Do you tip the shuttle driver?
Aug 26, 2010 | 3:41 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,439
If anybody would care to see the biggest shuttle service joke, it's at McCarren int'l in Vegas. It runs between the int'l terminal 2 and the main terminal 1. You can WALK between the two in less than probably 5 mins. I suppose if you have a lot of luggage it's useful. I just had my first experience with it; I got in, the driver was standing outside while the motor was running. The interior was exceedingly hot, like a blast furnace. As I sat down, you couldn't miss a huge sign on the dash area that said something like: "TIPS, 50% of my income is from tips!" Well, already starting to sweat from the intense heat (the motor running contributed to that) and then seeing this sign, I exited and mentioned to the driver, "Whew, it's hot in there!" He then offered to turn on the A/C but I responded, "Nah, that's alright, I'll walk there." If you ask me, how rude, to display a BIG sign like that. And, what does that "50% income from tips" mean anyway? Does that mean that if he makes $3k a month that he gets another $3k a month on top of that in tips? I'll bet that most newcomers to LAS Terminal 2 don't even realize that they can WALK to the adjacent terminal 1 before the shuttle driver even starts out (once more passenger fill in) for the terminal 1. Hey driver: if you're reading this, why don't you try: "Tips appreciated" and not with a giant sign practically blocking one's view through the window?
Aug 26, 2010 | 8:31 pm
#48
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 141
Sometimes yes; sometimes no. If I tipped every parking shuttle driver and hotel maid like I would like to, it would make a big dent in my modest income. Flying just happens to be my commute to work every week. I do tip - and generously - for service beyond the norm. And I probably overtip food servers. When I am on a non-work trip, I tend to tip more for everything.
Aug 27, 2010 | 3:54 pm
#50
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MDW
Programs: SWA EMP (the ultimate program)
Posts: 713
If it's like a free hotel shuttle absolutely, and I can tell you with certainty that it is expected that you do, every bit as much as a pizza delivery man. One or two dollars is customary. If you're not tipping the shuttle driver you're committing a faux pas.
Aug 27, 2010 | 4:18 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 19,258
Hi,
I generally tip $2 for the shuttle driver ( I give an extra $ or two if it is a longer than normal trip from the hotel to the airport )
Regards
TBS
I generally tip $2 for the shuttle driver ( I give an extra $ or two if it is a longer than normal trip from the hotel to the airport )
Regards
TBS
Aug 27, 2010 | 10:30 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Titanium, DL Diamond 1.9MM, Bonvoy Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,996
Depends. If it's an annoyingly mandatory shuttle for logistics reasons (dfw offsite rental cars, for example, or a shuttle between airport terminals, or a iad mobile lounge ;p) I typically do not tip unless they helped me with luggage at my request.
For shuttles to hotels or offsite rental car lots, I typically do tip a buck or two... I chose to use the shuttle in that case rather than being forced into it, and these offer additional opportunities for marginal good service (like taking me directly to my car) that i am glad to express my appreciation for.
Particularly, I always tip extremely generously for the parking spot shuttle drivers at the LAX Sepulveda location. Anyone else with me?
For shuttles to hotels or offsite rental car lots, I typically do tip a buck or two... I chose to use the shuttle in that case rather than being forced into it, and these offer additional opportunities for marginal good service (like taking me directly to my car) that i am glad to express my appreciation for.
Particularly, I always tip extremely generously for the parking spot shuttle drivers at the LAX Sepulveda location. Anyone else with me?
Aug 28, 2010 | 8:17 pm
#54
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,863
I had a thread on this some time back - too lazy to look it up now, though.
Personally, I usually dont tip. One of the things that really bothers me is that drivers jump down and practically grab teh bag out of your hand expecting that they are going to make a few extra bucks. I already find most shuttles overpriced where you pay, and annoying where they are not and you have no choice but to use them. It's a principal thing to me. If there is genuine intention to help, and I need the help, then yes, I tip. But don't grab my bags away from me just to hold them hostage until I give you a dollar.
Personally, I usually dont tip. One of the things that really bothers me is that drivers jump down and practically grab teh bag out of your hand expecting that they are going to make a few extra bucks. I already find most shuttles overpriced where you pay, and annoying where they are not and you have no choice but to use them. It's a principal thing to me. If there is genuine intention to help, and I need the help, then yes, I tip. But don't grab my bags away from me just to hold them hostage until I give you a dollar.
Aug 29, 2010 | 10:47 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,077
I always tip the shuttle driver at my local off-airport parking lots as they never fail to cheerfully assist with our luggage, strollers, etc.
I rarely tip hotel and car rental shuttle drivers unless they perform similar service.
I rarely tip hotel and car rental shuttle drivers unless they perform similar service.
Aug 29, 2010 | 11:12 am
#57
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between SFO & SJC
Programs: UA 1MM (and no longer flying much)
Posts: 777
Traveling alone for work, I only have a carry-on, which means that if the driver tries to help that only slows things down. For that I don't tip.
With my 2 1/2 year old daughter (+ car seat, stroller, extra suitcase, usually my wife's suitcase too)....I move my butt to get the bags in & out of the shuttle as fast as possible, and if the driver helps (which they almost always do) then I make sure to tip $5-10, say thank you, and have my daughter say thank you too.
With my 2 1/2 year old daughter (+ car seat, stroller, extra suitcase, usually my wife's suitcase too)....I move my butt to get the bags in & out of the shuttle as fast as possible, and if the driver helps (which they almost always do) then I make sure to tip $5-10, say thank you, and have my daughter say thank you too.
Aug 29, 2010 | 10:35 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,439
No, you are just not consenting to an economic model that you disagree with and forced bribery that does not result in consistently good service.
Pay the driver a living wage, if that means the shuttle is not free then so be it.