Tipping hotel van drivers

[AV80R]

“Don't tip at all your first year. Most people dont.”

Huh? Most people don’t? Wow, that’s the first I heard. The fact you’re even asking the question sounds to me like you already made up your mind and now need a justifications to your actions from others.

It wasn’t that long ago I was making a whopping $17,000 a year yet somehow always managed to tip the driver. Just because our pay sucks doesn’t mean we have to be jerks to the drivers.

“People have to work for my money!”

You sound like one of those guys/gals who’s always looking for an excuse NOT to tip. “Oh, there you go - we waited 3 minutes longer than normal for our table – no tip for you!”
Tipping should be the norm, only an unusually substandard service or a rude driver should make an exception to the rule. Even if you waited for the van a little longer than usual, if on the way to the hotel you notice the traffic indeed is really bad, give the guy/gal a break, there’s not much he/she can do about the traffic.

Treat others the way you’d want to be treated!

 

[FreightPup]

There have been several times i have feared for my life in EWR, PHL, BWI,

Ha, that's funny. I've feared for my life there too, and not only in the van!

 

[Hamburger]

I know of a guy that didn't tip the van drivers and was generally a jerk to them...

One morning, after dropping him off at the airport and not getting tipped again, they pulled his tab from the hotel bar the night before. It was time stamped and made for great reading when it came accross the Chief pilot's fax.

One day per diem covers the entire month worth of van ride tips.

It's true that some van drivers make more than some F/O's. If it's that big of a problem for you, go be a van driver. Easiest job in the world to get.

Remember the Steve Buschemi speech in Resevior Dogs? Don't be that guy.

 

[TOOL CRIB]

“Don't tip at all your first year. Most people dont.”

Huh? Most people don’t? Wow, that’s the first I heard. The fact you’re even asking the question sounds to me like you already made up your mind and now need a justifications to your actions from others.

Most people in their first year at a regional airline don't tip.

It wasn’t that long ago I was making a whopping $17,000 a year yet somehow always managed to tip the driver. Just because our pay sucks doesn’t mean we have to be jerks to the drivers.

That's wonderful. I'm glad giving away your money for contracted services makes you happy. You could have made $17,300+ your first year if you didnt. That's 2% of your income.

“People have to work for my money!”

You sound like one of those guys/gals who’s always looking for an excuse NOT to tip. “Oh, there you go - we waited 3 minutes longer than normal for our table – no tip for you!”
Tipping should be the norm, only an unusually substandard service or a rude driver should make an exception to the rule. Even if you waited for the van a little longer than usual, if on the way to the hotel you notice the traffic indeed is really bad, give the guy/gal a break, there’s not much he/she can do about the traffic.

Treat others the way you’d want to be treated!

I stand by my statement. I tip for good service. That's how it should be. Unless your party is 8 or more or whatever it says on the bottom of your receipt

 

[AV80R]

I stand by my statement. I tip for good service. That's how it should be. Unless your party is 8 or more or whatever it says on the bottom of your receipt

I stand by my statement too!

I guess the aeropark in your avatar is for your private use huh?

 

[CrownandCoke]

a while back, I read in Dear Abby (don't ask) a letter from a waitress saying that she expects 25% tips now. She said 25% is customary and that if she is undertipped, she makes a fuss about it to the customers. If I ever meet that waitress, I will punch her in the face. In other countries, it is offensive to tip. It is a mentality thing in our country. I am a first year FO, and I have never tipped a van driver. Don't plan on doing it until I am a captain, and if they are late, bad driving, etc, that will equal no tip.

15% at a restaurant, pretax. Lower if the service is not superior.

 

[John Pennekamp]

I know of a guy that didn't tip the van drivers and was generally a jerk to them...

One morning, after dropping him off at the airport and not getting tipped again, they pulled his tab from the hotel bar the night before. It was time stamped and made for great reading when it came accross the Chief pilot's fax.

Yet another reason not to drink in hotel bars.

One day per diem covers the entire month worth of van ride tips.

It's true that some van drivers make more than some F/O's. If it's that big of a problem for you, go be a van driver. Easiest job in the world to get.

Remember the Steve Buschemi speech in Resevior Dogs? Don't be that guy.

It also covers the bar tab for my crew. No desire to be a van driver... this is easier and more fun.

 

[relief tube]

you chumps that don't tip regularly and then make up some half-a$$ rationalization why you dont are a bunch of punks. van not there? guy not in a good mood? come on.

At least take the skirt off and have the balls to admit you're too f-ing cheap to tip those guys. then at least you'll be a cheapa$$ instead of a guy too coward too admit the former.

 

[AV80R]

In other countries, it is offensive to tip. It is a mentality thing in our country.

Has nothing to do with mentality, has to do with tax codes. In most Nordic countries for examples restaurant workers get a mandatory tip allowance as part of their paychecks; in other words a part of the price of the meal you are paying is reserved for tips and is included in the waiters’ salaries.

