Godzilla

I tip for the van being there when we need it and for a smooth and safe ride to the destination.

Radials Rule

For those that say ask why they should tip the driver, as it is his or her job; I don't see my tipping the driver for driving me to and from. I tip him for the handling of my bags and in general for their courtesy and good service. If they're sporting a bad or lazy attitude, then no tip.

TheDashRocks

I tip because it's only money and you can't take it with you. Although I remember my Dad saying, "In that case, I'm not going."

ja2c

I've been an airline pilot for about 10 months now, still on first year FO pay. When I took this job, I had no idea tipping the van driver while I was Working was part of my job. I use my per-diem to pay bills. Seldomly I do have cash on me, then I will tip. But I do not feel bad about not tipping. Now if I ask a van driver at a hotel to take me somewhere on MY time, then of course I tip.

For the guys who are saying it is the same as tipping when getting your haircut, waitresses, etc. It is not the same. No way.

Farmlover

I am with ya man. I will never tip. And if I ever upgrade I still won't tip.

N9373M

A cheat sheet on tipping dos and donts

KSUPilot09

I dont know about some people. I served when I was flight instructing and made more serving than I did there and that was at a cheap diner. Of course I needed tips because I was only paid $2.00 per hour and that was taxed. The restaurants computer system also made me claim atleast 15% no matter what...even if I didnt get tipped. (which seemed to be the norm for some people)

Now the van drivers should at least be getting minimum wage. I dont have the extra money to tip every van driver on a 4 day and every other van I take getting to my job.

Some people fail to realize that FO pay (especially first year) suck - After taxes, alpa pay, uniform deduction and other crap - I make roughly $1200 a month.

Now - I also have $50k in student loan debt and daily living expenses - I cant afford to tip the van drivers who already make minimum wage. Hell they probably make more than I do...

meeko031

i don't know if this has been asked but...for those who tip and commute, do any of you tip the gate agents for getting you on the flight? what about maintenance who come to the aircraft to balance the mel in order to get your flight out safely.

TrojanCMH

I always tip. A buck each way as a regional FO, ill even ask to borrow a buck from a non-tipper if I'm out of cash. I did lots of odd jobs before coming to the airlines and at most of them tips were your only way to make ends meet. If you notice most people tipping and you aren't then you're doing something wrong. If you can't afford 6 bucks over the course of a 4 day trip then you should look for other work or live more within your means. We have our share of non-tippers at my airline and some of them just don't get it and some are just asses.

Senior Skipper

I read all 6 or 7 pages of this article. It was a pretty quick read, but it made me realize that everybody wants a tip for everything these days. Tipping the hotel maid? Really? It had never crossed my mind to do that. This tipping stuff is getting ridiculous.

Nowadays I prefer to load and unload the hotel van myself. Not trusting those guys with my stuff any more. So now I really have no reason to tip.