Magical Express a mess this morning!

[goofy4tink]

Somehow back on day one of Magical Express I had doubts that three hours was enough time to reliably get guests to the airport 90 minutes before their flights.

Even a few towncar users have related stories about late pickups and having to worry about possible alternate means of travel. ("Everyone" says that 2-1/2 hours before flight time is proper for towncars back to the airport.)

Now let's imagine that communication was better. Say, the previous night the guest gets a call, "Mr. Doe, your DME bus will be an hour late. You may sleep a little longer or you may spend more time at the food court." That is of no help. I want the transportation to the airport in timely fashion.

Who saw the DME thread where someone related the story of a family forcing their way onto a bus and offering to stand? While that actually makes sense if I was punctual, "my" bus did not show and the next bus that did show was at T+30 or so, such an act would not accomplish anything useful because the bus would be delayed and I would still miss my flight.

Perhaps I'm overtired today, but I'm not getting your point here. If someone called me to tell me that my bus was going to be an hour late, I would imagine that they are going to have to offer a solution. MCO recommends arrival time to be 2 hrs prior to flight departure. Since DME needs to have a good working relationship with MCO, it would behoove Disney/Mears to get their guests to MCO prior to that 2 hr mark...or at least 90 mins prior.

In all reality, this just doesn't happen all that often. Yeah, it's pretty miserable for the OP and for those that it does happen to. But, I've used DME at least twice a year since it started...and I have never had a late issue. Sure, maybe the bus was a little bit late, but not more than 10 mins or so.
And there is no way I am going to be held at the airport, on that bus. If the driver tries to tell me he can't let me off the bus, I am taking out a pen and paper and copying his name down, right in front of him. Then, I am telling him that he is basically holding me hostage. I have no bags to collect, I want off that bus...now. Otherwise, he is being reported, to both Disney as well as Mears. They've tried that before and been told that they must allow passengers to get off the bus.

 

[vacationclub]

I am not going to defend each one of my points here.

So it's fair to say you admit that my counter-points are valid.

MCO officialy recommends that you get there 2 hrs prior to flight time. It is up to us to get there in time.

Getting there "on time" and adhering to the MCO official recommendation are two different things. EVERY airport recommends an abundance of caution when scheduling arrivals, just like DME does. It's called CYA. That's why it's a recommendation, not a requirement. Many people do not get to MCO that early. When ever I rent a car and return myself, I don't arrive 2 hours early. Only when using DME do I usually have time to catch up on a few chapters of a book.

Whether or not you agree with my desire to adhere to MCO's policy makes no difference to me.

oops, you just made a mistake. MCO does not have any "policy" that says you must get to the airport 2 hours before your flight....we just covered that. You're using the term "policy" to strengthen your argument about DME dropping some ball. Gotcha.

I fully realize that 'stuff' happens. But, when I am given a pickup time, based on my flight, and told that I may not be able to be accommodated on a later bus, then I fully expect that Disney/DME will hold up their end of the bargain.

When you say "their end of the bargain", I assume you mean..."get you to the airport on time to make your flight without any running or lateness". I agree. In the case of the OP and this thread...they held up their end of the bargain.

It isn't fair to expect guests to spend the last hour or so of their vacation, standing around, waiting for a bus.

You mean, as opposed to all the other hours coming in and during their vacation? And they didn't LOSE any time, this was time they'd either be spending in the gift shop, sitting at the gate, waiting on the bus, either way. Their take-off time is absolute....nobody lost any time in life here.

They could have been doing something else.

Like what?

Either put buses on an every 30 min schedule and you can board any bus you choose, or dispatch buses correctly.
It's wrong to tell a guest when to arrive for their bus and then to not provide a bus.

It's just as wrong to do that as it is to open a theme park and make people wait to do stuff. Some people could argue it's "wrong" to make you get to a bus stop 3 hours before a flight when 2.5 hours would be fine.

OH, and the RAC people telling the guest that the buses were late??? Funny thing about that...RAC has absolutely nothing to do with DME. Sure, they may give out info, but that info is nothing I would 'take to the bank'. They have no way of knowing exactly what is going on with the buses. Other than perhaps overhearing a driver saying something to someone else.

