Friendly Tranportation

[Simba&Nala]

Has anyone used Friendly Transporation (123friendlytransporation.com) before. Looking for any info, good or bad.

 

[Edd]

Friendly Transportation is not permitted at Orlando International Airport. You are dealing with someone who probably doesn't have the insurance that the airport requires its permittees to carry to protect you. I would advise you use transportation that is permitted at Orlando International Airport.

 

[mgilmer]

The regulations at MCO are quite detailed, but also make interesting reading if you are so inclined.

http://www.orlandoairports.net/gt/pdf/gt_regulations.pdf

 

[goofy4tink]

The general, everyday poster doesn't know diddly about permitting. I would recommend that rather than get into a discussion about 'permitting', each poster should just go to the mco website to get a list of those companies that do business there.
I have no problem with giving our various experiences, but I don't really want to get into the whole permitting issue. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation everyone.

 

[Edd]

Well, I do care and I don't like the idea that someone sits out there in lalaland and puts up a web site that entices people to think they are legit when they are shortcutting every law and regulation they can to make a few bucks. They put up a beautiful site, claim they have many cars and drivers, and lie to the prospective passengers. They than turn around and assign a ride to someone (driver) who nobody knows or maybe is not responsible enough to care for the passengers. I don't like those types of operations and I do speak out against them on the disboards. Sorry.

Permitting does protect passengers from scrupulous drivers whether those passengers involved know it or not. Can you imagine what people would be transferred in if there wasn't an agency controlling the companies, small and big.

 

[mgilmer]

Well, I do care and I don't like the idea that someone sits out there in lalaland and puts up a web site that entices people to think they are legit when they are shortcutting every law and regulation they can to make a few bucks. They put up a beautiful site, claim they have many cars and drivers, and lie to the prospective passengers. They than turn around and assign a ride to someone (driver) who nobody knows or maybe is not responsible enough to care for the passengers. I don't like those types of operations and I do speak out against them on the disboards. Sorry.

Permitting does protect passengers from scrupulous drivers whether those passengers involved know it or not. Can you imagine what people would be transferred in if there wasn't an agency controlling the companies, small and big.

I agree with Edd. The regulations are very detailed and are all designed to protect the traveler (mostly tourist types) who visit Orlando. I think there should be a disclaimer on any review if the company reviewed is not permitted at MCO. Keep up the good work Edd.

 

[Alesia]

I agree with Edd. The regulations are very detailed and are all designed to protect the traveler (mostly tourist types) who visit Orlando. I think there should be a disclaimer on any review if the company reviewed is not permitted at MCO. Keep up the good work Edd.

I agree completely. I may not understand all of the intricacies of permitting, but I want to know if the airport doesn't feel that a company is up to snuff.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

The lack of a permit does not necessarily translate into "unsafe" or "lacks adequate insurance." It simply means that they have not applied for and/or paid for a permit. I'm not going to speculate as to why. I'll leave that to the permit expert.

Would I use such a company? Heck no. But it is unprofessional and irresponsible to suggest that a company without a permit is unsafe or lacks the proper insurance.

 

[goofy4tink]

I understand, truly I do. BUT.....if everyone just goes to the MCO website, they will find a complete listing of all companies allowed to pickup there...it's that simple. Then, if someone finds a company there, that sounds good, they are more than free to come here and ask for experiences. It is all well and good to talk about permitting but I have a suspiscion that there may be a company or two that give decent service but that outsources their rides. We have gotten into too many arguments regarding who is 'allowed' to pick up at MCO and who isn't.

 

[Lewisc]

There are a couple of potential issues booking a company without a permit:

1) Everything may be OK. For example I understand some companies pay Sanford per pickup instead of paying an annual permit fee. It's possible a company that does enough business at Sanford to justify paying an annual fee may be able to give better pricing . There isn't anything wrong with booking such a company.

2) The company may be a "booking company" which will sub out the ride to a licensed company. I don't see any advantage to dealing with a "middle man" and see some disadvantages.

3) The company may be a gypsy company operating without permits. We have no idea if safety rules are being followed. We also have no idea if the "company" may be shut down before you're picked up. I wouldn't want to be waiting for a driver who was getting a ticket entering MCO property, and who was told to leave airport property prior to picking me up. Run from a driver who wants to pick you up at the airport Hyatt.

There must be a dozen car service companies that get mentioned on internet boards. Good companies that don't get mentioned. Most of them get good reviews. I'd be very suspicious of any company that offers "below market pricing".

Occasionally a poster will ask about a company which is offering transportation from Sanford or to the port for $50 under the market price. Inevitably a poster, sometimes the OP after their trip, will post a horror story.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

There are a couple of potential issues booking a company without a permit:

1) Everything may be OK. For example I understand some companies pay Sanford per pickup instead of paying an annual permit fee. It's possible a company that does enough business at Sanford to justify paying an annual fee may be able to give better pricing . There isn't anything wrong with booking such a company.

2) The company may be a "booking company" which will sub out the ride to a licensed company. I don't see any advantage to dealing with a "middle man" and see some disadvantages.

3) The company may be a gypsy company operating without permits. We have no idea if safety rules are being followed. We also have no idea if the "company" may be shut down before you're picked up. I wouldn't want to be waiting for a driver who was getting a ticket entering MCO property, and who was told to leave airport property prior to picking me up. Run from a driver who wants to pick you up at the airport Hyatt.

I think that is a great analysis/breakdown.

Bottom line--you don't know what you're getting, just like opening a box of Cracker Jacks (though the prizes were much cooler when I was a kid). Me? I'd stick with a known entity, one with reasonably good feedback here and/or on other WDW related sites.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think that is a great analysis/breakdown.

Bottom line--you don't know what you're getting, just like opening a box of Cracker Jacks (though the prizes were much cooler when I was a kid). Me? I'd stick with a known entity, one with reasonably good feedback here and/or on other WDW related sites.

Absolutely.