I've used them for the last time. About 7 times a year I make week long over seas trips for my company who pays for the airport transportation to/from my home in Edmond. Airport Express does allow online booking and paying which is good for expense reports. However, after returning on a cold, December night with my prepaid voucher, the only vans they had outside at the appointed time were for airline flight crews. I was assured my van would be there by another driver in "5 to 10 minutes".
30 minutes later, I called the office and Crystal (who was very nice) said one was 4-6 minutes away. Van 57 arrived and the driver called from his seat for "the passenger going to Edmond". That was me, amongst several other airline passengers looking for non taxi rides to wherever. I loaded up and waited while the driver spoke to several other people outside, likely arranging for other vans for them. I didn't mind this and half expected several other people to get in the van with me. But this went on for a while and I started to wonder if I was in someone else's ride. I opened the door to ask if there was a problem and the driver went off on me, explaining how busy they were and how there were a lot of people looking for rides. To clarify, I told him I was a pre paid, thinking that would determine if I was in the right van or not. He said he knew that and I shut the door.
Next thing I know, he opens the door and demand I get out, another van was on its way. When I asked if he was serious, he told me he wasn't giving rides to people with attitudes. I called Crystal back from the van and she said she didn't know what his problem was but that another van was coming to get me. When I pressed her on why, again, she could not say. He then got in the driver seat, slammed the door and we were on our silent way.
If this were the only issue I ever had, I'd chalk it up to a disgruntled employee. But my previous trip, I had to argue with the driver about directions to the freeway from my house. He didn't want to take the freeway and wanted a more direct route, one which would have cost an extra 20 minutes, easily. After I convinced him, he later confessed that he wanted to go the more gas saving route and was unfazed when I explained that I arranged my pick up time with "time" being the sole factor. I did not have 20 extra minutes. He was unhappy that I did not concern myself with the "extra fuel cost" to him.
I know they are independent contractor drivers and I've had some fine experiences, but being accused of a bad attitude after a later than scheduled pick up is the last straw. My company paid $100 for each round trip, I'll just take that business elsewhere. read more