Exactly, His dudeness. Those employees can only get by if they're tipped. If ground staff are paid a respectable wage, prices for handling may go up a little but you know what they are and they ground crew are paid what they're worth.
Agree with you whole-heartedly about respect for the ground staff. Just the same as anyone you would do business with really. Friendly and professional. And yes, I've know a few unused plates of catering to be given to the ground staff to dispose of as they see fit
Chips