Just back-comments onDollar and Curbside Checkin

[sandyneck]

Hi! Just back from an incredible week!! Two things I wanted to mention. I have rented minivans from Dollar at least 7 times, I always get the same one and they always have integrated car seats. This time when we went to get the car, we were told we got the bare bones model and there were no car seats, but they could upgrade us to a Town&Country for a discounted rate of $5 per day. I said I had always rented the same minivan and it had the seats. My husband was there, so he just said to give us the upgraded one. Once all the info was in the computer the guy announced, oh yes, you were right, the first minivan did have the carseat?! Was he just ignorant or doing a nice bait and switch on me? Who knows, but just wanted to let you know, stick to your guns if they try this tactic on you. By the way, the T&C was really nice for the extra money. Second thing, I know there a many people who do not realize that curbside check in is NOT a service provided by the airport. It is a private company and the employees expect and at times demand to be tipped. I have no problem with this because it is worth the ease of check in, but if you are not going to tip, please go to the regular check in. Twice now I have seen them close down the curbside due to not being tipped by the last customer. Please don't ruin it for the people who don't mind the added expense. Most of the time the people do not realize they expect to be tipped. I think they should put up a sign or something. Just as a side note, we flew SW and everything was great. The pilot on the way down let my kids sit in the cockpit and push a bunch of buttons.

 

[DMRick]

The pilot on the way down let my kids sit in the cockpit and push a bunch of buttons.

While that is great for your kids..it doesn't make me very happy. What happen to the pilots being locked in the cockpit? I'll be calling SW today.

 

[sandyneck]

The plane had not taken off yet. Once we took off, the pilots were locked in the cockpit. Please do not be alarmed by this. It was a joy not to see the pilots so paranoid. They were watchful and you could tell they were checking out the passengers, but their demeanor was unalarmed but alert.

 

[shoes99]

You are right about people not paying attention that curb side check in is an outside service and not provided by the airlines. We travelled home from Orlando to Newark on a Saturday in February. Delta luggage check in was 2 hours, so we went to curbside which was 30 minutes. I had my tickets, drivers license, and 3 dollars in my hand and visable to the check in attendant. He looks at me with a big smile and says, now there is a prepared passenger. Seems no one was tipping. I just smiled back, tured to the people in back of me with my dollars visable and said , does everyone have their credidentials and tip ready for this nice young man. The couple in front of me had no tip, and no drivers licence ready after waiting in line for 30 minutes.

 

[DMRick]

The plane had not taken off yet.

Ok, that's a little different from what you said <g>..you had said the pilot on the way down let the kids etc...so I thought you meant, while the plane was flying. I couldn't believe it!