Wheelchair Procedures and/or Etiquette?
Apr 26, 2015, 5:24 pm
#136
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: United MP
Posts: 7,822
Regarding not wanting to tip (not being able to afford to tip is a different matter, and I have problem with this):
1. Yes, it's confusing regarding where tipping is expected vs where it would be offensive (or at least not expected). It's part of our responsibility as travellers to find out what the local custom, the same way we would find out whether people drive on the right or left, what the local currency is, what languages we can expect to be able to use, local modesty customs, etc. Of course, these examples are often also ignored, which gives travellers a bad name.
2. In many jurisdictions (including most places in the US) the minimum wage for tipped employees is lower than the minimum wage for other employees. In some places the law says the minimum wage plus tips must equal the regular minimum wage, but in some places it doesn't, and the definition of tipped employee can mean somebody who receives as little as $20/month in tips (a dollar a day for a 5 day work week). http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm
Yes, it would be great if we didn't have to tip and all employers paid a living wage. However, this would ultimately come out of consumers' pockets anyway (higher restaurant bills, higher cab fares, higher airport fees on tickets) and currently, the mood of the typical consumer is that they want to pay less, period (look at the popularity of low cost airlines, even when they nickle and dime people for everything other than getting you there in one piece).
1. Yes, it's confusing regarding where tipping is expected vs where it would be offensive (or at least not expected). It's part of our responsibility as travellers to find out what the local custom, the same way we would find out whether people drive on the right or left, what the local currency is, what languages we can expect to be able to use, local modesty customs, etc. Of course, these examples are often also ignored, which gives travellers a bad name.
2. In many jurisdictions (including most places in the US) the minimum wage for tipped employees is lower than the minimum wage for other employees. In some places the law says the minimum wage plus tips must equal the regular minimum wage, but in some places it doesn't, and the definition of tipped employee can mean somebody who receives as little as $20/month in tips (a dollar a day for a 5 day work week). http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm
Yes, it would be great if we didn't have to tip and all employers paid a living wage. However, this would ultimately come out of consumers' pockets anyway (higher restaurant bills, higher cab fares, higher airport fees on tickets) and currently, the mood of the typical consumer is that they want to pay less, period (look at the popularity of low cost airlines, even when they nickle and dime people for everything other than getting you there in one piece).
2. Then the airlines and airports have a good racket going. They've managed to hire people at below minimum wage, and re-direct their anger at innocent travelers with disabilities. Why do we let them get away with it? Again, this is a mandated service that the airlines must provide. If they have to charge more to cover the cost then fine, let them do it. Even the low cost carriers have to do it, so I don't see any advantage.
Aug 1, 2016, 9:32 am
#137
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 6
Excellent point. My handicap does show currently but in a few months or so, the casts/cruches will be gone and I'll still need a wheelchair when I travel. I'm now told I may never walk normally again. What will that mean? Who knows? But it will probably mean wheelchair assistance for the next several months to a few years. That's okay for me, but people need to not judge and think that just because I don't have something that makes me look less abled, that I am a complete able bodied person.
Oct 21, 2016, 8:57 am
#138
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I have a number of friends with disabilities of various kinds, including my spouse (Alzheimer's disease), ranging from Parkinson's disease to frail elderly to cerebral palsy, and temporary disabilities such as recovery from spinal surgery. I have some mobility impairment myself from health conditions.
When we travel, because of my wife's age (81) and Alzheimer's disease we use a wheelchair in those airports where the trek including check in counter, gates, immigration and customs, etc. is lengthy.
We're able to tip, and the wheelchair attendants in many places have just basic training in meeting the needs of people with disabilities and very low wages (the U.S. Federal minimum wage for tipped workers is just $2.13 per hour, though that is to be comprised of additional pay bringing that to $7.25 hourly. (I'll refrain from discussing pros and cons, because this is not a place for discussing politics and it just is the law; some states meet the Federal standards, others require a bit higher compensation, but airport wheelchair attendants are low pay workers in the USA, period.)
My guideline is to clearly explain our needs to the attendant so there are no unrealistic expectations (she looks healthy, she can do xxx on her own, etc.) or insensitive assumptions. That also helps personalize and establishes a bit of a relationship - just as we can depersonalize a wheelchair attendant because "it's just business" and we need them, they can depersonalize us because they're just doing their job and maybe because depersonalizing people with disabilities means your "shell" remains intact.
The tip will vary from $5.00 for a quick and unremarkable trip to the gate with no waiting (many airport's are insufficiently staffed with wheelchair attendants, particularly during heavy travel periods and aircraft connection "nodes" so they're in high demand and also understandably want to increase their number of tips), to $20 for a meet gate side, transfer down long halls through immigration, waiting for bags, customs, to the terminal, through security and to the next gate (that can certainly take over a half hour and upwards). I might consider more under some circumstances.
I also find wheelchair attendants often know the short cuts and can save one a lot of time. "This is a faster way", "we can use that line with a wheelchair", knowing where the lifts are in an airport I don't frequent or is poorly signed, are examples of time and distance saved thanks to their knowledge.
The bad part for me is that some people with disabilities live on low resources themselves and can not afford to pay frequent high tips. I think explaining this helps the attendant - "I wish I could tip you better, but I'm on a low income too" is certainly not anything shameful; it is merely a statement of fact and conveys good intention.
