Tipping the DME driver?

[Bubby4Clay]

What is the tipping guidelines, if I ride the DME round trip, without my luggage?

 

[Edd]

You should tip the DME driver only if you have put luggage on the bus and he helps you get it or load it. Disney takes care of the rest.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have used DME about 5 times now. You are only expected to tip when, and if, the driver helps you with your bags. No bags, no tip is expected. But....there have been times when I have had no bags and I still tipped the driver a few dollars. He was a great driver and kept us entertained the whole way to WDW. He never mentioned tips. However, I have had a driver who, although he handled my bags, felt the need to mention the fact that gratuities are gratefully accepted, in addition to the signage right beside him on the dash board.
It's up to you, the guest, to decide if the driver did something to make your experience nicer. A tip of about $1 per bag is normal.

 

[Kimberle]

DME drivers rely on tips as a part of their salary. (There is a sign right in the front of the bus that say's it is a tipped position.) Disney does not take care of tips for us.

We tip a couple dollars each way. We don't check bags. Most people who got off our buses did not. The driver was very appreaciative of our couple of dollars.

I find it so amusing that sssooo many people tip housekeeping (which is NOT a tipped positon according to WDW), yet stiff the ME driver. (Who works for Mears, not WDW.)

 

[goofy4tink]

DME drivers rely on tips as a part of their salary. (There is a sign right in the front of the bus that say's it is a tipped position.) Disney does not take care of tips for us.

We tip a couple dollars each way. We don't check bags. Most people who got off our buses did not. The driver was very appreaciative of our couple of dollars.

I find it so amusing that sssooo many people tip housekeeping (which is NOT a tipped positon according to WDW), yet stiff the ME driver. (Who works for Mears, not WDW.)

The thing we need to understand is that a tip is never to be expected. A tip is something you give for extraordinary service. If someone wants a tip from me, then they best do something to deserve it. Merely driving the bus isn't something extra. Yes, if a driver gets my bag out from under the bus, then he/she can expect a tip. But....don't ask me for it. That would be the same as a waitress serving me my dessert and telling me that she gratefully accepts tips.

Housekeeping? I think a lot of people tip housekeeping in hopes of getting something extra...towel animals or the like. I tip housekeeping only if they have been exceptional in their care of my room. It is not automatic for me.

No one, not anyone, should come to expect a tip...much less verbally request one.

 

[Bubby4Clay]

Is there a tip box by the driver? Normally, I would tip when the driver got my bags. But, those now go on a separate truck.
TIA!

 

[Edd]

Tips are for personal service rendered, not because the company they work for does not pay them enough. If I ride a bus, which is rarely, I do not tip just because the driver is up there driving. That is the companies problem. Now should a driver do something that benefits me personally I will drop a few bucks. If I see someone begging for tips with a sign I will not tip. Tough luck.

If I am a quoted a gratuity rate by a transportation company I find me another transportation company. Tips are ways we award good people, excellent service and other's concerns for us. Let's not confuse that with the people who would try to get the last dollar out of your pocket into theirs or forget about giving you service and expect something in return.

 

[goofy4tink]

Is there a tip box by the driver? Normally, I would tip when the driver got my bags. But, those now go on a separate truck.
TIA!

No, there is no 'tip box'. You would have to physically hand a tip to the driver, which I have done in the past even without any bags for him to handle. I really enjoyed this particular drivers service..it was over the top. So, even though he never touched a bag for me, he got a $5 tip as I got off the bus.

 

[Bubby4Clay]

No, there is no 'tip box'. You would have to physically hand a tip to the driver, which I have done in the past even without any bags for him to handle. I really enjoyed this particular drivers service..it was over the top. So, even though he never touched a bag for me, he got a $5 tip as I got off the bus.

Thanks for clearing that up for me! *note to self---have some extra cash available for DME driver, just in case*

 

[Manda]

I've tipped on the return trip because we have our luggage with us and the guy has to handle it. When I traveled alone with DS on our last trip, I tipped the driver in both directions (which was actually four trips since my flight got cancelled, but that's another story... LOL) because they were very helpful to me as a Mom traveling alone with a child. My son falls asleep every time we come near a DME bus and it's a struggle for me to carry him off with my bag and everything. The driver went out of his way to assist me every time. And the one time that DS was actually awake as we unloaded, the driver still picked him up and carried him off the steps since I was carrying things and couldn't really help him down. They've also unfolded the stroller for me so I could just put him down in it sleeping. I appreciate that and I tip for it. However, when all of us flew down there and the driver didn't have to help us with anything or any luggage, I didn't tip.

 

[Lewisc]

The "normal" tip for a shuttle bus driver, who assists you with your luggage, is $1-$2/bag.

Many of the larger carry on bags wind up going under the bus. DME buses don't have overhead bins, more like a shelf for a jacket or briefcase.

 

[Poohbear123]

I have ME take my large bag to the Hotel. If I carry on my small bag myself, I don't tip. If they stow it for me, I tip!