Tips for Drivers?? Are they Couple Employees

[rosepointe]

Last time we arrived we tipped the drivers as I think they are contracted for Couples. What do you suggest for a tip from the airport to CTI ??

Thanks
Karen

[nvang13]

Last year for our trip to CSA I tipped $10, plus $2 per bag to the gentleman who loaded everything onto the bus for us.

[Sublimebrad]

$1-2 per bag is standard unless you're a big shot. The drivers will actually tell you to tip them. You have tip as they load your luggage at the airport and again when they unload at the resort. Same thing on the return trip. Luckily, we only bring one bag but I saw some people will multiple bags look aggravated at this.

Another thing, they bring you to your room after check in and your luggage later. To me, this was a hassle because it took almost an hour to get it to our room and we had all of our stuff in there. So we just sat in the room waiting while figuring out the AC and activity schedule. If I can't tip the staff anyway, I might as well be allowed to carry my own luggage.

[softail19]

We do 20 per couple. After all, they are getting us to paradise with all the crazy drivers.

[cigarmanpa]

the drivers aren't couples employees I think we gave him $5 or $10, I can't remember anymore. I won't be tipping the bag guys at the airport anymore, the one we had was just rude

[Gary_and_Patti]

I hope if you let the Red Caps take your bags, you tip them at least the traditional $1 per bag. They do not get paid a wage and their only income is from tips. You wouldn't expect them to carry your bags for free! Just tell them you want to carry your own bags and they should respect that. See an interesting article here: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ead/lead4.html. We usually tip the van driver $10-15 depending on the circumstances.

[Chris]

From the time you leave the Couples Lounge until you arrive at your Couples resort, you and your baggage are in the care of baggage handlers and drivers who are NOT Couples employees. They should be tipped, as appropriate, just as you would here at home.

[rosepointe]

Thank you...we thought they were not employees and just wanted to verify that. $20 a couple plus tips for the loaders seems fine to us.

[just4me]

we tipped our driver from the airport to the resort,but we put our own luggage on the bus and didn't allow anyone at the airport to take our bags,it's only a few feet you have to carry them...

[theyamons]

the drivers aren't couples employees I think we gave him $5 or $10, I can't remember anymore. I won't be tipping the bag guys at the airport anymore, the one we had was just rude

It's not very fair to stop tipping the bag guys at the airport because ONE guy was rude. Geesh.

[RubiGal04]

We also do not allow them to take our bags OFF the bus AT THE AIRPORT ON OUR RETURN... it's literally one step from when they grab your bug and throw it to the ground. So we always say very politely no thank you to them and get our own bag off the bus to take into the airport. We do tip the driver as we depart the bus though.

And of course we tip the guys who take our bags to the bus to head to the resort when we have just arrived in Jamaica, they are actually doing a service.

It's just the guys there at the airport when you return that we have quit letting touch our bags. It's not just one guy there it's all of them that are rude and too demanding.

Now AGAIN, I'm just talking about the drop off at the airport when you are returning home... everybody else I have no problem with tipping. But these guys are basically scamming in our humble opinion. They don't even attempt to help you get to the airport doors, they literally just grab and toss down your bag and then demand money. The last two times nobody on our bus let them do it, we all just got out and quickly let them know (politely) that we would be getting our own bags off the bus. They weren't thrilled, but they walked away and headed to the next bus that was coming up.

So a tip for those of you who want to handle this part yourself, just tip the driver as you get off the bus, then head straight to the back and as you see your bag get it and as these guys try to get it just say no thank you and head on into the airport.

[Lindad]

I have to agree with Rubigal. We also take our own bags once we reach the airport on our return to the real world. I too agree they are really pushy and I feel we can handle our own bags at that time.

[sherrynchuck]

RubiGal04 I agree with you, we have also stopped tipping the guys that want to take our luggage when we arrive back at the airport for the same reason. We also tell them we will take our own bags. Like you, our experience has been that they huck your stuff onto the ground and start asking for tips...maybe if you give them a big enough tip they get you to the door of the terminal...all 10 steps. My luggage has wheels, for that price I can take it myself. If they were doing like the guys on arrival and for a buck a bag taking it in for you I'd be happy to oblige them but that's not the system on the return trip.

[cigarmanpa]

It's not very fair to stop tipping the bag guys at the airport because ONE guy was rude. Geesh.

I'll carry my own bags, no need to tip then.

[sunnydnrum]

Can someone clairify something. Are the van drivers paid anything above and beyond the $10 tip? My understanding was that your "transfer" to and from the hotel was a built in cost of an all inclusive package?

Beyond this, I'm not keen on letting anyone take my bags even when we arrive in Jamaica. Can you opt out of all of these services, or would this be out of line?

