Curb Check-In Agent Tracks Down My Friend for Not Tipping. Is this Common?
Jul 27, 2016, 2:31 pm
#46
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
Depending on the airport many skycaps provide other services asides from just check in. It's very possible that the skycaps happened to be walking by near the security line and happened to notice the customer that didn't tip. While I agree that it was inappropriate to go over to the customer I highly doubt that the skycap actually went out of his way and tracked the customer down.
Other services that I've seen skycaps perform are assisting customers with their luggage (putting it on their big carts) and escorting them to the inside check-in counter for situations that the skycaps can't handle (unaccompanied minor, international flights, etc). Also some airports have skycaps at baggage claim to assist customers with luggage.
Other services that I've seen skycaps perform are assisting customers with their luggage (putting it on their big carts) and escorting them to the inside check-in counter for situations that the skycaps can't handle (unaccompanied minor, international flights, etc). Also some airports have skycaps at baggage claim to assist customers with luggage.
Jul 29, 2016, 5:42 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,072
Yes that was rude and unprofessional of the WN baggage curbside agent. Look tips are optional but I will tip $2 per bag as they are doing me a favor if the lines are long inside. Perhaps your friend had a reason for not tipping and that's their decision not to tip. If the agent accosted me in the security line I would have laughed and said why are you wasting your time to find me for not tipping and then would have moved on. I mean the agent wasted company tine to hunt your friend down for not tipping.
There are signs stating that tups are at the passenger's discretion. Once the passenger left the curbside they are no longer the responsibility of the agent.
If your friend wants to complain they will need the Agent ID on the boarding pass or luggage check something like SJC/334. I would write in the complaint for extortion. Once I was forced to tip and the service was bad so I said to the agent to bring his supervisor who apologized and had a word with the agent.
There are signs stating that tups are at the passenger's discretion. Once the passenger left the curbside they are no longer the responsibility of the agent.
If your friend wants to complain they will need the Agent ID on the boarding pass or luggage check something like SJC/334. I would write in the complaint for extortion. Once I was forced to tip and the service was bad so I said to the agent to bring his supervisor who apologized and had a word with the agent.
Sep 13, 2016, 8:54 am
#48
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10
My good friend is a Skycap at one of the airport's in midwest. All Skycaps are working on tips. Every major airlines outsourced that job to a contractor long time ago. Contractor pays them way below minimum wage. Here are little tips how to use and deal with them: they basically will help you with anything as long as you "take care of them". If you don't have any money and running late for a flight just let them know. They seeing this everyday. They will help you for free in the name of customer service. Just Let them know before. Don't check then walk away without saying anything.
Sep 15, 2016, 3:40 pm
#49
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
My good friend is a Skycap at one of the airport's in midwest. All Skycaps are working on tips. Every major airlines outsourced that job to a contractor long time ago. Contractor pays them way below minimum wage. Here are little tips how to use and deal with them: they basically will help you with anything as long as you "take care of them". If you don't have any money and running late for a flight just let them know. They seeing this everyday. They will help you for free in the name of customer service. Just Let them know before. Don't check then walk away without saying anything.
What is the minimum wage for workers who receive tips?
An employer may pay a tipped employee not less than $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equal at least the federal minimum wage, the employee retains all tips and the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.
An employer may pay a tipped employee not less than $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equal at least the federal minimum wage, the employee retains all tips and the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Sep 23, 2016, 11:16 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,716
The only exception would be hotels in Japan, Thailand and other countries where tipping is considered an insult.
Sep 24, 2016, 1:11 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP.
