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Do you tip the shuttle driver?

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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 10:40 am
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Do you tip the shuttle driver?

I do if (s)he deals with bags, but when I only have a small carry-on, I don't.
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 11:13 am
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Originally Posted by Points Scrounger
I do if (s)he deals with bags, but when I only have a small carry-on, I don't.
Rarely.. I did have some extra heavy luggage in Houston one time, and the bus driver helped me haul that stuff from the bus all the way to the elevator that night. He definitely got a nice tip!
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 11:35 am
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I'd like to extend the question to cover Cab drivers.
It was always strange to me that taxi drivers should get tips too.
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 11:37 am
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 11:41 am
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Originally Posted by Awtas
I'd like to extend the question to cover Cab drivers.
It was always strange to me that taxi drivers should get tips too.
+1 on tipping shuttle drivers, if they help with any luggage.

IIRC, taxi drivers are splitting the fare with the taxi company. If the driver is knowledgeable of to get quickly to my destination and manages to miss the majority of the pot holes (in Baltimore), then I do give a couple dollars as a tip.
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 12:00 pm
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Originally Posted by Italy98
+1 on tipping shuttle drivers, if they help with any luggage.
+1

When Jabba the Shuttle driver sits in his seat and watches me, he get's a smile and a thank you. When the driver jumps down and offers to help me, I take them up on the offer and gladly tip.
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 12:01 pm
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Originally Posted by Points Scrounger
I do if (s)he deals with bags, but when I only have a small carry-on, I don't.
I generally tip a dollar a bag. FWIW I notice when we share a bus with flight crews that they generally seem to do about the same.

I also tip airport-parking shuttle drivers but I rarely tip car-rental shuttle drivers, which I admit is inconsistent.
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 12:02 pm
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I usually tip if I have cash. Usually I am taking an airport shuttle due to an unexpected night near the airport.
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 12:10 pm
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I do unless they are rude or I have luggage and they don't offer to help me with it. If they are inside the hotel talking with the staff and don't help me with my bags I don't.

I did a park and fly at a BW last year and I didn't tip either way. Going the shuttle was full and it was one of the smaller busses and the driver was inside talking with the hotel clerk and didn't offer to help anyone with their luggage. coming back they had two signs that said "tips appreciated" posted and it was just a van and the driver didn't help me with my bag that way either (large rolling duffel that weighed almost 50 lbs) so I didn't feel obligated to tip then. Had they helped me with the bag then yes I would ahve tipped.
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 12:41 pm
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If they help with the luggage, of course! About $1-2/bag
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 1:04 pm
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Always if they help with the bag, or offer me a bottle of water. $1 per bag and $1 for the water. If they don't get out of the driver seat then nothing.

As far as cabs 10% of the bill if the cab is clean, no more than $1-2 if not. Also I'll add $1 per bag if they load it and remove it from the trunk. If they don't, then go back to the 10% rule...
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 2:47 pm
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I am in the 1- 2 bucks a bag camp. Or if I use the shuttle to get dropped off somewhere and will need to be picked up later. I always try to make friends with them when they drop me off.
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 3:15 pm
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Originally Posted by troyintn
I am in the 1- 2 bucks a bag camp. Or if I use the shuttle to get dropped off somewhere and will need to be picked up later. I always try to make friends with them when they drop me off.
I do it a bit differently -- usually $1 per person --- but we usually travel pretty light --- typically just a roller bag a piece and do most of the bag handling ourselves.

Airport remote lot shuttle drivers get $1 per trip

Rental car drivers get nothing.

Bob H
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 3:27 pm
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Originally Posted by Awtas
I'd like to extend the question to cover Cab drivers.
It was always strange to me that taxi drivers should get tips too.
I believe that tipping cabbies (and barbers/hair stylists) has been part of established American tipping practice, in addition to servers (but unlike ... oh say ... 7/11 cashiers!), so that the IRS expects at least some tipping to be declared, so not doing so, unless they're notably rude or unhelpful, actually penalizes them?
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 3:31 pm
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I usually don't need any help with my bags - however, if I see the driver helping others customers (who usually don't tip) - I always tip $1 or 2.
They can't be making that much money driving the shuttle and if I can help just a bit, it's a good thing.
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