FlyerTalk Forums - Do you tip the shuttle driver?

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- - Do you tip the shuttle driver? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/1119130-do-you-tip-shuttle-driver.html)

I tip shuttle drivers who are especially helpful with bags or friendly or responsive to my needs. I don't tip for the minimum service of simply driving the van on a predetermined route and schedule.

To be clear, this applies to travel in the US and other countries where tipping is common. Though even in the US it's debatable whether driving a shuttle is a traditionally tipped job. And in more and more states employers are required to pay the full minimum wage before tips -- see https://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s0ssos (Post 29473094)

I was thinking whether or not I should tip the shuttle driver, who didn't help at all with my suitcase and bag and just had me struggle to get it into the shuttle (there is also a trunk, which he didn't offer to open for me either). On the one hand, I feel bad he makes so little money. The company probably doesn't pay him much, with the rates it is charging for the shuttle. But should I compensate for the fact businesses are cutthroat and rates are so low? I feel I should, because I support paying all employees more.
In the end, however, given he pulled over without announcing my airline (I knew I was in the right terminal) and goes to the back to help the other customer retrieve his bag from the trunk, I just walked away.

Ah, back in America with American problems.

(regarding the old thread, a flyertalk search didn't reveal anything newer)

If this is a shared-ride door-to-door service like SuperShuttle, then most likely, the driver is not an employee. Rather, he is the owner/operator of his own business, and pays the company a fee in return for using their dispatch system to get passengers.

I don't know how the pay works out for them, especially after factoring in for gas and vehicle maintenance. However I am generally against the tipping system, and would tip a shuttle driver only for service that goes above and beyond expectations, like lifting heavy bags.

I do my best to handle my own bags, so as to avoid the perceived "need" to tip the driver.

I'm perfectly capable and willing to move my bags from A to B and don't wish to pay anybody else to do it for me. So in general, no, I don't tip parking shuttle drivers.

I have on some occasions tipped a shuttle driver.

Usually it's for getting really good info when I have a chat with them on a longer ride to offsite rental car center.

I tip the shuttle driver $1, even though I rarely have more than a carry-on. I know most of the drivers at least by sight and they're always very nice.

I always handle my own bag so I'm never confronted with having to tip. This also goes for when I'm dropped off at a hotel and the dude tries to take my bag--no thank you, I can certainly manage.

It depends on what they do. If they handle my bags and don't screw up the ride, I do kick them a few dollars. Lately though, I seem to get on carrying and stowing my own bags, and the 90 year old driver gets lost or takes us to arrivals when it is supposed to be departures. So they get nothing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proudelitist (Post 29477624)

I tip more when the driver is 90! Lol. I think poor dude he can't affird to retire. Then I head off to the SQ Suites counter. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17 (Post 29474922)

How about if the shuttle is not FREE?

I feel it is regardless of how much the shuttle costs. The point of tipping in America is to subsidize salaries of people who make very little.
(oh, and possibly secondarily to reward good service)

A couple of bucks if I have it, especially if they help with the bag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s0ssos (Post 29478081)

I feel it is regardless of how much the shuttle costs. The point of tipping in America is to subsidize salaries of people who make very little.
(oh, and possibly secondarily to reward good service)

United States - the only country that has managed to turn bribery into a formalized, acceptable economic function.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloudship (Post 29480342)

United States - the only country that has managed to turn bribery into a formalized, acceptable economic function.

When did recognizing someone for good service become bribery? :confused:

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPRich (Post 29485632)

When did recognizing someone for good service become bribery? :confused:

It becomes bribery when people don't give good service to those who haven't tipped well in the past. This is usually not an issue for shuttle drivers, but common at restaurants, hair salons, etc.

Call me a SOB, but I am not big into tipping shuttle drivers. I always travel light, so help with my bag is not needed. If the driver engages me in small talk personally for more than a second and genuinely seems to be a friendly person, I will usually give a dollar or two.

There is no issue here with people who do, I just feel tipping culture is way overboard in this nation.

I do find it ironic though, why are people so ok tipping a shuttle driver, especially for services they are paying for like Hotel, or parking already, and not an airline worker who assists them with their luggage? I assume in part bc the airline already is getting hundreds of your money. Not saying it's even necessary to, just an observation.