Originally Posted by
will2288
Welcome to FT.
I am surprised you agreed that a $60 charge for thirty minutes of waiting time was fair, that seems very high to me (taxis in my town charge $24/hour, not $120). Perhaps it was more than thirty minutes. Either way, given the model of shared van services, it would have been fair if he had to leave, in accordance with company policy.
Thank you!
I didn't think of the $60 in terms of time spent waiting, I just assumed it was an automatic late penalty--steep enough to make sure people learn their lesson, but not outrageous either.
I completely agree that it would've been fair if he'd left without me. I was surprised he waited, but I assumed he knew his itinerary and that his schedule allowed for it.
Originally Posted by
will2288
I am not sure what you meant by, 'he decided I now owed him $101'. Why did the amount go up? Was he raising the 'waiting fee' or was the $41 for the ride itself?
I'd prepaid the ride, so this was him adding on to his fee. Again, I thought he was quoting official shuttle numbers, and that I'd get an official shuttle receipt.
Originally Posted by
tcook052
When you said "ordered" SuperShuttle do you mean prepaid the transfer? I've used them a few times over the years and FWIW have always had prompt efficient if not wildly personable service but have always prepaid.
At any rate it's semantics and MHO would be to just move on and resolve not to run late next time as that's where all the problems started.
I prepaid the ride online. I use them regularly and except for a couple of hiccups I've also been very satisfied with them over the years.
Looking back I would've started packing earlier--I would've been ready had it not been for a couple of freak incidents (laptop casing and bag zipper breaking 30 minutes before the ride). Hindsight is 20/20 I'm afraid
You got off CHEAP for a lesson to teach you to be ready when the Van arrives and/or book it at time you will be ready!
There is NO excuse for having him and other passengers wait, while you got your ==== together! You really owe the others compensation also for the Unfair Disservice they had to endure hoping to get to the Airport with sufficient time time for their purposes! What if they planned to eat a decent meal before boarding on a foodless flight?
Most people plan on being ready when their ride comes--this isn't a lesson I have to learn. My laptop broke at a very inopportune moment, and I wasn't able to make it down on time--these things happen.
Again, I was not expecting him to wait for me, and I was fully prepared to forfeit my shuttle booking and make my own way to the airport.
Really, the driver should have left you playing house immediately, since there were other passengers booked, or made the Penalty TWICE the cabfare you would have had to pay in addition to the Shuttle fare!^
You didn't concern yourself with the
passengers, who might have with held tips back for the tardiness and inconveniences they endured! It would have been nice for the driver to tell each of the others as he picked them up why he was late due to your lack of timing and let them aim their barbs at you. It might have saved hime some of their tips and let you stew in your own juices on the hot seat!
In thnking this over, you should really send him a Thank You card for saving your butt and maybe your flight with any additional monies you owe him! ^
That is more responsible then getting info from us or figuring out how to turn him in or trying to get some money back.
I was very apologetic to the other passengers--I really felt very bad for inconveniencing them so much. We all chatted on the way, and they all comfortably made their check-in times. I doubt they based their decision to tip him based on the van's late arrival (he explained he was late picking them up), especially considering one usually adds one's tip while prepaying online.
It really is commendable of you to stick up for the driver who I'm sure was just trying to do his job, but I felt robbed. He has my $80 and I hope he spends them wisely, but I don't want him pulling this on other people. I'm not sure what to do about the extra $20 charge if it hits; until then I'm going to email SuperShuttle asking for clarification. Thank you to all who've responded thus far!