Dme Facts About Tips

[localdriver]

1. The drivers work for a third party named MEARS..
2.The busses are owned and operated by MEARS.
3. Driver Gratuities are NOT included, and are at your discretion based on standard protocol, and the service you recieve from the driver, (not Disney)

The Disney FAQ indicates Bell services INBOUND are included, IT SAYS NOTHING ABOUT DRIVERS. Why?

See 1, 2, and 3.

http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php

Bottom line it is your choice, not Disney's, regardless of what they would like to imply.

Remember, it is your choice.

 

[jjan]

1. The drivers work for a third party named MEARS..
2.The busses are owned and operated by MEARS.
3. Driver Gratuities are NOT included, and are at your discretion based on standard protocol, and the service you recieve from the driver, (not Disney)

The Disney FAQ indicates Bell services INBOUND are included, IT SAYS NOTHING ABOUT DRIVERS. Why?

See 1, 2, and 3.

http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php

Bottom line it is your choice, not Disney's, regardless of what they would like to imply.

Remember, it is your choice.

How many of these types of posts do you feel will be enough for you to stop telling all of us that we should be tipping you? I really am wondering?

 

[CleveRocks]

How many of these types of posts do you feel will be enough for you to stop telling all of us that we should be tipping you? I really am wondering?

I've found localdriver to be not only very helpful on this board, but very level-headed and matter-of-fact. I don't find his tipping comments distasteful in any way.

First off, I'd be bothered if people thought I was already getting tipped and hence didn't tip me, and I'd want to set the record straight, too. Secondly, just because his information happens to be self-serving does not make it incorrect.

-- Eric

 

[localdriver]

How many of these types of posts do you feel will be enough for you to stop telling all of us that we should be tipping you? I really am wondering?

When people stop listening to Disney and stop stiffing the Drivers (WHEN LUGGAGE IS IS INVOLVED), is that clear enough for you??

Please Advise, I will quit when Disney tells the truth, not until.

Seems fair to me.

This really what it is about, unless Disney wants to put up the $.

http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php

Imagine the service at the Disney Restaurants it they pulled this stuff with their servers.

Why with us? The bus drivers? We are just bus drivers, I guess. We just bring everyone to them. They seem to forget, the responsiblility, skill, and professionalism, put forth by so many to make this work.

Or maybe they really don't care about anything other than their bottom line TODAY.... Gee what a surprise!

DOES $$BONUS$$ ring a bell?? time will tell.

 

[paulmc80]

Its most definitely fair and appropriate to post what is true. Especially to make clear the information being put out there that implies all customarily tipped positions have tips included when using DME. I don't have a problem with that at all. Good to remind people of this from time to time.

 

[aubriee]

Its most definitely fair and appropriate to post what is true. Especially to make clear the information being put out there that implies all customarily tipped positions have tips included when using DME. I don't have a problem with that at all. Good to remind people of this from time to time.

I agree! I used DME back when it first started in May and was told by the Disney CM when I gave them my flight information that tips were being paid by Disney. Consequently I did not tip, not because I'm cheap, but simply because I didn't know to.

I tipped the towncar driver that picked us up last January, but their web site said tip was not included, so I knew I needed to. I now know I need to tip the DME drivers and will do so when I return in December. I'm sorry I didn't in May, but again was under the impression that it was being taken care of by Disney. I have the free dining pkg for our trip in Sept and at first thought it included all tips, but thanks to the DisBoards now know that it includes only 15%-18%, consequently we'll be carrying a bunch of $1.00 and $5.00 to add for tips at restaraunts. If someone had not posted this information I probably would have assumed that the waiters were getting at least 20% from Disney and wouldn't have tipped more (unless the waiter was REALLY good).

 

[bicker]

Posting the same message multiple times in different forums does tend to degrade one's credibility in the minds of many readers. Posters are well-advised to determine the best forum for their message, and post their message there-and-only-there.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

How many of these types of posts do you feel will be enough for you to stop telling all of us that we should be tipping you? I really am wondering?

There is an easy way to handle this... add localdriver to your Ignore list, like I did. This thread still appears, but when you open it, any posts from localdriver are hidden. Makes it easier to skip past them.

It's an issue that's been beaten to death. If someone doesn't like the salary/benefits of their current job, they are free to find a better one.

 

[goofy4tink]

We used DME in June....tipped the driver for our trip to the resort. I didn't tip on the return trip. It did occur to me, after we had gotten off the bus at our resort, that I really should tip if the driver did something beyond my expectatons. Since we had no luggage to put underneath the bus, all the driver did was 'drive the bus'!! If I take a towncar and the driver doesn't load and unload my luggage...he doesn't get a tip. Plain and simple. When my luggage is 'touched' by a third party, there is a tip.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

Please Advise, I will quit when Disney tells the truth, not until.

I totally see your point and I agree that you deserve the tips and recognition- obviously you do! But I think you should go to your job about this because sadly we cannot do anything about it and weve all seen posts before to do it so we here know that we should tip drivers now.

 

[Lewisc]

Your complaint is really with your union. Tipping guidelines say $1-$2/bag. When ME works as advertised very few guests will have luggage incoming. As more airlines are added the number of guests with luggage on the return to MCO will be shrinking.

Even without Disney discouraging tipping your position is going from a "tipped" position to an "untipped" position. As an alternative you might push for Disney employees being responsible for loading and unloading your bus.

 

[Nebsky]

Makes me wonder why I dont collect tips from my wife and child for driving all over the place, oh thats right....never mind...I forgot. Its part of my job as dad. If I didnt want the job, I wouldnt have taken it.

