Tipping New SCA

[jmbgeg]

On long distance trains, when you have a new SCA who is learning the ropes, do you tip full or a newbie rate? Assume that the effort is theree but not the whole knowledge.

 

[Long Train Runnin']

Well if its the SCA on there first training run with the veteran sleeper attendant training them I would tip who ever did the most or split a tip between the two. If they are working alone then tip what you feel they earned. Some veteran attendants are worse then the brand new ones in terms of service provided.

 

[jmbgeg]

Well if its the SCA on there first training run with the veteran sleeper attendant training them I would tip who ever did the most or split a tip between the two. If they are working alone then tip what you feel they earned. Some veteran attendants are worse then the brand new ones in terms of service provided.

In my case, she was not tandem, and I paid the normal tip.

 

[AlanB]

If they're new, and working solo, then one should take that into consideration. In other words, if you see that they're trying very hard, but just don't quite have the knack of keeping everyone happy down yet, then I would tip normally. If you find them sitting on their keister in their room when your room is still waiting to be returned to daytime mode, then I'd probably not tip.

I once had an attendant on the LSL who was semi-new to Amtrak, but prior to this run had only worked the Superliners. It was her first run in a Viewliner sleeper, which does have differences from the Superliners. I had to show her a trick or two about things, like how much easier it is to hook/unhook the safety strap if the bed isn't fully down, for which she thanked me profusely. But otherwise she was working hard and doing her job, so I tipped her a bit more than the recommended norm, just because she was really trying hard and had otherwise met my expectations and needs.

If they're working with a seasoned attendant, then most likely I'd tip the seasoned attendant, unless by some chance that seasoned attendant was useless. If the newbie had somehow gone way out of their way for me, then I might slip them a couple of bucks separately, while still giving the lead the normal tip.

 

[sky12065]

On long distance trains, when you have a new SCA who is learning the ropes, do you tip full or a newbie rate? Assume that the effort is theree but not the whole knowledge.

We had exactly that situation on the SWC recently. Both did their job, were pleasant and helpful to us, so we decided to take what we would have tipped overall for a single attendant, add a little bit extra and divide it according to who appeared to do more and by how much!

 

[Greg]

On the Silvers, training wouldn't be difficult since all they're required to do is sit in the dining car all day and night.

 

[Chatter163]

On the Silvers, training wouldn't be difficult since all they're required to do is sit in the dining car all day and night.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[ScottC4746]

On long distance trains, when you have a new SCA who is learning the ropes, do you tip full or a newbie rate? Assume that the effort is theree but not the whole knowledge.

I don't differentiate the tips...I treat a day one person as if he had been there since April 1972 (or whatever the date Amtrak started). They are still doing the same work.

 

[Long Train Runnin']

On long distance trains, when you have a new SCA who is learning the ropes, do you tip full or a newbie rate? Assume that the effort is theree but not the whole knowledge.

I don't differentiate the tips...I treat a day one person as if he had been there since April 1972 (or whatever the date Amtrak started). They are still doing the same work.

May 1, 1971 was the day Amtrak came around.

Yes I was surprised when talking to one SCA about all the 25+ year veterans they have. Amtrak Inc. Always has a whole page of folks who have been working for them 35+ years.

 

[Bob Dylan]

On long distance trains, when you have a new SCA who is learning the ropes, do you tip full or a newbie rate? Assume that the effort is theree but not the whole knowledge.

I don't differentiate the tips...I treat a day one person as if he had been there since April 1972 (or whatever the date Amtrak started). They are still doing the same work.

On a lighter note, do we tip ouselves when we do the work while the SCA disappears or sits in the diner as OP asked?Old timer or newbie,

service is service and effort and pride in the job is what matters!Ill help anyone out when they are swamped or new but if the SCA is a no

show,no dough! :lol:

 

[sechs]

I don't differentiate the tips...I treat a day one person as if he had been there since April 1972 (or whatever the date Amtrak started). They are still doing the same work.

Agreed. Years of service have no bearing on a gratuity. If the person does good work, it's all the same.