Tipping ME driver?

[ncbyrne]

Is it customary to tip the Magical Express driver? I would tip a hired car driver, but it's not expected to tip a bus driver...just wondering.

 

[Lewisc]

Is it customary to tip the Magical Express driver? I would tip a hired car driver, but it's not expected to tip a bus driver...just wondering.

The normal tip for a shuttle bus driver is $1/ bag, if the driver assists you with your luggage. Most of the bags you carry on the plane wind up getting stowed, by the driver, under the bus.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Our ME driver (on the way back to MCO in Aug 06) quite obnoxiously announced on the bus' pa system that he would really appreciate a tip. I didn't mind the sign posted at the front of the bus that stated something like tips are not expected, but are acceptable and appreciated. I know it was worded differently, but I was fine with that. Verbally asking for a tip, to me, was a HUGE turn off. I do believe that all of the adults on the bus could read the sign posted at the front. It wasn't like it was inconspicuous. Needless to say, I will not tip when someone specifically asks for it. My tip was a different type of tip.
** I know, I know....someone's going to disagree w/ me and that's okay...this is my opinion to which I am entitled.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have tipped $1 a bag in the past. I have also tipped when no bag was ever touched but the driver was so entertaining that he deserved it. But, if the driver 'mention's' anything about gratuities being accepted, I do nothing!! A tip is not something that is a 'must do' for me. It is not an obligation. A sign at the front of the bus lets us all know that the driver may accept a tip...don't be telling me over your PA system as well!!!

 

[Disney Ron]

stitchlovestink, I always tip the ME driver, but I agree with you, when they ask for it my hand stays out of my pocket!

 

[pumba]

when we went a few weeks ago ......OUR driver said a tip was appreciated and I could read his sign up front.....but that did us in and we didnt have any bags that he had to take care of so we said NOPE......I do not like the asking part....

 

[Edd]

I am informed by Mears administration, after a phone call, that any signs on their buses or any statements made that are not authorized by Mears, should not be there. A driver faces verbal warnings, suspension or possibly dismissal if an official spots the signs and reports the driver.

I am not saying that tips are illegal, only that the driver cannot solicit them, in any way, on the Mears buses.

Mears transportation includes the DME and the DCL, also the Mears shuttle. I didn't specifically ask about the Mears shuttle but I would imagine they feel the same way about that.

 

[sue1013]

Edd I think Mears has given you false information. I have travelled 6 times on a Magical Express bus 6 different drivers and each had a sign about tips.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I am curious was this your arriving bus or your returning bus?

This was done on our return trip, no announcment or sign when we arrived.

I did not like the announcement that was made on our bus either. I think the sign is bad enough.

 

[Lewisc]

The drivers name plate says something like "gratuities appreciated" Those signs/name plates were authorized by Disney and I assume also by Mears. I've never seen any other signs. This is a case in which the correct information, no un-authorized signs, falsely implies that all signs are banned.

I understand DCL drivers are "pre-tipped" by Disney to cover luggage handling and that DME drivers are not. I don't mind a subtle mention. One driver said something like my name is____, you can see it spelled on the gratuity sign. Anything more than that and the few dollars I set aside for a tip stay in my pocket.

I am informed by Mears administration, after a phone call, that any signs on their buses or any statements made that are not authorized by Mears, should not be there. A driver faces verbal warnings, suspension or possibly dismissal if an official spots the signs and reports the driver.

I am not saying that tips are illegal, only that the driver cannot solicit them, in any way, on the Mears buses.

Mears transportation includes the DME and the DCL, also the Mears shuttle. I didn't specifically ask about the Mears shuttle but I would imagine they feel the same way about that.

 

[Edd]

I have never traveled on the ME or the DCL so I would imagine the signs Lewis speaks about are the only signs allowed on the buses. Anything else asking for tips or speeches made asking for tips is probably not what Disney or Mears wants.

If the exact same signs are on all the buses than it is probably authorized by Mears or Disney. If the signs are handmade or placed up where just a few buses have them they are probably not authorized.

Sometimes drivers get pretty aggressive when it comes to tips. That is not good for PR. They know what they should do or not do when it comes to extra money.

Maybe Tyler can shed some light on this.

 

[ducklite]

I have tipped $1 a bag in the past. I have also tipped when no bag was ever touched but the driver was so entertaining that he deserved it. But, if the driver 'mention's' anything about gratuities being accepted, I do nothing!! A tip is not something that is a 'must do' for me. It is not an obligation. A sign at the front of the bus lets us all know that the driver may accept a tip...don't be telling me over your PA system as well!!!

My feelings exactly!

Anne

 

[DVC Grammy]

I guess we're in the minority, but once we land in MCO, we start feeling the magic, and part of it for us is to tip the driver bringing us to and from the resort. We give $5 each way, bags or no bags.
What can I say...............WDW makes us feel the !

 

[Gary M]

I guess we're in the minority, but once we land in MCO, we start feeling the magic, and part of it for us is to tip the driver bringing us to and from the resort. We give $5 each way, bags or no bags.
What can I say...............WDW makes us feel the !

I also tip $5 each way. I have had very pleasant drivers during my 4 times using DME. I don't have baggage for them to handle. If the driver was not so pleasant, then I would not tip. It has been my observation that few people tip the drivers.

 

[CleveRocks]

On my trip back to MCO in November, I really liked our driver, Hugo. I intended to give him a tip when I got off the bus becausehe loaded and unloaded all of our luggage, and was also very efficient in the process of loading a whole bunch of people and a whole bunch of luggage.

