To tip or not to tip?

[fireman17]

Okay folks, here's a question for you all? We just returned from a six day trip to the world and we all had a great time. We flew out of Providence and on arrival at the airport we used the curbside check in. Now after we finished the guy comes over to us and says " We work off of gratuities here ". Needless to say he didn't get a tip. We left from Orlando and again used curbside check in, and again they felt it necessary to tell me they work off of tips. Needless to say no tip for him either!
Now am I wrong in not giving these guys tips? I brought my luggage to them all they do is tag them and place them on the conveyor. I am a firefighter and have been on for 18 years and never get tipped. The waitress at Kona Cafe' worked harder than both these guys together and we gave her over a $20.00 tip and she couldn't thank us enough!
I know there are many others of you in the public service field that never get tipped as well.
Now I know these guys at curbside all get a paycheck every week or else why would they be there! I don't think they volunteer to be there, so don't tell me I have to tip you, if I want to give you a tip or think you need to be tipped I'll give you one.
Rant over

 

[Bob Slydell]

I've always tipped curbside check guys, but I would be a little irritated to be reminded by the guy that he works for tips.

 

[Disney Doll]

I do tip the curbside guys, but if they felt the need to "remind" me, I'd have given them nothing.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I think they are commonly neglected when it comes to tips. If you're in doubt as to whether they are paid by the airlines of if they work solely for your tips, you might contact the airline in advance.

The guy is doing the service because he needs the money...

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I always tip those guys and I tip them well. First off, they are saving you a heck of a long wait if you were to check the bags yourself. That long line inside the airport (before the security checkpoint) is where you have to wait to check your bags. and second, remember, these men (and women) are in charge of your luggage, responsible for them getting to their proper destination. So maybe if you upset them; they might remove the tags they placed on the bags while you were there and replace them with another destination. You never know.

 

[Kermit]

You're supposed to tip those people. He might have been a little rude, but the fact is that they only get paid the money that you tip. That's it. If you don't want to tip (i.e., pay for the service), you can carry your bags in and check them yourself.

 

[missypie]

I always tip the curbside checkin guys. Beats having to stand in line at the gate to check in. One time coming back from Chicago, all I had was a $20, so I was going to stiff the guy. He was very aggressive in asking for his tip, following us. I finally got him to break the $20 and tipped him.

 

[maciec]

Funny you should mention this because I was chased down at MCO one time by a curb side guy who told me the same thing. He didn't do anything for me. We got the luggage out of the car and took it to them All that they did was tag the bags and wheel them into security. I was really ticked. I ignored him the first time and the second time I told him that I didn't have any money. Which was true. Actually dh had it and he was in the bathroom.

I was a waitress for many years and I too worked off of commission, but not once, ever, did I chase anyone down for a tip. Tipping is a choice of the person being served. If that person felt that I didn't deserve a tip for some reason than that was the chance I took being in that profession.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

My sister (when she was younger in her early 20's) used curbside once and did not tip since she didn't know she was suppose to. Surprise - they lost her luggage and it wound up going to the wrong destination! She did eventually get it back days later at home. She is sure they did it on purpose, and they probably did. That's the way the world works!

 

[Nancy]

OMG! I have NEVER tipped these guys. I figure they work for the airlines and provide the same service as the guys inside, except they are not doing ticketing. As a matter of fact I have never seen anyone slip them a tip. I just went to them because I usually have my boarding pass/ticket already, if I need to check in I go inside and wait in the lines. If I'm expected to tip them, I never knew it. Last time I took the bags to the desk, I put the on the cart. The only thing I didn't do was put the tag on and wheel the cart inside.

edited to add: I have never had lost luggage either.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It is weird to hear them mention that but I am sure they do get stiffed a lot as they do not work for the airline. I had no idea the first time I was told and was glad they said something. I assumed they were airline employees.

 

[Honu]

It's no longer just a tip at SFO. There is a $2 per bag charge.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

If you don't want to tip (i.e., pay for the service), you can carry your bags in and check them yourself.

