New York questions & advice required
Jan 28, 2002 | 10:12 am
#32
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Join Date: Sep 2000
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by carpeperdiem:
Carmel car service is just fine - post 9/11 there are many more drivers than passengers, so wait times are minimal (the way it works - you call them once you have your bags - they assign a car number and you meet them in passenger pickup area - typically 5 minutes or less.)
212-666-6666 or 800-9-CARMEL
Rates are typically $34 + toll/tip to or from EWR
The cars are OK. Some newer than others. The drivers are usually OK. Don't let them pressure you into paying cash, if you've pre-arranged credit card.
The reliability issue is a thing of the past -- i use these guys at least 3-4 times a week, and they've been extremely reliable over the past year. NEVER late for a city pickup and airport pickups are often a matter of weather and traffic... if it's raining and the terminals are all backed up - your driver can only go as fast as traffic will permit.
Also, EWR terminal C is much faster to navigate now... so that simplifies things.
Where you'll have problems: if you need a minivan - fuggetaboutit.... my "carmel is fine" statement only applies to sedans.
Book as early as practical, as they also have a recent policy where only a percentage of their cars are available at the $34 rate -- then if it's a real busy morning, and they "sell out" - the rate goes up... yield management in place for a car service... yeah....
Hope this helps.
cpd</font>
Carmel car service is just fine - post 9/11 there are many more drivers than passengers, so wait times are minimal (the way it works - you call them once you have your bags - they assign a car number and you meet them in passenger pickup area - typically 5 minutes or less.)
212-666-6666 or 800-9-CARMEL
Rates are typically $34 + toll/tip to or from EWR
The cars are OK. Some newer than others. The drivers are usually OK. Don't let them pressure you into paying cash, if you've pre-arranged credit card.
The reliability issue is a thing of the past -- i use these guys at least 3-4 times a week, and they've been extremely reliable over the past year. NEVER late for a city pickup and airport pickups are often a matter of weather and traffic... if it's raining and the terminals are all backed up - your driver can only go as fast as traffic will permit.
Also, EWR terminal C is much faster to navigate now... so that simplifies things.
Where you'll have problems: if you need a minivan - fuggetaboutit.... my "carmel is fine" statement only applies to sedans.
Book as early as practical, as they also have a recent policy where only a percentage of their cars are available at the $34 rate -- then if it's a real busy morning, and they "sell out" - the rate goes up... yield management in place for a car service... yeah....
Hope this helps.
cpd</font>
Jan 28, 2002 | 10:26 am
#33
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
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Posts: 31,801
If, and that's a huge IF they extend it, if you spend $500 in New York in January you get a free set of Broadway tickets at the Visitor's center. I have not heard one word about them extending it, but if they do and the dinners, hotel, etc all add up, you may get a free show too.
Jan 28, 2002 | 9:19 pm
#34
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York City
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Several lifetimes ago, the very first FlyerTalk get-together I ever went to was at Tennessee Mountain on Spring Street. More recently, if I want barbecue, and haven't had a fix recently in a much more naturally smoky place like Texas or Kansas City, I prefer Virgil's, near Times Square, to T.M.
Catman refers to The River Cafe, located at 1 Water Street in Brooklyn, under the Brooklyn Bridge (which is only one of six bridges across the East River, including a foot bridge).
I agree with the (negative) comments above about Carmel. I'd rather walk. Come to think of it, so would they, it seemed.
Catman refers to The River Cafe, located at 1 Water Street in Brooklyn, under the Brooklyn Bridge (which is only one of six bridges across the East River, including a foot bridge).
I agree with the (negative) comments above about Carmel. I'd rather walk. Come to think of it, so would they, it seemed.
Jan 28, 2002 | 9:37 pm
#35
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Rssrsvp:
I have been left stranded at the airports with a confirmed reservation several times. </font>
I have been left stranded at the airports with a confirmed reservation several times. </font>
[This message has been edited by JonNYC (edited 01-28-2002).]
Jan 28, 2002 | 9:53 pm
#36
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I used to take a car service to LGA early in the morning (from Queens). I got stranded twice, so I said screw it, I'll take the Q23 bus or the subway to Q33 bus. The bus has never failed me. 