Tipping SkyCaps--it's the law! (OK, it's not, but it should be!)
Jul 8th, 2003, 02:39 PM
#21
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I discovered the "tip the Skycap" when I took a trip to San Antonio back in 1987. I went with a co-worker who only did the curbside thing. She tipped $5, and I reluctantly did the same thing. (Hey, I was young and dumb!)
I only tip AFTER services are rendered - not before. Why should I? If a service employee has provided me with good service, at the completion of that service, I tip him/her. With a Skycap I wouldn't know how well they've done their service until I've reached my destination. Guess I could mail them the money, huh? (Don't think so)
Anyway, not an issue for me as I don't use curbside. I can get efficient, prompt service inside, switch around seating assignments, and have questions answered - and I don't have to have somebody in my face with their hand out.
If they work for tips, well, then they have to know that not everyone tips. Not everyone considers tipping to be an obligation. There are those of us who still consider it to be optional.
I only tip AFTER services are rendered - not before. Why should I? If a service employee has provided me with good service, at the completion of that service, I tip him/her. With a Skycap I wouldn't know how well they've done their service until I've reached my destination. Guess I could mail them the money, huh? (Don't think so)
Anyway, not an issue for me as I don't use curbside. I can get efficient, prompt service inside, switch around seating assignments, and have questions answered - and I don't have to have somebody in my face with their hand out.
If they work for tips, well, then they have to know that not everyone tips. Not everyone considers tipping to be an obligation. There are those of us who still consider it to be optional.
Jul 8th, 2003, 03:21 PM
#22
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OK, now that we have that settled, I have another tipping question:
What about the longterm parking shuttle driver? Sometimes these guys don't move a muscle, other times they burst out of the bus and hustle my bags (which I don't mind doing myself - but it's too awkward to say no)...I'm already paying about $8 a day for this service, but do my fellow Fodorites tip these folks too?
What about the longterm parking shuttle driver? Sometimes these guys don't move a muscle, other times they burst out of the bus and hustle my bags (which I don't mind doing myself - but it's too awkward to say no)...I'm already paying about $8 a day for this service, but do my fellow Fodorites tip these folks too?
Jul 8th, 2003, 03:30 PM
#23
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I had no idea they did not work for the airline. I do tip them however.
In fact, the last time I traveled I made a joke to one of them and said"Now don't lose my bags" He said " you know how to make sure of that" and held out his hand.I'm sure he was making a joke but it took me back a little.
In fact, the last time I traveled I made a joke to one of them and said"Now don't lose my bags" He said " you know how to make sure of that" and held out his hand.I'm sure he was making a joke but it took me back a little.
Jul 8th, 2003, 04:41 PM
#25
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J Correa and Michele the whole idea is to make you THINK they're airline employee's. Thats why their uniforms are so similar to that particular airline. In the past I usually avoided curbside because if anything happened to your luggage, and I dont know if this is true or not, it wasn't the airlines responsibility it was the contractor that supplies the porters. I'd also heard more recently that people who used curbside were much more likely to get flagged for additonal security checks, you know where you have to take your shoes off etc... but I dont know if thats true or not either. Just things you hear standing in line.
I do know that after 9/11 the porters were hurt severely and that the DC airports, BWI, Dulles, and National even more so because they had their curbside suspended for much longer than other airports. I did know an auditor several years ago who was working at the airport and parked where the porters parked and said what those guys drove wasn't exactly Hyundai's
but I think the contractors like Argent Bright (horrible company) that supply these guys structure it so they dont usually get a full 40 hours.
I do know that after 9/11 the porters were hurt severely and that the DC airports, BWI, Dulles, and National even more so because they had their curbside suspended for much longer than other airports. I did know an auditor several years ago who was working at the airport and parked where the porters parked and said what those guys drove wasn't exactly Hyundai's
but I think the contractors like Argent Bright (horrible company) that supply these guys structure it so they dont usually get a full 40 hours.
Jul 8th, 2003, 04:50 PM
#26
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I always feel bad for them too. I never give less than $5. Usually more because they let me bring more stuff or get me great seats. Plus who wants to lug my huge bags around. Plus if you insult them they might take something or send your bags around the world.
Jul 8th, 2003, 05:27 PM
#27
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I tip shuttle drivers only if they load/unload my bags for me.
My theory on how curbside checkin evolved is that it was supposed to save the traveler from handling his own bags: cab/limo pulls up to curb, cabbie/chauffeur hands luggage to SkyCap, SkyCap hands traveler tix, tips all around, bada bing, bada boom. The SkyCaps' uniform is indeed intended to resemble an airline employee's, I believe more to soothe the traveler than to hoodwink him.
And it is not true that curbside checkin means the airline isn't responsible for the luggage--it is. Says so right on your claim ticket.
The big difference between the SkyCap and the ticket agent at the counter is that the SkyCap takes your bag from you at the curb, thus saving you effort; the agent waits for you to bring the bag to the counter. As to why some professions get paid a wage and others work for tips, that is indeed an enduring mystery of life.