ETA, honestly if you dont like the outcome do something about it other than writing on this board. Organize your fellow drivers, hold a press conference on how you have been slighted and short changed by Disney and your company. Let them know they need to increase your pay since they took away your tips. Constantly writing in here about this situation isnt going to solve anything except to make you look like a whiner. Sure you may bag a few extra tips because of your ranting, but do you really want pity tips?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

1. The drivers work for a third party named MEARS..
2.The busses are owned and operated by MEARS.
3. Driver Gratuities are NOT included, and are at your discretion based on standard protocol, and the service you recieve from the driver, (not Disney)

The Disney FAQ indicates Bell services INBOUND are included, IT SAYS NOTHING ABOUT DRIVERS. Why?

See 1, 2, and 3.

Decided to read the OP. If the drivers work for MEARS and the buses are owned and operated by MEARS, why blame DISNEY? It seems like your gripe is with your employer, who happens to be MEARS, not Disney. Seems like a lot of misdirected anger for something that is never guaranteed (even for cabs and limos).

Maybe the OP missed this part of the website they linked to (emphasis is mine) --

Remember that tipping is discretionary. If you don't think tipping is necessary in a particular circumstance, then don't tip.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm not trying to defend the DME drivers that post here. I really think they should be complaining to their union BUT people who post should take the time to read the complaints.

Evidently some of the Disney CMs are telling guests NOT to tip the DME drivers. Disney makes sure to tell the guests that outbound bellhop tips are NOT included but doesn't tell them that DME driver tips for handling luggage are also NOT included. Disney is allowing guests to bring their luggage on the buses inbound and is unable to handle resort checkin for some airlines outbound. Disney should either pay for the service or let the guests know what tip is normally given for this service.

The DME drivers have a point.

Decided to read the OP. If the drivers work for MEARS and the buses are owned and operated by MEARS, why blame DISNEY? It seems like your gripe is with your employer, who happens to be MEARS, not Disney. Seems like a lot of misdirected anger for something that is never guaranteed (even for cabs and limos).

Maybe the OP missed this part of the website they linked to (emphasis is mine) --

 

[bicker]

Disney should either pay for the service or let the guests know what tip is normally given for this service.

How can we be sure that they aren't already paying for the service? As far as we know, Disney is funding that cost of service to Mears, and Mears either is or is not passing that along to its employees. Given that, we don't even have the necessary folks here in this thread who would be in a position to know the whole story.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I'm not trying to defend the DME drivers that post here. I really think they should be complaining to their union BUT people who post should take the time to read the complaints.

I don't think it's necessary for anyone to read multiple complaints, especially from the same poster. That simply borders on whining. "Complaining" on an Internet message board is essentially useless as there is little that will be accomplished, except possibly allowing someone to repeatedly vent.

Evidently some of the Disney CMs are telling guests NOT to tip the DME drivers. Disney makes sure to tell the guests that outbound bellhop tips are NOT included but doesn't tell them that DME driver tips for handling luggage are also NOT included. Disney is allowing guests to bring their luggage on the buses inbound and is unable to handle resort checkin for some airlines outbound. Disney should either pay for the service or let the guests know what tip is normally given for this service.

The DME drivers have a point.

The DME drivers don't work for Disney, they work for Mears. It's not Disney's responsibility to tell their guests what to do about tipping another company's employees.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think it's necessary for anyone to read multiple complaints, especially from the same poster. That simply borders on whining. "Complaining" on an Internet message board is essentially useless as there is little that will be accomplished, except possibly allowing someone to repeatedly vent. The DME drivers don't work for Disney, they work for Mears. It's not Disney's responsibility to tell their guests what to do about tipping another company's employees.

Posts a few weeks apart serve as an alternative to bumping.

One of the complaints of DME drivers is Disney CMs telling guests not to tip. It's also not right for Disney to imply by omission that tips to the DME driver are included.

I guess we can agree to disagree. I have no problem with the the brief, factual post but think their real complaint is with their union.

 

[bicker]

One of the complaints of DME drivers is Disney CMs telling guests not to tip. It's also not right for Disney to imply by omission that tips to the DME driver are included.

Unless they are -- i.e., unless Disney's agreement with Mears is that the agreement covers the cost of service. We simply don't know, and repeated postings by the driver have strengthened my belief that it's simply someone disgruntled about the agreement between Disney and Mears or between Mears and the union, that is clearly structured to their detriment.

 

[ducklite]

Posting the same message multiple times in different forums does tend to degrade one's credibility in the minds of many readers. Posters are well-advised to determine the best forum for their message, and post their message there-and-only-there.

Well said. In this case I think it's not the message, but the delivery that totally rubs me the wrong way.

I am a good tipper. I tip the airport shuttle guy when it's just me and my tote bag, and they do nothing but drive me. They seem surprised when I hand them $1-2 as I get off, considering I've got no luggage. But if they were acting as if they expected it, or even hinted at getting a tip, there's NO WAY I'd give one.

I think that simply saying "Please keep in mind the bus drivers don't work for Disney and get no tips from Disney" and leaving it at that would be a lot less offfensive. But actually posting "tip guidelines"? That's RUDE. There are a dozen WDW CM's who are servers who post on these boards and NEVER say a WORD about tips.

Anne

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Are we expected to tip if the driver does not handle our bags? If your luggage comes on a separate bus, the driver is not providing that service. I'm asking because I really don't know the tipping etiquette in this situation.