SuperShuttle

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I am making online reservation for SuperShuttle from LAX to Hojo's and noticed they had a space for prepaid gratuities. Has anyone ever done this before? How does the driver know that you have already prepaid gratuities?
Thanks!

 

[mAlien13]

It will tell the driver on the sign in sheet that you have prepaid a gratuity. This however, does not encourage the best service, especially not from a service that is well known for 'skimming' on customer service anyway.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

It will tell the driver on the sign in sheet that you have prepaid a gratuity. This however, does not encourage the best service, especially not from a service that is well known for 'skimming' on customer service anyway.

Good point, thanks.

 

[mAlien13]

I just read that back and realized how jaded I sound!

We have had some serious delays in our experience with Super Shuttle, but because we are so budget conscious, we will probably continue to book. What we have learned though is to count on it being at least forty-five minutes after checking in to be picked up, and plan on close to two hours from flight landing to arriving at DL. I think with preparedness and a good sense of humor, it will be fine. In past trips, when we actually thought our reservation time mattered, that was a wee bit frustrating. On top of it, the drivers we have dealt with have been less than solicitous. I was told last time, as I sat near the Tiki Room on a cell phone with customer service trying to figure out why my husband and mother had been checked in and sitting curbside with no pick up for more than fifty minutes, that if I wanted better service, I should have paid for their private car service.

Just plan for it to be a little longer than you would like, and in my opinion, let the driver earn his tip!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

As soon as you pointed that out, I so agree with you. I used SuperShuttle about 2 years ago and didn't have a problem from LAX, but I always keep in mind what could happen because I had your exact situation happen with MEARS in Florida!

 

[bumbershoot]

I got better service from the driver whose tip was prepaid.

I've also not had any issues with being picked up at the airport, they are always very fast. The driver (prepaid) at Ontario did do a drive-around hoping for more than just me, but didn't stop again to wait. He helped me get DS's carseat unclipped when I was having problems b/c DS had fallen asleep and I had already gotten him out of the seat. Very kind.

The driver from SNA waited only a little bit of time, just enough to get one more passenger who was staying 2 hotels down from me (and he dropped me off first). He was not pre-tipped.

The driver who picked me up to take me to SNA *could have* caused a problem, as he was over half an hour EARLY. But I gave myself plenty of time and happened to be there when he stopped by. Not pre-tipped.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

is there any way a super shuttle or something would pick up at the la grayhound?
(just asking sorry to jack thred)

 

[bumbershoot]

is there any way a super shuttle or something would pick up at the la grayhound?
(just asking sorry to jack thred)

You'd need to call them to ask.

But doesn't Greyhound go to Anaheim? Per their location locator:

ANAHEIM GREYHOUND STA
100 W WINSTON RD
Anaheim, CA 92805

Telephone Numbers
Main: 714-999-1256
Customer Service: 714-999-1257

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

How much are the SuperShuttle fairs going for per person these days ?

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

How much are the SuperShuttle fairs going for per person these days ?

From LAX to HoJo's, I paid $14/person.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

From LAX to HoJo's, I paid $14/person.

Thanks Pooh_Friend#1, I'm guessing it'll be like $10-12 for me since we'll be
flying in to John Wayne

 

[JadeDarkstar]

yes but if i can forgo the layover in la it may be worth it
where in compairson is san bernido? (closer or fearther from la? witch one would be better to go to hojos from in supershuttle) lol or would a cab be cheaper?)
i sware if i change any more this trip dh may blow a gasket lol

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks Pooh_Friend#1, I'm guessing it'll be like $10-12 for me since we'll be
flying in to John Wayne

I do believe it's $10 from SNA, unless they've raised it.

ONT, however, is massively more.

If you have the Entertainment Book, there's a coupon in there (or you can click through their website) for soething like $2 off each way.

 

[DebbieB]

I've used SuperShuttle many times LAX-Glendale (on business) and recently SNA-DL. I always pre-pay including the tip and never had a problem.

