National - Poor Bus Service at LAX

As a national Elite (22 rentals this YTD) and almost an EE i keep getting lousy Bus service lately at LAX. Is it just me or are others experiencing this? LAX accounts for about 1/3 of my rentals. last week I waited 25 minutes at Terminal 7 for a national Bus. Three went buy indicating they were full (stayed in the far lane) . Their load appeared to be 70%+ at best. Seeemed that just did not want to stop that another one would be buy to pick us up. Well that went on for the 25 minutes.

Then the next day when returning the car and riding the bus this happened (which is a first). i was the only passenger left going to Terminal 7 and he stopped at United's International Terminal 6. I told him that i needed 7 and he said just walk. There was a national bus that went by us and stopped further up at Terminal 7. It was crowded up there. I told him again that i wanted him to take me further and he just said in very broken english...no just walk.

Considering talking to Mgr of LAX operations.

Thoughts/ideas?

Definitely bring the issue up with the manager. I don't use National any more, but on Hertz, the name of the driver and bus number are prominently displayed. To me, the "just walk" request isn't acceptable, why not "just drive." ;)

I agree with the OP that service at LAX has worsened considerably in the past year. I normally fly into T3 or T4 so I haven't experienced overcrowding before getting on the bus, but the drivers seem to be rude and unwilling to help with luggage, and there's often a long wait for a bus coming back to the terminals. Plus, the Executive Selection is uninspiring (Impala after Impala after Impala...at least some have XM on occasion).

The rates under my corporate contract still beat Hertz and Avis hands down, though, so despite the service and car selection issues I still use National at LAX when the choice is up to me.

There is a posting on another board - starwood I think - that the LAX authorities have severely limited the number of buses now permitted on site. This is to control emissions the posters state.

This might explain your recent experiences.

Not sure it does although that may be true. At least 5 hertz buses and 3 Avis stopped while I was waiting.

Anyway I will speak to the National Mgr for LAX. thanks for your posts.

I waitied 20+ mins for the National bus to pick me up from the United terminal when I arrived in LAX.

Then when I returned the car at National, I waited 15 mins while attendants supposedly on break kept pointing me to other attendants to be serviced.

The decline in service is defintely a trend...

I waitied 20+ mins for the National bus to pick me up from the United terminal when I arrived in LAX.

Then when I returned the car at National, I waited 15 mins while attendants supposedly on break kept pointing me to other attendants to be serviced.

The decline in service is defintely a trend...

Well I'm happy to say yesterday i got lucky. On thur Jul 6th in early evening walked out to Terminal 7 car rental pkup to catch a National bus pulling up. Almost fainted but was happy to be lucky rather than good. Just wanted to tell it like it is.