Tipping and Magical Express

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I suppose we will tip our ME driver if that is what the protocol is. I was absolutely under the impression that no tips would be expected, but apparently I was mistaken.

I also have no idea WHY I am so bothered by it. I tip the sky caps, the cab or Town Car driver, bell services if we use them, waiters, housekeeping, etc. but I wasn't anticipating that the ME driver would also require a tip. Perhaps because I wasn't expecting anything from the driver beyond DRIVING the bus. If we have our tags he won't even see our luggage. If we don't then I will be happy to handle it myself. I don't really see where luggage handling is in his job description. In that case he would deserve a tip. But what if all he really does is DRIVE? If he belongs to a union then there is NO WAY he is being paid "tip wages" of $3 an hour!

I guess I will just have to get over it, remember that the cost is FAR less than a Town Car, and tip the driver. For doing his job. Hmm.

 

[paulmc80]

Sorry ... double posting.

 

[paulmc80]

Not to continue an argument, put any one down or tell them what to do with their life. But, I have not perceived anyone's posts working as bus drive, shuttle driver, or other position to be hostile regarding tips. Rather, I've seen it as informative - an insider's view. I appreciate that.
The service I receive is what I'm tipping for - timeliness, professionalism, communitcation - that's what is important. I appreciate being informed that its ok to tip the person in that position. Sign or no sign doesn't matter to me.
I live in a tourist town. These kinds of sinage about tips are everywhere you go. Does it mean the folks putting them up are rude? Just based on that I don't think so. But, that's just me.

 

[bytheblood]

Magical Express is free -- and 15-20% of zero is zero.

.

Gee, you must be a math major.

 

[dvc guy]

People who demand a tip need to get a new life. Not happy that disney contracted with Mears for this service, look at the other option, they contract with another company and you are out of a job. Unemployment does not tip.
Anyone tip the 7-11 guy or the people at Burger King?? If seems everyone has a hand out, or in my pocket at every turn. I bust my butt everyday and my tip is that I get to keep my job. Stop complaining and get back to work.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

Not to continue an argument, put any one down or tell them what to do with their life. But, I have not perceived anyone's posts working as bus drive, shuttle driver, or other position to be hostile regarding tips. Rather, I've seen it as informative - an insider's view. I appreciate that.
The service I receive is what I'm tipping for - timeliness, professionalism, communitcation - that's what is important. I appreciate being informed that its ok to tip the person in that position. Sign or no sign doesn't matter to me.
I live in a tourist town. These kinds of sinage about tips are everywhere you go. Does it mean the folks putting them up are rude? Just based on that I don't think so. But, that's just me.

I too did not find any post from local driver as angry towards the average rider. A shuttle driver who handles your luggage is no different than the cab driver or limo driver who does the same. I would never use any of these services without tipping and I can't imagine anyone using a shuttle and not tipping "if he handles your bags". And since Disney is definitely advertising this as a free service with all tips included, how can you fault a driver for putting up a sign that states he accepts tips. It isn't the drivers fault that Disney has misinformed the average person on this issue.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

[
sorry double post

 

[bytheblood]

I don't fault the driver for wanting tip or for putting up a sign stating that gratuities are greatly appreciated, but I disagree with making the guests rides unmagical because of the agreement your company signed.

I also think that localdriver has made some very valid points, but now he is beatng a dead horse. The ALL CAPS, which signifies YELLING, is not necessary. His issue is with Disney and Mears. We cannot do anything about it and many people are not going to tip just because localdriver is angry. I understand his frustration, however instead of telling us over and over how mad he is, he either needs to go to his manager and complain or find a new line of work where he will not be so bitter.

 

[buckylarue]

I just got my DME packet from FedEx today, and there is not one word in it concerning tips, one way or the other.

Personally, I would expect to tip a driver if s/he helped with my bags, was particularly pleasant or efficient, etc. etc...If s/he did not help and wasn't pleasant or efficient, I certainly wouldn't tip, sign or no sign! (And having lived in San Francisco for 10 years, I got quite used to signs encouraging tips in any number of 'touristy' places, so they don't bother me in the least.)

 

[ksoehrlein]

We had the same bus driver both ways. On 5/19 (or technically 5/20, since it was after midnight) there was no signage anywhere on the bus to indicate anything about tipping. Yesterday on our way to MCO, I noticed a large sign with the driver's name (didn't notice that before, but I could have missed it) and a smaller sign stating that gratuities were appreciated. Did Disney/Mears change their policy to allow these signs while I was at WDW? (Regardless, we tipped both there and back as the driver assisted with our bags and was quite friendly and jovial despite confiding that he was working 11-hour days as a "part-time" employee.)

Just curious, what had the Mears policy been regarding tips prior to DME? What is it currently for non-DME Mears drivers?

