Disability Travel - Tipping the person that pushes the wheelchair

I had foot surgery last week. When I boarded my flight, I arranged to have a wheelchair meet me at the jetway to transfer me between gates at Denver.

I tippped the person $5.00. It was a 12 minute walk. Did I overtip? Undertip?
Should I not have tipped?

Edit. I should have known better. I just searched and found a couple of threads on this topic.

Of course u should tip, its no diff than a skycap or a bellboy. How much to tip depends on ur means, $5 is completely normal for the average person

Definitely tip of you can
There are wheelchair attendants staffed at airports who are not Airline Employees, but are independent contractors, who rely on tips.
If it was me, I would have tipped 10 bucks.

Definitely tip
Its worth the price
Some airports have contracted out wheelchair service.
These people do not work for the airlines and rely on Tips
If it was me I would have tipped 10

You do not have to tip, but there's nothing wrong with giving them a tip if you felt you wanted to. I am opposed to the idea that tipping is required for this, but I am not opposed to tipping if you feel like it. The airports should be paying a fairer wage for this required service and stop trying to force the costs on to those who can't afford it. They can make up the difference in costs some other way.

We generally tip my wheelchair "pusher" if we have one (usually my spouse does that duty) :) about the same amount. The one time we tipped more, was at ORD when the pusher managed to get our bags, get us through customs and make it to the last connecting flight of the evening which was waiting for us in about 20 minutes. We gave him twenty bucks and it was worth every penny to not have to spend the night.

In Mexico, the guys who push the wheelchairs in the airports are paid only in tips. They also facilitate the process of going through customs at the airport and getting the luggage as well as a cab. We generally tip them around 70 pesos which is roughly five bucks.

Edit. I should have known better. I just searched and found a couple of threads on this topic.

:-)

I hope you recover quickly and uneventfully from your surgery.

It is unfortunate that these hard-working people have to rely on tips, but in most cases it is true and I always tip, $5 is usual for a short trip and we increase it to $10 for distance/service and kindness. Air Canada BTW, has its own agents doing this service and no tipping is expected (though I doubt their wages are all that good either).

:-)

I hope you recover quickly and uneventfully from your surgery.

I'm coming along nicely. Thank you very much. ^

dh

I had foot surgery last week. When I boarded my flight, I arranged to have a wheelchair meet me at the jetway to transfer me between gates at Denver.

I tippped the person $5.00. It was a 12 minute walk. Did I overtip? Undertip?
Should I not have tipped?

Edit. I should have known better. I just searched and found a couple of threads on this topic.

I think you're fine!
If you're rich, then $10 would be great, but $5 is fine.

It is a nice thought is all. Just because you are "disabled" with needing a wheel chair shouldn't mean you have to pay more money out of pocket because of it!

My elderly mom uses a wheel chair sometimes at the airport. She comes from a generation of non-tippers. I am the one tip for her. Depending on the airport and amount of hilly terminals, $5 is the min I give...

It is unfortunate that these hard-working people have to rely on tips, but in most cases it is true and I always tip, $5 is usual for a short trip and we increase it to $10 for distance/service and kindness. Air Canada BTW, has its own agents doing this service and no tipping is expected (though I doubt their wages are all that good either).

Do they really reply on tips!?

I'm not asking snarky, but seriously.

Are the people checking you in at the front counter making more than the wheel chair pushers!? Are the people throwing our bags out the shoot making more too!?

Perhaps I am missing a union covering those types of people as apposed to the wheel chair pushers!?

I am actually very curious about this.

I know waitresses make sometime below minimum wage, or they used to, because of the tipping, but I'm un-aware of the wheel chair pushers.

Please let me know! Thanks

Do they really reply on tips!?

I'm not asking snarky, but seriously.

Are the people checking you in at the front counter making more than the wheel chair pushers!? Are the people throwing our bags out the shoot making more too!?

Perhaps I am missing a union covering those types of people as apposed to the wheel chair pushers!?

I am actually very curious about this.

I know waitresses make sometime below minimum wage, or they used to, because of the tipping, but I'm un-aware of the wheel chair pushers.

Please let me know! Thanks

As someone pointed out in some other thread, yes, they do rely on tips juust like waitresses, however, just like waitresses, the law says that if the amount of salary plus tips is below minimum wage, their employer must make up for the difference.

The world is a big place, make sure you know which country you are talking about. In some countries tipping is prohibited, in others it might even be viewed as an insult.

It still kinda blows my mind that tipping is expected (in the USA anyways). As a full time wheelchair user who doesn't make use of the "pushers" (I'm an active paraplegic), I was always confused as to why the pushers show up at my gate and then often insist on chasing me through the airport only to seem really disgruntled when I would arrive at my destination and carry on my way. I suppose if they were expecting tips (for what, I don't know), this makes sense.


