Dangerous Airport Shuttle
 

A couple of weeks ago I took the hotel shuttle from DEN to the Denver Airport Marriott at Gateway Park. I took the right side aisle seat in the first row. As the shuttle was driving on the freeway I realized the metal post that is there for people to hold onto as they climb on the shuttle was about 1 1/2 feet in front of my head. With my seatbelt on (lap belt), I leaned forward and had no problem touching the metal post with my forehead. Now I’m thinking if the driver rear ends someone I’m dead. That metal post is lined up dead center with my forehead. The lap belt would actually make it more deadly as it would cause my head to whip forward directly into the post. I called the manager of the Marriott to let her know of the safety issue with this shuttle van. Not sure how a design like this is legal. Something I will watch out for on future shuttles or maybe I should just take a taxi.

Hmmm . . . I thought you meant a driver drinking a six pack or doing lines off the console from your title. Funny what we each consider dangerous.

I realize you were going to a Marriott, but don't think this is really related to Marriott per se. I'm sure the company that sells the shuttle sells them to multiple hotels, etc.

Also, I don't usually think about drivers rear-ending others when I'm in a shuttle & it never would have occurred to me to lean forward to see if I could hit my head, but realize that's a concern you might have. I'd actually be more concerned if the shuttle had no seat belts at all.

I was in Charlotte several years ago when they had an ice storm. Shuttle driver hit some ice, went across the median (not a highway) & hit a small tree. Some folk got thrown forward & the one that got injured did so because of no seat belt or not wearing it (Hilton chain). BTW - this shuttle wasn't the only one that didn't do well on the road. Charlotte doesn't normally get ice storms, so they didn't have salt etc on the roads.

If you're worried about the safety of shuttles, my recommendation is to take a cab - and put on your seat belt in the cab.

Cheers.

Without going too far off topic, Charlotte gets ice storms often during the winter. Charlotte does not get snow storms often though...

Related note- FI Newark International, this was in early February. I remember as I was getting on the shuttle that the sliding door from the inside was almost loose from the door, like it was hanging. It's really hard to describe but my guess was it may have been hit (possibly weather related?), the outside buffed out to look ok and sent out again for pick up. The driver also took it very slow, I think he was driving exactly the speed limit. The minivan was in pretty bad shape IMO.

I would recommend calling the manufacturer of the shuttle and the NTSB, although having been on many car rental and hotel shuttle buses all with similar configurations my guess is this was reviewed numerous times during the design and manufacturing process and for that matter already addressed and approved by NTSB. But IMO they would be the ones to complain to, not Marriott.

Another suggestion, perhaps choosing to sit in one of the other 23 or so seats instead of the right side aisle seat in the first row and your safety issue is solved.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just called and left a message with the NTSB Denver office. Wasn't planning on sitting on the same seat in the future. Was hoping my post would warn others of that seat.

The NTSB does crash investigations and makes regulations; it does not actually regulate transportation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration might be more receptive to your concerns - they even have a minibus section on their website.

Called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin. They referred me to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. They referred me to the National Transportation Safety Board. They referred me back to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.

And in push 9 you go into a never-ending loop you'll never get out of. Can't remember the comedian who said that, but sounds appropriate given the above.

Good luck.

Cheers.

I think we just found some good places for those budget cuts! :eek: