Originally Posted by
lazy_flyer
+1
Yeah, you are in the US, so this is the type of service for which tipping is expected. It is rather unfair to not tip when the worker's wages may reflect the fact that they will likely be supplemented with tips.
But, IMHO it is NEVER ok to deliberately wrong a customer as an act of revenge. Personally, as someone from a non-tipping culture, I would far prefer to be called out if I inappropriately forgot / didn't realise I should leave a tip, rather than having my property damaged or lost in retaliation. As others have pointed out, no proof that this is actually what happened in this case.
+1
I'm still hoping someone will go to ATL curbside & film the video "Skycap FAIL"
Originally Posted by
PaulMSN
That's quite a reach, that not tipping is disrespecting the culture of the US. I truly don't see it, especially since there are plenty of tight-fisted US citizens who don't tip.
+1 X 1000
Originally Posted by
PTravel
No, I was being sarcastic. However, his purpose was to ignore local customs and practices. That's just plain rude when visiting another country.
He didn't say he didn't know about tipping. He said he didn't have any American dollars and refused to tip people for doing their job.
His words, not mine.
At the risk of speaking for the OP, do you REALLY think that he woke up intent on “ignoring local customs and practices”? He arrived at the world’s busiest airport a mere 90 minutes before his flight.
I think he had other things on his mind than making some kind of one-man tipping protest.
I submit that one should tip as a reward for extraordinary service, not just because someone “showed up for work”. It is a vehicle to reward those who do more that “just enough to get by”
In this instance the Skycap was nothing more than an “Open-Air” Ticket Agent.
1. The Skycap was wearing clothing marked/labelled/embossed with the “Delta” logo
2. The OP carried his own bag to the desk/counter with Delta signage.
3. The OP was already checked-in
4. The Skycap used a Delta computer terminal to access the OP’s reservation
5. The Skycap verified his ID
6. The Skycap attached a luggage tag to his bag & returned his travel documents
How was any of this different from an indoor TA & HOW should anyone not versed with intimate knowledge of airport employment contracts know the difference. e.g. Most people (general flying public) think that the young lady that made their Mocha Frappuccino is ACTUALLY an employee of the Starbucks Coffee Company (& with all of the accompanying benefits)
Originally Posted by
PTravel
I never use Skycaps, so I don't know what he saw. My recollection, however, is that they do not wear airline uniforms and, further, that there are signs indicating that the baggage fee charged does not go to the Skycap.
Material error. Not knowing what he saw (or reading his post that states as such) makes most of your speculation irrelevant…especially if it is based on your self-admitted limited experience with Skycaps. Most airlines (I believe United is a notable exception) do NOT clearly indicate that there is the expectation of payment for the services of a Skycap. If the Skycaps are made to look like airline employees…then why would someone be of the opinion that they weren’t? Furthermore, where is common to tip on airport property? (monetary grandstanding/flirtations with a barista or trying to get a phone number from Chili’s waitress even though there was 15% already put on your tab DOESN’T count)
Originally Posted by
popppa
Did you know that it is customary in Germany to greet everyone present when entering/departing CERTAIN stores & businesses? Does it apply to drug stores? What about pharmacies? What do you do/say when entering/leaving a pub/tavern? How about a entering bakery? Does not knowing or not feeling comfortable with what a native would do entitle you to receive bread contaminated with the Norovirus virius? (part of her job description was to wash her hands before handling your loaf of bread...just like part of the Skycaps job was to properly handle the OP's luggage)
Your responese:
Originally Posted by
PTravel
When I travel to foreign countries with which I'm unfamiliar, I always make a point of studying one or more travel guides to learn the specific "dos and don'ts" for a culture. I visited Germany about 7 years ago and don't remember the specific practice that you mention. I do remember practicing with Mrs. PTravel the German for please, thank you, excuse me, hello, goodbye, etc.
Sorry to be the one to tell you, but you were in all likelihood seen as the rude & garish foreigner. The practices I mentioned aren’t new. I have maintained a second residence in Germany for the past 10 years. For encounters with native Germans that you didn’t personally know, your little phrase book did not properly prepare you for what is perceived as polite & appropriate. I hope no one gave you an “abgelaufene Mettbrötchen”
Once again the issue is NOT if the OP should have tipped (due to all of the cultural & economic ramifications)…BUT was it appropriate for the Skycap to mishandle his bag because of this. The stinger is that apparently Delta is aware of this behaviour & has not effectively brought it to an end. My Grandfather used to say “People only do what they think they can get away with.” Unfortunately in today’s society, ethics are often further down the priority list. The Skycap mishandled the bag because he thought nothing would come of it other than “teaching the stupid (fill in the blank) a lesson”. Hopefully, this same Skycap (or team) will try this on the wrong person. Maybe it’ll be someone with the personal home/cell phone number of an ATL big-wig (or someone who knows how to make some REAL noise). The Skycap needs a new line of work…or perhaps none at all. Maybe that would alter his concept of customer service…or maybe if he does this often enough & the news “spreads”, then the demand/need for Skycaps will diminish to the point where the worst he’ll be able to do is mess up your drive-thru order.
-Popppa