Why do we HAVE to use porters?

[mistyflannigan]

Who am I (or you, for that matter) to decide whether or not someone is earning 'enough money' from their job? If someone wants to moonlight as a porter, that's their business. I never felt bullied into leaving a tip and would report anyone who threatened me in any way.

[Gonzo70]

Who am I (or you, for that matter) to decide whether or not someone is earning 'enough money' from their job? If someone wants to moonlight as a porter, that's their business. I never felt bullied into leaving a tip and would report anyone who threatened me in any way.

 

Individuals do not make this decision, society does. People do not generally tip doctors, teachers, chefs etc. even though such people provide you a service because they are compensated for doing this service by means of their salary. People do generally tip waiters at restaurants because they have a reduced salary that is subsidized by tips. Same for skycaps at the airport and bellmen at hotels. The issue on this thread is not what specific salary an individual "porter" at the cruise terminal earns, but whether as a whole they fall into the category of doctors, teachers, chefs etc. in terms or tipping or if they fall into the category of waiters, skycaps, bellmen in terms of tipping.

 

Based on the signs at the ports saying one does not need to tip, some articles on Google, some secondhand information people have provided on related threads, and the information jmraggs obtained from calling the port they appear to fall into the category of job that does not warrant a tip - however some people have chimed in with important information that indicates this is not 100% certain.

 

I just e-mailed the assistant port director at Port of Miami about this topic and will report back if I receive a response.

[cruzendude]

Well, I am going to have to add to the confusion here; not for me, but for those who will or will not believe me.

 

My sister's ex-husband is a porter at the Port of Miami. He has been there for at least 5 years and does not make a six figure salary. He does not make $40-$60 dollars an hour. He does get paid a salary, but it is pretty low.

 

Furthermore, he is not part of the union that encompasses the longshoremen and the rest of the pier workers that work behind the scenes. The porters, or fronters as he called it, were not part of the same union, benefits, and pay as the men and women working the pier.

 

In the afternoons, he works a second job as a part-time security officer at one of the downtown highrises. This guy is barely scraping by. When he was married to my sister, she supported him, for the most part.

 

There you have it. I am speaking from personal knowledge. Don't believe it if you wish.

 

I think I will go with the port of Miami's info....and my own......KNOWING that the unions will never let a non union employee near the port....UNLESS..he is part time waiting to be full time in the union, that MIGHT be the only way he works in the port non union....

[Jeka]

Just curious, could there be some labor issues at the Port of Miami? We've sailed out of this Port a dozen times in the last couple of years(last being May 2, 2009) and saw no signs about not tipping. Also find it highly unusual that a spokesperson for the Port would comment on wages of the people who handle bags from curb to cart.

 

In all the times we cruised from Miami, we've never felt any pressure from anyone about tipping, Fort Lauderdale however is another story.

 

PS If you're unhappy with the porters/baghandlers/longshoremen in Miami, avoid Bayonne at all cost.

[Gracie115]

OK I am so thoroughly confused now that I think I'll just go with what my gut says.....and it says, "Hey you're getting on a ship...you've spent a lot of money to get here...what's a couple bucks..."

 

Maybe the guy needs it, maybe he doesn't...but if he DOES....at least I haven't stiffed him and if he doesn't....well...so I bought his lunch today.....obviously I could afford it if I'm stepping onto a ship....

 

Have NEVER been intimidated into it...and don't think I'll be intimidated NOT to either....

 

Do WHATEVER feels right for YOU!!

[luckyprincess]

For the people saying that it's weird to get salary information - its not. Unionized salaries are public info - I can find out how much the teachers at my school make, too -you can look here on this website. http://www.unionfacts.org/unions/unionProfile.cfm?id=104 You can see that the pay is pretty good. All it takes is a google search and you can find their information and many, many articles online. Apparently there are many ties between them and organzied crime. They mention that the president was paid well over $500,000 salary in this article http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804EED6173FF934A35757C0A9619C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all

That's from the NY Times, so I'd trust that, personally. They also mention that the union is falling apart due to their own corrupt actions, and that more jobs are going to non-union people. That's interesting for two reasons. First, I bet those are the low paid people that someone claimed to know. Second, I can't imagine that being a very comfortable place to work as you would be known as an outsider and taking jobs from the union employees. I for one, will look at the badge, write down the information and will look for the union words on it. If I don't see one I may tip if the person is friendly and performing an above and beyond service for me. It's still not a tipped position, so it's as necessary to tip as it would be to tip the guy at Target that takes a heavy item off of a top shelf for me. But if I felt he was exceptional I would. If I see the union letters, I won't tip because to do so is like tipping my Executive Director at work because he carries a heavy box upstairs for me. Make sense?

