Carnival tipping to Bag Porters

 

This isn't quite correct. The curbside porters ARE well-compensated union longshoremen, as has been established firmly in this thread.

Once the luggage passes into "no-man's land" (the equivalent of "airside" at an airport, as contrasted with "groundside"), then cruise line employees take over.

ChEngKP can probably inform us as to where that point is. I think union longshoremen forklift the luggage cages into the marshaling area on board, so the changeover point might actually be on the ship itself...Deck 0 on "I-95." :)

 

Yes, since you are in the port facilities, all "cargo" (your baggage) is handled by union longshoremen, or there would be a strike. They take the bags from you curbside and put them on the various carts by zone, and wheel them into the terminal when full. Inside, the union longshoremen driving the forklifts take one or two carts at a time to the ship's loading ports. Once on the ship, the crew takes over. The longshoremen handle all "cargo" for the cruise ships, baggage, storing food and beverages, and all the other sundry stores (engine, hotel dry stores (linens, dishware, paper), shop inventory, spa supplies) while it is inside the port area until it is landed on the ship. Again, at disembarkation, the longshoremen drive the forklifts taking the baggage carts off the ship into the terminal, the longshoremen unload the carts, and then they will stand around waiting to "assist" you with your baggage. Typically, the ones who take your baggage curbside, and who are there to "assist" at disembarkation, and who are giving you the stink eye for tips are the senior guys, as this is the easiest job on the pier.

Anyone who deals with the public should get compensation for putting up with crap. The more they serve, the more they should make. Whatever their base pay is, is irrelevant.

 

Some ports say tipping isn't necessary.

 

Sometimes luggage ends up in the water, damaged, pilfered.

 

Coincidence?

Hi

The bags are transferred to large metal containers that are loaded onto the ship. Nobody is treating any given bag with any "care", they are just moving quickly.

Those containers are loaded onto the ship with forklift trucks. You can easily see if the containers are overloaded, bags can certainly get crushed or torn, and those bags at the top can, if the fork truck operator jerks or hits a bump at the wrong time, any given bag can fall out. Nobody is being malicious, but a bag falling from that height can be damaged. If this happens just at the point where the load is between the dock and the ship, a bag can fall in the water. There is no conspiracy. Your bag will get on the ship whether you give them a tip or not, because believe it or not, many people don't tip.

The question is how much is right. Carnival suggests $1 a bag. You can give whatever you want.

Anyone who deals with the public should get compensation for putting up with crap. The more they serve, the more they should make. Whatever their base pay is, is irrelevant.

 

Some ports say tipping isn't necessary.

 

Sometimes luggage ends up in the water, damaged, pilfered.

 

Coincidence?

Since I don't use curbside check in at the airport, I've rarely seen a baggage handler at the airport where I could speak to him/her, let alone give them a tip. Yet, sometimes bags go to the wrong airport, are damaged, or pilfered. Coincidence?

And, now that I think about it, I got royally screwed when I was on the cruise ships, because I put up with passenger nonsense every day and never received a tip.

If anyone deserves a tip its the crew member who unloads your luggage off the cart and then drags it down the hall-much more work than at the pier-Reminder to self-Do not tip at pier-DO TIP CREW MEMBERS DELIVERING LUGGAGE TO CABIN

For those who tip $3+ a bag, do you tip that much because:

1) you’re afraid if you don’t, your suitcases will end up in the ocean?

Or

2) because there deserve it and earn it?

If number 1, then it’s extortion, that’s not right, your fear is driving your decision .

If number 2, then how do you justify paying more to a non college person to move a couple of bags a couple feet than you pay your own doctor? On a minute for minute basis, you are paying more to a longshoreman than a doctor with 8+ years of college who can save your life. From the time you get to the port until the time you see the porter, you might have dragged your suitcases 1000’, but you feel you should pay that longshoreman $3+ per bag for the last two feet?

I don’t get that .

And for those who say that it’s a cruise costing thousands, why sweat a few dollars, that’s just plain dumb .

I’m very careful with my spending and don’t see a reason to be wasteful on vacation. I’ll be boarding the miracle tomorrow , my 33 Cruise. Being careful with a buck ( along with cc flipping)helps me travel often .

Since I don't use curbside check in at the airport, I've rarely seen a baggage handler at the airport where I could speak to him/her, let alone give them a tip. Yet, sometimes bags go to the wrong airport, are damaged, or pilfered. Coincidence?

 

And, now that I think about it, I got royally screwed when I was on the cruise ships, because I put up with passenger nonsense every day and never received a tip.

I wasn't aware that longshoremen worked airport curbside or that a typical cruise port handled the same amount (or more) of luggage that the local airport(s) did. Some airports are adjacent to water, so I suppose it is possible your luggage could swim with the fishes.

I also wasn't aware that you worked at Guest Services on cruise ships. Lord knows they deserve tips.

I wouldn't mind my luggage being sent to the wrong airport, so much, if the airline awarded me the bonus miles my luggage went. But I have an annual travel policy that includes luggage. Sometimes that is the only way I get new clothes and/or luggage. No worries.

