I was asked to tip the agent checking my bags — what do I pay all this money for?
Here’s a tip: Airport etiquette is constantly evolving — but bad manners simply will not fly.
A TikToker has gone viral with a minute-long video claiming she was asked if she wanted to tip an agent for checking her bag.
Addysen Drake said she was planning to pay for the bag check with a credit card when an unidentified worker informed her she could continue the transaction with a card and tip in cash.
Drake — who said she works in the service industry — expressed confusion about the need to tip someone after shelling out hundreds of dollars for a flight.
“What am I tipping that man for? What do I pay all this money for?” Drake wondered.
The video took off with 242,000 views since it was posted last week.
According to USA Today, the practice of tipping curbside luggage handlers is quite common. Experts suggest giving $1 or $2 per bag.
Several TikTokers arrived at their own opinions.
“If this was an agent at the TKT counter, big no-no. Curbside are contracted (diff ID badge) are allowed, but shouldn’t be asking,” offered one user who claimed to work in the industry.
“Literally EVERYONE wants a tip now, it’s crazy,” slammed another.
“Outside yes. It’s a convenience. Now, inside, that’s another story,” chimed in a third.
In a follow-up video, Drake said she was unaware of this custom.
“Before I made the video, I did not know that you tip skycaps,” Drake said. “But from what I understood, it was a pre-9/11 thing, and then it’s kind of been changed after 9/11, but it’s still customary to tip, especially If you have a lot of luggage.”
The video lands as Americans’ frustrations with air travel mount following flight cancellations, delays and luggage issues.
Drake did not name the airport or the airline she was flying.