ME Bus full of people is left at Gas station by driver

[mulgar]

What I would like to know is why people think that posting a few bad stories about anything is going to destroy what I have to beleive is a multi million dollar investment made by the folks at Disney.
I understand that there are many many people that use these boards to plan a trip but come on. I would think that the true majority of trravelers just go and do not research much at all.
That said here is hoping that bashing something that you are jealous of is not the way to win many fans.
So in the future how about some links to a news story or two when you decide to put something down as factual.

Sorry to rant but this is getting silly
Shawn

 

[texas munchkin]

A few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.[/QUOTE]


That's true, but it can also be said of any group of people. Not exactly fair to the bunch, is it? I have no problem with the OP getting the flaming, just see no reason to punish a whole group of people who have nothing to with it. How you feel if you were in the bunch that was being spoiled?

 

[kycat]

I feel bad for any who are losing income because of ME…but this is not the way to win back your customers. Be up front…state your case…tell us why we should still use your service. There are still good reasons.

 

[kycat]

By the way....Yomecage

I hope that you have atleast had the opprotunity to eat at the "Morrocon" restaurant.

 

[band_man]

I too wish these "trolls" would stop. I need accurate information to plan. I am also one of those who doesn't see the logic in their thinking that these posts will help them compete with Disney.

That said, I took a town car for a quick trip back to MCO in March and I asked the driver about ME. I was saddened by his story. He was worried. He said that his company just had a few cars, that he had worked for years to get it to that point and now he was worried that he may have to sell off his fleet. He said if that happened he did not know where he would go or what he would do. He said that many others were in the same boat.

Free enterprise is free enterprise, but I am sympathetic. Maybe that is what is driving some of these "trolls". They are scared for their livelyhood and don't really know what to do about it so they are grasping at straws.

Here's hoping that ME works out all the bugs and is a huge success and that the independent trans. guys find their niche.

 

[Mykelogan]

Yomecage, buddy! That story is nothing!!!
I heard that one of the ME busses got accidentally driven into the Everglades because the driver was so upset that he refused to watch the road!! And then, while all the passengers cried and wailed, "Why Oh Why! Did we take this infernal free transportation!!!", a talking alligator climbed on board wearing a Universal Studios T-shirt. The gator drove the bus out of the marsh and straight to Universal Citywalk through the front door of Emeril's! Luckily for them, Emeril was there that day and sauteed the offending gator in a brown butter sauce with extra Bam! After lunch, Emeril drove the ME bus over to WDW while Jimmy Buffet serenated the passengers. Guest Services of course was apologetic and comp'd everyones rooms upgrading them to AKL Concierge and offering a special dinner that night at V&A for them. My cousin's nephew's best friend's grandmother's gardener's son's uncle's daughter is a CM at the Haunted Mansion and she swears this is true! If you ask me, avoid the ME because their luggage got wet in the swamp and no one replaced it for them!!!!


Mike

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Mykelogan--> That was terrific!

 

[Tracie]

yomecage, I guess you decided not to be "quiet" anymore!!!

Why don't you try trolling on trip advisor!

 

[manning]

Maybe they added it as a grocery stop and didn't tell anyone.

Most likely he was mad because nobody bought him any groceries.

Come on folks, at least a twinkie!!!

 

[localdriver]

I am glad I am gone from FLorida. I just got a call from my friends in Orlando and they told me that last week or the week before a ME bus was left at a gas station by a pissed off driver and it was full of people !!!!OUCH!!! I hear that the drivers are being either fired or are quiting one after the other. They even changed the look of the uniforms they wear. They no longer have mears badges on them..

I was told that the drivers were loading the buses and then just walking away from the bus after it was full at the airport...


I hope Disney removes Mears from the ME and puts in there own buses! I hear they have 1000 bus drivers already for their own system. Maybe they can extend it a little more to include the ME!!!!

A little light on the subject. Yes this did happen, as I've been told. As a Mears Driver, I do not condone such behavior, and feel this conduct represents the absolute worst in work ethics. Taking out frustrations on you, the guest/passenger is not cool IMHO. I, would never consider such an action. Fortunately, this was an isolated deal.

In general, the drivers, including me, aren't particularly pleased with Disney's push that ALL gratuituies are included when, infact, we are excluded. How nice. And want us to feel warm and fuzzy about DME.

We don't work for Disney. Disney would love for you to think we do. That's why we have special epaulets with Mickey with wings on them.

The info you get and view on video(video has been changed to exclude references on gratuities among all the fussing) is about luggage and bell services, pertaining to inbound, delivered to your room luggage services only. Nothing in your info is about the drivers or other services, say, if you choose to claim your own luggage, and such services you may receive upon arrival or departure. Disney, seems to conveniently leave that part out. What is complimentary is the ride, that's it.

If you haul your luggage, inbound, or outbound to the bus, and the driver loads and unloads it to your satisfaction, gives you a comfortable, safe ride, and does so efficiently and professionally, then customary standards should apply.

Otherwise, Disney needs to pay a trip fee to the drivers comparable to what they do for the DCL drivers.

When Uncle Mickey says All included, most tend to believe, and it is not good, when he doesn't say the truth.

