Warning Prime Time Shuttle@ LAX- safety and fraudulent charge
Feb 24, 2007, 9:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: alexandria, Virginia usa
Posts: 1,092
Warning Prime Time Shuttle@ LAX- safety and fraudulent charge
During the winter weather problems last week we found ourselves flying from BWI-LAX although our original destination was SNA- Flights on the connection were full and we opted for the Prime TimeShuttle-(there were no rental cars) The driver spent most of his driving time readung text mesages @ 75 mph and the icing on the cake came with our credit card bill which had a charge of 345 USD although our signed receipt was 45 USD.
We contacted amex- so that won't be a problem but just a warning to others.
We contacted amex- so that won't be a problem but just a warning to others.
Last edited by naxos; Feb 24, 2007 at 9:13 am Reason: mistake
Feb 24, 2007, 9:55 am
#2
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
There was a lawsuit against PrimeTime at LAX a few years ago for its trying to use a big hunk of the public area as its private pickup spot. Even went so far as to threaten members of the public with arrest if they dared to sit there.
I am always amazed that folks take the shuttles at LAX. The service is not good (who wants to be fifth or sixth one dropped off on the way home). And, I have heard that various shuttle companies do not have adequate insurance and refuse to pay accident claims even when their liability is clear. If the drivers are reading text messages while driving, even more reason to stay away.
Shuttle taking can be dangerous. See this thread. http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=662107
I am always amazed that folks take the shuttles at LAX. The service is not good (who wants to be fifth or sixth one dropped off on the way home). And, I have heard that various shuttle companies do not have adequate insurance and refuse to pay accident claims even when their liability is clear. If the drivers are reading text messages while driving, even more reason to stay away.
Shuttle taking can be dangerous. See this thread. http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=662107
Last edited by biggestbopper; Feb 24, 2007 at 10:14 am
Feb 24, 2007, 10:20 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SF Bay Area
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There was a lawsuit against PrimeTime at LAX a few years ago for its trying to use a big hunk of the public area as its private pickup spot. Even went so far as to threaten members of the public with arrest if they dared to sit there.
I am always amazed that folks take the shuttles at LAX. The service is not good (who wants to be fifth or sixth one dropped off on the way home). And, I have heard that various shuttle companies do not have adequate insurance and refuse to pay accident claims even when their liability is clear. If the drivers are reading text messages while driving, even more reason to stay away.
Shuttle taking can be dangerous. See this thread. http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=662107
I am always amazed that folks take the shuttles at LAX. The service is not good (who wants to be fifth or sixth one dropped off on the way home). And, I have heard that various shuttle companies do not have adequate insurance and refuse to pay accident claims even when their liability is clear. If the drivers are reading text messages while driving, even more reason to stay away.
Shuttle taking can be dangerous. See this thread. http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=662107
Feb 28, 2007, 2:19 pm
#4
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Took SuperShuttle quiet often and was always satisfied... Anyways there ar 2 other options besides this:
If you under time pressure, well then a cab is your friend
If you have all the time of the world there is even the Fly2LAX bus !
Cheers,
If you under time pressure, well then a cab is your friend
If you have all the time of the world there is even the Fly2LAX bus !
Cheers,
Feb 28, 2007, 3:46 pm
#5
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Location: Pasadena, California
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My profile used to state my location as BUR, as that airport is far closer to my apartment than is LAX. But, I would often wind up flying out of LAX more often than BUR, as fares are usually cheaper and itins are more likely to be non-stop than out of BUR. Rides to and from the airport were almost always on SuperShuttle. And, of course, I was at the mercy of their schedule each time. The only saving grace for it was that due to my location in Pasadena, California, I was usually the first one dropped off and last one picked up.
