Do you (or anyone you know) tip the airport agent who pushes your wheelchair?

[Magpie]

This may get me flamed but I don’t see how everyone is supposed to know who to tip. Many people may unknowingly assume that they are airline employees that are being paid a wage. Plus, nobody knows who to tip anymore. I went to the farmers market this weekend and there were at least four booths that had put out tip jars. It’s confusing at best.

That's exactly why I started this thread!

Back when we first started going to Disney, we didn't know we should tip the Magical Express driver when he unloads our bags from under the bus. Then we heard we should (probably via a thread like this one), and started doing it. But, I've noticed not everyone does, and I figure they're like we were... they just don't know. It's not my place to tell them, either, when we're all unloading off the bus at our resort. But when I learn something new like this, I can at least start a thread on it!

I figure if I don't know something, someone else might not know it either.

Related to tipping practices... my husband tried to leave his change as a tip the last time we were in David's Tea (a chain) getting a couple iced teas, and the girl behind the counter told him, "Oh, no! We're not allowed to take tips." It's very business-specific around here, whether you should tip or not.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This may get me flamed but I don’t see how everyone is supposed to know who to tip.

Theyre not, necessarily. But there's a difference betwen, "should i tip..." and " why should i tip... "

 

[kimblebee]

Wouldn’t even cross my mind to tip.

 

[Magpie]

Theyre not, necessarily. But there's a difference betwen, "should i tip..." and " why should i tip... "

I think if the "why" is compelling enough, "should I" probably won't need to be asked.

"Why?" "Because without tips this person may not be making enough to live on." "Oh."

The problem is, not everyone knows who is getting tipped wages. Some wheelchair assistants may be actual airline stewards, no tip needed or expected. While others may be like the unfortunate woman in the article, who depends on tips to get by. It would be cruel to deny her a tip, assuming she did her job.

So I think if I travel by air in the US and need a wheelchair, I'll offer a tip. If I travel in Canada, I'll ask. And if I travel just about anywhere else in the world, I'll google it first, but also know that I likely won't have to worry about it.

Fun fact - if you are flying back from a Pakistani airport, there will be multiple porters eagerly waiting to help you with your bags. They are not paid by the airport (or anyone else). They do, very much, expect tips! (Source: My mum worked in Pakistan for many years - it's even more of a tipping culture than the US.)

 

[kaytieeldr]

The problem is, not everyone knows who is getting tipped wages. Some wheelchair assistants may be actual airline stewards, no tip needed or expected. While others may be like the unfortunate woman in the article, who depends on tips to get by. It would be cruel to deny her a tip, assuming she did her job.

Just as with hotel housekeeping, I genuinely don't care how much the person gets paid. I choose to tip for the service.

 

[Dream Finder]

DH has needed a "pusher" for the last several years. We always tip. The amount is usually different based on which way we are going...When we are leaving from home, the attendant has to deal with assisting us through security, which can take a while. He or she usually gets $7 - $10. When we are coming home, the attendant only needs to get us to the luggage area. We don't need him or her to wait and help us get the luggage off the carousel (which they will do if needed) or to get us out to the taxi stand. That person usually gets $6 - $7.

There have been a couple of times when the attendant was especially helpful (such as getting us a luggage cart, getting our pre-board in order or managing to get us through an especially long line at security without hassle). They tend to get a couple of extra dollars.

 

[Magpie]

Just as with hotel housekeeping, I genuinely don't care how much the person gets paid. I choose to tip for the service.

My base tip isn't a measure of my gratitude. And it's definitely not based on any assumption that, without a portion of their pay being contingent on customer satisfaction, they can't be trusted to do their job. In my experience, tipped or not tipped, service providers usually provide very good service. I've had excellent service in both circumstances.

Tipping cultures simply make me feel as if I have been put in the role of acting as their employer (insofar as I'm literally providing part of their wage). And so, I'm not going to stiff any reasonably adequate employee of any portion of their wage. That's why it matters to me what people get paid (beyond the whole philosophical issue of "shouldn't we be taking better care of our citizens" thing).

I can, and will, tip more when people go above and beyond. But, honestly, I do prefer it when tipping isn't the norm. I'd prefer to have their actual employer pay them, and keep my responsibility at the level of offering a good review.

 

[marthachick]

DSis & I tipped $5-$10 when we took our dad from CLT to HOU. He’s 82 and on oxygen so we got wheelchairs even thought he insisted he didn’t need them. He even checked with us to be sure we tipped.

 

[antmaril]

Yes, definitely.

 

[ronandannette]

Because I couldn't find anything on Google that says for sure it is "unheard of" in Canada. Just multiple sources saying they don't know what the practice is in Canada.