Agreed!!!

The guys checking in at curbside are contract workers (at most locations), and NOT airline employees. They provide you a service, usually much quicker than you would get inside the airport. These people should be tipped! If you tip a bellman at a hotel or other such person, you should be tipping these "porters".

I can't blame them for letting you know that they work for tips, how else do you "educate" the traveling public?

 

[KelNottAt]

I don't know how it works in Florida, but in Maryland there's an official category of jobs (don't what it's called) that are exempt from minumum wage because they earn tips. That is, employers have no obligation to pay waitresses, bar tenders, hotel maids, bell hops, and airline guys, etc, the minimum wage. The employees get a few dollars an hour and do receive a paycheck, but I doubt it amounts to anything one could live off of. When I was a waitress (1984-87), minimum wage was $3.50 +/-. My hourly wage was $1.88.

 

[halestrm]

You're supposed to tip those people. He might have been a little rude, but the fact is that they only get paid the money that you tip. That's it. If you don't want to tip (i.e., pay for the service), you can carry your bags in and check them yourself.

I have a problem with being told you’re supposed to tip someone. It used to be a tip was for good service. But in actuality tipping etiquette (www.tipping.org) states:
“There is no right or wrong when it comes to tipping, just common sense. Also note that tipping is an option, not a must. There are circumstances that are obviously not as simple as black and white. Use your judgment when deciding to tip or not to tip.
I personally believe in tipping and typically tip well. I also expect service to be extraordinary and deserving a better tip.
Tips should be accepted, not expected!”

Skycaps are tipped, on average $1-2/bag depending on the weight of the bag. That is because they are transporting your bags. If you don’t tip the attendant inside, why would you tip the person outside?

I use curbside and I tip, when they come to the vehicle and get the bags. If they don’t, I don’t.

 

[Beth76]

Didn't you ever see the Seinfeld episode where Elaine accused the guy of ripping them off? They sent her bags to Hawaii! Seriously, why would you want to tick off those people? Yes I do tip them. I tip them because using their service means I don't have to haul my bags inside and wait in line. I only do $1 a bag though--not $5.

 

[pozey]

We almost always use curbside check-in. I always tip them - usually $1 per bag.

I have never had one say "We work off gratuities", but I did have one say something to the effect of "How was my service?" in a way saying "tip me if I did a good job".

 

[bballmom56]

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Elaine thinks Jerry's tipping the guy too much and actually argues with him. The guy then tags Jerry's bags correctly to New York and then Elaine's to Honolulu!

 

[luvmy2sams]

This happened to DH and I when flying home from Orlando in January. We'd barely made it out of the limo when the skycap offered to take our bag. We were caught off guard and had planned on checking in inside the terminal. However, the skycap said it would be much easier to check it there, so we agreed. He tossed our bag to the side, held out his hand and said "I'll take very good care of your bag." in a very smart-*** tone. DH and I couldn't believe it, but our bag was already heading to who knows where, so DH tipped him $5 for one bag. He asked if we wanted change, and DH told him he could put the change towards an attitude adjustment. I about died!

 

[shortbun]

You're supposed to tip those people. He might have been a little rude, but the fact is that they only get paid the money that you tip. That's it. If you don't want to tip (i.e., pay for the service), you can carry your bags in and check them yourself.

ITA! As a traveller, by now IMHO , one should know that curbside is a luxury NOT a service provided by the airlines. Use it, pay for it. Maybe they should start charging per bag. Why do people NOT know how the system works by now?
In Columbus, Ohio....we've always had curbside for tips and or carried our own bags inside. I'm not intimating stupidity, just really wondering why people don't get it and why they think it's ok to leave people unpaid for the service they provide just because those people are trying to let them know how the system works. Why is it bad to say, "you just used a service where the labor provided is to be paid for?" If I was unaware, I'd say, "oh sorry, didn't know." and come up with a tip. Simple and not a reason to get mad.