Train crew tipping etiquette

[AlanB]

Unlike any nice restaurant where nearly all tips are added to credit cards and are therefore recorded and taxed, I wonder how many Amtrak waiters report all their income.

It doesn't matter what they report as they get taxed on theoretical tips regardless. Not to mention that I know plenty of folks who don't receive tips and yet don't report all their income or pay all their taxes.

Actually last I knew reporting of tips was still largely based on honesty and it was not based upon credit cards slips. The IRS rules that I last saw require that employees of resturants report a total of 8% based upon the gross sales of the resturant. But it was still up to each employee to declare how much they actually earned in tips.

If collectively they failed to reach that 8% mark, then they could be subject to IRS inspections & questions.

 

[Meat Puppet]

Ask one hundred rail travelers about onboard tipping and you will get one hundred different answers. Here’s my two cents (figuratively, not my tipping suggestion).

First, note the quality of service you receive. The onboard service staff gets paid a decent wage (unlike restaurants, for example) so they actually make out well even without tips. Don’t hesitate to tip very little or nothing if the service is poor (and sadly that happens on Amtrak). On the other hand, be sure to reward the staff people who perform well. Tipping a poor server the same as a good one is really an affront to the good one. It will make the good server wonder why they bother to go over and above if the drone is making out just as well.

So what is a reasonable tip? I would say $10 per room per night for the car attendant is right for good service. They have to work just about as hard to service a single in a room as a double, so in my mind the tip should reflect the room, not the number of occupants. And even if you have a Superliner Roomette with no toilet, the attendant is the one keeping the common facilities clean. If they are kept clean, and if your room is serviced properly and timely, they should be rewarded. Double that tip is you have meals served to you in the room.

In the dining car, the typical 15 to 20% of the tab is appropriate. With sleeping car passengers getting free meals, that requires some math. At breakfast and lunch, the typical entry is $8, beverage is $2, and dessert (lunch only, I hope) is $4. At dinner the typical entree is $17, beverage (non-alcoholic) is $2, and dessert is $4. So figure breakfast at $10, lunch at $14, and dinner at $23. My tip would be $2 per person at breakfast, $2.50 at lunch, and $4 at dinner. More if you buy beer or wine (not free).

I agree with PRR 60 that tipping varies per passenger. I've tipped SCA's nothing, and I've tipped them $20.00 and everywhere in between. I try to leave a $1-2 on the diner table for breakfast and lunch and maybe $3-4 dollars at dinner.

My logic since I am in a similair work environment is $20 right to the sleeper attendant after boarding when your sleeper attendant takes you to your room. That will set the tone for your whole ride believe me especially on a multi night trip.

Dining Car...I usaally board during lunch hours... $10 tip no matter what I order only if you are on for a few days. This $10 tip will get you better service, seated by yourself if you wish, extra beverages and maybe even an extra dessert to take back to your room.

Lounge/snack attendant $10 first purchase.... he will probably come find you later in the journey to see if you need anything.

This is probably an expensive trip to begin with so $50 or so you blow on tips on the first day will just add more to this exciting ride.

I guess if you are ridin solo you dont have to do it, but guys riding with a lady, do this little extra and make the trip even more incredible. Whats $50-60 on a train trip of $800 anyway....and you agr trips should def include some decent tipping.

Remember tip first, it does wonders.....dont wait until the end to tip because then no one cares and you are gone.

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

My logic since I am in a similair work environment is $20 right to the sleeper attendant after boarding when your sleeper attendant takes you to your room. That will set the tone for your whole ride believe me especially on a multi night trip.

Dining Car...I usaally board during lunch hours... $10 tip no matter what I order only if you are on for a few days. This $10 tip will get you better service, seated by yourself if you wish, extra beverages and maybe even an extra dessert to take back to your room.

Lounge/snack attendant $10 first purchase.... he will probably come find you later in the journey to see if you need anything.

This is probably an expensive trip to begin with so $50 or so you blow on tips on the first day will just add more to this exciting ride.

I guess if you are ridin solo you dont have to do it, but guys riding with a lady, do this little extra and make the trip even more incredible. Whats $50-60 on a train trip of $800 anyway....and you agr trips should def include some decent tipping.

Remember tip first, it does wonders.....dont wait until the end to tip because then no one cares and you are gone.

I agree with you Meat Puppet. I consider tipping on these trips as an investment in my onboard experience. Several hours into my first day, I write a few words of thanks to my SCA in a simple stationary-style Thank You card, tipping $20 for each day of the trip. During the next fresh air stop, I pass it on to them with a smile. For them, the mystery is over as to whether I will be a good tipper. For me, I feel good about making the gesture and don't expect anything special in return. And yet I find that most of the time, the SCAs do express their appreciation in their own particular way. And if they don't, that's OK as I still feel good about doing the right thing (for me- not speaking on behalf of anyone else). In the rare case of a bad SCA, one could argue that I am in essence subsidizing their onboard apathy. And I suppose that is the risk you run when tipping the SCA at the front end of the trip. But if I feel strongly that the SCA was doing Amtrak a disservice through their onboard performance, the avenue of Customer Relations is always available. And it may even be more effective at invoking real change in that SCA than the minor financial discouragement of a poor tip.

