Curb Check-In Agent Tracks Down My Friend for Not Tipping. Is this Common?
Jul 23, 2016, 11:18 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
A friend of mine from work just texted me and asked me if it was customary to tip the agent at curbside check-in. Apparently, he did not tip the agent and the agent tracked him down while he was in the security line (on the second floor of the airport) and told him that "If you don't want to use tip service, you can check your bags inside". Well I always tip the curbside check-in agent, I think him being tracked down inside the airport is a little out there.
Jul 23, 2016, 11:30 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2007
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This thread is hilarious. I'm so grateful to live in a country where employers don't expect their customers to act as unwaged paymasters.
There's a serious problem when even people who are born and raised in a place don't know when they've already paid for a service or when they have to place coins in a begging bowl.
There's a serious problem when even people who are born and raised in a place don't know when they've already paid for a service or when they have to place coins in a begging bowl.
Jul 24, 2016, 2:34 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Anyone who gives their baggage to someone to convenience-check it for them and walks away without tipping is taking a major chance that their bag goes awry. Don't like tipping, don't expect curbside check-in is a free service due you with your LCC care. Take it inside and wait in line. That's free. They ain't going give you a free drink, why would think they would provide this service for you?
Jul 24, 2016, 8:01 am
#19
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They aren't Southwest employees. They work for tips.
Many curbside check-in counters I've used state this explicitly and some even say something about gratuities being appreciated.
Don't like to be called out for stiffing a guy on a tip? Don't be so cheap. If saving the $5-$10 is that important to you, drag your bags inside and wait in the long line with everyone else.
Many curbside check-in counters I've used state this explicitly and some even say something about gratuities being appreciated.
Don't like to be called out for stiffing a guy on a tip? Don't be so cheap. If saving the $5-$10 is that important to you, drag your bags inside and wait in the long line with everyone else.
Jul 24, 2016, 8:29 am
#20
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If these agents are employees of the airline performing an expected included service of the airline, I think the airlines should completely quash the notion that they should receive any tip -- with clearly posted signage, or prohibit them from soliciting tips. If they are not employees, I think the airline should work with the airport to stop allowing them to accept bags if they require tipping, or they should have a clearly posted service charge fee $. This is nonsense that you need to tip someone for doing the airline's job -- and more so based on the minimal effort that accepting a bag involves.
Remember when American Airlines began charging a $2 fee for curbside check-in in 2005?
Skycaps at Boston’s Logan International Airport sued the airline, saying that it deprived them of tips because a lot of passengers thought the fee substituted for the tips they had been receiving.
A federal district court jury agreed with them in 2008, saying the new fee violated a Massachusetts state law that is supposed to keep employers from pocketing tips or service fees that were intended for the employees. The jury awarded the nine skycaps $333,464, plus prejudgment interest and attorney’s fees.
However, a federal appeals court ruled Friday that federal law preempts state law, and American doesn’t owe the skycaps the money they lost after the fee was instituted.
http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2...wins-app.html/
The use of contractors puts the Skycaps in a tough spot. Unionize, and the airline(s) will just pick other contractors.
Jul 24, 2016, 9:06 am
#21
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Jul 24, 2016, 9:11 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 5
Security issue then
If they are not employees of Southwest, Why do they have the southwest uniform on ? Am I letting someone else control my luggage (AKA security question at counter). tracking you down for a tip is wrong. I do tip for extra service. but it is just a way for the company to servitude workers and gouge the consumer for some more money.
Southwest is just like the others with a bit more polish on the outside. Executives care about executives $$$. not the customers or real workers.
curb side service is only available because company makes staff at counters inside short handed to induce the long lines. making the curb extra fee/tip attractive.
Southwest is just like the others with a bit more polish on the outside. Executives care about executives $$$. not the customers or real workers.
curb side service is only available because company makes staff at counters inside short handed to induce the long lines. making the curb extra fee/tip attractive.
Jul 24, 2016, 11:04 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
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I've watched when I'm in line at curbside. A lot of people don't tip. Maybe Californians don't tip? Unless they do it on the sly, I see a lot of people who just don't. Which makes it even odder the skycap would single out one particular passenger.
On the other hand, skycaps at MDW make it no secret that they expect a tip. Stiff one there and they will make a comment. But I'm sure they won't follow you into the terminal.
On the other hand, skycaps at MDW make it no secret that they expect a tip. Stiff one there and they will make a comment. But I'm sure they won't follow you into the terminal.
Jul 24, 2016, 11:05 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 622
The ones I have seen at DAL certainly look like employees. I have not used them, so I can't confirm for sure, but as stated, they wear WN shirts and shorts. I have not looked at their name tags... will make a point to do that when I'm through DAL in a couple of weeks.
Jul 24, 2016, 12:07 pm
#25
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As a note, in Cali they will get paid a normal minimum wage ($10/hr I think) . The state does not make an exception for tipped workers.
This might well create a blurred line on how one should tip. Should it be more the EU (and ROW) model, and not the US model?
In TX, they probably make the US required $2.14/hr.
It has been debated if the CA model actually hurts the workers. They get more in wages, but hurts them on tips.
This might well create a blurred line on how one should tip. Should it be more the EU (and ROW) model, and not the US model?
In TX, they probably make the US required $2.14/hr.
It has been debated if the CA model actually hurts the workers. They get more in wages, but hurts them on tips.
Jul 24, 2016, 12:23 pm
#26
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Location: Peoria
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My observations that many people do not tip are based almost entirely on what I see at the smaller California airports. OAK, SJC and ONT. I don't fly out of LAX or SFO, I don't use curbside here at MDW and its been ages since I've had a checked bag to or from anywhere else. Small sample size here.
Jul 24, 2016, 12:26 pm
#27
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I've watched when I'm in line at curbside. A lot of people don't tip. Maybe Californians don't tip? Unless they do it on the sly, I see a lot of people who just don't. Which makes it even odder the skycap would single out one particular passenger.
On the other hand, skycaps at MDW make it no secret that they expect a tip. Stiff one there and they will make a comment. But I'm sure they won't follow you into the terminal.
On the other hand, skycaps at MDW make it no secret that they expect a tip. Stiff one there and they will make a comment. But I'm sure they won't follow you into the terminal.
If you don't want to tip, for curbside service, then I strongly suggest you should stand in the line inside for the 15-45 minutes and earn the money you saved by not paying someone to do something for you.
I am aware that everyone in the second world thinks tipping should be outlawed,
But no one says you have to use the service. Schlep yopur own bags, go to a cafeteria or drive through. I am quite confident you want to get paid for your services.
Just my .02
Jul 24, 2016, 12:36 pm
#28
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The stalker should be canned immediately. Which will indicate to his co-workers that his way was not the way to express his disatisfaction. Leaving them only subversive methods.