TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Wheelchair "driver" tipping

Because I have developed a bad case of sciatica, I've requested to have a wheelchair/assistance getting me off the plane to C&I, through the security re-entry line, and onward to my connecting gate in MIA tomorrow. I can only walk 100 feet at a time without having to relieve the stress on my back/legs, and have difficulty standing for any period of time.

I really don't know at this time whether I have one person to assist me all the way through, or different ones through each portion of me airport transit.

Anyway, I have no idea if tipping is expected/required (I suspect it is) and what is an appropriate amount would be. Any input?

Oh, and I do promise to do a trip report if that is any incentive to respond..

Thanks.

I have been using wheelchair assistance for about 2 years now. all with AA and it has been very good except for Reagan in DC. I went through Miami 2 years ago and it was confusing, but effective. There may be several segments, some in electric carts. The attendants in Miami are Hispanic and their accents made it difficult to understand. After C & I you will be deposited in a holding area near baggage claim. They will retrieve your baggage and then transport you to your gate. I did not understand the process, but it worked out fine. I am also hard of hearing. I usually carry several $5 bills to use as tips. Depending on the segment length the choice is yours. This past year in PHL connection was tight. I told attendant I had $20 bill in my pocket and if I made it, it was his. He got the $20. In Charlotte and PHL one attendant takes you all the way through to your gate. Leaving SXM I found the service excellent.

Cruzer let me try and allay all your fears. We find it excellent in Miami. As Blues states, a holding area first, they come and get you and literary take you all the way through to your gate. $5-$10.00 will be fine depending on the service you receive.
Now, I don’t know if you are renting a car at SXM but if you do when you return the car they will take you to the airport, so ask the person to get you wheelchair assistance and they again will take you not only to the gate but to the steps of the plane at Julianna. If not, then just ask for wheelchair assistance.
Not sure if Miami is your final destination on return but they were waiting with wheelchair and took my wife all the way through to our waiting car in the car park. I gave her $20.00 and so worth it...through customs and out in under 15 minutes and she stayed with us whilst waiting for the luggage! Regardless, find AA very good at this. Yes depends who you get to help but should be fine. Bon Voyage.

cruzer--have not done wheelchair from AA, but did it from Delta on our just finished trip, through Atlanta. On both trips, it was the same person who got us all the way through. Back through Atlanta, it was quite a production because the train was closed down for the night. We tipped $10 there. Upon arrival in SXM, you had to walk down the stairs, and I walked to the building, at which point the attendant took me through the local line, and waited with us to claim the luggage. We also tipped $10 in SXM.

Tipping is done when a service is pleasing to the one needing that service and not mandatory.

I don't know that anyone said it was mandatory, but I can say from personal experience that I was very thankful for the service.

Tell that to some of the restaurants that add it on regardless of good or non existing service.

Which reminds me Carol, you didn’t have the best of meals at L’auberge, but did You also notice that they lumped in the 4% tax nonsense on your bill. I questioned the owner about this. It’s not the money with me, far from it, but the ethics, as he said every restaurant on the French side should include it, well that’s not the case at all. Going off subject here a bit but after Tropicana it’s one of my favs and if there is a next time, just ask Pascal to take it back and redo.

Yes, I noted several restaurants added the tax. Frankly, I can forgive that better than I can forgive a TOUGH beef filet..

Thank you, very timely post for me. First time hubby will need a wheelchair due to a progressive vision loss, we are departing from Miami on AA in 2 weeks. Already contacted AA and they have set up everything for our departure and return. After reading some of these posts, I feel abit more reassured about wheelchair assistance.

An addendum: According to my wheelchair attendant in CLT the airport discontinued use of the electric carts. This is a very large airport and most of the floor is carpeted. Difficult to push a wheelchair on. Strange.

An addendum: According to my wheelchair attendant in CLT the airport discontinued use of the electric carts. This is a very large airport and most of the floor is carpeted. Difficult to push a wheelchair on. Strange.
When leaving SXM as soon as you enter the wheelchairs are grouped to the right. Just sit in one and you will be helped.

AA has discontinued use of electric carts in CLT. Rumor has it, that happened after a passenger was hit by a cart. I have had knee problems in the past, and a cart was a godsend. I no longer transit through CLT on AA.

I specifically asked the attendant if it was AA or the airport that cancelled carts. He said it was the airport. The rumor sited by Bahston sounds likely.

I have witnessed tipping when a women and her very elderly mother were assisted to the gate with a wheelchair at my home airport, PWM.

The wife has had to use wheelchair service for many years now. We either fly AA from Providence through Charlotte or Jet Blue direct from JFK. I certainly appreciate the help we get especially the return through customs and normally tip $5 in SXM and $10 in CLT or JFK. Do not normally tip in Providence as thee is no assistance with luggage and not a long push on the chair.

Thanks for all the responses. Looks like I'm all set to go, except for the crying about having to leave. It seems AA has me covered on all legs of the trip, including pre-boarding. We'll see how well I hold up on the 12 hour transit, but, for the most part, I can remain seated without much pain or discomfort. Too bad they don't serve Ti Punch inflight.

I'm sure it will be fine, except as you say, for the pain of leaving SXM.. Safe travels.