As a side note, I don't really get the 'I'm spending a lot of money so who cares if I spend even more on top of it?' attitude I've seen in some posts. Just because I can afford to cruise doesn't mean I want to waste my money. If that's the case than why isn't everyone saying to tip the person at the hotel desk that checks them in, the guy at the gas station that gassed up the rental, the girl at the rental car agency that gave you your car or the person behind the counter that checks your i.d. and passport to get on the ship? It's just a couple of bucks, right?

[Gonzo70]

Just curious, could there be some labor issues at the Port of Miami? We've sailed out of this Port a dozen times in the last couple of years(last being May 2, 2009) and saw no signs about not tipping. Also find it highly unusual that a spokesperson for the Port would comment on wages of the people who handle bags from curb to cart.

 

In all the times we cruised from Miami, we've never felt any pressure from anyone about tipping, Fort Lauderdale however is another story.

 

PS If you're unhappy with the porters/baghandlers/longshoremen in Miami, avoid Bayonne at all cost.

 

I sailed there January of this year and May of last year and there were several signs out both times saying one did not need to tip the porters. I think some people are so excited they are getting on a cruise ship they don't look around and notice them. I assure you they are there though; someone pointed it out on a thread last year and I looked for them on my last two cruises and there were several signs.

[jmraggs]

I believe you. First, anyone using scare tactics to get a tip should be reported and reprimanded. Second, it's amazing that any old Joe Schmo can call a place of business and find out how much someone makes just by asking. Not saying it didn't happen but I would be very skeptical of the information received. Can they do this where any of you work? Third, it's amazing to me that people feel it's any of their business as to how much money someone makes. Tip or not is a personal decision but I don't think I could decide not to simply because I felt someone makes "enough" money. Why should anyone get to decide how much is enough?

 

The guy I talked to said officially that the port has to be in the middle of any argument and not take sides, but he informed me of general answers exactly like I posted and nothing more. No one gave me personal salaries; all that was given to me was a general salary range which I think is not a personal question or answer. You can find out basic salary ranges for any profession whether it is public or private without getting personal information on someone.

 

Please call the phone number yourself that I provided as I only submitted what I was told, call it hearsay. I didn't know any of this before speaking with the port, so if the information is incorrect, it was the Port Customer Service person that told it to me. I called because I saw the debate going back and forth and I really wanted to know the truth, if it is the truth.:D

 

I think I will go with the port of Miami's info....and my own......KNOWING that the unions will never let a non union employee near the port....UNLESS..he is part time waiting to be full time in the union, that MIGHT be the only way he works in the port non union....

 

Unions are very powerful and like you said, a non-union person would never be allowed to work there if the position is a union position.

 

Just curious, could there be some labor issues at the Port of Miami? We've sailed out of this Port a dozen times in the last couple of years(last being May 2, 2009) and saw no signs about not tipping. Also find it highly unusual that a spokesperson for the Port would comment on wages of the people who handle bags from curb to cart.

 

In all the times we cruised from Miami, we've never felt any pressure from anyone about tipping, Fort Lauderdale however is another story.

 

PS If you're unhappy with the porters/baghandlers/longshoremen in Miami, avoid Bayonne at all cost.

 

I have never seen signs either, but I never really took the time to look, but I will next time! The guy at the port gave me a general salary range for the porters that pick your luggage up and place it in the bin because I asked if these people were working for tips or if they are already getting paid for the job. He basically left it up to me to decide to tip or not as he was not going to tell me one way or the other or he would probably get in trouble, that's why he told me basic information to let me decide what to do. He did say that there were signs posted saying "No tip required" if that tells you anything, but feel free to give a tip if you desire.

 

I am the last person to tell someone what they should do with their money, people have to decide on their own using whatever information that they have on hand. Maybe the salary range he gave me was including benefits I don't know since I didn't ask him that question.

[aurelius180]

In all the times we cruised from Miami, we've never felt any pressure from anyone about tipping, Fort Lauderdale however is another story.

 

 

I can say with 100% certainty as a statement of fact that when I was at the Port of Miami on June 8, 2009 there signs affixed to each pole at the drop-off point stating tips were not required. I probably only noticed them because of discussions on this board. Usually I'm only concerned with the signs directing passangers to the entrance. :p

[Gonzo70]

I received a response to my e-mail to the Port of Miami I sent last night asking if the porters are Longshoremen and if one should tip the porters. The e-mail confirms that they are Longshoremen. Here is the response I received:

 

"Dear Xxx,

Tipping is optional based upon their service and the porters are member of the International Longshoreman Association.