However, I changed the location in my profile, as the LAX FlyAway has completely changed my airport preferences! I now prefer LAX to BUR (
); the LAX FlyAway has lowered the overhead of getting to LAX so significantly that it is now more convenient for me to get to LAX than BUR. I just hop on the gold line, take that to Union Station and take the FlyAway from there -- all for only $4.25, compared to the $28 + tip.And, it's faster! When all of the connections are smooth it takes ~1 hour to get to the airport; when they're not smooth it's ~1 hour, 20 minutes. Sure, the SuperShuttle ride can be as quick as 40 minutes, but when you take into account the fact that they pick you up way in advance and that you're on their schedule, I think the Metro-FlyAway option saves time.
So, let's see. I've got that the Metro-LAX FlyAway option is:
- much cheaper,
- quicker,
- more convenient,
- and, of course, safer.
The only possible occasions I can think of to take the SuperShuttle is when my flight lands too late (~11:00pm if I haven't checked baggage, ~10:40pm if I have) or I'm flying in and out of BUR (I have no car). Aside from that why on Earth would I ever take the SuperShuttle ever again??? No more waiting ~45 minutes for a Pasadena-bound SuperShuttle! Good riddance!
Feb 28, 2007, 7:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: OOL Australia
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Posts: 2,440
Do you mean the Union Station LAX FlyAway? I love that service and can't gush enough over it. ^
My profile used to state my location as BUR, as that airport is far closer to my apartment than is LAX. But, I would often wind up flying out of LAX more often than BUR, as fares are usually cheaper and itins are more likely to be non-stop than out of BUR. Rides to and from the airport were almost always on SuperShuttle. And, of course, I was at the mercy of their schedule each time. The only saving grace for it was that due to my location in Pasadena, California, I was usually the first one dropped off and last one picked up.
However, I changed the location in my profile, as the LAX FlyAway has completely changed my airport preferences! I now prefer LAX to BUR (); the LAX FlyAway has lowered the overhead of getting to LAX so significantly that it is now more convenient for me to get to LAX than BUR. I just hop on the gold line, take that to Union Station and take the FlyAway from there -- all for only $4.25, compared to the $28 + tip.
And, it's faster! When all of the connections are smooth it takes ~1 hour to get to the airport; when they're not smooth it's ~1 hour, 20 minutes. Sure, the SuperShuttle ride can be as quick as 40 minutes, but when you take into account the fact that they pick you up way in advance and that you're on their schedule, I think the Metro-FlyAway option saves time.
So, let's see. I've got that the Metro-LAX FlyAway option is:
- much cheaper,
- quicker,
- more convenient,
- and, of course, safer.
The only possible occasions I can think of to take the SuperShuttle is when my flight lands too late (~11:00pm if I haven't checked baggage, ~10:40pm if I have) or I'm flying in and out of BUR (I have no car). Aside from that why on Earth would I ever take the SuperShuttle ever again??? No more waiting ~45 minutes for a Pasadena-bound SuperShuttle! Good riddance!
My profile used to state my location as BUR, as that airport is far closer to my apartment than is LAX. But, I would often wind up flying out of LAX more often than BUR, as fares are usually cheaper and itins are more likely to be non-stop than out of BUR. Rides to and from the airport were almost always on SuperShuttle. And, of course, I was at the mercy of their schedule each time. The only saving grace for it was that due to my location in Pasadena, California, I was usually the first one dropped off and last one picked up.
However, I changed the location in my profile, as the LAX FlyAway has completely changed my airport preferences! I now prefer LAX to BUR (
); the LAX FlyAway has lowered the overhead of getting to LAX so significantly that it is now more convenient for me to get to LAX than BUR. I just hop on the gold line, take that to Union Station and take the FlyAway from there -- all for only $4.25, compared to the $28 + tip.And, it's faster! When all of the connections are smooth it takes ~1 hour to get to the airport; when they're not smooth it's ~1 hour, 20 minutes. Sure, the SuperShuttle ride can be as quick as 40 minutes, but when you take into account the fact that they pick you up way in advance and that you're on their schedule, I think the Metro-FlyAway option saves time.
