Had two National rentals in Alabama last month, one in Birmingham, and the other in Huntsville. The Emerald Aisle in Huntsville closed an hour early and I had to deal with the counter, something that took an hour with me on the phone to our travel people who were on the phone with National customer service explaining to the counter how to process the rental, which was just a standard business rental charged to a business account of a major corporation.

In Birmingham when I was returning the car there was nobody in the return area. When I returned the keys to the counter I was lectured that I had to return it to the people in the return area. When I told them there wasn't anyone there they argued with me, and told me to go back down to the garage. Then to prove their point they called down to the return area, and of course nobody answered. I ask to speak to the manager and was handed the phone and the person told me she was the manager, and all her people had just quit, and she was on her way to take care of the situation. After talking to her on the phone I can see why her entire staff decided to quit at the same time.

My next trip to Alabama I opted for Avis and have no stories to tell, just a good car and friendly efficient people working the counters.

Does National have some problems in Alabama, or did I just have two isolated incidents? Both locations claim to be corporate owned locations, but their actions appear to be more consistent with bad franchise locations.

Anyone else with bad experiences in Alabama, or was I just in the wrong place at the wrong time?