I am a first year FO, and I have never tipped a van driver… if she is undertipped, she makes a fuss about it to the customers. If I ever meet that waitress, I will punch her in the face.”

Maybe the drivers should “punch you in the face?”
Wow, I guess you deserve a Medal of Winer!!! Poor me, me, me…

Ps. Maybe you can ask “Dear Abby” how to become a better person?

 

[John Pennekamp]

you chumps that don't tip regularly and then make up some half-a$$ rationalization why you dont are a bunch of punks. van not there? guy not in a good mood? come on.

At least take the skirt off and have the balls to admit you're too f-ing cheap to tip those guys. then at least you'll be a cheapa$$ instead of a guy too coward too admit the former.

Ooooh, internet tough guy teling us off anonymously. I bet you have a 1 inch johnson too. I bet the ladies are impressed!

Look, y'all. Tip if you want to, don't if you don't want to. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a cheapass who would rather spen that tip money on alcohol for my crew.

 

[AV80R]

Look, y'all. Tip if you want to, don't if you don't want to. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a cheapass who would rather spen that tip money on alcohol for my crew.

You see, I totally respect that! Do what you want but don't come up with lame excuses trying to blame being a cheapa** on low pay, no change, etc, etc.

 

[I HATE HATS]

you chumps that don't tip regularly and then make up some half-a$$ rationalization why you dont are a bunch of punks. van not there? guy not in a good mood? come on.

At least take the skirt off and have the balls to admit you're too f-ing cheap to tip those guys. then at least you'll be a cheapa$$ instead of a guy too coward too admit the former.

My strategy: Aggressively stiff if I don't overnight there very often. Occasionally tip if you know you're going to be there a few times in a short period.
Here's how I look at it. It's a zero sum game. $1 more for him, $1 less for me. I like money--why GIVE IT AWAY when I am under no obligation to?

Oh yeah, I'm a cheapa$$. But when the service sucks, I feel less guilty about it.

 

[Noise]

If I ever meet that waitress, I will punch her in the face. In other countries, it is offensive to tip. It is a mentality thing in our country.

Wow, little wound up still after your vacation this weekend??

Back on topic, I do agree with you about tipping being a mentality thing in our country. In asian countries, there is no tipping that takes place, and employees work twice as hard because they take pride in doing their job, because they are grateful to have it in the first place.

I myself only tip if i happen to have any $1's on me when i get into the van. If I dont have any, i do not go out of my way to get any. However, like has been previously stated, I do tip every time for a ride to the mall, resturant etc.

 

[CrownandCoke]

Wow, little wound up still after your vacation this weekend??

Back on topic, I do agree with you about tipping being a mentality thing in our country. In asian countries, there is no tipping that takes place, and employees work twice as hard because they take pride in doing their job, because they are grateful to have it in the first place.

I myself only tip if i happen to have any $1's on me when i get into the van. If I dont have any, i do not go out of my way to get any. However, like has been previously stated, I do tip every time for a ride to the mall, resturant etc.

sorry for the hostility there sir. It just pisses me off that people expect a tip. Has anyone tipped you for flying them to their destination in the heavy iron?

 

[ERJFO]

My number one rule:

When I walk out of the terminal and that van isn't there, no tip. I wait, they lose.

Good to see you don't think you're the only person on earth.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

You tip so the van driver will take you somewhere to eat...

You tip so the van driver will be on time for the next crew....

Oh, you want the van to be on time to pick you up, but the jacka$$ crew the driver just dropped off stiffed him, creating an attitude of apathy and lack of motivation to rush back to get you... all while your sorry, cold a$$ is wating for the van.... as you think the van driver is a jerk when its really your fellow pilot who you are advocating on this message board.....

You guys are gems.... real pros...

 

[bailout]

Its simple, if they load your bags, you tip them, if youre doing naps, as in no bags, then i usually dont. Im usually inside the hotel by the time they come around to the door.

I built a good relationship with a driver in MCO and simply asked how much he made in tips a day, or how much a year. I was Shocked to say the least. This guy was @ 37, had been working at the same hotel @ 12 years, makes @ 150-100 in tips a day and makes @ 50K a year! This is a very busy hotel and they have 5-6 drivers who all make 20+ trips a day to the airport and errands for guests.

 

[CopilotDoug]

I'm happier with the dollar

she makes a fuss about it to the customers.

Oddly enough, I've had this waitress before.

Had a Captain ask me once or twice for tip money in front of the driver...what the hell's with that $hit ?

 

[John Pennekamp]

Oddly enough, I've had this waitress before.

Had a Captain ask me once or twice for tip money in front of the driver...what the hell's with that $hit ?

That or asking the van driver for change. I always love that one... WTF?

 

[CA1900]

If all I have is a $20 I got out of the ATM, I have two options: Stiff the driver, or ask him for change. I'm sure as hell not going to give him a $20!