In Turkey, Camp With Care

First of all, remember that tipping is not mandatory. Wheelchair attendants are provided by the airlines to get you to and from the gate at no extra charge. You may, of course, want to tip for good service, especially if the attendant goes beyond the standard duties.

Air Serv, an Atlanta company that provides wheelchair attendants to many of the legacy carriers, trains its employees not to ask for tips, said spokesman John Ridgway. But many travelers want to show their gratitude for receiving extra assistance, he said. "If there's some time before the flight and they want to get a sandwich or go to the restroom, we'll help them with that. I've seen wheelchair pushers that have been given a lot of money just based on their personality."

He said travelers should feel free to ask for extra help from attendants.

How much to tip is a matter of some debate. Online recommendations range from a couple of bucks to $25. One expert quoted on the AARP Web site advises starting at $10 and going up to $20 if the attendant helps with a tight connection, carries luggage or summons a taxi.

But Sue Maris Allen, co-author of "Wheeling and Dealing," a guidebook for travelers with disabilities, writes on her blog that two wheelchair attendants she interviewed told her only about half of their passengers tip. When they do, the average is $5.

As for South Africa, tipping is customary there. Hotel porters expect 20 to 50 cents a bag; I'd tip a wheelchair attendant several times that.

Spend a little time on Web sites catering to seniors and those with disabilities, by the way, and it becomes clear that not all wheelchair attendants are bursting with human kindness. Ron Smith, author of a book on consumer scams, writes on SeniorNet that he and his disabled wife frequently encounter attendants who refuse to help, are rude or ask for money. Travelers who experience such treatment, he said, should get the name of the attendant and report the problem to an airline representative. You can also report bad service to the U.S. Department of Transportation by using the form at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov; click on "Air Travel Problems & Complaints."

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