And yet, in the OP's situation, RAC was EXACTLY CORRECT. Buses were late. OP already knows that something is up. DME guy comes out to ask about international travelers and puts them in a cab. OP still knows something is up, but DME is on the case for those that are most at risk. OP talks to DME, not once, but twice, both times told buses are on the way. The reason WHY they are late in insignificant. Who cares why. It only matters that they will still get you there on time. THEY DID THAT.

Disney told their guest when to go to the bus stop, what time they would be picked up. The guest planned accordingly. Disney did not provide the service they promised.

Of course they did. They delivered them TO THE AIRPORT IN PLENTY OF TIME TO MAKE THEIR FLIGHT. How do you not see this?

They inconvenienced their guest...

How? By causing them to doubt Disney?

I want to be at the airport 90 mins prior to my departure. That way I can get through security, use the restroom, buy some snacks, relax a bit. I don't enjoy having to rush...and any arrival time that gets me to the airport less than 75 mins prior to departure is stressful for me.

Did they OP specifically say that they arrived less than 75 minutes before departure? Disney cannot be responsible for different people's level of stress, or their response to events that may cause different stress for different people. If you are very concerned about this stress....perhaps you should ask for an even earlier pickup...not for getting to the airport on time, but to help with your stress.

And Disney has contracted with them to get them to the airport at least 2 hrs prior to departure...that's why they pick you up 3-3.5 hrs in advance.

Disney is not contracting specifically to get people to the airport 2hrs prior. That is a guideline for operation, not a mandate. And EVEN IF IT WAS, there is no contract between you and Disney that you get to the airport 2 hours prior. If you miss a flight because they delivered you so late you couldn't get there in a reasonable fashion, they I'm pretty sure Disney would both take care of it for you and compensate you. Disney has been known to compensate people from time to time.

And that change in layover time?? Nope, wouldn't bother me at all. BUT...if that change meant that I might not make my connection?? You bet I would be expecting help getting to the next gate in a timely fashion!!

Soooo....it doesn't bother you at all that the buffer for getting on a plane is eaten by one hour, but that same lost buffer is the end of the world when applied to this situation? Interesting. You added a huge "But...if...." at the end. Tha'ts the crux of this entire arguement. The big "IF". Since that "IF" didn't happen here.....you have a big hole in the water bucket you're carrying.

It's funny you don't mind having less time between flights than was "promised" to...."use the restroom, buy some snacks, relax a bit" but if that same situation occurs before the first flight, you can't deal with it.

 

[Planogirl]

If the bus is late how long would everyone recommend waiting before getting a taxi? If someone already made a suggestion, I overlooked it.

I like to have plenty of time in the airport too.

 

[goofy4tink]

So it's fair to say you admit that my counter-points are valid.



Getting there "on time" and adhering to the MCO official recommendation are two different things. EVERY airport recommends an abundance of caution when scheduling arrivals, just like DME does. It's called CYA. That's why it's a recommendation, not a requirement. Many people do not get to MCO that early. When ever I rent a car and return myself, I don't arrive 2 hours early. Only when using DME do I usually have time to catch up on a few chapters of a book.


oops, you just made a mistake. MCO does not have any "policy" that says you must get to the airport 2 hours before your flight....we just covered that. You're using the term "policy" to strengthen your argument about DME dropping some ball. Gotcha.

When you say "their end of the bargain", I assume you mean..."get you to the airport on time to make your flight without any running or lateness". I agree. In the case of the OP and this thread...they held up their end of the bargain.


You mean, as opposed to all the other hours coming in and during their vacation? And they didn't LOSE any time, this was time they'd either be spending in the gift shop, sitting at the gate, waiting on the bus, either way. Their take-off time is absolute....nobody lost any time in life here.



Like what?

It's just as wrong to do that as it is to open a theme park and make people wait to do stuff. Some people could argue it's "wrong" to make you get to a bus stop 3 hours before a flight when 2.5 hours would be fine.



And yet, in the OP's situation, RAC was EXACTLY CORRECT. Buses were late. OP already knows that something is up. DME guy comes out to ask about international travelers and puts them in a cab. OP still knows something is up, but DME is on the case for those that are most at risk. OP talks to DME, not once, but twice, both times told buses are on the way. The reason WHY they are late in insignificant. Who cares why. It only matters that they will still get you there on time. THEY DID THAT.


Of course they did. They delivered them TO THE AIRPORT IN PLENTY OF TIME TO MAKE THEIR FLIGHT. How do you not see this?



