Tipping ME drivers? More....

[seetheworld]

Is it allowed or is it something people do? I know we always tip our town car drivers, etc. Please let me know. Thanks, Kim

 

[Sandi]

We tipped both ways and the drivers were very appreciative. No bag handling on the way to the resort, but the driver was really good and the ride was smooth. Our bus was loaded with people, but only had to stop at Pop first and then CSR. I didn't see a lot of people tipping -- even those with bags below.

On the way to the airport, we had another full bus and the driver had to handle a lot of bags. We tipped her and she was grateful.

 

[Mears_Driver]

Is it allowed or is it something people do? I know we always tip our town car drivers, etc. Please let me know. Thanks, Kim

There has been many things written about tipping us (I drive a DME motor coach) and you will find that this will open up a rather large can of worms sometimes.

Bottom line is: it's up to you whether you think you should tip the driver.
We do work hard moving luggage and we do like it when people tip us. It is allowed because we do not work for Disney, we work for Mears Transportation Services.

I will tell you this and this will be the last word from me on this but I don't understand the logic of someone who will tip the bag handlers at the resort and the skycap at the airport and not tip the bus driver for working just as hard. (I will now get off of my soap box)

 

[Lewisc]

Drivers of shuttle vans are normally tipped the same as skycaps, $1-$2 /bag, if they help you with your luggage.

ME drivers are in that category.

 

[ducklite]

If I had bags that they handled, I'd tip the ME driver. Otherwise, it's like the city bus or the WDW bus, and I wouldn't feel obligated to tip, and probably wouldn't unless th driver did something really extra. I do'nt consider a smooth ride as extra.

If the driver was acting like a tip was expected, or made any type of announcement about it, even if I had 80 bags there would be no tip, as I think that's beyond crass.

Anne

 

[CleveRocks]

Tipping the DME drivers is certainly allowed, and is a great idea especially if he/she handled your luggage. I think there's been some confusion about this because Disney has said (correctly) that the Bell Services CM is pre-tipped (Tyler called it a GTY rate, I believe) for having your bags magically appear in your resort room. But just as Mears Driver said, he and his colleagues are not Disney CMs, and they do not receive any special compensation from Disney, just their normal wages from Mears. An appropriate tip at an appropriate time is much appreciated, I'm sure.

-- Eric

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't tip if they don't touch my bags. If I have luggage that is going to be stored underneath the bus, then I'll tip. I know that my dh tipped on the trip from MCO last June. We had just our carry-on stuff that we carried ourselves. The driver was very appreciative. Didn't seem like there were many people tipping.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Signs on both buses on our weekend trip said "gratuities appreciated" -- We, of course, tipped.

 

[localdriver]

I didn't tip the ME driver in May when he brought us back to the airport. Why? Because we had my MIL in a wheelchair, my step-son in a stroller, and about 7 bags and he dropped us off on the bottom of the garage informing us the bus was too heavy to go up to the 2nd level. We got no assistance from anyone in carrying everything inside. Now, whether or not he was telling the truth, I felt no need to tip a driver who just dropped our bags and left us.

Sorry, but he is right, the class of Motorcoaches operated by Mears and many others, are not allowed on the 3rd, (arrival level) due to their weight. It's not the drivers rule, it's the airport rule.

What did you expect the driver to do? Assist you to the 3rd level? Sorry can't leave the bus even to go to the restroom inside, subject to MAJOR fines.

I would say your complaint is with the skycap service at OIA.

 

[LtlTee]

I just returned last night. The bus that took me back to the airport had a sign that had the bus driver's name and read "gratuities appreciated". The driver handled a lot of bags once at the airport (maybe 15?) and no one but me and one other man tipped.

Like the above poster said, if they handle my bags, I tip.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't know what the poster expected but if I had a MIL in a wheelchair, a kid in a stroller and 7 bags I'd appreciate it if the DME driver could have gotten me a skycap. The car rental agencies have can page a skycap if you need one.

What did you expect the driver to do? Assist you to the 3rd level? Sorry can't leave the bus even to go to the restroom inside, subject to MAJOR fines.

I would say your complaint is with the skycap service at OIA.

 

[inkkognito]

I haven't used ME, but it's the same thing when I take a shuttle bus from one of the offsite car rental places (i.e. Hertz or Thrifty). If I have heavy bags and they help me, I tip. If it's just a small bag and I handle it myself, I figure there is no need. Same with hotel shuttles for the MCO area hotels; I remember one "interesting" experience where the hotel driver didn't show up for almost an hour! (Typically, it's no more than 15 to 20 mins.). I had to call the hotel twice, and when I asked the driver what had happened, he totally ignored me. Then, as I got off the shuttle, he actually had the nerve to stand there reaching for a tip. Needless to say, he did NOT get one.
Barb

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

I didn't tip the ME driver in May when he brought us back to the airport. Why? Because we had my MIL in a wheelchair, my step-son in a stroller, and about 7 bags and he dropped us off on the bottom of the garage informing us the bus was too heavy to go up to the 2nd level. We got no assistance from anyone in carrying everything inside. Now, whether or not he was telling the truth, I felt no need to tip a driver who just dropped our bags and left us.

As someone else stated, it is not the drivers fault he is not allowed on the level were passenger drop off is. I wonder if you would have know that he was correct and he was not allowed to drop you off on the upper level would you have tipped him. Your problem seemed to be with the airports lack of skycabs.

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

We tipped when the ME driver handled our bags, did not tip when all he gave us was a ride.

My opinion is that if they don't touch my bags, it's no different than the drivers who take us to/from the resorts and parks on the Disney transportation bus.

 

[aubriee]

When I used ME in May I did not tip. When I booked it I was given the impression that it included tips. I did have a small carry on that he put under the bus on the way to the resort, but I checked that bag for the return trip having nothing with me, but a small messenger type purse. I honestly did not think about tipping. Since then I've read that their tips are not included and that some of the drivers have put up signs that 'gratuities are appreciated'. Knowing what I do now, I will tip when I go back in Sept and again in Dec. In my case it was just ignorance, not intentional and I think it's that way for alot of folks.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

As I read these threads concerning tipping the Magic Express bus drivers, I am surprised each time with the amount of people that don't think it is necessary to tip a driver IF he handles your bags. I think almost everyone would agree they would tip a towncar driver or taxi driver but don't tip the ME drivers.

 

[Lewisc]

We weren't arriving (3rd level). We were departing.

Level 3 is the level for departing flights and baggage checkin. Level 1 is for ground transportation and level 2 is baggage claim.

SW is considering, may even be testing, a baggage check in area in level 1.

It's a shame the DME wasn't/isn't able to call a skycap for guests like yourself.