That being said, I take pretty big issue with the idea that tipping for services assisting the disabled is expected (again, I've only felt this in the USA). If an airport authority has so poorly designed their airport that some people can navigate it only with physical assistance, it shouldn't be the end user bearing that cost. Additionally, if an airline changes a gate and the distance suddenly becomes great, it shouldn't be the end user bearing that cost.

I realize this puts the 'pushers' in a bad spot: it's shameful that their society would put so little value on the job of those who assist those folks who need it most, but at the same time, I don't think it is up to those who need assistance to "top up" the difference.

On a side note, I'm pretty darn lucky to be Canadian as I've never felt the unspoken pressure to tip and in certain airports (YVR, YYJ), they have dedicated teams to assist with loading/unloading so I don't have to explain to some poor teenager how best to push the aisle chair.

It still kinda blows my mind that tipping is expected (in the USA anyways). As a full time wheelchair user who doesn't make use of the "pushers" (I'm an active paraplegic), I was always confused as to why the pushers show up at my gate and then often insist on chasing me through the airport only to seem really disgruntled when I would arrive at my destination and carry on my way. I suppose if they were expecting tips (for what, I don't know), this makes sense.


That being said, I take pretty big issue with the idea that tipping for services assisting the disabled is expected (again, I've only felt this in the USA). If an airport authority has so poorly designed their airport that some people can navigate it only with physical assistance, it shouldn't be the end user bearing that cost. Additionally, if an airline changes a gate and the distance suddenly becomes great, it shouldn't be the end user bearing that cost.

I realize this puts the 'pushers' in a bad spot: it's shameful that their society would put so little value on the job of those who assist those folks who need it most, but at the same time, I don't think it is up to those who need assistance to "top up" the difference.

On a side note, I'm pretty darn lucky to be Canadian as I've never felt the unspoken pressure to tip and in certain airports (YVR, YYJ), they have dedicated teams to assist with loading/unloading so I don't have to explain to some poor teenager how best to push the aisle chair.

noted coments,re,customs regarding tips,any one know whats expected in Doha,i know australia frowns apon tipping,but not so the UK.

Definitely tip of you can
There are wheelchair attendants staffed at airports who are not Airline Employees, but are independent contractors, who rely on tips.
If it was me, I would have tipped 10 bucks.

$10 for a 12 minute walk, I think NOT

seriously, what they do is not worth a $60 per hour clip.

I had foot surgery last week. When I boarded my flight, I arranged to have a wheelchair meet me at the jetway to transfer me between gates at Denver.

I tippped the person $5.00. It was a 12 minute walk. Did I overtip? Undertip?
Should I not have tipped?

Edit. I should have known better. I just searched and found a couple of threads on this topic.


I think $5 is great! If you are wealthy, should have been more, but if not, great!
;)

For the guy who takes me from ticket counter through security and keeps an eye on my belongings while I get the full pat-down, then to the gate = $7. For the person who takes me from gatehouse to baggage claim (I can walk from there) = $5. I think $5 to $10 is an adequate tip in a medium-sized airport. $10 if the person assists with baggage claim and taking the luggage to the curb, because that takes more of their time.

From check-in to lounge -- $10. From lounge to gate/seat -- $5-$7. From seat to baggage claim and to cab -- $15-$20. It's a tough, often thankless job, and I am so glad someone is there to help me. If my husband is there and doing part or most of the work, the tip may be reduced a bit.

The world is a big place, make sure you know which country you are talking about. In some countries tipping is prohibited, in others it might even be viewed as an insult.

noted coments,re,customs regarding tips,any one know whats expected in Doha,i know australia frowns apon tipping,but not so the UK.

As already stated above, tipping, as in restaurants, is not universal. In some places, it's customary and expected; in some, it's neither expected nor customary; while in some others, it's officially frowned upon, but it's expected.

As a wheelchair pusher at ORD for the past two years I know exactly how my fellow co-workers and I feel about tipping. It is mandatory. Yes, it is a customary service but we get paid very little and by that I mean below min. wage. The only difference between us and a waiter is that a waiter can ask for a tip, if we do it is against the law. Now I cannot speak for the whole airport but I work at the international terminal and we do alot for the people in our wheelchair. We get sent to a flight and wait there for a good 30 mins and then we pick up our passanger and have to wait in passport control which can take up to a hour. After that we are required to handle all of the baggage go through customs and take the person to their connection flight. Which we have to take them through security and to their gate. In all a connection takes anywhere from a hour to three.Than we have to go all the way back to our terminal and wait for our next chair. We are lucky if they just stay in chicago. But after all we do for people we still either get a thank you or sometimes three dollars.Yes it does feel good to help out people but after doing all you can to make things easier for someone you would expect a little more. So as for a honest tipping guide I would say $5-10 for a non-connection flight with two or less bags. $15 for three or more bags and no less than $20 for a connection flight. I'm sorry if I come off as rude but it gets a little bothersome when you are trying to save up for school and the tips are just not cutting it. So next time when you get assitance think about all that person has done for you and tip accordingly.

