Message Center

Shuttle Solutions

AFTER READING the letters about SuperShuttle [Message Center, April 22], I had to add my two cents' worth. Washington isn't the only city with SuperShuttle problems. I quit using the service when I lived in Los Angeles and called to reserve transportation for an 8 a.m. international flight; I was told I would be picked up at 4 a.m. I would have gotten to the airport more than an hour before the ticket counter opened!

L.A. doesn't have as good a cab system as Washington's, so I opted for a limo service after that. For only about $10 more than SuperShuttle, I got my own town car to pick me up at the time I specified, and there were no other stops along the way. And if the town cars were busy, I was picked up in a limo at no extra charge.

Now that I live in Virginia, I use Falls Church Yellow Cab or Washington Flyer.

Fran Slimmer

Annandale

AS A 27-YEAR travel professional and agency owner, I have had many clients who booked a shuttle to the airport in advance, only to be forced to make other arrangements at the last minute. The stress is unbelievable.

The best advice I can give is to book a park-and-fly at a nearby hotel through a travel agent. Arrive at your leisure, since the room is guaranteed for late arrival; have a nice dinner and fall asleep knowing that you are less than two miles from the airport. In the morning, take a hotel shuttle to the airport with plenty of time.

Most of the time, with advance booking, this add-on costs the same as, or sometimes less than, parking while you are away.

Debra Overing

President, Classic Travel

Woodbridge

Write us: Washington Post Travel section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. E-mail: travel@washpost.com. Provide your full name, town and daytime telephone number. Letters are subject to editing for length and clarity.

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