As recently as a few weeks ago, I saw AA skycaps at LAX, in AA uniforms, with AA badges on. I hope they do contract out... and if they aren't allowed to inform people THEY don't get the $2 per bag, they automatically go into the loud and agressive, "THANK YOU" six times, getting louder, routine.

I still stand by my assertion that whatever their take home pay is, it is probably TOO MUCH, due to the large amount of tips they get... and it's not like when you tip a waiter/waitress... they get their tip AFTER they have served you... you give them what you feel the service warranted. With SKYCAPS, there is this fear that if you DON'T tip what they want, your bags can DISAPPEAR... and I am certain that they do. You have seen them put your luggage on those carts, that sometimes remain out on the curb/sidewalk for a while... and who knows where they go... maybe they go to a "holding room", where the skycap can "hold" on to your bag for just long enough to miss the flight. And I'm so paranoid that I think the skycaps actually sit around and devise ways of teaching non-tippers a lesson or two. In short, they want people that read boards like this to CONTINUE to have that fear, which I believe we all do.

Ask yourself: is it worth the risk to lose my luggage, rather than give into some extortion by a thug-ish skycap? NO, it's not worth the risk... but instead of giving into the extortion, go check your bags INSIDE.

Alternatively, I would be in favor of having a NO TIPPING ALLOWED sign and policy, and charging a little more, maybe $3 or $4 per checked bag, and having skycaps get paid a fair salary, maybe $8 per hour. And if any skycap even hinted at a tip, they could be fired ON THE SPOT. I believe nothing turns people OFF more than to be reminded to tip.