I'll be traveling with my aunt who will require a wheelchair between flighs and at out destination. Do I tip? If so, how much? Are these airline employees or airport employees? If someone just brings me the chair and I push myself, should I still offer a tip? Please imform me on how to handle the situation. I'm willing to tip generously but don't want to offend either.

My mom just went through the same dilema. I believe it was an airport employee and she tipped a little more than she typically tips a porter. She was traveling alone so she needed more help. I don't think they will just loan you a wheelchair, but it depends on the airport. Be sure to call the airline ahead of time and tell the attendent on the flight and they'll have someone meet you at the plane so she doesn't have to walk up the jetway.

Jon, You will not offend with a generous tip - most, if not all, passenger assistants are contract airport/airline employees. They work very hard for low wages.

Jon, I recently tipped $3.00 to the young man who assisted my dad at the Ft. Lauderdale airport from the plant to our luggage area - last year, I tipped $5.00 to a young man who assisted dad getting onto a Carnival Cruise - the cruise assistant, moved us though several procedures, and never did we encounter a line - I tipped the same when the trip was over and an assistant helped dad move from the boat to our luggage and then to our taxi

When I travel with my Mother we always tip the wheelchair attendants. I believe that Joy is correct in her assumption that all of these attendants work very hard for minumum wage. We always tip them well and receive excellent care and assistance from them. We tip an average of 5-10$, depending how far and how long it takes them

The airlines insist on handling the wheelchairs up and down the jetway for saftey reasons. They don't want a lawsuit it you should drop Mom or Dad.

I have been through Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago O'hare several times with my mother. Once out of the jetway, I take over the wheelchair duties.

I do not tip. I feel it is a service the airline provides. I know usually coming up the jetway it is an airport employee rather than the airline, but I still feel it is an expected service to protect the airlline.

Dick

Good point (cheap bastard), Dick. I think you have a good (cheap bastard) take on the situation. You sound like a (cheap bastard) experienced traveller.

Have to chime in here. I think it's great that many tip wheelchair attendants, and considering what they probably make, it's a good idea. However, if you really think about it, Dick (AKA CB)has an understandable point. The way I look at it, a person with a disability should have reasonable accomodations made for them (See the ADA...) and should not have to (or be expected to) pay for them. Looking at it from this point of view, I'd agree with Dick - but I'd tip if I could, if it were me in that wheelchair.

I am in a wheelchair, travel alone, and can tell you that my disability income does not afford me the luxury of tipping wheelchair attendants. I once asked one who was helping me and she said that they do not usually get tips. She was an airline employee at MSP.

She included the comment that it is a nice break from her other duties such as sweeping gate areas, picking up trash, etc.

Tipping everyone who helped me in my chair would make my meager travels entirely cost prohibitive.

Rolling along with all my might.

I am in a wheelchair, travel alone, and can tell you that my disability income does not afford me the luxury of tipping wheelchair attendants. I once asked one who was helping me and she said that they do not usually get tips. She was an airline employee at MSP.

She included the comment that it is a nice break from her other duties such as sweeping gate areas, picking up trash, etc.

Tipping everyone who helped me in my chair would make my meager travels entirely cost prohibitive.

Rolling along with all my might.