The Port of Miami prides itself on our customer service and its visitor's safety. If I can help you any further please feel free to contact me at POMservice@miamidade.gov.

Best regards,

Gregory Elden,

Seaport Customer Information Specialist

Miami-Dade Seaport

Maritime Services Division

1015 N. America Way

305-347-5515 Phone

305-577-6438 Fax

www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami

"Delivering Excellence Every Day"

[Aquahound]

Ok, now I'm thoroughly confused. To heck with you people. I'm going golfing.

[Gonzo70]

Ok, now I'm thoroughly confused. To heck with you people. I'm going golfing.

 

Can I come? :)

[jmraggs]

I received a response to my e-mail to the Port of Miami I sent last night asking if the porters are Longshoremen and if one should tip the porters. The e-mail confirms that they are Longshoremen. Here is the response I received:

 

"Dear Xxx,

 

Tipping is optional based upon their service and the porters are member of the International Longshoreman Association.

The Port of Miami prides itself on our customer service and its visitor's safety. If I can help you any further please feel free to contact me at POMservice@miamidade.gov.

Best regards,

Gregory Elden,

Seaport Customer Information Specialist

Miami-Dade Seaport

Maritime Services Division

1015 N. America Way

305-347-5515 Phone

305-577-6438 Fax

www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami

"Delivering Excellence Every Day"

 

Thanks for sending and posting the email which re-confirms what I was told, though I was told a little more since it was verbal and not in writing probably:D. The person I spoke with did say the same thing, tip if you want to, but they are receiving a salary within the range I mentioned.

[olemissreb]

Does anyone know if this applies to the porters in San Juan? We cruised out of there 4 years ago and I don't remember if we tipped them or not - too excited about getting on the ship!:D

[aurelius180]

Thanks for sending and posting the email which re-confirms what I was told, though I was told a little more since it was verbal and not in writing probably:D. The person I spoke with did say the same thing, tip if you want to, but they are receiving a salary within the range I mentioned.

 

 

I wonder if they're curious as to why people have been inquiring about the salaries of their porters. :)

[jmraggs]

I wonder if they're curious as to why people have been inquiring about the salaries of their porters. :)

 

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. They're probably saying "What just happened, we are being flooded with emails and phone calls suddenly":D

[Gonzo70]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. They're probably saying "What just happened, we are being flooded with emails and phone calls suddenly":D

 

Maybe all these calls and e-mails will open up a new union position or two! :D

[cruzendude]

Maybe all these calls and e-mails will open up a new union position or two! :D

 

haha!!!! perfect!!!!

[jmraggs]

Here is one of those signs that I never noticed from this past weekend:

 

[ATTACH]124419[/ATTACH]

[Cruzaholic41]

Here is one of those signs that I never noticed from this past weekend:

 

[ATTACH]124419[/ATTACH]

 

"Tipping of the porters is optional and based on service."

 

That sign says 2 things: Tipping is optional, and Tipping is based on service.

 

I guess it's up to interpretation, but to me, that sign does not suggest to not tip the porters. I will continue to exercise my option to tip based on the service they give me.

[jmraggs]

"Tipping of the porters is optional and based on service."

 

That sign says 2 things: Tipping is optional, and Tipping is based on service.

 

I guess it's up to interpretation, but to me, that sign does not suggest to not tip the porters. I will continue to exercise my option to tip based on the service they give me.

 

I am in complete agreement with you, I only posted the picture because I never noticed these signs before and I have always tipped in the past, well at least until I found out how much the porters make:D. I have always believed that tipping is optional based on service anywhere you go.

[FLACRUISER99]

Non tippers almost always get their tags accidentally:rolleyes: ripped off.

[vtoria98]

Non tippers almost always get their tags accidentally:rolleyes: ripped off.

 

Maybe in miami that is true but not in PC. The no tipping signs are all over at PC. I was there 2 weekends ago and I dragged my bag from the garage to the porter area, the porter grabbed it as I was about 3 feet away from the cart and still asked me if I would like to make a donation. I did not since i did everything and all he did was toss it on a cart. however Its different if i have a few bags, i may reconsider, maybe not.

[sandian]

Can someone tell me who gets tipped if you are transferred from hotel to cruise ship.

 

Thanks