How? By causing them to doubt Disney?


Did they OP specifically say that they arrived less than 75 minutes before departure? Disney cannot be responsible for different people's level of stress, or their response to events that may cause different stress for different people. If you are very concerned about this stress....perhaps you should ask for an even earlier pickup...not for getting to the airport on time, but to help with your stress.


Disney is not contracting specifically to get people to the airport 2hrs prior. That is a guideline for operation, not a mandate. And EVEN IF IT WAS, there is no contract between you and Disney that you get to the airport 2 hours prior. If you miss a flight because they delivered you so late you couldn't get there in a reasonable fashion, they I'm pretty sure Disney would both take care of it for you and compensate you. Disney has been known to compensate people from time to time.


Soooo....it doesn't bother you at all that the buffer for getting on a plane is eaten by one hour, but that same lost buffer is the end of the world when applied to this situation? Interesting. You added a huge "But...if...." at the end. Tha'ts the crux of this entire arguement. The big "IF". Since that "IF" didn't happen here.....you have a big hole in the water bucket you're carrying.

It's funny you don't mind having less time between flights than was "promised" to...."use the restroom, buy some snacks, relax a bit" but if that same situation occurs before the first flight, you can't deal with it.

I am going to make a general apology here to the majority of posters. I am removing my moderator hat for a moment.

My response to the above??? Yeah, whatever. No need to argue any points. That doesn't mean you're right..it means I don't care. Your points are no more valid than anyone else's. It's all about perspective.
So again...whatever.

Hat back on.

 

[goofy4tink]

If the bus is late how long would everyone recommend waiting before getting a taxi? If someone already made a suggestion, I overlooked it.

I like to have plenty of time in the airport too.

If it were me??? I would be looking for a cab at the 2 hr mark. That would get me to MCO at about 90 mins prior to departure. If security is slow (as it has been the last three times I gone through), it could take 20+ mins. Then, tram to the gate could be another 10..depending on how many trams are running, and if you just missed one. So, you could be arriving at the gate an hour prior to departure...and since boarding usually starts about 25 mins prior to departure, that gives you about 30 mins to use the restroom, grab a drink or snacks and relax for a brief minute or two.
If I was at the 90 min point, I would be fairly stressed.

 

[Ed J]

Lol

 

[vacationclub]

Originally Posted by Ed J
As long as I don't have to run thought the AP I'm fine with a tight departure.

And that's wonderful that you're okay with it. But, the vast majority are not.

You've taken a poll? How is it that you get to bolster your argument by invoking the "everyone agrees with me" defense?

They could have been doing something else rather than getting to the bus stop, ontime, only to stand there waiting for an hour. All while stressing about the lack of bus.

2 different things discussed here....what they could be doing...and their stress. Yes, they could have been doing something else. Instead of sitting and waiting in a seat for a bus....they'd be sitting in seat waiting for a plane. Either way, they wait 3 hours from pickup to departure. What happens in between is subject to flex. You keep coming back to stress. Disney can't be responsible for stress. Some people will stress no matter what. That's their own person issue to deal with. As long as.....IN THE END....Disney delivered, that's what matters. If the stress was unjustified....so is the complaint.

Sure you can...but you shouldn't have to. Why in God's name do you want to leave 4 hrs prior to departure???

To avoid stress. Isn't that the entire basis of your continued argument?

I don't want to spend 3+ hrs at the airport. 2 is bad enough.

Whoa, wait. Fist you say you MUST get to the airport 2 hours prior, that it's a "policy" of MCO (which it's not), that Disney is required to do it under contract and that this helps you avoid stress. NOW you're saying that 2 hours is too much time???????? Which side of the isle would you like to stand on?

Disney dropped the ball.

You've said this before. I questioned it. Your response was that "you're not going to defend everyone of your points.". But you're still attempting to make them.

But to not dispatch the bus to begin with??? Sorry, that's not a normal, acceptable action. The bus should have been dispatched.

Yep, I think we can all agree. Even a 5 yr old would agree with that basic argument. But that's not the issue. The issue is did this lack of dispatch cause someone to get to the airport so late that they almost, or did miss a flight? The answer for the OP is no. Yet this thread continues.

So, with all this in mind, yes, Disney messed up. It happens.

Disney messed up their dispatch. They didn't mess up anyone's vacation or flight schedule. Disney recovered from the mess up by using the contingencies put in place to begin with know as.....EXTRA TIME.