So, let's see. I've got that the Metro-LAX FlyAway option is:
- much cheaper,
- quicker,
- more convenient,
- and, of course, safer.
The only possible occasions I can think of to take the SuperShuttle is when my flight lands too late (~11:00pm if I haven't checked baggage, ~10:40pm if I have) or I'm flying in and out of BUR (I have no car). Aside from that why on Earth would I ever take the SuperShuttle ever again??? No more waiting ~45 minutes for a Pasadena-bound SuperShuttle! Good riddance!
Last edited by Lonely Flyer; Mar 4, 2007 at 2:05 pm Reason: Nitpicker
Mar 1, 2007, 6:18 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
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Posts: 3,563
I live in southern california and drive 99% of the time to/from the airport.
My last experience with a shuttle at LAX was a few years ago and it involved several loops around the terminals trolling for more passengers before we got on the road.
I was so irritated that I asked to be let off at the next terminal if he was planning to make another loop.
Is this common practice? And does this still go on? the time involved/wasted on this is ridiculous not to mention the overall exhaust fumes and congestion in the terminal area.
My last experience with a shuttle at LAX was a few years ago and it involved several loops around the terminals trolling for more passengers before we got on the road.
I was so irritated that I asked to be let off at the next terminal if he was planning to make another loop.
Is this common practice? And does this still go on? the time involved/wasted on this is ridiculous not to mention the overall exhaust fumes and congestion in the terminal area.
Mar 1, 2007, 9:37 pm
#8
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
I believe this trolling is theoretically prohibited, along with a lot of other things which, nonetheless, are commonly done. The shuttles pay a franchise fee to the airport (although rumor has it that they don't always pay on time or in full) and appear to believe this allows them to get away with a lot of things.
Mar 1, 2007, 9:47 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,245
My last experience with a shuttle at LAX was a few years ago and it involved several loops around the terminals trolling for more passengers before we got on the road.
I was so irritated that I asked to be let off at the next terminal if he was planning to make another loop.
Is this common practice? And does this still go on? the time involved/wasted on this is ridiculous not to mention the overall exhaust fumes and congestion in the terminal area.
I was so irritated that I asked to be let off at the next terminal if he was planning to make another loop.
Is this common practice? And does this still go on? the time involved/wasted on this is ridiculous not to mention the overall exhaust fumes and congestion in the terminal area.
I hate shuttles, a co-worker took a Super Shuttle last and the driver was FALLING ASLEEP while driving. To the point where he was driving off the road, head down. My co-worker said he had to yell and kick the seat several times to wake him up, and asked to be let off, but the driver just kept apologizing and saying he didn't want to lose his job.
Scary stuff. My experience is that the drivers are of extremely poor ability.
Mar 2, 2007, 2:47 am
#10
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Mar 3, 2007, 4:22 am
#11
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Mar 4, 2007, 2:06 pm
#12
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Mar 4, 2007, 2:42 pm
#13
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Mar 4, 2007, 2:56 pm
#14
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I'll be back when I find it....
EDIT - Found something (but not the source I read before... http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister...le_1306420.php )... according to this article, it's a new Metrolink station to be built in Irvine, on the former El Toro Marine Base.
Last edited by IceTrojan; Mar 4, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Mar 4, 2007, 6:10 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: The OC ca usa
Programs: BA Blue forever!
Posts: 633
We have been satisfied with Super Shuttle except when it was once late in picking us up and then wanted to make another stop-I pointed out that we really didn't have enough time. For LAX international flights they now insist on picking you up close to 4 hours ahead of flight time! And LAX, as we all know, is not a nice airport to hang around in. As for the return pickup, we don't reserve as we're never sure about the true arrival time of an international 12 hour flight. I believe that Super Shuttle is allowed to troll 3 times around the LAX track. Metrolink from Irvine would be a start but what about PAX from the Costa Mesa/Huntington Beach area? Most large cities of the world have some type of public transportation to their international airport. We're tired of paying over $55 each way.