In the dining car, I tip at or above my standard restaurant level of 20%, usually above. I agree with AlanB that these folks are truly a special brand of servers and attendants who are working under challenging circumstances. One thing I don't understand is why some patrons burn the staff with wholly inadequate tipping. It's not only just a lame move, but it's also a self-defeating one. My late brother Jay was a waiter for several years, and he frequently talked about how much the good - and bad - tippers are remembered by wait staff. Lameness aside, why would you burn your Amtrak server when there's a very good chance that you will be dining with him/her several more times during the trip? Again, I think good tipping is just a worthwhile investment to make in your overall onboard experience. People do remember! Even on subsequent trips when they see you again.

Of course, these are merely my own opinions and practices, and to each his/her own. I find topics like this to be extremely helpful and interesting as I learn how others do something universal to the Amtrak experience, and get to decide what may work best for me.

 

[rrdude]

I know plenty of folks who don't receive tips and yet don't report all their income or pay all their taxes.

You need to report those people. You owe it to your country!

:blink:

Report me, back in the late 70's I didn't report one red cent of tips to the IRS. Not one. And I sleep soundly at night. I will be glad to give you my name, full address, and when and where I worked for Amtrak in a PM. Report me.

 

[rrdude]

Unlike any nice restaurant where nearly all tips are added to credit cards and are therefore recorded and taxed, I wonder how many Amtrak waiters report all their income.

It doesn't matter what they report as they get taxed on theoretical tips regardless. Not really, server will be taxed on WHAT they report, supposed to report "ALL". If total tips declared equal less than 8% of gross sales, establishment is then subject to audit, but in most cases the servers will be required to pay the un-reported taxes, the restaurant just has to go thru the burden of complying with the IRS auditor, and if the restaurant cannot show that they ASK the server, and record their responses, (either manually or on a POS) the restaurant can be fined. Not to mention that I know plenty of folks who don't receive tips and yet don't report all their income or pay all their taxes.

Actually last I knew reporting of tips was still largely based on honesty and it was not based upon credit cards slips. Law stipulates you are required to report "ALL of your tip income, cash and that of CC sales." The IRS rules that I last saw require that employees of resturants report a total of 8% based upon the gross sales of the resturant. But it was still up to each employee to declare how much they actually earned in tips. Servers who report less than their CC reported tips are asking for an audit. The 8% is only a guideline. Virtually all POS systems today "ask" the server upon clocking out, WHAT they wish to DECLARE in tips. (The POS system also knows what each server rang up in CC sales / tips)

If collectively they failed to reach that 8% mark, then they could be subject to IRS inspections & questions.

My opinions in bold above.

 

[rrdude]

The whole argument is meaningless unless one knows what the waiter is paid and the pay rules. If it is close to minimum wage, It is not, in 1979, I was paid about $8.17 an hour as a waiter on Amtrak. In over one year as a waiter, I never once cashed a pay check, I lived off my tips, and banked 100% of my paycheck. But I was usually working the Extra Board, to make as much money as I could. then a good tip is in order. If it is $50K a year (plus Amtrak gives good benefits), that is a different story. If the waiters are compensated by the hour, then they get paid for those long hours only while actually working on the train. Not paid between meals (if there is a "between time") or when sleeping. and get time off between trips to make up for having to work long days just like firefighters who are on duty for 48 hours then go off for a period of time. For those not on Extra Board, generally true. Each route has different number of days on/off. Work 6 - off 5, work 4 - off 4, work 3 - off 2. Obviously the routes with more time off between trips are usually held by the more senior staff

Are they paid from the time they board the train until they arrive at final destination? Absolutely not. If so, that also makes a difference as they are paid even when they are not serving. For "waiter wages" (below minimum wage but with tips), the waiter is making next to nothing when there are few if any customers.

It might be useful to find out what the actual pay rates and pay rules are before deciding whether Amtrak waiters deserve big, good, minimal or no tips. I feel tips are in order for servers on board, because as Alan B. and others have posted, working on board is VASTLY different than any land-based restaurant. Away from home, (for almost a week on some bids) sometimes during high-ridership you NEVER get a break between breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The physical working conditions have improved drastically (Superliner equipment) but as you all know, there are FEWER staff, to serve even MORE passengers. I believe Amtrak is asking MUCH MORE of the skeletal dining crew today than they did when I worked on board in the late 70's, to early 80's.

My take is that the $5, $3, $7 for two persons for B, L & D is both reasonable and fair. Personally, I try to leave 15% of "printed menu-item price" for the check, if the service was just average to good. 20% if the service was above average.

Unlike any nice restaurant where nearly all tips are added to credit cards and are therefore recorded and taxed, I wonder how many Amtrak waiters report all their income. I never did, nor did anyone I know of who worked. But I imagine there is better record-keeping today.