 

[disneyL0VE]

On our last trip from LAX, we paid $16/person for SuperShuttle ! Much more expensive comparing to what you all are saying =(. You don't have to prepay online to get on SuperShuttle though.

The drivers know that you've already paid by the person who stands at the SuperShuttle sign at Arrivals, they have a sheet with everyone who has paid in advance.

 

[ShuttleDriver]

I always read with amazement what most travelers perceive of what goes on with Super Shuttle and it's drivers.
Here is the real scoop:
All drivers are Independant owner-operators or employees of an owner-operator. Super Shuttle does not and has not had employee drivers for over 5 years. That's why you get such crappy service from many drivers. There is no real checks and balances on driver performance as there was when drivers were employees.
The drivers are not making a living. They are being killed by high gas prices, maintenance, and a hefty 25% cut that Super Shuttle takes on all of their revenues INCLUDING EXPENSES ie>their lease, insurance, repairs etc etc etc.
Drivers HATE not having a tip already in place when a fare is PREPAID. You will be picked up late, or put out of route order as opposed to those who do tip the 18% and are treated with better service than those who WAIT to tip at the end.
NEVER NEVER EVER use a coupon of any kind. These discounts come straight out of the DRIVERS pocket and drivers hate coupons. (If you have used one in the past you know what I mean) Just last week an elderly couple from an un-named retirement community in an un-named city accidently left a carry-on on the van seat when they got off at the airport. They had used a AAA discount coupon that amounted to a $6.00 discount off the fare for themselves and their grand-daughter who was traveling with them. Their carry-on was deposited into a nearby dumpster and is now resting in some landfill or being picked over by dumpster divers. The driver came back to the "Holding Lot" and bragged about it to his fellow drivers. Yea it really happened. It's not right, it is like stealing and it gives all drivers a bad name but it happens all the time. Drivers hate getting screwed out of any money period.
The vans are often filthy as the drivers can't afford to pay for a wash and the air conditioner is used sparingly in many instances.
This sounds awful because it is. There is currently a lawsuit in 2 markets (CA and Tex) and soon to be Phx., WA. DC., and NY. It is a class action against Super Shuttle by the drivers. Just type in Super Shuttle Driver Lawsuit into any search engine and read all about it.
Finally, Super Shuttle is owned out of country (Paris, Fr) and the corporate European ownership could care less what goes on here in the states.
Hope this sheds some light on Super Shuttle.
When I travel, I never use them............

 

[JadeDarkstar]

maybe i will jsut call and see how much a taxi would be lol

 

[Gisele]

I sat near the Tiki Room on a cell phone with customer service trying to figure out why my husband and mother had been checked in and sitting curbside with no pick up for more than fifty minutes,

that if I wanted better service, I should have paid for their private car service

.

OMG! what gall, and audacity, not to mention, elitist attitude! from customer service. I do not consider that true customer service, not at all.
How annoying and exasperating, that particular experience, overall must have been!

 

[vossjemi]

Wow shuttledriver! Learned a lot from your post! We booked an exclusive shuttle but did not pre-pay our tip. I wish I had known to do that. I just figured that there was no guarantee the driver would ever get that tip (I used to get ripped off by my boss when I was a waitress all the time...customer would say tip on cc; boss would deny it and refuse to show me receipt). So, I just thought I preferred to personally hand the driver the tip to make sure he got it and got a good one if we got good service, but if we are now doomed to poor service since we didn't prepay the tip, I'll be really disappointed.

 

[Gisele]

That was really rotten of your boss, I hope that you moved on as soon as possible from his employ, for he is crooked, and I do not make reference to his gait!
That was just so wrong, if you could prove those statements, I wish you would have reported him, to the labor board, and also maybe to the DA, as well, if he was doing that to you, for how long? and to how many other employees? what else does he do, that is immoral, or illegal? makes one wonder!