For those who tip $3+ a bag, do you tip that much because:

1) you’re afraid if you don’t, your suitcases will end up in the ocean?

Or

2) because there deserve it and earn it?

 

When checking in, $2/bag is probably typical for me. When debarking, I get a porter, put all luggage for 2 people (including bags formerly known as carry ons + souvenirs), and usually tip $20 for the express passage through customs, if nothing else.

In the latter case, I don't fear wet luggage, nor tip in advance.

I seriously doubt luggage goes swimming because someone is cheap. I think it is possible it might not be treated gently, or might not get a priority sticker (do they still do those?). But no, I don't tip out of fear, but because I consider it the right thing to do.

America has changed a lot since 1954 ;)

Yup, in 1954 longshoremen didn't make six figure salaries.

Yes, since you are in the port facilities, all "cargo" (your baggage) is handled by union longshoremen, or there would be a strike. They take the bags from you curbside and put them on the various carts by zone, and wheel them into the terminal when full. Inside, the union longshoremen driving the forklifts take one or two carts at a time to the ship's loading ports. Once on the ship, the crew takes over. The longshoremen handle all "cargo" for the cruise ships, baggage, storing food and beverages, and all the other sundry stores (engine, hotel dry stores (linens, dishware, paper), shop inventory, spa supplies) while it is inside the port area until it is landed on the ship. Again, at disembarkation, the longshoremen drive the forklifts taking the baggage carts off the ship into the terminal, the longshoremen unload the carts, and then they will stand around waiting to "assist" you with your baggage. Typically, the ones who take your baggage curbside, and who are there to "assist" at disembarkation, and who are giving you the stink eye for tips are the senior guys, as this is the easiest job on the pier.

Does the cruise line 'tip' the longshoremen who handle all of the ship's cargo?

Does the cruise line 'tip' the longshoremen who handle all of the ship's cargo?

Nope, unless you think that a contract where they can get paid without showing up for work is a tip.

Still have yet to hear someone explain why a person with maybe a high school diploma moving suitcases a foot should be paid more than a physician with 8+ years of college who might make a life saving decision for you.

No reason to tip them, none , zero nada.

Still have yet to hear someone explain why a person with maybe a high school diploma moving suitcases a foot should be paid more than a physician with 8+ years of college who might make a life saving decision for you.

No reason to tip them, none , zero nada.

I don’t care what they make. They are providing a service for me. I don’t care if they’re driving a bus, moving bags, making my bed, getting me a drink...I’ll tip them for the service they are providing me. It’s none of my business what they make.

Dear Jellyfish,

If you don't want to tip then don't. For you there's no reason, zip, nada as you say. I believe it's optional and a personal preference. And please don't ask people to get into a discussion about salaries and why this one makes more than that one with a degree versus not, etc. That's all over the map for any profession and degree of education. Who are you to ask for justification for what someone else spends their money on? Please. If it is so against your spending choices or principles or whatever it is that has your panties in a wad about the porters being tipped, then don't do it. [emoji849]

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Still have yet to hear someone explain why a person with maybe a high school diploma moving suitcases a foot should be paid more than a physician with 8+ years of college who might make a life saving decision for you.

No reason to tip them, none , zero nada.

If you have a problem with the service, don't use it. I would tip the physician the same for moving my suitcase. He doesn't rate more for 8+ years of college.

Still have yet to hear someone explain why a person with maybe a high school diploma moving suitcases a foot should be paid more than a physician with 8+ years of college who might make a life saving decision for you.

No reason to tip them, none , zero nada.

So you're saying a curbside porters makes more in tips + wages per hour, than my surgeon did with my recent surgery?

Then all of us have the wrong job if we're able to sling up to 50# bags on to a U-cart, travel the distance from the curbside to the Customs check point within the terminal.

In all honesty if all I see all a cruise port porter is doing is lifting the bags that we wheeled over to an adjacent conveyer belt, like they do at Newark Airport, trust me they are not getting a tip. BUT I have yet to encounter a cruise port with a set up like that. Even at Baltimore they unload your vehicle (if your shuttle driver doesn't) and make sure the bags make to the proper compartment on the luggage train. Sometimes this is 5 feet from the vehicle sometimes it's 35, so we tip accordingly.

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FROM Investor's Business Daily .... 2015 ... So, several years old:

 

In fact, according to the union's own material, the average dock worker makes $147,000 in annual salary and pulls in $35,000 a year in employer-paid health care benefits. Pensions pay $80,000 a year.

The average Longshoremen's wage in Seattle is $187,600 and get an additional $92,080 in Benefits They work 6 hours and get paid for 8. Crane operators work 2 and get paid for 8 hours. Many of the Longshoremen make over $300,00 with overtime. Most of the Longshoremen (Porters) working the cruise docks are Senior Longshoremen in which they make more than $1,000 for the day. My best friend worked the cruise docks here in Seattle, says that the Longshoremen (Porter) are not allowed to take tips, but most do, to not offend the tipper. You will never see the Longshoremen( Porter) in Seattle ask for tips, unlike the Florida Ports.

