taxi and shuttle questions

[bluegrizzlies1]

We are flying into long beach and flying out of SNA

LGB to hotel the cab is just as much as the super shuttle so Im thinking grab a cab.

My ? is how do I get a flat rate do I ask when I go to get in a cab or do I call them this week to get a cab at a flat rate?

From the hotel to SNA on the way home super shuttle is with tip and everything 8.26 a person you can not beat that anywhere.

My question is there is 3 of us but will the shuttle stop anywhere else to pick up more people? Also our plane leaves at 11:15am I dont want to stand around forever I think an hour before take off is plenty of time, What time should we have the shuttle pick us up?

And my last ? is my daughter is 4 do we really need to drag the carseat around with us for these 2 rides?

[ballarinamom]

You should be given the flat rate from the airport. Just confirm with the cab driver. We have never done the suttle but from what I have seen on the boards, they are not dedicated shuttles and you could have to make additional stops along the way. I have also read they get you to the airport 2 hours early. So they figure in the stops and drive time. Then they will tell you what time they will pick you up

[JustAKid]

I have been searching transport to and from hotels as well and most websites say they will rent you car seats. If you bring the seat from home, all you have to do is check it with your baggage, buckle it into the vehicle, then store it in your room until you leave and repeat the process in reverse. I think that's worth my child's safety!

[bluegrizzlies1]

Do we need to be at SNA airport 2 hrs before flight never been there before ?

We always hit long beach airport about an hour before the flight takes off just about right.

[disneynerd420]

My flight out of SNA on 9-30 was at 12:30 PM. The super shuttle gave us a predetermined pick up time of 10:15, as to allow time to pick up other travelers and incase of traffic on the way to the airport. They do this in order to make sure that you get to your flight on time, incase there are outside circumstances that will make your trip to the airport longer. California freeways can come to a dead halt if there is an accident.

[DizMe]

I almost always take Super Shuttle, with between 2 and 5 people in my party. On the way TO the airport, sometimes the van is full and sometimes it's just us, even when only 2 of us are going. Usually there is another party with us and they are either at the same hotel or very nearby. I got tired of waiting at the airport for 2 hours so when I make my online reservations, I give a later time for my flight than it actually is so that SS will give me a later pick-up time from my hotel. I read about that trick on this board so a big thanks to whoever it was that clued me in on that. I will add here that I always check in online and print my boarding pass at the hotel and I only bring carry-on. Caveat: you have to accept responsibility if for whatever reason you don't make your flight. I've never had a problem--I usually end up with an hour's wait anyway.

I don't know about the taxi flat rate from LGB, but have read many times that you can get one from the airport without a reservation. When we asked for one at SNA (John Wayne), though, they told us we had to call in advance to get a flat rate. We tried 3 taxis and none would give us a flat rate so we gave up. It might be worth a call ahead to be sure you get it. Here's a site with information and a phone number: http://www.anaheim-yellowcab.com/AirportService.html

ETA: I never brought a carseat for the shuttle. I don't know about the taxi rules.