Why don't you fight for better wages?

It's an extra service just for you. Some call it a tip but I think it should be considered to be a payment. Some pay $500 for their plane ticket and then try to rationalize away the payment deverved by their wheelchair attendant. You can't afford $10? You are ducking out if you short the attendant.

It's an extra service just for you. Some call it a tip but I think it should be considered to be a payment. Some pay $500 for their plane ticket and then try to rationalize away the payment deverved by their wheelchair attendant. You can't afford $10? You are ducking out if you short the attendant.

It is not an EXTRA service. It is a mandated service required by law. The people shorting the wheelchair attendants are their employers.

It is not an EXTRA service. It is a mandated service required by law. The people shorting the wheelchair attendants are their employers.

Agreed. Extra services are optional. This is an accommodation for disability.

When my son was in college he worked part time at the airport pushing wheelchairs. He was not paid wages for this so his only income was tips.
I usually tip $5 for a short distance and $10 if I have to go thru security or customs.

When my son was in college he worked part time at the airport pushing wheelchairs. He was not paid wages for this so his only income was tips.
I usually tip $5 for a short distance and $10 if I have to go thru security or customs.

In that case, I would tip, if I could. How would I know he is volunteering though?

When my son was in college he worked part time at the airport pushing wheelchairs. He was not paid wages for this so his only income was tips.
Is there not a law against a company employing people to do work, but not paying them for it?
What your son was doing was essentially charity.
Are the airport companies charities?

Apologies for bumping an old thread but I'm after current info :)

I'm headed to Hawaii next month with my son. As an Australian who has never been to the US I am completely lost regarding tipping :confused:

I have booked whelchair assistance with my airline from & to the gate.

What is expected in HNL in relation to tipping for this service?

I'll ask my colleagues for other tipping advice but thought you folk could help with the wheelchair one.

Many thanks in advance :)

Sue

Welcome.

I think the amount of dissension in the thread shows well that there's no consensus on tipping for this service in the US, or how much to tip.

I'd say tip, or don't tip, whatever you're comfortable with. It's highly unlikely that the wheelchair pusher will dump you out on the floor if you don't tip, whether out of principle or just because it doesn't occur to you in the heat of travel.

Either way, have a wonderful trip.

@sue_in_oz, first, make sure you confirm that the wheelchair request is on your reservation (confirm this a day or two in advance). Then remind the gate agent, and also the FA as you board. Even so, be prepared for there not to be a wheelchair at the gate when you land.

While waiting for a wheelchair to meet you at the plane, have your son sit in an empty seat on the plane near the door, while you speak with someone to let them know you need a wheelchair. Just sit tight, and eventually one will show up. And someone from the airline will wait with you if you're still on the plane.

HNL is a nice airport, but baggage claim can be very far from the gate, so don't try walking it if walking is a problem.

The wheelchair pusher will take you to baggage claim, and then to a taxi or hotel shuttle. Depending on the amount of luggage, they may take it themselves or get someone to help. They should wait with you if your son needs to stay in the wheelchair. You can expect the pusher to be friendly, and if you're interested you can have a nice conversation during your walk. They may spend 15-20 minutes or more with you from start to finish. I usually tip $10, but if they're really great I tip $20. I consider it just part of the cost of my travel, and well worth great service.

I have another tip for someone with disabilities traveling in Hawaii, so please email me if you want. I don't want to hijack this thread. :) Aloha!

The dissent on this thread revolves around people who simply can't accept other cultures. It's the Ugly American in reverse. Americans who think that tea means a cup of a hot beverage made with the leaves of a plant can't accept that there might be a sandwich accompanying it in other countries.

Same thing for the wheelchair pusher. One way or another the wheelchair pusher gets paid. Here, in the USA, it's largely by tip. When you don't tip, the minimum wage entry level person gets scr**ed. It's that simple. There's no lofty principle here. It's how things work in the USA. Maybe it's better elsewhere, but when I travel I try to abide by the customs of the places I travel.

Tip the attendant. Don't expect to eat your tea !