Thanks for the insights. Life is good for me as I arrive PHX 10P and I will pick up the car that night and drive to the Marriott. I can use the 3 hour time lag I gain flying PHL-PHX that night to still get a good nights sleep and be up early AZ time and do a nice breakfast at the hotel.

I originally tell my friend to use the courtesy phones to call the Marriott for a ride when he arrives. But he's a laid back guy who will get to the hotel and want to linger a while. I want to keep him moving so that I can get up to Sedona and be on a trail early afternoon. That's when I start debating between the Sky Train and the rental pick-up building as both ways seem convenient transitions. I've casually been aware that there's a visitor parking area at the rental building, but I never pay much attention to the dynamics of it.

I think the car rental idea will work best, especially since I can go upstairs and wait for him there. It's a real easy jump on to I-17 from there. My PHX travels are always a learning experience as the I-10 on-ramp off of Buck Eye requires one to exit almost as soon as they get on for the I-17 to Flagstaff/Sedona -- learned that lesson several years back when I blow past the I-17 turn and use my "acute navigation skill" to realize the sun is on my wrong shoulder and I missed the turn a few miles before < Tuscon signs were also another hint . >

Really looking forward to a week of hiking. My buddy is an affable, but plunky south Jersey Italian with a gift for gab. Last year he came out with me & that trip teaches me that I gotta get him moving early in the morning so we can hit the trails. He's a Jersey guy who never hiked before ( though walking a dog through the woods is considered a hike to some folks in NJ ).

Last year he always asks me how long the hike is etc., but I tell him not mess with my "canyon karma" and to keep walking until we finally get back to the trailhead. He slowly got the idea of "canyon karma" and now he wanted to come back this year. So we're anticipating a great trip, but I just have to keep him in motion as once he hits the trail, he is captivated by what he sees.

Once again, thanks for helping me decide between options.

barry