Originally Posted by
Mint Cake
The highlighted bit is what I struggle to get my head around - why are people gifted/tipped additional money, for doing a rubbish job ? Especially when they are already earning a (very) generous Union rate.
Well, personally in the diner, if they do a basically adequate job, I will tip them. If they do a completely "rubbish" job, outright surly, hostile, forgetful, I won't.
As for sleepers, I tip $10 for every 24 hours for an okay job, up to $20 for a great one. However, if they do not do even an okay job, like never in the car, not making up beds or dictating the time ("I will make up the bed at 7 if you want me to do it"), I will not tip them at all.
A tip is a gratuity, expressing gratitude. If they do a terrible job, I am not grateful for that.
As has been pointed out, Amtrak OBS make a decent Union wage plus benefits.