Luggage Check in

[MinnieLee]

Since we can now take advantage of luggage check in for our return trip on SWA, do you tip the cast members at the resort just as you would do for a sky cap at the airport? We always tip the ME driver but we were not sure about at the resort.

Thanks for any advice. Leaving this Friday for 10 days! Not a minute too soon!

 

[Dizny Dad]

I don't believe the people checking you in are Cast Members. I believe they are a separate company, just like the ME folks.

There are always three to five people involved in checking you in. We have never thought to tip in this situation, nor have we ever seen it done. We have always considered it the same as the main airport check in desk - no tipping there either.

 

[jekjones1558]

Yes, we always tip the RAC folks. You are correct, it is like doing curbside check-in at the airport.
You might want to post this question over on the Transportation board where you will get lots of feedback with folks very familiar with this type of question.

 

[nutty4wdw]

i found it hard to tip because 3 people checked our bags (actually handled our bags). there was no tip cup so i was unsure who to tip.

 

[castleri]

We tipped them just like we would tip at curbside checkin at the airport. We never check in at the airport ticket counters so always tip the person at curbside and now the ones manning the RAC desk. PP is correct in that they are not Disney employees. We tipped the one who handed us the baggage claim tickets. I imagine they pool the tips at the end of the day.

 

[jamn]

We always tip as well. Somehow it makes us feel that our luggage will make it to the airport - although that has never been an issue.

 

[n2mm]

Absolutely. These folks are not Disney employees and this service is the same as curb side at the airport. I love this perk!

We always tip at least $2 per bag for this wonderful service! We too wondered a little about who to tip too, until early on we handed the tip to the guy moving the bags and he handed it to the person who printed our tickets and they put it in a draw. After that I pretty much knew that they split it at the end of the day. Sometimes you might get a little speech from them saying they are like curbside at the airport....blah blah.... . Once the BAGs rep started saying it to us (nicely of course) and we had already tipped the bag guy and he looked at the other guy and nodded and he stopped.....

Sadly, we use this service ALL of the TIME since it began, but have been behind many folks who never tip. What's up with that?

 

[Dizny Dad]

Boy am I glad I decided to tune into this thread - it never occurred to me to tip for the great service we were getting! And yes, I have never seen anybody tip these people, but I sure will from now on!

And thinking about it, I tip everyone else; even those I think didn't do anything to deserve a tip. How did I miss this?

So sorry! What was I thinking!?!

THANKS!

 

[wildernessDad]

Yes, we tip them to handle our luggage.

 

[DebbieB]

i found it hard to tip because 3 people checked our bags (actually handled our bags). there was no tip cup so i was unsure who to tip.

When we used the RAC desk last December, when I handed the person helping us the tip, she help up a box. So they must share the tips.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Yup, I always tip the Bell Service people, valet parking guys, waiters, waitresses, ME driver, Concierge, taxi drivers, bell caps, Mouse Keeping staff, special delivery people, etc., etc.

I haven't tipped the guy that comes buy the Hot Tub at 6:30 AM and checks the temperature. He probably thinks I'm a jerk, too. Next time I buy swim trunks, I'll be sure to buy them with a pocket big enough for my wallet. (I wonder if he will take my KTTW card?)

 

[Hopefully]

We always tip the RAC employees, just like a curbside check in service at the airport.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Boy, do I feel like a cheapskate now! It just never occured to me to tip them. At the airport, I always use counter check-in, so I just wasn't used to tipping to check in my luggage (that's my sad attempt to justify never having tipped).

 

[MinnieLee]

Thanks for all the input. Since we always tip at curbside, it's the same premise but at a different location and a great convenience.

Thanks again!

 

[MinnieLee]

Yup, I always tip the Bell Service people, valet parking guys, waiters, waitresses, ME driver, Concierge, taxi drivers, bell caps, Mouse Keeping staff, special delivery people, etc., etc.

I haven't tipped the guy that comes buy the Hot Tub at 6:30 AM and checks the temperature. He probably thinks I'm a jerk, too. Next time I buy swim trunks, I'll be sure to buy them with a pocket big enough for my wallet. (I wonder if he will take my KTTW card?)

Love it!

 

[jkfreeman33]

We just returned from SSR and used the luggage check in for SW Air. While we were checking in the luggage they went thru the speech that they are just like curb side check in. In fact , they are employees of the company Disney contracted. They rotate between the hotels and curb side at the airport. This was a "gentle" way of saying....yep, tip me like you would curb side service. One of the guys in our group asked if they ever get "stiffed" and they laughed and said all the time, that's why they give the speech about curb side check in. We suggested they put a sign up that tips were appreciated or that this is curb side check in at the resort. Spell it out or people will assume it's a Disney perk.
He said that if they get stiffed enough at the hotels, they would discontinue or start charging the customers.

 

[n2mm]

We just returned from SSR and used the luggage check in for SW Air. While we were checking in the luggage they went thru the speech that they are just like curb side check in. In fact , they are employees of the company Disney contracted. They rotate between the hotels and curb side at the airport. This was a "gentle" way of saying....yep, tip me like you would curb side service. One of the guys in our group asked if they ever get "stiffed" and they laughed and said all the time, that's why they give the speech about curb side check in. We suggested they put a sign up that tips were appreciated or that this is curb side check in at the resort. Spell it out or people will assume it's a Disney perk.
He said that if they get stiffed enough at the hotels, they would discontinue or start charging the customers.

That's what I'm always afraid is going to happen. I try to post on all of these treads to let folks know this is a tipped position. When in line at RAC I make sure I mention it to my DH loud enough so others might overhear me.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We didn't tip on this occasion:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2569934

 

[Inkmahm]

We tipped them just like we would tip at curbside checkin at the airport. We never check in at the airport ticket counters so always tip the person at curbside and now the ones manning the RAC desk. PP is correct in that they are not Disney employees. We tipped the one who handed us the baggage claim tickets. I imagine they pool the tips at the end of the day.

We do the same. The one behind the computer and giving us our paperwork gets the tip. I'm also guessing tips are pooled.

 

[goofy4tink]

Personally, I don't like any kind of spiel that is going to 'suggest' to me that tipping is expected. Tipping should only be done if you got service above and beyond. Tipping is not a 'paycheck'. Do I tip the RAC workers? Yes...usually $2 per bag, same as curbside at the airport.
But, that's only if I get decent service...which, luckily I have at least up 'till now. But, I'm telling you....I don't want to hear anything from them about how they're just like curbside at the airport..they won't get anything from me. If they take my bags, with a smile, and print out my boarding passes within a short amount of time, then sure, they'll get that tip. But, be pleasant while doing your job.

The comment about not tipping will cause them to start charging guests for the same service??? Well, I have to tell you..if they start charging, then curbside is going to have to start charging as well. And if I'm being charged then I'll be taking my bags to the airport myself.