 

[vacationclub]

I am going to make a general apology here to the majority of posters. I am removing my moderator hat for a moment.

My response to the above??? Yeah, whatever. No need to argue any points. That doesn't mean you're right..it means I don't care. Your points are no more valid than anyone else's. It's all about perspective.
So again...whatever.

Hat back on.

Translation (using the same metaphor): I just got my hat handed to me. Thus, my only response to the pointed detailed arguments and rebuttals is..."yea, whatever". "I don't care". Way to take ownership of your position.

 

[Alexander]

This one is quite egregious and therefore deserves a complaint in writing, using snail mail, after you get back home.

I think this one is also worthy of being a glutton for punishment and using Magical Express again and if the problem recurs then writing another complaint letter.

It happened years ago (2007 maybe?) and haven't used DME since. We do have DME scheduled for the first time for our Aug/Sept trip, but I am not ruling out either a town car or going with our usual rental car.

 

[goofy4tink]

Listen, I don't have to argue my points. I can make them and then walk away. I can choose whom to respond to..as long as I am neither sarcastic or nasty.
While I say that 2 hrs is 'recommended', that doesn't mean I enjoy sitting there for two hours. That would be why I tend to get there 90 mins prior if using any other mode of transport than DME.
I use that 2 hr recommendation (happy now???) simply because Disney/Mears has a business relationship with MCO. They want to try to adhere to any 'recommendations'. I do apologize for using the word 'policy'..an oversight on my part. It wasn't intentional.

And no, I've not taken a poll. I don't need to. Most people, posting on this board, tend to get to the airport right around the 2 hr mark simply because they realize that security can take a long time and they don't want any unexpected surprises. You don't need to agree. I just base things on what I see here, on this board, especially after many years.

So, I have to ask...where you part of your college debate team??? Not sure why you feel the need to pick every single post apart, and look for something to nitpick about. But, this is America, and we don't shoot those who nitpick.

I am pretty much done with this whole 'discussion'...I've made my points. No need to bash anyone over the head with 'em.

 

[Alexander]

If it were me??? I would be looking for a cab at the 2 hr mark. That would get me to MCO at about 90 mins prior to departure. If security is slow (as it has been the last three times I gone through), it could take 20+ mins. Then, tram to the gate could be another 10..depending on how many trams are running, and if you just missed one. So, you could be arriving at the gate an hour prior to departure...and since boarding usually starts about 25 mins prior to departure, that gives you about 30 mins to use the restroom, grab a drink or snacks and relax for a brief minute or two.
If I was at the 90 min point, I would be fairly stressed.

I agree. By the two hour mark, I would be asking for a cab. When we have a rental car, which we do every single trip except for the one we used DME, we leave at the 2 1/2 hour mark because we need to drop off the rental car and give our bags to the curbside check-in people.

 

[Alexander]

Translation (using the same metaphor): I just got my hat handed to me. Thus, my only response to the pointed detailed arguments and rebuttals is..."yea, whatever". "I don't care". Way to take ownership of your position.

What on earth is your problem? Wait, please don't restate them all.

 

[vacationclub]

What on earth is your problem? Wait, please don't restate them all.

What are you talking about? My problem is with another posters logic....wasn't that clear enough? Or were you just using veiled language to say my posts are too detailed and take up too much real estate on your screen?

 

[vacationclub]

Listen, I don't have to argue my points. I can make them and then walk away. I can choose whom to respond to..as long as I am neither sarcastic or nasty.
While I say that 2 hrs is 'recommended', that doesn't mean I enjoy sitting there for two hours. That would be why I tend to get there 90 mins prior if using any other mode of transport than DME.
I use that 2 hr recommendation (happy now???) simply because Disney/Mears has a business relationship with MCO. They want to try to adhere to any 'recommendations'. I do apologize for using the word 'policy'..an oversight on my part. It wasn't intentional.

And no, I've not taken a poll. I don't need to. Most people, posting on this board, tend to get to the airport right around the 2 hr mark simply because they realize that security can take a long time and they don't want any unexpected surprises. You don't need to agree. I just base things on what I see here, on this board, especially after many years.

So, I have to ask...where you part of your college debate team??? Not sure why you feel the need to pick every single post apart, and look for something to nitpick about. But, this is America, and we don't shoot those who nitpick.

