Curb Side Checking Agent Asking for Tips?
 

Hey all - Checked in this afternoon at DCA curb-side. The agent at curb side check-in, after checking my two bags, said to me matter of factly: Sir, we accept tips.

I've checked in probably a dozen times at DCA in the last year and have never seen anyone tipping these guys.

Am I just an ... for not thinking of tipping them? I'm a newish frequent flyer, so I'll admit ignorance here.

Just wanted to get the reaction from others if this is normal/acceptable, etc.

Yes, IME it is normal to tip the curbside check in folks. They are offering a service (similar to a hotel doorman) and I think the bulk of the compensation for those staff (I believe they are contractors and not DL employees) is via tips.

Got it - just didn't think about it. Will be ready to do that in the future.

They aren't agents, they are independent contractors who work for some pittance + tips. Depending on how you are feeling about if $2-5 seems reasonable for 1-2 bags.

You can always go inside and check in there. Those people are agents (or employees of a subcontractor), but they aren't supposed to even accept tips.

As it is an optional service for convenience, yes you should tip.

It is also unprofessional and passive aggressive for the skycap to grovel for a tip like that.

Maybe the guy recognized him from the dozen times before and wanted to let him know :D

Snark over, and I apologize for the snark.

Skycaps get tips?:confused:

If you show up a couple of pounds overweight, best money you will ever spend.

As others have said... Yes tip the curbside people!
They don't work for Delta.

I've been tipping the curbside sky caps since I first started traveling by myself in the 80's. This is pretty much the deal at all airports with curbside.

In fact, if I recall, I think AA's curbside at DCA charges a per bag fee.

This also is why I recommend never checking in bags with a skycap - they are not an employee of Delta.

Sometimes, your bags don't even go directly into the luggage system - they go onto a cart to later be processed, decreasing the time available for them to get loaded correctly onto your flight. An unprofessional skycap could easily delay your baggage if they felt your tip was insufficient.

Rather than paying the extra cost of a gratuity and accepting the extra risk of an additional person handling your baggage, I strongly recommend dropping off your baggage inside at the counter, unless you're traveling with an excessive number of items.

Yeah, Skycaps can be as aggressive as anyone I've ever seen when it comes to asking for tips (which is the main reason I avoid them). And the results of not tipping are not always the best:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...caps-else.html

There are ways to ask, however. I remember years ago, I checked some bags with a curbside skycap who was friendly and garrulous. As my bag was tagged and sitting there ready to be loaded onto the belt, he said, with a smile, "As soon as you take care of me, I'll take care of you." He was friendly throughout and I didn't find the ask to be at all offensive.

That said, it's been years since I used a skycap and curbside checkin. I always go inside and check in at the counter. I don't even like the automated kiosks.

When I was a student, we used skycaps and tipped generously to check extra bags. If three were free, it was easily to check six bags or boxes. Now the computer would never let that happen.

I find the practice of tipping to be abhorrent. People who are tip whores make me want to throw up.

This is why the number of times I've used a skycap in my entire life is ZERO.

If you want to throw your money away instead of going inside to check your bag without that hassle, could you send me some of your extra dough? Thanks ;)

Normally I don't do curbside checkin, but a few times when I've seen long lines inside, I've run back to the curb to drop any bags that must be checked. A tip if often much cheaper than missing a flight.