Ask Away: How much should we tip for airport wheelchair service?

A tip is expected for mobility help in US airports. Photo / Getty Images

Eli Orzessek finds the answers to your travel questions.

How much do you think we should tip a wheelchair pusher at LA airport? He or she would be taking us through customs and on to another terminal.
Rick

Technically, it's a service you're entitled to, so you shouldn't really have to tip — but this is the United States, where service workers tend to not get paid very well, with expected tipping built into their wages. And it's just part of the culture.

I've done a bit of research and the general consensus is that it depends on the distance.

US$2 to US$3 is fine for a shorter journey, but for a longer journey — or exemplary service — I'd go with US$5 to US$10. Since you're moving between terminals and being escorted through Customs, a larger tip would definitely be appreciated.

However, you shouldn't have to tip airline staff who push you on or off the plane — save it for the airport porters.

I have travelled a lot and always end up, within hours of arrival, with a heavy cold, which ruins the trip/holiday. When we were doing volunteering with Rotary, went to Vancouver, then bussed to Mattawa, in Ontario, I arrived with a terrible (I thought cold) but it was pneumonia. That was the worst experience.

In talking to other travellers, I realise I am not the only one who suffers from this holiday-ruining experience.

Is there any medication that you can take to help avoid this situation?
Lois

Travelling can definitely take it out of you. A long flight can sap your energy, as well as exposing you to the germs of all the people around you. Crowded airports and planes are great places to pick up a bug.

In fact, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found an average of 20 per cent of plane passengers surveyed reported respiratory infections within five to seven days of flying — that's a lot.

All you can really do is strengthen your immune system, so you're less likely to catch anything — particularly if you're an older traveller. Eat healthy, load up on vitamin C and leafy greens — and get a flu shot, if you haven't already.

Stress can also affect your immune system, so try to take things easy before and during your travels. Make sure you're getting plenty of sleep. While you're at the airport or flying, you could consider wearing a face mask. It might seem a bit strange here, but this is quite common in Asian countries as a preventive method.

You'll also want to make sure you wash your hands frequently or carry hand sanitiser.
Hydration is also very important, especially as flying can dehydrate you, so be sure to say yes to every cup of water that passes you by, or bring your own water bottle and ask the flight attendants (nicely) to fill it up for you.

Readers respond

Pauline Ereckson wrote in with a few tips for Denali National Park in Alaska.

"There are many places to stay close to Denali itself — Denali Crows Nest Log Cabins, Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali Bluffs Hotel and Denali Park Village, plus others," she said. "Prices are reasonably expensive by New Zealand standards."

She said most places had a courtesy shuttle into the Denali Park and she recommended taking a guided tour.

"It is unlikely that Carol and her husband would get to drive into the park as there is a ballot system which is entered months ahead, as they limit the number of vehicles and the times when they can enter the park.

"There is a Natural History Tour which is about two and a half hours long and goes about 21 miles into the park. The other option is the Wilderness Tour which goes right into the park for at least twice that distance and lasts for seven to eight hours."

Email your questions to askaway@nzherald.co.nz

Eli cannot answer all questions and can't correspond with readers.

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