To tip or not to tip?

[shortbun]

I guess I was still under the impression that tipping was optional. It is in the UK anyway.

The 'optional' part of this discussion is using curbside baggage check rather than checking at the counter inside the airport. When you use this "free" service, you also tip the people providing it. The nice thing it that you are free to decide what to pay for the service.
Here's a free tip for everyone. Always make sure the tag going on your bag matches your destination-wether you are checking inside or outside.

 

[jrydberg]

Yet another reason for me to continue taking my bags inside to regular check-in.

 

[skiwee1]

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.

We are in MD and always tip the curbside guys. They save us a lot of time by being there. I don't know but I tip immediately upon service so there would be no time for them to "remind" me that they take tips. To the OP, did you start to walk away when you were reminded? I imagine they get tired of non tippers.

 

[skiwee1]

I guess I was still under the impression that tipping was optional. It is in the UK anyway.

Tipping is optional but so is using the curbside check in. When you OPT to use the convenience of curbside check in then you are essentially paying for that service by tipping. I can't imagine giving these guys my luggage and not tipping for this service.

 

[ReneeA]

I had no idea that they weren't employed by the airline. Our last trip was the first time we had ever used the services of the Skycap since we usually travel very, very early in the morning or very late at night and the airport isn't that busy when we travel. I guess it makes sense that the skycap followed us a bit and waited...I did end up slipping him a few dollars, but had I known that they work strictly for tips, I'd have tipped more. DH & I are usually the "overtippers" that tip at least 25% on most things.

ReneeA

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I also always tip the curbside check-in people. If I do not want to tip I have the option of bringing my bags inside, which I do sometimes. It's like going to a restaurant with a sit-down area and a counter serve area, eating in the sit-down area, but then not tipping. If I wanted to avoid a tip I'd sit in the counter serve area, order at the counter, and pick up my own food.

I would have been irritated about the reminder, though. Maybe the person thought that you were getting ready to leave without tipping or maybe they just had a slew of non-tippers (which wouldn't be your problem).

 

[DisneyJen0504]

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

I agree-we tip the curbside but if they asked for it-they wouldn't get anything.

 

[noseybuddy]

I always tip the curbside people. Think it is rude of them to tell you about it. I work in a hair salon and wash hair. There are people who do not tip, but I certainly am not going to say anything to them. Most people do tip.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Just so that you know:

Due to the new technology and the different levels of authorization that each person has in the airline system it is now very hard, almost impossible, for a Skycap to route your luggage to the wrong city. You reservation is linked to your bag, your bag is tagged as represented in your reservation. They Skycap would have to change your reservation (they don't have the authorization to do that), put a tag on it that is linked to someone else's reservation (going to a different city), or somehow tag the bag without linking it to a reservation (something an inside agent would have to do).

I know that there are savvy people out there that have probably figured out how to get around they system, but all in all it is very difficult for anyone now to tag your luggage to the wrong destination.

Hopefully that makes everyone feel a little better.

All they have to do is put one of those old fashion tags on them and put a different airport code - they still have them for when their printers are down.