I am pretty much done with this whole 'discussion'...I've made my points. No need to bash anyone over the head with 'em.

To satisfy the veiled request from Alexander, I'll lump all of my repsonses into one dis-jointed post instead of responding to each of your points using the handy quote tool as it was designed. Alexander....this one's for you! Also, Alexander, please take note that my responses are actually about the same length or shorter than the person I'm responding to.

No, you don't have to argue your points. But you are, unless I ask you about them, then you don't.

Yes, you can choose to answer anyone you wish. You can post and walk away. Right again.

No, you are not sarcastic or nasty as far as you're concerned.

You actually DID say you enjoy (or least preferred) sitting for 2 hours because, in essence it helps your stress.

Yes, I'm happy now. But weren't you just being sarcastic when you asked if I'm happy now?

Yes, they want to try to adhere to any recommendations. Still agree.

Ok, so you haven't taken a poll directly, more of a very unscientific study of what people talk about on a board. Got it.

I wasn't a part of any college debate team. But I did go to college, and I am fully capable of seeing through incredibly weak logic without any debate team activity in my past. You are nitpicking about Disney(Disney's not dispathing a bus, etc, etc, etc.) and that's OK, but if I challenge you on that....then It's me doing the nitpicking. I'm just responding anyway I wish...just like you said said you can do. So, why are my posts nitpicking and yours aren't? Why do you get to nitpick but I can't? Why can you make claims and assertions but I can't? Is it because you might just be realizing you actually can't defend many of these nitpicks? So, you've switched gears and resorted to the "you're a college debater, just here to argue" approach.

Remember, I joined this thread by responding to the OP, not you. You came at me, so I've been responding to you since then.

And, yes this is America. And no, we don't shoot those that nitpick. What in the world does that statement mean?

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't agree that Disney delivered on what they promised. They promise to pick you up 3 hours before your flight time. So that is when they should be there to pick you up! It is not billed as Magical we-will-pick-you-up-whenever-we-get-around-to-it-within-an-hour-window-of-time Express.

They tell you when to be at the bus stop. They should then pick you up when they say they will. I'd much rather sit in the airport by my gate, with time to kill, knowing I will make my flight than be standing waiting for my bus to show up, praying I will have enough time to clear what can be a massive security line and make it onto the airplane.

 

[sam_gordon]

2 different things discussed here....what they could be doing...and their stress. Yes, they could have been doing something else. Instead of sitting and waiting in a seat for a bus....they'd be sitting in seat waiting for a plane. Either way, they wait 3 hours from pickup to departure. What happens in between is subject to flex.

Actually, you've got it wrong. Sitting at your resort waiting for DME is TOTALLY different than sitting at the airport waiting for your flight. Why? Knowledge.

At the airport, I know they will start boarding approximately 20-30 minutes before departure. Even if they're running late, you have about 20 minutes once they start boarding to make it on the plane.

At the resort, waiting for DME, you DON'T know when the bus will show up. Sure, they give you a pickup time (and say you need to be there 15 minutes before). BUT, if you run to the restroom (especially with kids), or run to get a snack, you risk missing the bus. If you miss the bus, YOU are responsible for getting yourself to MCO. Oh, and the bus may only stop for a minute, or it may be 5 (depending on how many people need to load, luggage, etc).

So, once you get to that -15 minutes point, you're pretty much locked into staying at the DME loading area... no matter HOW late the bus is. That's not the case at the airport.

Now, here's where the knowledge comes in... if Disney would have said "you're bus is 15 minutes late", you can make plans accordingly.

It still has not been contested, the bus the OP was told to meet NEVER SHOWED UP. Period. The bus they ended up riding was the one SCHEDULED for a later time. What if no one was scheduled for that bus? Or what if that bus was full? I guess the OP (and others) should just stand around, knowing DME was "late"?

By the way, I agree at the 2hour mark, I'd be getting a cab. I'd be letting Disney know there's an issue at least 30 minutes before that.

 

[vacationclub]

I don't agree that Disney delivered on what they promised. They promise to pick you up 3 hours before your flight time. So that is when they should be there to pick you up! It is not billed as Magical we-will-pick-you-up-whenever-we-get-around-to-it-within-an-hour-window-of-time Express.

