Tipping DME driver???

[Scraper222]

Getting ready for our big trip to Disney. We will be using the DME to get back and forth from the airport. Should we tip the driver like we do a shuttle/taxi driver??? Or does Disney frown upon that???

Just wondering,
E.

 

[aubriee]

There will be a sign over the driver's head saying "Gratuities are appreciated" so yes they do expect to be tipped. Most people say that if they store any bags under the bus for you they tip a few bucks. Others say that even if they don't store your carryons under the bus, if they make your trip to the resort pleasant, giving tips, jokes, etc, then they will also tip. We always tip. The only times I don't is if when we get to the resort the driver shuts the door trapping us on the bus while he unloads all the carry ons, then opens the door, and stands there with his hand out for the tip. For some reason that drives me crazy. Let me off the bus and you'll get a tip whether I have a bag under the bus or not, but trap me on that bus while you unload everyone else's luggage and then stand there with your hand out and you aren't getting a dang thing.

 

[jcarwash]

I've always had something underneath (carry on bag and a stroller) so I've always tipped.

I'm not sure I would tip if I didn't have bags underneath...the driver would have to do something extra special.

And although Disney would not frown on taking your money the DME buses are operated by Mears drivers, not Disney staff.

 

[goofy4tink]

The DME driver is not providing a personal service the same way a towncar driver is. Yes, I tip the towncar driver. Do I tip the DME bus driver?? Depends. If the driver handles any bag for me, then yes, I do. If the driver makes my ride more pleasant in some way...very personable, funny, whatever...then yes, he gets a tip even if he didn't touch a bag for me.
Then again....if a driver makes any kind of an announcement about tipping being accepted, he gets nothing, and I don't care if he has to unload 15 bags for me. There is signage at the front of the bus...can't miss it..that states that gratuities are gratefully accepted. I will not be forced to tip. I had one driver who was completely silent as I boarded the bus. I did have a rather larger than normal carryon bag, so it got stowed. He never said a word to me. Never said a word other than to announce the next resort. But when we got to each resort, he stood up and announced that gratuities were always accepted for good service. He got not one red cent from me. I actually had money in my pocket to hand the driver at the resort, but based on his 'attitude' he got nothing, even though he did touch my bag. And, believe it or not...when he handed me my bag, he actually kept his hand out!!! Yeah, right. I smiled and walked away, with my $3 in my pocket.

On the other hand, I've had a driver who never touched my bag (I kept it with me since it was just a tote bag), but he was incredibly welcomng and friendly when I boarded the bus. He joked with passengers along the way, all while driving very safely. He gave out tidbits of local info. He thanked each guest as they got off the bus. He got a $5 tip from me. He really started my trip off with a bang.

So, it's up to each passenger to decide whether or not to tip.

 

[JerseyDisneyGirl]

You can't go wrong by tipping. Regardless if they are funny, or friendly they are still providing a service to you. They are not there to be your friend, they are there to get you to the resort. Unless the person was out right rude, or I had to stow my own bags I would always tip. It is sad that they have to say that tips are appreciated, people should have more sense than that.

 

[goofy4tink]

You can't go wrong by tipping. Regardless if they are funny, or friendly they are still providing a service to you. They are not there to be your friend, they are there to get you to the resort. Unless the person was out right rude, or I had to stow my own bags I would always tip. It is sad that they have to say that tips are appreciated, people should have more sense than that.

Are you tipping the bus driver that picks you up at your resort??? Are you tipping the boat pilot? Do you tip the bus drivers at home???

The signage at the front of the bus is pretty clear....gratuities are gratefully accepted for outstanding service. So, with that in mind...merely driving the bus doesn't constitute 'outstanding service'.
I have plenty of sense. And with that in mind, I flat out refuse to be forced to tip someone who doesn't deserve it. I will not tip anyone that asks me for it!!! Never. A good driver will not have to ask for a tip. If they do something outside the realm of driving the bus, then yes, they should be tipped.

BUT....as I said before, if I don't get welcomed to the bus and the only time the driver utters a word is to announce the next resort (mumbling while doing it so it's hard to understand) or to announce that tips are accepted???? I don't care if I have 47 bags under that bus and he hands them all to me...he gets no tip..period. It doesn't take much to say hello, welcome aboard, with a smile. That's pretty much all I ask. But surly??? Nope. Not one cent from me. I will not reward bad behaviour.

I'm the person who gets off the plane, heads to DME and while in line waiting for the bus to arrive, pulls out cash to tip the driver. Only one time have I put that cash back in my pocket...just once.

 

[Lewisc]

Tipping guides suggest $1-$2 per bag is an appropriate tip for the driver of a complimentary shuttle who assists you with your bags. The driver of a shuttle bus who takes you to an airport are hotel or an offsite car rental lot are other examples.

Disney information regarding DME implies tips aren't necessary but Disney has only "pre-tipped" the CM who delivers the bags to your room. Drivers are in the position of politely letting guests know they're not pre-tipped.