Just because I've never heard of it, doesn't mean it isn't happening somewhere here, too. Especially if workers aren't allowed to ask for tips.

Canada is a big country, and even though I've lived here most of my life, I'm frequently surprised by the things I don't know about it.

I'd imagine American tourists arriving at our airports might do it; they're accustomed to tipping practically everybody they come in contact with. My comment, albeit not specific enough, I guess, was in reference to (most) Canadians being completely unaware of this practice. And although I've gleaned enough to "keep my tip game up" when travelling to the US, I'd have missed this one and probably been assumed to be a cheapskate.

This Canadian tips

Who do you tip? If you fly into Calgary, for example, wheel-chair porters and the golf-cart type shuttle drivers are called "White-Hatters" and are Chamber of Commerce volunteers. Pretty sure they wouldn't accept a tip. I've seen lots of volunteer hospitality ambassadors doing similar things in many other Canadian airports too. I also agree with the PP upthread that although I've never used one, whenever there's a wheelchair waiting at the ramp for a deplaning passenger, it's being pushed by a member of the airline's own staff. And for departing passengers, it's always airline staff only past the check-in gate.

 

[Kitty 34]

I would tip but ask my family, I'm one of those that tips about everybody if they're helping me!!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Mom stocks up on $5 bills. Worth every penny.

 

[bushdianee]

I tip between $3-$5. More if they help with luggage, go thru security, ask if I need a restroom break, etc.

 

[low-key]

yes, I knew they want tips, a good rule to follow when traveling, everyone who does anything for you wants a tip

 

[ronandannette]

yes, I knew they want tips, a good rule to follow when traveling, everyone who does anything for you wants a tip

I wish they'd hand out a little "Tipping for Dummies" chart on the plane when you're inbound to the US but I guess the bolded is as good a guideline as any.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Nope, we've never tipped and the few times we've needed a wheelchair, they have been airline employees.

 

[BLAZEY]

I'd imagine American tourists arriving at our airports might do it; they're accustomed to tipping practically everybody they come in contact with. My comment, albeit not specific enough, I guess, was in reference to (most) Canadians being completely unaware of this practice. And although I've gleaned enough to "keep my tip game up" when travelling to the US, I'd have missed this one and probably been assumed to be a cheapskate.


Who do you tip? If you fly into Calgary, for example, wheel-chair porters and the golf-cart type shuttle drivers are called "White-Hatters" and are Chamber of Commerce volunteers. Pretty sure they wouldn't accept a tip. I've seen lots of volunteer hospitality ambassadors doing similar things in many other Canadian airports too. I also agree with the PP upthread that although I've never used one, whenever there's a wheelchair waiting at the ramp for a deplaning passenger, it's being pushed by a member of the airline's own staff. And for departing passengers, it's always airline staff only past the check-in gate.

We have something the same in Victoria, before security. I wouldn't tip them, they wouldn't accept it. They are more like information help. From YYJ (Victoria International Airport)website :

• Wheelchair service is available by the Air Carrier from the check-in area to the departure gate and onto the aircraft. Advance notice to the Air Carrier when making the flight reservation is helpful. Electric cart service is not available. (YYJ is not a big airport has like 9 gates and only 1 terminal)

YVR (Vancouver International Airport) has self push wheel chairs available for use in public areas, and carts once past security (arranged by each individual airline, you have to book and arrange this 48 hrs before your flight.

YYZ (Toronto Pearson Airport) To better serve passengers, wheelchair and mobility assistance service is readily available to you through the airlines operating at Toronto Pearson. To pre-arrange this service, please contact your airline directly.

Both Vancouver and Toronto (2 largest airports in the country) have Porter services available for hire which if used I would pay the fee and tip, but it seems that in CANADA those who help people with mobility issues move throughout the airport are indeed AIRLINE employees. This service is arranged by contacting you airline and no tip is needed. The information is the same on both the airport websites and the airline websites.

 

[DawnM]

Yes, my parents always tip. $5 for short trips and $10 if they have to go a ways.

 

[DawnM]

In the Phoenix airport they were very clear, "We are volunteers and work for tips" before we got the wheelchair.

 

[Summer2018]

My mother sometimes gets a wheelchair, when disembarking from long flights. I can't say I've ever seen her tip anyone, though she may have. I always assumed they were regular, full-time, airport staff.

I didn't know the agents relied on tips, before reading this article:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e3911301ad3e

Now, maybe wheelchair agents aren't paid in tips in every airport (it may be just a US or even Dulles practice), but I'll definitely let my mum know that she should at least offer a tip.

I would definitely attempt to tip that person. Whether or not they accept it is up to them.