To tip or not to tip?

[Regina]

Why on earth wouldn't you tip them? How many times have you walked inside and seen a ridiculously long line at the check-in counter? They're saving you a ton of valuable time.

No doubt once they realized that you didn't intend to tip them, they told you that they worked for gratuities. I never needed that reminder since I always tip at least $2.00 a bag, usually more.

They've always been pleasant, courteous and efficient before getting the tip.

 

[Lachesis00]

We always tip. Makes life *so* much easier when we travel. No one has ever asked or demanded a tip. I'd tell him to take a flying leap or give me .25 and tell him to call someone who cares b/c I surely don't.

When we tip, we tip well.

 

[foolishmortal]

I always tip them $1 or $2 depending on bags and actual service...but yes they should be tipped

 

[Kermit]

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.

The reason you tip the people outside is because they aren't being paid any other money. The people inside are airline employees.

It's not really a tip. It's something that we don't have a word for in our language. It's people who work in a setting where customers are allowed to decide how much they pay them. Would you go to a "free" fundraiser carwash and have your car washed for free?

 

[DebbieB]

I always tip $1 or $2 a bag, plus a little extra if they print my boarding pass. They very rarely come over to my car at PIT because there is usually a line formed with people waiting. When I'm traveling on business I'm usually by myself, so it saves me from hauling my luggage from the parking lot on the shuttle bus or walking through the lot.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I have always tipped skycaps. Maybe I'm wrong, but I've always been under the impression that they work for 100% gratuity.

 

[DVCLiz]

It doesn't take very much effort to figure out the system in place at your airport. I'm the world's least sophisticated traveler, and even I finally just said, "Hey, what's the difference between checking my bags here and doing it inside?" And the guy said, "Inside it's free, but you stand in a longer line. Outside, it costs you a nice tip, but you get your bags checked much more quickly and we print your boarding pass, too." That was all I needed to hear - I hate to stand in line!! So $10 or $20 begins my trip pleasantly and efficiently.

And really, aren't those of you who have to travel with these "huffy no-tippers" embarrassed to death? I would be MORTIFIED if anyone I traveled with took an attitude like some of these posters.

 

[magicfan]

There are people from all over the world who go through airports and many of them may not know that these guy's are normally tipped. I suppose that is why they told you. Most people do not tell you. I would most definately tip them---they do not get paid well and they rely on tips. They are just trying to make a living, too. Unless they do something to not deserve a tip, I wouldn't deny them. Again, they don't get paid much.

 

[misskrystal]

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".

I completely agree. There are better ways to ask for a tip just coming right out with it.

I'm from the UK (and we don't tip nearly as much as people in the US do), but when I'm in the US, I tip and I tip well. I wouldn't appreciate someone asking me to tip them before I even had the chance to.

Tipping is supposed to be about good service and if someone is asking me for a tip, then I don't see it as good service.

 

[Maleficent13]

I must be the only person who never uses this service. I always walk right past them and head inside where I hand my luggage to an airline employee. I guess maybe I'm just retentive...I don't know the outside handlers, and if my bag gets lost, I want to be able to say "Jane at the XYZ Airline counter checked me in, tagged my bag, and put it on the conveyor".

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Always tip. I usually start with $5 the first bag, $1 for additional bags.


I've waited tables & bartended off & on for years.

 

[LoveWDW]

I didn't know. I haven't flown for several years, but it is good to know about the tip.
It should be made very clear in writing on a prominent sign that people are handing their luggage over to people who are not employed by the airport or airlines.

 

[Nancy]

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.

So what you are saying is that when I walk up to the Southwest desk outside the airport, I carry my bags and I put my bags on the cart I should tip this guy? I have NEVER seen anyone give the guys at Southwest a tip...this is usually the only airline I fly. I used to live off tips, I know what it is like to get tips, I will overtip in many cases. I am appalled at myself for not realizing these guys did not work for the airlines. If I would have seen just 1 person give a tip, then I would have known. I am not young...I am 47...I've flown many, many times. I feel horrible now.

 

[DVCLiz]

So what you are saying is that when I walk up to the Southwest desk outside the airport, I carry my bags and I put my bags on the cart I should tip this guy? I have NEVER seen anyone give the guys at Southwest a tip...this is usually the only airline I fly. I used to live off tips, I know what it is like to get tips, I will overtip in many cases. I am appalled at myself for not realizing these guys did not work for the airlines. If I would have seen just 1 person give a tip, then I would have known. I am not young...I am 47...I've flown many, many times. I feel horrible now.

I don't think you need to feel horrible, Nancy!!! Just ask the next time you check your bags, and you'll know what the policy is from now on. Your guys may be paid employees of the airline - although it sounds like most of them are contract employees of the specific airline.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

double post....sorry

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I didn't know. I haven't flown for several years, but it is good to know about the tip.
It should be made very clear in writing on a prominent sign that people are handing their luggage over to people who are not employed by the airport or airlines.

They are called Skycaps because that is the name of the company they work for.

 

[malibuconlee]

One of the first times we flew, we asked if we could check our bags with the skycap. We were young and looked even younger. They said yes, and it was a really nice older man and he basically told me if I gave him a couple of dollars he would take care of them.

I wish I could explain it better, as it wasn't at all rude, kind of funny now that I'm looking back, and I'm sure he could tell we were just young and inexperienced. (This was after seeing the long line inside the terminal).

We did and were all very happy. I suppose some would have taken it as condescending, but we didn't. I guess I would call it more sly??

 

[misskrystal]

I don't like the idea that, if I don't tip, I should expect my bags to be lost, damaged, or even sent to the wrong place.

I used to work behind a bar and I worked for less than minimum wage, without breaks. I never even thought of giving someone the wrong drink just because they didn't tip!

Is this normal and do people think it's OK? I'm really confused by this attitude.

PS. I do tip.

 

[RadioNate]

you absolutely tip skycaps. now I wouldn't like to be told to tip but I never knew anyone who didn't tip them.

 

[tiger95]

Yep, I always tip these guys. It is the majority, if not all of their salary. Usually $2/bag.

JD