Tipping for Wheelchair Assistance
 

I have requested wheelchair assistance for an upcoming trip due to recent hip replacement. The first will be arriving at DFW on international flight and the second will be returning to my home also on an international flight. I know from past experience that the distances are long and the lines can be very long. So how much to tip the person assisting me? I tend to be on the generous side in these occasions. And there is no way I would be stingy! How much is appropriate?

If it's a long trip, I'd recommend at least $5. Give $10 if you are feeling very generous.

I agree with Doug.

I agree with Doug but disagree with Abram.

Funny!

That's the silly mood I get into when tomorrow's a flight to even more sun for a few weeks (Florida -> Santiago).

Last year I used a wheelchair for a multi-segment trip, and we tipped $5 or €5 for each. It added up to about $50 but was SO worthwhile.

My friend works for Westjet, she would never accept a tip for doing her job, and wheelchair assistance, while not her primary duty( she is actually a ticketing agent ) is something she has had to do on occaison. Perhaps its just not something canadians think thst much about, she is paid far far more then minimum wage though, so maybe some airlines use less skilled staff and pay them less...so i guess in that case i guess one could tip.

In the US, wheelchair assistance is provided by independent contractors, who make minimum wage and survive off their tips, rather than salaried airline workers. Tips are their primary source of income instead of a simple sideline. It's not a matter of Canadian vs. American values but rather the reality of how the service is provided in the US.

er .. so it is a Canadian versus American thing because services are provided differently in each country. Do not get your back up thinking I am saying its a better worse thing.. because obviously the wheelchair porters in States should be tipped because things are done differently.

I don’t see anyone getting their back up. Just some useful explanation about how the system works in different countries so travellers can make an informed choice about tipping.

Wheelchair assistance is usually provided by the airport and not the airline, no matter which country. If an airline employee is sometimes asked to perform meet and assist duty, it is probably due to short staff situation or high level of wheelchair requests on a particular day so airline staff might step in to help. In the US, tips are expected, so give a tip as is the custom. Outside the US, tips are not expected so don't leave one.

Tips are not expected outside the US ? I think not. They were accepted everywhere on that trip.

thanks for all the replies. I live in Central America and the employees here are the ones that really need/deserve tips. I know what local wages are here! I will go with a minimum of $10.

There are varying answers here, and I suspect the best answer is to do what you feel is right when you receive the service.

I fly out of Cleveland. When we arrive at the airport, there is an outside baggage checking facility for United. The people there wear a United jacket and have a tip jar on the counter. I had a couple of years of difficulty with TSA that had to be settled inside at the counter, with an employee wearing a United jacket and doing the same thing as the people outside as to the luggage, and got me through the pre-boarding process. There is no tip jar there and I have never seen anyone try to tip there. That doesn't seem fair, as the people outside are often dealing with bad weather. while the people inside are in airconditioned comfort.

I've never dealt with wheelchair assistants, but on occasion United throws us on a tram. The driver wears a United Uniform, and there is rarely tipping. I think the wheelchair assistant also wears a United uniform, but I really haven't checked. In any event the wheelchair assistant performs more and more personal service than the tram driver, which would incline me to tip them.

Other airports and airlines may have different procedures, as may other countries. So the best answer is to do what you feel is right.

Absolutely agree one must tip where tips are expected.. and I think it must be rare for anyone to refuse a tip unless its really considered a not done thing ( I read that in Japan tipping in some places is definitely considered a no no and a bit rude.. )

I think not tipping in a tipping country because you don't tip in yours would be very rude.

Over a decade ago, DS and I were in a restaurant in South Korea with two young Korean women. When the bill came, DS added a tip to it and they were shocked! That was not done in Korea!

When returning home to Central America, I usually have to check my bags inside the terminal, but once asked a curbside check-in if he could do it and when he said yes, he checked my bags all the way through and gave me the claim tickets. There was also a sign saying he was not an airline employee and tips were appreciated. Me, I appreciated not having to drag those bags into the airport! Tip well earned!

justineparis - The difference with WestJet and AC for that matter, is that the people pushing the wheelchair are typically airline employees. And in the case of AC they are not permitted to accept tips.

Arriving on an international flight, means claiming your bags, going through customs (maybe opening bags for inspection) & immigration and rechecking the bags if there is another domestic flight. If no ongoing flight, the wheelchair pusher may even take you outside to ground transportation. I would probably give $10.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Orlando_Vic....that is just what I will be doing when I need the assistance both directions. Thanks.