Wow, I'm just so surprised by all the complaints that everyone apparently has only has nasty sky caps that beg for tips. Frankly, I only use a sky cap about 50% of my travel time. I find that if I am checking bags and its a busy travel day, the curb side is much easier. Quite honestly, I fly out of NY airports and do not remember one single incident of a serly sky cap. They have always been polite and helpful. Some may be nicer or more friendly that the other, but NEVER have I be asked outright for a tip. That being said, I'd never consider not tipping them. To me lugging my suitcase inside only to stand on long lines just to check my bag is worth the few bucks I may give to the sky cap. In the grand scheme of things, that couple of bucks is a drop in the bucket.

And for those trying to justify their income, it is what it is. I don't really care if they make $20,000 or $70,000. No one is questioning whether you are getting paid too much or too little for your job, so who are we to justify what they should be making. Do we have to stand out there in every type of weather and deal with 50+lbs of luggage and nasty, demaning travelers? I don't disagree that they should not be trying to "extort" money, but its attitudes similar to what is exhibited here that it is obvious they too have become jaded by the changes in the industry. It just may have become a matter of survival.