Posts: 1,325
im not sure where this happened but at LAX for example every person that is employed at the airport even some businesses that are off the airport but the land is owned by the airport are subject to LIVING WAGE pay which starts at like 15+ an hour. not sure where some of you are getting this low pay crap. they are paid well. Lets not forget it has COLA built in too!
https://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAWA.aspx?id=596
https://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAWA.aspx?id=596
Sep 27, 2016, 10:42 am
#52
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 921
im not sure where this happened but at LAX for example every person that is employed at the airport even some businesses that are off the airport but the land is owned by the airport are subject to LIVING WAGE pay which starts at like 15+ an hour. not sure where some of you are getting this low pay crap. they are paid well. Lets not forget it has COLA built in too!
https://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAWA.aspx?id=596
https://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAWA.aspx?id=596
Sep 27, 2016, 4:32 pm
#53
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
It's sad that they are not paid a living wage, but it's not my responsibility to make up the difference either. I am not going to fill in the gaps left by the employer to balance out their labor costs.
To be stalked down by one for failing to pay an optional extra amount is unacceptable. That cap should be fired for browbeating guests.
To be stalked down by one for failing to pay an optional extra amount is unacceptable. That cap should be fired for browbeating guests.
Sep 27, 2016, 10:46 pm
#54
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
It's sad that they are not paid a living wage, but it's not my responsibility to make up the difference either. I am not going to fill in the gaps left by the employer to balance out their labor costs.
To be stalked down by one for failing to pay an optional extra amount is unacceptable. That cap should be fired for browbeating guests.
To be stalked down by one for failing to pay an optional extra amount is unacceptable. That cap should be fired for browbeating guests.
Sep 28, 2016, 6:53 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,176
And how much income do you think those guys are declaring?
Apr 9, 2019, 10:53 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 6
I hope some of you don't have or raise children. To say a man should lose his employment over 2 dollars, it's just sad. You use the service, TIP the man! Coming after your friend OP, It was a jerk move by the Skycap, and it proves that he's not making 70-100k a year. I doubt he'd risk getting a complaint (or fired, like some of you would like to see) over 5, or even 20 bucks, making that kind of money. I love the service skycaps provide and hate waiting in line behind anyone who won't tip, It's actually unfair to those of us who gladly pay for services we use. If you stiff the skycap in front of me at the counter, i will glady speak up and hopefully embarass you bums for it!
Last edited by nsx; Apr 10, 2019 at 8:39 am Reason: No politics please
Apr 10, 2019, 7:36 am
#58
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
At least on the Delta side, they are not Delta employees therefore I will tip. Same with Southwest. There have been a few times recently where I did not have any cash and I couldn't give a tip (I don't typically carry cash because...no points). It was a bit awkward and I was debating whether I should say something or just walk away. I walked away feeling ashamed and my bag made it to my final destination. Oh well. Next time I'll give a bigger tip. I think the "tip culture" in the US is a little over the top. Tips should be for good service, and not to compensate for employers not wanting to pay higher wages. In other words, they are not entitled to my tip, however if they go above and beyond then I have no problem giving a generous tip.
Apr 10, 2019, 9:49 pm
#59
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,240
I've been on Flyertalk for a number of years now but I still am baffled how you can dig up a thread like this after 2.5 years and reply to a post. 
Oh, and sign up for Flyertalk just to reply. I'm genuinely curious how that happens.
Oh, and sign up for Flyertalk just to reply. I'm genuinely curious how that happens.
Apr 11, 2019, 4:46 am
#60
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: MR LT Titanium, SPG LT Plat & Plat 100, SWA A+ & CP
Posts: 1,093
For the record... I am the OP and my buddy assumed that the people at curbside were Southwest employees, just like the people inside at the Southwest counter. In his defense, it is not evidently clear. There is no sign saying “we work for tips”. I’d also be curious to know if these guys make an hourly wage, by whom, and if it’s above minimum.
I rarely chedk bags but if I do at curbside, I give $5 but I don’t think it’s 100% clear that tipping in mandatory. Tracking him down in the security line is a little much. Also curious how this arose after 2.5 years.
I rarely chedk bags but if I do at curbside, I give $5 but I don’t think it’s 100% clear that tipping in mandatory. Tracking him down in the security line is a little much. Also curious how this arose after 2.5 years.