Opinions appreciated.

[Jamerican352005]

sunnydnrum-The drivers are not couples employees so a tip is recommended for their services. Your transfer is included so you are not obligated to give the bus driver any money. Your transfer is included in the package it is just a nice jesture to give a tip. Just like when you eat a restaurant you don't have to give a tip but most people do as an act of saying thanks.

The tipping rate seems to have went up. It use to be $5.00 for the bus driver there and $5.00 back. Thank God for this message board. The bus drivers are always really great don't want to disappoint them.

[rosepointe]

It is my understanding that Couples contracts with companies that transport you to the resort. At least it has been that way the past 15 years. While the company is paid the driver might just be an employee of the company. We always tip service people as they do a great job and they might depend on tips as their pay I am certain is not top dollar.

As others have written if one can afford to go on this trip like this it is always nice to tip those working at keeping the flow smooth. And these are not Couple's employees.

The baggage people referred to on this board I suspect are the people at the airport once you return to the airport to go home. They assist the driver with getting luggage off but they don't take you anywhere with your luggage and would like to be tipped. Many feel they did not ask for the service and they are not giving a real service as we all have to take our own bags in to check in.

Now on the way to the resort these baggage handlers assist and do take your luggage out to the van and load them. It is a short walk but they get all the bags and load them onto the van (s.) There are several vans that go to different Couple resorts. I tip these guys as it is really just an easier process and makes things move quicker for the entire group going on the van

Hope this helps.

We will be there in the morning. Ready for some RnR and sun!!

[sherrynchuck]

I don't know if they are paid beyond the tips but I assume they do make a wage, I bet it's small as all wages are in Jamaica and they rely on those tips. Yes, your transfer is included in the cost of the package but it's sort of like going to a restaurant for dinner, the price on the menu doesn't include the tip for the waitress.

When you get to Couples it would be difficult to keep your luggage for yourself, the lounge is a bit small and dragging your suitcase around in there would make it quite crowded for others and honestly won't be a comfy, relaxing start to your trip. The guys will take it and set it right by the door and stay with it so it's not left unattended. When it's time to go outside to the shuttle you'll be asked to point out your luggage so they get it all and then you go as a group with the others on your shuttle and the guys taking the luggage so it's in your sight you just don't have to carry it yourself. You probably could "opt out" but honestly I don't think you'll find it as uncomfortable as you are imagining and everyone around you will be doing it so it would look a little out of line.

On the return trip to the airport it's a little different...upon arriving at the airport your shuttle will be surrounded by guys unloading the luggage and wanting to get it inside for you. They will also expect the same tips ($1 per bag) but it's literally steps form the shuttle to the door so for us it's not worth it and we just say "Hey thanks but we got it, it's on wheels", they usually take that and walk away but I think once we had to insist just a bit.

[theyamons]

I'll carry my own bags, no need to tip then.

Oh, yeah, I forgot that option.

[softail19]

I think a buck a bag is not too much to ask. I am sure the baggage guys don't make much and they are providing a service as are the drivers. I have no problem tipping the driver 10 bucks pp because. I would hate to pay for a cab all that way and fight the traffic. On average it is an hour and a half trip, and 5 or10 pp is not out of line. If you can afford a Couples vacation, you can afford a couple bucks for tips.

[Chris]

I don't know about you folks... but tipping for baggage handlers is not something that is unique to the travel industry. When I take a cab or airport shuttle when I travel for work, I tip the driver for handling my bags and getting me to my destination in a timely and safe manner.

As for the drivers on Jamaica... the JUTA drivers, while paid by the consortium, need the tips for their survival. Time was, a driver might go weeks or months without a call for a day of shuttle service. For them, the tips they made on those days were what would put a roof over their family's head, and food on the table.

[smroot]

I always figure it is doing them some good and helping the economy in a country that I love to visit. If I can afford the resort, I can surely spare a few dollars for someone to assist with my bags even though it is a short distance. I have been blessed to be able to afford to visit, I can pass it on some to them and hope that one day they will pay it forward also. IMHO. I will say in Venezuela I tipped a guy $5 in American money about 13 years ago, that was all I had and it was like 2 in the morning. That guy treated us like royalty every time he saw us after that, and would not take anymore tips. Come to find out I had given him close to 2 weeks in wages, and we were in the Embassy district of Caracas.

[Chris]

Here's another thought...

James Madison, pictured on the $10 bill, was the founder of the US banking system. He was also the illegitimate son of a Jamaican woman and a British (?) Naval Officer. Consider your tip of $10 ea for the driver a way of returning Mr. Madison to his homeland.