My theory on how curbside checkin evolved is that it was supposed to save the traveler from handling his own bags: cab/limo pulls up to curb, cabbie/chauffeur hands luggage to SkyCap, SkyCap hands traveler tix, tips all around, bada bing, bada boom. The SkyCaps' uniform is indeed intended to resemble an airline employee's, I believe more to soothe the traveler than to hoodwink him.
And it is not true that curbside checkin means the airline isn't responsible for the luggage--it is. Says so right on your claim ticket.
The big difference between the SkyCap and the ticket agent at the counter is that the SkyCap takes your bag from you at the curb, thus saving you effort; the agent waits for you to bring the bag to the counter. As to why some professions get paid a wage and others work for tips, that is indeed an enduring mystery of life.
Jul 8th, 2003, 05:51 PM
#28
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"The big difference between the SkyCap and the ticket agent at the counter is that the SkyCap takes your bag from you at the curb, thus saving you effort; the agent waits for you to bring the bag to the counter."
Never have I done curbside check-in where someone took my luggage from me at the curb. I guess that is why I never knew they should be tipped, nor understand the difference in service they are providing compared to checking in inside the terminal. The curbside checkin I have used involved a person stationed at at "desk", where I wait in line and bring my bags to them, same as inside.
Never have I done curbside check-in where someone took my luggage from me at the curb. I guess that is why I never knew they should be tipped, nor understand the difference in service they are providing compared to checking in inside the terminal. The curbside checkin I have used involved a person stationed at at "desk", where I wait in line and bring my bags to them, same as inside.
Jul 8th, 2003, 08:03 PM
#29
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You unload your bags from car to curb and go get a Sky Cap. He'll come to you and take car of your bags.
It's obviously easier if you are traveling with another person so one can stay with the bags if you have to go a few feet to the porter.
It's obviously easier if you are traveling with another person so one can stay with the bags if you have to go a few feet to the porter.
Jul 9th, 2003, 04:42 AM
#30
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I always tip the skycaps about $5 to take my luggage, usually just 1 or 2 pieces. I tip well and do see others ripping them off - I'd be embarrassed if I didn't tip. The bonus of tipping is that they treat your luggage better and watch it more carefully to make sure it gets taken quicker.
Jul 9th, 2003, 06:15 AM
#31
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So, if a skycap can issue a boarding pass, that means they must be able to do seat assignments...which provides a whole new incentive for tipping these guys...hmmm...anyone ever get their seat changed to a better one through a skycap?
Jul 9th, 2003, 09:43 AM
#32
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"My theory on how curbside checkin evolved is that it was supposed to save the traveler from handling his own bags: cab/limo pulls up to curb, cabbie/chauffeur hands luggage to SkyCap, SkyCap hands traveler tix, tips all around, bada bing, bada boom."
You know, I don't think I've ever travelled this way. Normally, unless I use a shuttle service, I park my car in the farthest reaches of creation, load my bags onto the shuttle bus, the bus stops 30 yards from my terminal, I lug the bags down, and then roll them to the terminal. If I waited for a Skycap to come over, I'd be there till hell froze over. And unless there is a space directly in front of curbside service, a shuttle service may drop you off just as far as the parking shuttle does. Actually, I know very few people who travel this way...
And I also find it disturbing that a lot of people are under the idea that if they don't tip these people they will send their luggage off into the great beyond. What is with that?!? Either the guy does his job or not. And his job is to tag the bags correctly and get them to the terminal on time. Period. Majority of the time he doesn't even take the bags to the terminal. He loads them onto a hand truck, and some one else takes them inside - and that guy never gets tipped, so what's the deal?
As to shuttle bus drivers from parking lots? If the guy helps me with my bags then he gets a tip - he's done a service for me that is above and beyond what is expected. If he sits behind the wheel and barely gives me a look, I'll barely give him a "thank you".
You know, I don't think I've ever travelled this way. Normally, unless I use a shuttle service, I park my car in the farthest reaches of creation, load my bags onto the shuttle bus, the bus stops 30 yards from my terminal, I lug the bags down, and then roll them to the terminal. If I waited for a Skycap to come over, I'd be there till hell froze over. And unless there is a space directly in front of curbside service, a shuttle service may drop you off just as far as the parking shuttle does. Actually, I know very few people who travel this way...
And I also find it disturbing that a lot of people are under the idea that if they don't tip these people they will send their luggage off into the great beyond. What is with that?!? Either the guy does his job or not. And his job is to tag the bags correctly and get them to the terminal on time. Period. Majority of the time he doesn't even take the bags to the terminal. He loads them onto a hand truck, and some one else takes them inside - and that guy never gets tipped, so what's the deal?
As to shuttle bus drivers from parking lots? If the guy helps me with my bags then he gets a tip - he's done a service for me that is above and beyond what is expected. If he sits behind the wheel and barely gives me a look, I'll barely give him a "thank you".