And as far as Disney Transport Drivers doing what we do. They would not like the luggage at the pay...trust me, they are Union. So same deal times alot. I'm sure if their contract included luggage handling, it would pay alot different.

JMHO

 

[bytheblood]

I will just say this... I am now very hesitant to use ANY town car in Orlando. I firmly belive that some of this "bashing" is coming from them and IMHO right now they are all guilty by association. .

While I agree that the OP is an obvious troll, I don't think it's fair to lump all the town car companies together. They are independent businesses and have nothing to do with each other. Believe it or not, some of them are just honest guys trying to make a living and would never resort to this type of behavior. Not trying to convince you of anything, that's just my opinion.

Thank you, fellow Texan. I could never see a company like Murray Hills doing this. As a matter of fact, when I contacted them to cancel and let them know I would be taking ME, they were very nice about it. Told me that if I did change my mind to call them back, thanked me for considering them and that they valued me as a customer.

 

[bytheblood]

localdriver, with all due respect....you come across as a very disgruntled and bitter employee. Why don't you look for a different job? If you don't feel appreciated, then go somewhere where you will. Sometimes the best way to get a raise or more pay is to go elsewhere. That is what I had to do just 7 months ago and it was a wonderful change.

 

[seashoreCM]

I suppose that abandoning a busload of passengers would be grounds for immediate dismissal and a fine taken out of the last pay period's take home pay.

But maybe it was something more innocuous like an urgent need to go to the restroom (gas stations have those, you know) and it turned out he was genuinely ill. And yes this circumstance can involve cursing and cussing.

I also suppose that ME is a big change in the Orlando business climate where lots of people are going to take less. Mears won the passenger transporting portion, but probably at far less than $15. per passenger which is their normal one way fare. Resort baggage handlers (Tyler, did you do that also at Pop Century?) will be getting fewer tips delivering baggage to empty rooms. Town car companies will be getting fewer passengers. Airport skycaps and bus drivers will be handling fewer bags, too.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

Heads up! There are at least rumors in the transit industry where drivers say they don't have adequate opportunites to relieve themselves and say their health has become impaired.

News item, I think from Australia: City bus driver, angered by racial taunts from passengers mostly high schoolers, drives bus to company garage and abandons everyone. Suspended with pay. Ultimately company decides not to discipline him. Unacceptably rowdy behavior by kids leaving school is a known problem in many U.S. cities.

 

[paulmc80]

Thanks localdriver. Its good to be informed that Disney is not covering the bus driver tips for handling our baggage on and off the bus. That can one heck of a lot of work. If it weren't for posts like yours I for one wouldn't realize to tip the drivers. Some folks might say that I should know, but honestly did not. I have had tips refused many times by bell service staff at Disney and am always unsure as a result.

As far as I'm concerned any bus driver I've had, Disney or otherwise, while travelling in Orlando was top notch professional. Especially after the hurricanes last year when we were on one of the first DCL busses from MCO to the resorts after the second hurricane there.

I am always in awe of the wonderful and safe job these professional bus driving men and women do. I could never do what they do and with the tremendous skill I've seen them do it with.

 

[skiwee1]

A few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.

Not for me. I love TTC and Max is a great driver. I'd rather pay and have a towncar then depend on something that's track record hasn't been all that great.

 

[tnandi]

Hi,
I have never posted but we are leaving for WDW tomorrow morning and are looking forward to using ME. Even if there are delays it seems to be the easiest way to go. Will let everyone know how it was as far as wait time when we return.
P.S. thanks for all the great posts, they helped tons preparing for our trip!!

 

[bytheblood]

Hi,
I have never posted but we are leaving for WDW tomorrow morning and are looking forward to using ME. Even if there are delays it seems to be the easiest way to go. Will let everyone know how it was as far as wait time when we return.
P.S. thanks for all the great posts, they helped tons preparing for our trip!!

 

[ducklite]

localdriver,

If you are so unhappy with your situation, then maybe you should look for a new line of work. In all honesty, I wouldn't tip anyone who was so blatently demading one. And I tend to tip everyone--when I fly I usually have only a small tote bag and my pocketbook, and I still tip the shuttle driver. I wouldn't do so if they were acting like they expected it.

Anne

 

[VickiVM]

Hi,
I have never posted but we are leaving for WDW tomorrow morning and are looking forward to using ME. Even if there are delays it seems to be the easiest way to go. Will let everyone know how it was as far as wait time when we return.
P.S. thanks for all the great posts, they helped tons preparing for our trip!!

Welcome to the Dis - be sure to visit the Resorts board or the Restaurant boards for tips. Ask lots of questions as they have a wealth of info for your upcoming trip....Oops sorry, you're leaving tomorrow. Also, when you get back along with your report of ME Service, you can go to the Trip Reports board and give us a report about your trip, like your favorite rides, how you enjoyed your resort, where you ate, etc. Maybe I'll see you next week - we leave on the 25th

 

[DVCconvert]

After lunch, Emeril drove the ME bus over to WDW while Jimmy Buffet serenated the passengers.

Dude - You're WAY off base that wasn't Buffet!!!!


It was Elvis!