You left out what a surgeon spends on staff and insurance.

I never said surgeon. Talking family practice.

Porter can be making $600 an hour in tips alone , money that is not taxed. My doc doesn’t make that .

Before tossing out your med bills, doctors have overhead they have to pay. And specialists have extra training.

What extra training does a porter have?

If there were two bins, one where you put luggage in yourself, and another next to it where you hand the luggage to a porter and puts it in and you hand him $10, which would anyone want?

Still have yet to hear someone explain why a person with maybe a high school diploma moving suitcases a foot should be paid more than a physician with 8+ years of college who might make a life saving decision for you.

No reason to tip them, none , zero nada.

So can we all assume you never buy a ticket to a live sporting event? You never buy a movie ticket, rent a movie or subscribe to Netflix or any other video/TV service? After all, you should not be giving athletes or actors even one penny since they make more than a surgeon using your logic. And then there are all those CEOs you are supporting by buying their companies products. But it is everyone’s decision to tip or not, to be generous or NOT.

You left out what a surgeon spends on staff and insurance.

I never said surgeon. Talking family practice.

Porter can be making $600 an hour in tips alone , money that is not taxed. My doc doesn’t make that .

Before tossing out your med bills, doctors have overhead they have to pay. And specialists have extra training.

What extra training does a porter have?

If there were two bins, one where you put luggage in yourself, and another next to it where you hand the luggage to a porter and puts it in and you hand him $10, which would anyone want?

Porters have union dues, and likely need of a specialist or two. Not sure how you can justify the $600/hour figure or that they don't pay taxes on tips.

Medical insurance fraud and billing mistakes are an epidemic running into many billions of dollars.

If a porter makes more than a doctor, so what? Does that make the porter smarter than the doctor? Perhaps ask your doctor if he would like to trade places with the porter.

I think Carnival releases porters 2 hours before scheduled departure time, so again, you have a choice to handle your own luggage. And then make an appointment with a specialist.

So can we all assume you never buy a ticket to a live sporting event? You never buy a movie ticket, rent a movie or subscribe to Netflix or any other video/TV service? After all, you should not be giving athletes or actors even one penny since they make more than a surgeon using your logic. And then there are all those CEOs you are supporting by buying their companies products. But it is everyone’s decision to tip or not, to be generous or NOT.

Major athletes have a special skill, ceo’s have training to help make a corporation money, what special training or skill does a porter have? Is moving a bag two feet a skill?

Really?

You left out what a surgeon spends on staff and insurance....

He has no staff, just colleagues. The doctor is a staff surgeon at the hospital. The way my insurance lists separate fees on the EOMB, that reads as just his fee for his part of the pre-op, surgery, and follow up exams. Each specialist and hospital department involved has its own line charge towards the total.

Heck the doctor that read my pre-op EKG test to check off a box marked normal on a computer screen, charged the insurance company $475 of which he will see $90 for. And how long does take to read a foot long piece of graph paper with green, yellow and red boundaries to indicate normal, needs further testing, and abnormal. Then put in a patient ID # in to a computer and click off a check box. Probably less time than it takes you to log onto cruisecritic.

By the way I do understand how expensive malpractice insurance is which as a direct contract employee of the hospital the surgeon has to pay. (Which is the only overhead the surgeon has, unless the hospital is charging both him and me for use of the exam room.) I was a certified pharmacy technician until a permanent disability forced me to stop working and have seen the actuary reports on premiums for his speciality.

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Most US CEOs make an obscene amount of money compared to their average worker. Some do little to nothing. Some run companies into bankruptcy - is that a special skill?

2 feet seems to be a sticking point. What if instead of 2 feet it was 200 feet? Would that deserve a tip? If so, then we are no longer discussing what a porter is, but what the customer is.

Is being cheap a skill or require any special training? I don't know.

$20 to the porters at Port Canaveral, gets your bag delivered to your room the same time as FTTF [emoji6]

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We tip anyone who handles our bags ever (and that includes some odd things once and a while like my paper cutter) 1.00 per piece! Except the stevedores . . . then I usually do 2.00 per bag! And once in a while you just get someone that goes above and beyond (like we did at the Trump hotel) and they get more!

I don’t care what they make. They are providing a service for me. I don’t care if they’re driving a bus, moving bags, making my bed, getting me a drink...I’ll tip them for the service they are providing me. It’s none of my business what they make.

Do you tip your Doc when he is finished examining your prostate? I mean, it is a service!

These arguments make no sense "I tip because they provided a service." By that definition everything is a service. Do you tip the grocery store cashier? Do you tip your bank teller? What about your dentist? How about customer service folks you talk to on the phone, for any number of companies.. they provide a service, in fact... it's in their job title. I provide services all the time, and I do not expect nor would I accept.. a tip. Personally, I would question the ethics of a person who makes six figures, and then accepts a tip for a job they are already paid to do.

Luckily, I do not tip porters at all..we roll our luggage on an off ourselves. Faster and more reliable anyway.