To tip or not to tip?

[pixiemomma]

Curbside guys do work off tips. Alot of guys (and gals I guess) alos work at the airport and do this for extra $$$$.

 

[Chicago526]

While asking for a tip is rude, in the case of Sky Caps I make an exception. A lot of people don't know they are supposed to be tipped, and there aren't many ways of gracefully letting people know that! They should at least wait until there are certain the person isn't going to tip them, it should NOT be the first words out of their mouth, and if they do have to mention it, they should not give any kind of attitude about it.

Now, if they guy (or gal) gets stiffed and then routes the bag to the wrong location, THAT'S wrong, 100% no excuses. Anyone that takes a tipped posistion should expect a certain number of cheapskates!

I tip $2 each bag unless it weighs a ton, then I'll up it to $3. One time I tipped $2 for a single average weight bag and the Sky Cap thanked me like I sliped him a $10! Very nice guy and after that I wished I'd tipped him more!

 

[nativetxn]

I tip the skycaps. The only time my luggage was lost was when I checked in at the counter. The young woman there was on a personal call and I don't think she was paying attention.

 

[powellrj]

I always have the money out and folded in my hand so they know ahead of time that I plan on tipping them.

 

[DebbieB]

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".

That information will be in their system and on the claim check if you curbside check, just like if you check-in inside at the counter. It is all recorded.

I think some people just don't know better. I was working with an employee from another office in Jacksonville last month and we were talking about our flights in and she mentioned she checked in outside. I said "it's worth the tip not have to drag it inside". She had a blank look on her face an said she didn't realize they were supposed to be tipped, she figured they worked for the airline.

 

[EthansMom]

If you weren't expected to tip the skycap, then the line for skycap would be as long as the line to check-in inside!

We tip $2 per bag, and with two young kids, we count it as money WELL SPENT.

 

[jgmklmhem]

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.

I guess the question would be: If someone came up and ordered a drink and didn't pay would you give it to them. By not "tipping" the skycaps people are asking that they provide a service for free (in most airports). I don't think they should have ill intent towards your bags but I can understand their frustration and could see some getting a little upset and making sure people knew they worked for only "tips". I can almost see them saying to someone who stiffs them...here are your bags back please go stand in line. In my opinion they should probably just charge a fee for the service and then allow people to tip on top of that if they feel the need.

 

[misskrystal]

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

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Fireman - I think you were wrong not to tip. They tried to educate you that it was a tipped position, but you did not listen.

I have always tipped the person outside. I fly Southwest sometimes - and have never seen them not tipped.

Maybe it is just I live in a big city?

 

[olena]

I used curbside for the first time this year at LaGuardia and tipped a few dollars. It was worth it.

It didn't know they didn't work for the airline. Then again, with the way airlines pare their workforce to the bone, it doesn't surprise me.

 

[Pugdog007]

That's why I always walk past Skycap and check inside. A few extra steps won't kill me and I've saved a few bucks. But recently I was traveling with a co-worker and we stepped out of the taxi and she was walking towards skycap. I told her to check inside to save money... she said she never knew you had to tip them outside! So I think it is a common misconception that they work for the airlines.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think you are supposed to tip them, but asking for tips is pretty tacky.

 

[crz4mm2]

I tip them too. I always have. I figure if it saves me time (which it does) it is well worth the couple of bucks.
I didn't know there were people who DIDN'T tip them.....

 

[goodeats]

I've never used a Skycap. I kind of worry that my bags won't get to the right place, so I feel much more comfortable going to the check in counter and checking them myself.

I also didn't realize that you are supposed to tip them. But I suppose that makes sense.

 

[Mimi Q]

My 3 yo was having a melt down when I left our bags with a Sky Cap at LaGuardia, and I didn't think to tip him. He actually followed me in the airport and stood there until I tipped him.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

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.

 

[AllyandJack]

A good friend of mine was travelling out of Logal Airport in Boston on business. He tipped the guy $2. The guy sarcastically said, "Gee....thanks...."

My friends bags never made it to the destination and they were never ever found.

I now check in at the counter. I don't want to undertip and risk not getting my bags.

 

[VSL]

Ugh.. I'm glad I'm going to be checking my luggage in at DTD!

Don't want to deal with all the hassle!

 

[mrsltg]

I think people have lost sight of the fact that tipping is for good service. Reminding me to tip is a sure fire way not to get a tip from me. As far as someone sending your bags to the wrong place - well, that's just lovely...

Erin

 

[dopeyone]

We always tip at least 1$ per bag, However I would not tip someone who felt they had to "educate me on tipping". Now if I was walking away without tipping, i would like to be reminded. But if i was being reminded before, while they're handleing my luggage. I would have to tell them; head down, front arm straight, follow through with your swing! I wouldn't mind a sign by their work area that says "we rely on tips". That would be ok, and helpful to those who don't tip because they don't know any better.