He did what I thought was a subtle thing when we got dropped off at MCO. He stood outside the bus, just beside the doorway, and was holding some cash in one hand. I suppose it's a sort-of visual hint that he's happily accepting tips. I gave him the cash he earned and he shook my hand and gave me what I thought to be a genuine "Thank you." He was already smiling before I gave him his money.

 

[WDW_Owns]

We tipped about 1-2 dollars a bag.

 

[zzyzx409]

Is it customary to tip the Magical Express driver? I would tip a hired car driver, but it's not expected to tip a bus driver...just wondering.

In the literature as I remember it, it says that all tips are included to get your bags to your room. Getting them from your room to DME is a different story.

I talked to a Bell person when I was last at WDW (Dec 2006) and he said that DME allocates tips for luggage for getting the luggage TO the room, not back to the pick-up point for DME.

Since I enjoy and depend on the Bell Staff and they take good care of me, I always tip them generously for whatever service they provide. I tipped the Bell person when he brought my bags TO my room (late, very late) from DME.

I tipped when the Bell Person picked up my luggage from my room to take to the DME pick-up point.

Now my bone to pick -- The drivers with the Gartutities accepted and apprecated and the announcements that they would like a gratuity while on the bus ride in and/or out. I just think that is extremely bad show, especially since Disney advertises that ALL Gratuities are included when using DME (except for getting the luggage back from your room to the DME pick-up point).

I use a travel mobility scooter and last trip, both buses I was on had a lift, and the driver did not know how to use the lift. One could get the lift up and down, but had no clue as to how much room to allow so I could load on the lift or get my scooter unloaded. The other just said she did not know how to use the lift... But she still asked for a tip! What service was the tip for? She could not use the lift, I dissassmebled and reassembled my scooter, I even loaded and unloaded it. What was the tip for? What did she do? I carried my travel bag on the bus, all she did was drive the bus and make announcements in broken English about the proper terminal different airlines (good thing there are signs at MCO letting me know where to get off). The one time she did speak in good understandable English was when she was asking for a a tip. What service was the tip for?

Later,


Andy

 

[Lewisc]

DME does not provide tips for the DME drivers. It is customary to tip a shuttle driver $1-$2 /bag. That includes a shuttle bus driver that takes you to an airport hotel or to an offsite rental agency.

Disney does NOT say that all gratuities are included. Go back and re-read the brochure. Disney worded the brochure very carefully. Some of the drivers were upset because Disney leads guests to believe the tips are included.

Blame Disney, not the drivers, for the "bad show" I understand DCL drivers are pre-tipped (paid) to handle the luggage.

INow my bone to pick -- The drivers with the Gartutities accepted and apprecated and the announcements that they would like a gratuity while on the bus ride in and/or out. I just think that is extremely bad show, especially since Disney advertises that ALL Gratuities are included when using DME (except for getting the luggage back from your room to the DME pick-up point).

I use a travel mobility scooter and last trip, both buses I was on had a lift, and the driver did not know how to use the lift. One could get the lift up and down, but had no clue as to how much room to allow so I could load on the lift or get my scooter unloaded. The other just said she did not know how to use the lift... But she still asked for a tip! What service was the tip for? She could not use the lift, I dissassmebled and reassembled my scooter, I even loaded and unloaded it. What was the tip for? What did she do? I carried my travel bag on the bus, all she did was drive the bus and make announcements in broken English about the proper terminal different airlines (good thing there are signs at MCO letting me know where to get off). The one time she did speak in good understandable English was when she was asking for a a tip. What service was the tip for?

Later,


Andy

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I am informed by Mears administration, after a phone call, that any signs on their buses or any statements made that are not authorized by Mears, should not be there.

Maybe Tyler can shed some light on this.

Every Mears driver is given two signs...

1 - "YOUR DRIVER IS BOB SMOB"
2 - "GRATIUITY PERMITTED FOR EXCEPTIONAL GUEST SERVICE"

Any old signs that have the Drivers name and "Gratuities Appreciated" are no longer permitted by Mears, as well as any other form of sign. Signs can only be located in the designated signage area.

Drivers are allowed to have sign #2 up for DME runs. Disney specifically approved this verbage. They are not allowed to display that sign when they do runs with built in commissions.

 

[zzyzx409]

DME does not provide tips for the DME drivers. It is customary to tip a shuttle driver $1-$2 /bag. That includes a shuttle bus driver that takes you to an airport hotel or to an offsite rental agency.

Disney does NOT say that all gratuities are included. Go back and re-read the brochure. Disney worded the brochure very carefully. Some of the drivers were upset because Disney leads guests to believe the tips are included.

Blame Disney, not the drivers, for the "bad show" I understand DCL drivers are pre-tipped (paid) to handle the luggage.

I guess I'm one of those who read the literature that lead me to believe that gratuitites (except bags from room to DME for chekc-out) were included. If others are reading it the same way, then it is not just me, so I don't feel so bad.

You answered one part of my post, but what do you think about the part you did not repsond to...

I use a travel mobility scooter and last trip, both buses I was on had a lift, and the driver did not know how to use the lift. One could get the lift up and down, but had no clue as to how much room to allow so I could load on the lift or get my scooter unloaded. The other just said she did not know how to use the lift... But she still asked for a tip! What service was the tip for? She could not use the lift, I dissassmebled and reassembled my scooter, I even loaded and unloaded it. What was the tip for? What did she do? I carried my travel bag on the bus, all she did was drive the bus and make announcements in broken English about the proper terminal different airlines (good thing there are signs at MCO letting me know where to get off). The one time she did speak in good understandable English was when she was asking for a a tip. What service was the tip for?

I did give the driver a tip, but I still wonder why. I did everything except drive the bus, I handed my bags (all I had was carry-on), I loaded and unloaded my scooter.

Andy