I've lot track of how many times I've gone to Washington in the past year, but I've made it a point to visit at least six different Marriott properties. It wasn't until I checked into the Crystal Gateway that I discovered that DC bellhops are organized.

Normally I have one or two bags for a weekend stay, but I did some shopping on the way here and had a few extra bags. I grabbed a trolley and piled my stuff onto it. A bellhop came over to help and managed to bang the trunk door on the cart. "I'll take if from here," I told him. Not that I needed help anyway. I have a driver's license, fer Pete's sake, I think I can handle a push cart. The guy told me he'd get in trouble if I went into the hotel with a cart and no bellhop. "Huh?" What kind of nonsense is this? I told him I'd have a few words with the desk staff about this and went inside. The bellhop dashed ahead and told the staff that I insisted on going alone. Interesting.

When I questioned the guy manning the desk, he explained that the bellhops were unionized and that guests couldn't take a cart to their room without one. He implied that this was a DC area thing, not confined to this hotel. I was flabbergasted. Once upon a time, bellhops carried your bags and got a tip for their service. They were eventually replaced by handy bag trolleys that pretty much provided the same service for free. Somehow, this bunch have locked down a service that consists of pushing a cart, which you could very easily do on your own, get paid and expect a tip. Now, I'm not anti-bellhop. I know there are plenty of people who need an extra hand getting to their room, but there are plenty who can manage a cart on their own.

The moment I left the desk with my cart, a bellhop was standing right there waiting to push it for me. I struggled with my response. Tell them I think the situation is ridiculous and they won't be getting a tip, or make them carry my bags the old fashion way and earn that tip, or something else. In the end, I picked up my bags saying "Fellas, there'll come a day when I'm old and feeble and will need help carrying my bags, until then, I can manage on my own."