Is tipping done in this situation?

[Pixelated]

I am going in for day surgery tomorrow. As I will be under general anaesthesia, I won't be able to drive home (DUH). I am taking a local medical transport vehicle to and from the hospital (I could take a taxi to the hospital, but what the heck ... and they do not advise taking a taxi home). This is most definitely NOT an emergency.

Do I tip the drivers? And what do I do if (as likely) I do not get the same drivers for both trips?

Thanks for any advice.

[Kit-Ginevra]

Who is actually operating the service-is it provided by the hospital and the drivers are hospital employees? And will it be a paid journey?

[Pixelated]

It's not an ambulance; it's a private company. And yes, I will be paying for it; it's listed as a "taxi service" for "the infirm and disabled" (I am neither) but its prices are considerably higher than the average taxi service. Their vehicles (vans) are "fully equipped" although it doesn't say with what ... I believe they can transport people in wheelchairs. I don't know if their employees are paramedics ... it doesn't sound like it. They identify themselves as "non-emergency" transportation, so I'm guessing no.

[csquared]

We used a "Wheelchair Transport" once to take my mother from the nursing home to the doctor. I found it funny that they called it a wheelchair transport when the put you in a gurney.

As you are Canada and this was Texas, your results may vary. It was more than a cab and less than an Ambulance. Two people, driver and attendant. Both were EMT certified, The vehicle looked like an ambulance, but was not equipped. If something happened, they would hit the lights and head to the hospital.

These were highly trained individuals. I doubt that they were Gig employees, So, no tip.

[Pixelated]

Thanks, all. The driver who picked me up showed up nearly 25 minutes early. I explained that I thought they'd be here at 8 a.m. (not around 7:35 a.m.!) and I'd be down as soon as possible ... translation: as soon as I'd put some clothes on! I'd just stepped out of the shower!

I did tip the guy who took me home ($5) because he made a quick stop on the way so I could fill the prescription for painkillers (that I may not even use). Well, I filled part of it. There was a 'scrip for Ibuprofen and a 'script for ... morphine.

I got the ibuprofen filled. The morphine is in the pharmacy's records, so IF I need it, I can get it.

Then I came home, ordered a shedload of Chinese food for delivery (can't drive until Friday) and absolutely stuffed myself. I was SO hungry. I also ate all four fortune cookies instead of leaving one or two for tomorrow (when I'll eat the leftovers).

One fortune read: "Try deviating from routine this weekend." Already done that, thanks.
Won't be posting anything about work as I'm off work for at least two weeks. Then I get a checkup from the surgeon who will tell me whether I need to take another week or two off.

Which reminds me ... I must apply for UI tomorrow. Don't know if I'm eligible but I think I am. Anyway, won't know it until I try.

[EricKei]

You get you some rest. We'll be here, pulling for you

You remind me of my favorite cookie fortune ever: "Ignore previous cookie." At the time, that was incredibly sage advice. I took it.