To tip or not to tip...that is the question

[wildbill]

Do you tip the ME bus drivers? Are they Disney employees? I'm not adverse to tipping but I usually reserve that for someone that does something for me. The bus driver won't be handling our bags-just load us up and drive us around. If he/she does something to make the trip more magical or enjoyable I probably would but I thought I'd see what ya'll did.

Thanks

Bill

 

[crzy4dsny]

I tipped because he did handle our bags. If he is not handeling your bags, and you feel like it, you could give a few dollars. I usually only tip if someone handles my bags.

 

[helenk]

The ME drivers are not Disney employees. Generally I only tip if they handle my bags, but on our last trip the driver was such a hoot and pointed out different things to us, he really went the extra mile, so we tipped him a few dollars.

 

[CleveRocks]

As mentioned, DME drivers are not Disney employees. They are employed by a subcontractor called Mears.

If a DME driver doesn't touch any of your bags and doesn't provide personalized service to you (beyond a greeting and a smile), then a tip isn't even really expected by the driver, although it would certainly be appreciated.

Keep in mind that on the trip from the airport to your resort, even if DME is deliv4ring your checked bags, you still may have carry-ons that you wish to stow under the bus rather than put them on the overhead shelf or under your seat. Thus, the driver may handle a bag or two for you, and in such a case a tip would be customary.

Of course, tips can be given just because you feel like it. I live in a casino town but rarely gamble. When out-of-town friends visit I will sometimes go with them to a casino. I was standing behind a buddy of mine at a roulette table. One of the stickmen was just non-stop with really clever and entertaining jokes and conversation. I was having such a good time that I tipped him $5 as my friend left the table. Even the stickman himself gave me a surprised look, but I told him he helped me have so much fun I wanted to recognize and reward such great service. In fact, I felt cheap giving him only $5!

I'm certain it would be the same way for me if I had a driver (bus, car service, etc.) who helped me have such a great time while in the course of just doing his or her job.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

There was a little handmade sign on one of the DME buses reminding people that they should tip. Totally turned me off. For that and a few other reasons I went back to Tiffany. At least at Tiffany you get personal service.

 

[all4disney98]

We tipped the ME driver on our last trip, he loaded and unloaded our bags from under the bus. He actually loaded and unloaded EVERYONE's bags from the bus but we were the ONLY people to tip him.

 

[Skroops]

We tip the ME drivers $2.00 per bag. I am always curious to see if others tip, and I'd say most don't. If they are lifting your bags, I'd say yes, they should be tipped.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I'm going to be flamed for this, but who cares.... I don't understand why people think that a tip is necessary when someone is doing their job? Tipping the maid? Hello...they're paid to clean your room! That's their JOB! I just don't get it. And so many more people are expecting tips it's ridiculous!

 

[bicker]

There was a little handmade sign on one of the DME buses reminding people that they should tip. Totally turned me off.

That's really the cue for me that tipping isn't necessary: When a company prints up something indicating that gratuities are appropriate, then I consider it, but if it is just the service worker making up their own sign or note, I know to ignore it.

I'm going to be flamed for this, but who cares.... I don't understand why people think that a tip is necessary when someone is doing their job? Tipping the maid? Hello...they're paid to clean your room! That's their JOB! I just don't get it. And so many more people are expecting tips it's ridiculous!

I agree with you about the housekeepers at WDW. They are paid a wage, and as I've said a few times recently, it is just about the same as the custodians who clean up other people's poo in the theme park restrooms, in the heat and humidity of the Florida summer, and how many people tip them?

However, some jobs are structured so that gratuities are expected. At WDW, specifically, restaurant servers, bell staff and valets are paid a wage, starting much lower than the minimum wage, because the cost of that service is to be paid principally by the patron (that's you!) We can decide whether or not we like the system, but the system is an artifact of our society, so we should be complying with the system while we're doing our part to change to the system to our liking. These folks provide you service based on the reasonable expectation that you'll live up to your side of the bargain and pay them so they can pay their bills and support their family.

(To be fair, some hotels don't work like those at WDW, and tips are expected. I can generally tell the difference since the hotels that don't pay their housekeepers minimum wage indicate on a hotel-printed card that gratuities are appropriate.)

 

[Letsbgoofy]

He actually loaded and unloaded EVERYONE's bags from the bus but we were the ONLY people to tip him.

We had the same experience. My 15 year old son even commented that nobody else tipped the driver.

Those handmade signs also turn me off. I know there were some issues with the drivers because all the guests thought they were tipped through Disney and they are not, but I think any kind of signage should come through the company not the driver.