They tell you when to be at the bus stop. They should then pick you up when they say they will. I'd much rather sit in the airport by my gate, with time to kill, knowing I will make my flight than be standing waiting for my bus to show up, praying I will have enough time to clear what can be a massive security line and make it onto the airplane.

I don't believe Disney makes a "promise" to pick you up 3 hours before. You book their service, then they dictate to you what to do to help them deliver you to the airport. They ask you to be in place 3 hours ahead since that's when they'd most likely pick you up if everything is on time, which it usually is.

It's not called...."Disney's leave 3-hours ahead of time Magical Express." Leaving 3 hours ahead is not part of their promise or their appeal, it's a free ride to the airport.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/planning-guides/in-depth-advice/airport-service/

Here is the web page on the matter. There is no mention of a promise to get you to the airport at any particular time or leave at any particular time. Only when you get the note the day before do they tell you that you should be at a bus stop at a certain time for them to guarantee your timely delivery.

Here's another overview that also makes no mention of when they promise to pick you up or promise to deliver you.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/transportation/magical-express.htm

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't believe Disney makes a "promise" to pick you up 3 hours before. You book their service, then they dictate to you what to do to help them deliver you to the airport. They ask you to be in place 3 hours ahead since that's when they'd most likely pick you up if everything is on time, which it usually is.

It's not called...."Disney's leave 3-hours ahead of time Magical Express." Leaving 3 hours ahead is not part of their promise or their appeal, it's a free ride to the airport.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/planning-guides/in-depth-advice/airport-service/

Here is the web page on the matter. There is no mention of a promise to get you to the airport at any particular time or leave at any particular time. Only when you get the note the day before do they tell you that you should be at a bus stop at a certain time for them to guarantee your timely delivery.

Here's another overview that also makes no mention of when they promise to pick you up or promise to deliver you.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/transportation/magical-express.htm

Do you disagree with any of the following:

*Disney told the OP what time to meet the DME bus.
*Disney requests you be there 15 minutes before your assigned time.
*The OP was only told their bus would be "late".
*The OP's bus NEVER SHOWED UP.

Now, are you OK with Disney saying "We will provide you with a ride to the airport provided you are at the bus stop 15 minutes before 'x' time" and then not sending a bus for the OP to get on?

Again, the bus they road was NOT their assigned bus, it was NOT sent for them, and they were fortunate a later bus had enough room. And you see no problem with this?

Please tell us... at what point would YOU "give up" on ME and make other transportation arrangements? 2 hours before your flight? 1 hour before your flight? 30 minutes?

 

[vacationclub]

Now, here's where the knowledge comes in... if Disney would have said "you're bus is 15 minutes late", you can make plans accordingly.

I see the point you're making, but it really only applies if the bus was so late that is caused someone to miss all opportunity for even a bathroom break. I don't beleive the OP stated that. In fact, the story ended when they got on the bus 50 minutes late, which means they probably still made it to the airport 90 minutes ahead of departure, more than likely enough time to make a rest-room break. A sit down meal....probably not. The OP didn't complain about any of that, though. The only complaint was the lack of info which may not have been available. And, even if they have a very good idea they don't want to commit to it since the OP could have done exactly what you're suggesting...go to the bathroom, get a snack....then miss the bus. Guess who the OP blames? The guy who said the bus will be here in 8 minutes when it really arrived in 6 minutes. That's probably why the just tell people to sit tight and bear with us.

 

[sam_gordon]

I see the point you're making, but it really only applies if the bus was so late that is caused someone to miss all opportunity for even a bathroom break. I don't beleive the OP stated that. In fact, the story ended when they got on the bus 50 minutes late, which means they probably still made it to the airport 90 minutes ahead of departure, more than likely enough time to make a rest-room break. A sit down meal....probably not. The OP didn't complain about any of that, though. The only complaint was the lack of info which may not have been available. And, even if they have a very good idea they don't want to commit to it since the OP could have done exactly what you're suggesting...go to the bathroom, get a snack....then miss the bus. Guess who the OP blames? The guy who said the bus will be here in 8 minutes when it really arrived in 6 minutes. That's probably why the just tell people to sit tight and bear with us.

So you won't answer any of the questions I asked?

I actually have a couple points...
1) The OP's bus NEVER SHOWED UP. I'm amazed you don't see that as a problem.
2) DME travelers are basically forced to stay AT the DME pickup area from 15 minutes before their scheduled pickup until the bus arrives, no matter how late.