I understand Disney pre-tips DCL drivers for handling luggage.

 

[IlovePiglet]

The drivers are standing by the door because it is Mears company policy to be there when passengers are disembarking. I know some drivers try to use this to their advantage and it is a turn off. Sometimes it is the only contact the driver might have with a passenger.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

I tip my airport shuttle driver everywhere I go so DME will be no different.

 

[aubriee]

The drivers are standing by the door because it is Mears company policy to be there when passengers are disembarking. I know some drivers try to use this to their advantage and it is a turn off. Sometimes it is the only contact the driver might have with a passenger.

They need to open that door and let us out as soon as they stop at the resort though. Don't close the door keeping us hostage, while they unload all the luggage, then open the door and stand there with their hand out. Those of us that don't have luggage under the bus should be allowed off. As I said before, let me off the bus and he'll get a tip whether I have a bag under there or not, but close that door and keep me hostage, then stand there with his hand out after forcing me to wait and he won't get a dang thing.

 

[goofy4tink]

Tipping guides suggest $1-$2 per bag is an appropriate tip for the driver of a complimentary shuttle who assists you with your bags. The driver of a shuttle bus who takes you to an airport are hotel or an offsite car rental lot are other examples.

Disney information regarding DME implies tips aren't necessary but Disney has only "pre-tipped" the CM who delivers the bags to your room. Drivers are in the position of politely letting guests know they're not pre-tipped.

I understand Disney pre-tips DCL drivers for handling luggage.

And we always remind guests of this when they ask if it's okay to bring their bags to the bus with them...we tell them that while Disney says tipping is taken care of when using DME, it is ONLY for the tips for luggage delivery at the resort, not for the bus ride.

There is signage that states gratuities are accepted. I don't need someone verbalizing it to me...seems way too much like begging. I try to sit up front on the bus. That way, when I get off, those behind me will notice (hopefully anyway) me tipping the driver as I pass by. I have seen families get their 10 bags, unstowed by the driver, and walk away,,,no tipping. Now, that bothered me. That driver should have been tipped..he delivered a service besides driving that bus.

 

[Ro Z]

And we always remind guests of this when they ask if it's okay to bring their bags to the bus with them...we tell them that while Disney says tipping is taken care of when using DME, it is ONLY for the tips for luggage delivery at the resort, not for the bus ride.

There is signage that states gratuities are accepted. I don't need someone verbalizing it to me...seems way too much like begging. I try to sit up front on the bus. That way, when I get off, those behind me will notice (hopefully anyway) me tipping the driver as I pass by. I have seen families get their 10 bags, unstowed by the driver, and walk away,,,no tipping. Now, that bothered me. That driver should have been tipped..he delivered a service besides driving that bus.

AGREE about being the 1st off to make an impression! Some people just don't even think about tipping.
The drivers always give me a hand coming off the bus. I am short and it is a big step. They probably help everyone tall or short but I appreciate it. We tip $5 for 3 people and no bags. Not a big deal to us but nice for them!

 

[mmmbop]

There will be a sign over the driver's head saying "Gratuities are appreciated" so yes they do expect to be tipped. Most people say that if they store any bags under the bus for you they tip a few bucks. Others say that even if they don't store your carryons under the bus, if they make your trip to the resort pleasant, giving tips, jokes, etc, then they will also tip. We always tip. The only times I don't is if when we get to the resort the driver shuts the door trapping us on the bus while he unloads all the carry ons, then opens the door, and stands there with his hand out for the tip. For some reason that drives me crazy. Let me off the bus and you'll get a tip whether I have a bag under the bus or not, but trap me on that bus while you unload everyone else's luggage and then stand there with your hand out and you aren't getting a dang thing.

Reminds me of our trip back in May. We had an early flight (7:30am). DME paperwork says departure at 4:45am. No biggie. We get to the stop at 4:15. Bus didn't arrive til 5:00am, and after those of us who were supposed to be on the bus were boarded.. he started accepting people for the next bus (5:15am). We didn't leave until 5:30am - when the 5:15 rolled in
We got to the airport, and the driver removed ONE piece of luggage at a time, waited for it to be claimed (and have his hand out), before pulling another piece of luggage
We were one of the first ones on, so of course, our luggage was the last to be pulled. It really got my dander up to see so many people tip that jerk. YES, he provided a service BUT to stand there with your hand out, and not pull another piece of luggage until you make contact with the owner? Unreal.
It's been the only time we didn't tip the driver. And not to mention, the only time we were SO close to missing the flight. It's not even that we had time to wander around the airport. We had to RUN to the gate, and made the flight with only a few minutes to spare. Trust me, if we had the extra time, we would've grabbed something to eat, because we both felt crummy flying on an empty stomach.

 

[disneychic2]

We tip a couple of dollars even though we don't have him handle any bags. We've never had a rude driver or one who has his hand out or keeps us hostage on the bus while unloading bags. That would be upsetting for sure!