My EA Experience (9/19-9/24)

[Epscot]

I just got back last night and used National's EA service for the 2nd year. Actually, we had a large party and had 2 reservations. Our flight was late and arrived around 10:30 PM on Wed (9/19). By the time we got to the A-side garage (~10:45), the only employees we saw were the two people in the kiosks at the exit and two other guys on their way home that noticed us and quickly looked away. The pickings were very slim on the EA: one pick-up truck, one Mitsu Eclipse, one Lumina and 2-3 Corollas. We took the Lumina and got another one of the same from the Full Size aisle (which was also pretty empty). The only aisle with plenty of vehicles was the minivan aisle.

At return, the lady asked for our hang-tag and wrote down the mileage and fuel status and told us to take it to the other kiosk in the garage for our receipt. Last year they were using handheld computers to check in returning cars. What happened to those? Anyway, I was not quite as impressed with National this year as I was last year. Not just the (lack of) car selection, but the attitude of the employees too. They didn't smile or make any effort to seem friendly. I guess it didn't help that my car was on the verge of overheating on the day I brought it back. I told 2 different employees about it when I returned it and neither of them seemed at all concerned nor did they make any note of it (at least not while I was there).

 

[zulaya]

My guess is the reason you had slim pickings is that the people who were stuck in Orlando after Sept 11 decided to drive their rental cars home instead of wait to see when they could get a flight. That still doesn't excuse their behavior, but I think it is a reasonable explanation why there were few cars in EA.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

We returned our car the 21st, had a hand held check in, and all the employees we encountered were very friendly, BUT VERY TIRED.
The pickings were very slim, indeed. But, we ended up with a Bonneville from the EA. This was on the 14th at about 11:55pm. No hassle rental is what I like and that is what I received.

 

[CarolA]

I rented Friday morning and had a choice of a lot of Blazers, a lot of Mitisbushi Spiders, one Buick Regal and some other car (I think it was Grand Prix) I got a Blazer with 8 miles on it!

 

[Niagara2]

We were there mid - August and EA had no pickin's - empty!!! That was before it all changed andare we glad we did one last carefree getaway!