 

[SP&S]

I find it truly amazing how rabid people become over the subject of tipping. Tipping is not required. If you don't want to tip, don't tip.

When on the train, I tip the Redcap - a buck or two a bag depending upon the service, I tip the SCA around 10 a night for good service, the dining car staff 15-20% and I make sure it's on the high end the first meal, and a reasonable amount for a drink from the parlor car. Of course, lousy/nonexistent service is rewarded with a lousy/nonexistent tip.

The diner is the one place where you can see if others are tipping or not. Those who don't, still get good service at the next meal. But the staff does notice and remember; for when Mrs SP&S and I show up at the diner, they're sure glad to see us. Call it bribery if you like, I don't care. Borrowing terms from the casino world, I've found it a whole lot more fun going thru life as a George than as a Flea.

 

[jmbgeg]

No offense, but don't these people get paid a salary to do all of the things that they expect a tip for? "Everyone wants a tip!" these days and I truly hate tipping! The food served in the dining car is all microwaved and not that great to be perfectly honest. I worked in a service industry for 15 years (Defense Commissary Service) and we were not allowed to accept a tip from anyone as a matter of policy. I really think this should be the rule on Amtrak as well. During our train trip from Orlando to San Jose California I only met one employee that I felt truly deserved a tip and she worked in the special section of the dining car where unique meals are served (cannot think of the name of this area). Amtrak officials - are you LISTENING?

Offense taken. This is an industry where tips are part of expected compensation. Get over it.

Unless someone is rude or non-responsive; tip them.

I am a passenger; not a SCA.

 

[California Zep]

No offense, but don't these people get paid a salary to do all of the things that they expect a tip for? "Everyone wants a tip!" these days and I truly hate tipping! The food served in the dining car is all microwaved and not that great to be perfectly honest. I worked in a service industry for 15 years (Defense Commissary Service) and we were not allowed to accept a tip from anyone as a matter of policy. I really think this should be the rule on Amtrak as well. During our train trip from Orlando to San Jose California I only met one employee that I felt truly deserved a tip and she worked in the special section of the dining car where unique meals are served (cannot think of the name of this area). Amtrak officials - are you LISTENING?

Offense taken. This is an industry where tips are part of expected compensation. Get over it.

Unless someone is rude or non-responsive; tip them.

I am a passenger; not a SCA.

I agree with the previous poster; the expectation of a tip for anything and everything is getting ridiculous in this society. If I walk into an ice cream store and the clerk doesn't curse me out or spit in the food, I'm expected to leave a tip in a tip jar for counter service. Soon we'll have to tip teachers, grocery store cashiers, the librarian, and all for minimal service (especially if your criteria is anyone who isn't "rude or non-responsive", which should be the very basic tenets of someone keeping the job they're paid to do and NOT a qualifier for getting a bonus).

Amtrak employees have a tougher schedule, but they are paid a salary, unlike waiters and waitresses who make less than minimum wage and rely on tips to make a living. Another difference is that customers already pay a small fortune to travel in first class/sleeper accommodations to begin with, and should not have to fork out even more money simply to receive basic service. I will tip if the service is exemplary (someone who has gone out of their way), but I will NOT tip someone simply because they've managed to stay upright and breathing throughout the length of the trip. Amtrak really does need to institute a "no gratuities accepted" policy.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Looks like I stand corrected on the IRS tipping rules. Thanks for the info (several posts further up).

I agree with the previous poster; the expectation of a tip for anything and everything is getting ridiculous in this society.

Well, then why don't you open a no-tipping restaurant or hair salon or whatever service you want and pay a salary that's equivalent to wage + tips up front? If everything is really spiraling out of control the way you're claiming it is then you should have customers beating down your door to escape the horrible expectation of tipping.

If I walk into an ice cream store...I'm expected to leave a tip in a tip jar for counter service. Soon we'll have to tip teachers, grocery store cashiers, the librarian...

Oh, so you're just here to groan and moan about completely hypothetical problems rather than actually discuss the topic in any meaningful manner. Fair enough.

 

[California Zep]

Looks like I stand corrected on the IRS tipping rules. Thanks for the info (several posts further up).

I agree with the previous poster; the expectation of a tip for anything and everything is getting ridiculous in this society.

Well, then why don't you open a no-tipping restaurant or hair salon or whatever service you want and pay a salary that's equivalent to wage + tips up front? If everything is really spiraling out of control the way you're claiming it is then you should have customers beating down your door to escape the horrible expectation of tipping.

Nice red herring. How about addressing the fact that help-staff in restaurants are paid less than minimum wage and rely on tips as part of their salaries, whereas Amtrak employees (long hours or not) are paid a salary?

Yes, tipping is out of control. No, I am not going to tip someone just "because". If they do a great job, then a tip is perfectly appropriate. If they don't, they'll have to fall back on the salaries they're contracted for (and apparently, gratuities from folks like with low expectations for what service should entail).