Safe travels, everyone.
When we travel, because of my wife's age (81) and Alzheimer's disease we use a wheelchair in those airports where the trek including check in counter, gates, immigration and customs, etc. is lengthy.
We're able to tip, and the wheelchair attendants in many places have just basic training in meeting the needs of people with disabilities and very low wages (the U.S. Federal minimum wage for tipped workers is just $2.13 per hour, though that is to be comprised of additional pay bringing that to $7.25 hourly. (I'll refrain from discussing pros and cons, because this is not a place for discussing politics and it just is the law; some states meet the Federal standards, others require a bit higher compensation, but airport wheelchair attendants are low pay workers in the USA, period.)
My guideline is to clearly explain our needs to the attendant so there are no unrealistic expectations (she looks healthy, she can do xxx on her own, etc.) or insensitive assumptions. That also helps personalize and establishes a bit of a relationship - just as we can depersonalize a wheelchair attendant because "it's just business" and we need them, they can depersonalize us because they're just doing their job and maybe because depersonalizing people with disabilities means your "shell" remains intact.
The tip will vary from $5.00 for a quick and unremarkable trip to the gate with no waiting (many airport's are insufficiently staffed with wheelchair attendants, particularly during heavy travel periods and aircraft connection "nodes" so they're in high demand and also understandably want to increase their number of tips), to $20 for a meet gate side, transfer down long halls through immigration, waiting for bags, customs, to the terminal, through security and to the next gate (that can certainly take over a half hour and upwards). I might consider more under some circumstances.
I also find wheelchair attendants often know the short cuts and can save one a lot of time. "This is a faster way", "we can use that line with a wheelchair", knowing where the lifts are in an airport I don't frequent or is poorly signed, are examples of time and distance saved thanks to their knowledge.
The bad part for me is that some people with disabilities live on low resources themselves and can not afford to pay frequent high tips. I think explaining this helps the attendant - "I wish I could tip you better, but I'm on a low income too" is certainly not anything shameful; it is merely a statement of fact and conveys good intention.
Safe travels, everyone.
Jan 22, 2017, 7:39 pm
#140
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
Aug 23, 2018, 8:47 am
#141
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 335
Another point of view. Most foreigners don't just have $1 bills. When they get USD from their home country, they get $20s or $100s, not $1s. I have a case now where my dad suddenly needs wheelchair assistance (totally unforeseeable incident), and my dad feels bad for not tipping because he doesn't have any reasonable bills.
Dec 11, 2018, 11:06 pm
#142
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 3
This individual has convinced me NOT to tip when I was going to. This is an ancient post at this point but it needs to be said.
That's nice, I don't buy the excuse you can't find a better job or can't organize a union.
Do you think everyone pays for their own ticket? Or can afford another $30+ in tips on a $250 ticket?
Do your job or quit. Definitely not getting tipped anything by me unless there is real service beyond what is required. Mumbling, sighing about a bathroom stop - that kind of thing shouldn't just deny a tip, you should get fired on the spot.
Why is it a social norm? The airlines/airports are required to provide this service. To disabled people. Who may be broke. I did not grow up hearing or thinking "make sure you tip the airport guy".
Well, OBVIOUSLY you are getting ZERO tip if you are not polite. It's a service job. And it won't affect my service at all, since they won't know I'm not going to tip until I don't.
I don't even have the change to tip tomorrow, why should I pay for a ride to the bank on top of other travel expenses? Oh that's right, I shouldn't, I'm the disabled one. Take your able self down to the employment office and find a job you like.
Do you think everyone pays for their own ticket? Or can afford another $30+ in tips on a $250 ticket?
I feel a great deal of frustration over this no tip situation. But I can tell you that other wheelchair pushers are feeling outright anger & rage over this. Customer service is suffering. Actually, there is no customer service or even common courtsey. No one wants to take a chair - and why should they? This job is hard work, without a tip, there is no point in it. You make the same money doing nothing. Why would anyone want to take a chair? And if your unlucky enough to get a chair, why would you do anything but the bare minimum? Again, this is not volunteer work.
But you don't seem to get the big picture. Don't you understand that your behavior is negatively affecting a service that you need. Wheelchair pushers are not happy workers and it is because of not being tipped. You can put the blame anywhere you want, the bottom line is...we are putting the blame on the people who are not tipping.
And whatever feelings you have about our behavior is exactly how we feel about not being tipped. It is now a catch 22. You wont tip because were rude. And wheelchair pushers wont be nice because we are mad that we don't get tips. How to fix this problem? TIP US! Our attitude will change dramatically...and we will pay it forward.
Look at it this way: The company we work for pays us to push your chair, that's it. Anything else (lifting bags, filing out forms, conversation) is extra & you should pay for that.
And whatever feelings you have about our behavior is exactly how we feel about not being tipped. It is now a catch 22. You wont tip because were rude. And wheelchair pushers wont be nice because we are mad that we don't get tips. How to fix this problem? TIP US! Our attitude will change dramatically...and we will pay it forward.
Look at it this way: The company we work for pays us to push your chair, that's it. Anything else (lifting bags, filing out forms, conversation) is extra & you should pay for that.
I don't even have the change to tip tomorrow, why should I pay for a ride to the bank on top of other travel expenses? Oh that's right, I shouldn't, I'm the disabled one. Take your able self down to the employment office and find a job you like.