fair for Disney to expect drivers to handle luggage without either being paid by Mears/Disney or being tipped by guests.

I'll speculate Disney squeezed Mears on the price for DME and Mears is unwilling/unable to pay drivers a few extra dollars for luggage handling.

I'm finished posting on this thread. I don't have any way to verify information. Ed--CMs are known to give bad information. Just recently a CM told a poster SW passengers have to pick up their luggage, on afternoon flights. I'll send you a PM to clarify some information.

What union are you talking about. Mears drivers are not union, the busses don't belong to a union. Disney employees may be unionized but they don't drive the ME busses. There is no agreement that I know of. I didn't see anything in the contract written between the airport and Disney, which I have a copy of. Of course, I haven't seen the contract between Disney and Mears, but I am sure there is a lot that is just talked about and not written.

 

[Edd]

Lewis,

How many times have you tipped the bus driver in your hometown or the greyhound bus drivers. I never did and never thought about it even though I would tip the curb hop, bar hop or a waitress. When was the last time you tipped a tour bus driver? Disney bus drivers on property don't get tipped. Now explain to me what is customary. DME is just another bus or shuttle service to a specific part of town.

DCL bus drivers tend to be the more experienced drivers or been with Mears a longer time. They get paid more because of that. DME drivers are the rookies or beginners basically. The start out right around minimum wage. Sure Disney has squeezed Mears as they have squeezed everyone else. Mears is a corporation basically surviving like most other local companies and so the wage figures are very important to profitability.

Most drivers expect a tip no matter how much or how little they put out to please a passenger. That is wrong and it is wrong for passengers who give tips to tip those who don't deserve it. It is kind of like paying a minor league player major leages prices to be a minor league player. That doesn't happen and tips shouldn't happen unless the one wanting to get tipped satisfies a passenger in every way possible.

P.S. There is no customary tip price for those who do not perform.

 

[Lewisc]

Lewis,

How many times have you tipped the bus driver in your hometown or the greyhound bus drivers. I never did and never thought about it even though I would tip the curb hop, bar hop or a waitress. When was the last time you tipped a tour bus driver? Disney bus drivers on property don't get tipped. Now explain to me what is customary. DME is just another bus or shuttle service to a specific part of town.

.......
P.S. There is no customary tip price for those who do not perform.

Ed--I know I said I won't post in this thread, I changed my mind.

Tipping customs aren't very consistent.
Skycaps don't help us take our luggage out of our trunk. We wait on a line outside the terminal then give our luggage to the "skycap". A tip is expected. Wheel your luggage inside the terminal give it to the clerk and a tip isn't expected. The actual service performed is essentially the same.

Order a drink at the bar in the airport and a tip is expected. Order a drink from the FA and a tip isn't expected.

Take a bus tour of and a tip for the driver is suggested.

For whatever reason people who touch luggage are traditionally tipped. Any tipping guide suggests tipping a shuttle bus driver who handles your luggage. Rent a car offsite and I'll tip the shuttle driver who handle my luggage. The only time I paid for Mears shuttle service I tipped the driver who helped with my luggage. I tip the shuttle shuttle bus driver who takes me from LAS to my hotel in Vegas.

Disney has some different tipping policies. Unlike most hotels Disney doesn't consider housekeeping a "tipped" position.

Although I disagree with your choice of words, I think we agree in principle. I think a tip is earned for "normal" service. I'll tip a waiter at least 15% for good service. I'll tip less for poor service and more for exceptional service. I won't tip for (really) bad service.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you ask outright for a tip, you don't get one, as far as I'm concerned. Even if the guest forgot to tip.

Had a driver once who did a lot of very obvious pointing at the little sign on the bus that said "Gratuities are appreciated" and no, he didnt get a gratuity out of me.

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

I use it to get a ride, not for luggage delivery- usually I only have a carryon and yes, they will need to put that underneath the bus - it's not huge but hauling it into the bus is a pain.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Tipping is always a touchy subject for everyone. It is a choice for each person to make. I have been in the service industry years ago and know that tips are appreciated. Before I leave for Disney I have to go to the bank and get about $300 in 5 and 1's.

I know tipping is part of the trip and I plan ahead. But, I am getting very tired of everyone expecting a tip for just doing their job. It does start with the sky cap at the airport, then the mears driver, then the luggage service delivery person, then the maid, the waitress, the bell man to retrieve our luggage, the bell man to store our luggage, the next bell man to bring it out, the resort airline person.....the list just keeps going.

Once during a resort transfer I went through $50 in tips to get ourselves and luggage from POR to OKW!

I do believe in tipping for good service, I plan to tip but hate when it is expected.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

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.

Forcing people to stay on the bus is nuts. They can't legally hold you on the bus against your will. If they try, it's a confrontation, verbal and/or physical, waiting to happen. Does Disney want that kind of liability exposure??

 

[dburg30]

I called Mears this morning, but ended up with all the phone transfers at the Magic Express. The policy is this:

Drivers are taught to welcome the guests to WDW and step off the bus allowing the passengers to follow behind them. Those with luggage will be helped by the driver and those with no luggage can go on into the resort and check in. Drivers are not allowed to keep passengers on the bus while they set up luggage outside at the resort or at the airport. Drivers are not allowed to solicit tips as tips to drivers are not required. You can tip a driver if you feel like he has gone out of his way to help you.

The busses should have no drivers signs requesting gratuities. The lady wasn't sure but didn't think there were any official signs on the bus requesting gratuities. Like she said, tips are not a requirement whether the drivers handle baggage or not.
She gave me a long website where passengers can go to if this is happening. I checked it out and ended up at the following site. If this is happening to you she suggested you report it on the site. I would think you would go to Contact us as I see no other way to get to them. You might find another way. If this happens to you get the number of the bus, the time of day, the day it happened and if possible the drivers name. This information is necessary for them to follow up on the complaint. The site is:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Ok, I dont ever remember any 'driver signs' requestion tips, I guess they meant actual written signs, if they meant 'movements or gestures' that's a different story, but I do know on at least some of the buses, there were premade, affixed signs basically 'tips accepted for great service' but they used pretty words . I dont remember if they have been on ALL of the buses, just the mears labeled ones, ie: not a 'real' DCL or DME bus, but they are there for sure on some of them.