I feel sorry for the drivers that Disney is going on and on about tips being included. If these Mears drivers had received tips as a significant part of their take home and were then transfered to the so-called "tips included" DME program, they are losing quite a bit of money through no fault of their own. They are still working just as hard -- or probably even harder -- than before. I don't begrudge LocalDriver his ALL CAPS vent one bit!

 

[bytheblood]

One other small tidbit I would like to add - some may not see tipping in the same fashion these drivers do. Those going on a vacation-of-a-lifetime on a tight budget see this as a huge expense.

1 nice sit-down dinner is a $15 tip. Then $5 for the bus driver each way. Then $2 per bag per person is another $15....so-on and so-on. By the time the tips are added up, that is another $50 - $100 the family did not plan on spending.

For those with the mentality that if you cannot afford it, you should not go - shame on you. Walt would slap your hand. Everybody should be able to go to WDW at least once in their lives.

I personally will tip the drivers, but it should not be expected as this is not what Disney has advertised. After all, those who drive us to and from the parks and resorts do not get tipped.

 

[eeyore45]

I am so confused!

I thought tips were expected when salaries were 'below' minimum wage... ie waitstaff, housekeeping, taxi... even skycaps... (which here in Chicago is a coveted HIGH paying position!)

I dont tip the train conductors, bus drivers, in fact when I did a towncar my contract specifically stated that the gratuity was "included" when I called and asked if the driver's knew this, she laughed and said yes, but they still get tipped all the time! So, am I a cheapskate if I dont tip AGAIN?? Now of course towncar driver's feel a pinch because of the ME, so I noticed the same towncar companies no longer "included" tips! *sigh...

I do understand that many of Disney's positions are below average salaries, so should I now bring $$ to tip every service in the parks? Great CM's say at ToT, HM, that go above and beyond to get in character, should I tip them a couple of bucks - I mean I truly appreciate the service they also provide??

I'll tell you, the more I read, I dont want to get on a Bus that has a driver with this kind of attitude, that plain scares me!! Suddenly free is too high a price for me to pay!

 

[Lewisc]

Tips are also earned when the employee provides extra service. Most tipping guides suggest you tip a shuttle driver if they provide luggage assistance. This applies to airport hotel shuttles and even the shuttles that take you to an offiste car rental agency. Mears shuttle is in the same category.

The problem is Disney is providing extra pay in lieu of tips for the DCL drivers but isn't doing that for the ME drivers.

I am so confused!

I thought tips were expected when salaries were 'below' minimum wage... ie waitstaff, housekeeping, taxi... even skycaps... (which here in Chicago is a coveted HIGH paying position!)

 

[Pedler]

Tips are also earned when the employee provides extra service. Most tipping guides suggest you tip a shuttle driver if they provide luggage assistance. This applies to airport hotel shuttles and even the shuttles that take you to an offiste car rental agency. Mears shuttle is in the same category.

The problem is Disney is providing extra pay in lieu of tips for the DCL drivers but isn't doing that for the ME drivers.

Lewisc,

Are DCL bus drivers Disney Employees? In some ways it seems that Disney outsourced the driving part of ME to Mears and is paying them for the service but not determining teh rate that the drivers are paid. Mears is then determining how to compensate the drivers. It would be interesting to know what the compensation structure is that Disney pays Mears. The conspiracy side of me could envision a situation where Disney is paying one rate to Mears that takes into acount tips and Mears is compensating the drivers at thier normal non tip rate. For example Mears could be paying its drivers the same rate if they are driving a ME bus or some other Mears shuttle. Of course I still think Elvis was kidnapped by Aliens and is alive and well in the bermuda triangle.

Pedler.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Are DCL bus drivers Disney Employees?

The DCL motorcoaches are also opeated by Mears Transportation Group for Disney. In fact, Mears sometimes uses DCL motorcoaches to provide extra capacity for ME.

 

[paulmc80]

I've taken the DCL motorcoaches to the port and back to WDW. I only knew to tip the drivers when I saw other guests tipping the drivers after the driver retrieved their luggage. I did tip the driver after dropping us off during our last cruise, and we had a heck of a lot of luggage. lol

So, it sure is not unusual for Disney to contract a company and leave the tipping to the guest. At least in my experience. To my knowledge Disney in no way, shape or form has instructed anyone that the drivers are not to be tipped. I like to reward someone that does good work so they continue doing the good work for others. Makes me feel good.

 

[KilleriMac17]

People who demand a tip need to get a new life. Not happy that disney contracted with Mears for this service, look at the other option, they contract with another company and you are out of a job. Unemployment does not tip.
Anyone tip the 7-11 guy or the people at Burger King?? If seems everyone has a hand out, or in my pocket at every turn. I bust my butt everyday and my tip is that I get to keep my job. Stop complaining and get back to work.

I agree, and more and more, you see the 7-11 places and burger kings and stores and fast food places, putting out. TIP JARS!

I dont get tipped, don't ask for tips, don't need them, and unless your in a tip position(waitress,bellhop,ect), you should not be asking/begging for them.