Absolutely a nightmare. I would not risk your special event or needs for transport with this - "family business." I have used many businesses for transportation including limo services and this was shocking.
Owner is temperamental, was not accommodating despite my upfront phone and email discussions before my once in a lifetime vacation. He spoke like a drill sergeant, his driver had trouble finding my apartment and I assisted him until he arrived at my place. I was running behind, but told George I am disabled and go slow when scheduling my reservation. I would have paid for the time, but he ignored my suggestions. So I called him because I thought he WAS the driver outside for me at 4:00 am. He yelled at me and said, "If you are not ready in 2 minutes that car is pulling away." The driver told me to disregard the angry owner and to relax, he will get me there, all is fine. That driver was kind, professional, respectful and I got to the airport after calming down.
Returning from my international vacation - my phone had water damage and did not work. I called via an iPad and explained to Carlson Limo. Honestly after traveling from a different time zone from 8am and arriving at O'Hare at 8pm my focus was not at it's peak. George said he had all the info before I left my trip and I thought he was really on top of things. I been to O'Hare many times to pick up family, been picked up no problems. Departures and Arrivals.
I called Carlson Limo when I got off the plane because I was unsure I could access my iPad in certain areas of the airport and it was a hassle, I have spinal arthritis, hauling a large suitcase and carry-on, a lady. I have used transportation in many countries and even picked up via livery services in places where I do not know the language, many kind and helpful people. When I called from the gate, saying I would be at the baggage claim and the number, the driver told me to: Go through some door, make another call, blah blah blah... Look I am tired, I need to get my bag, and get home at now 9 pm. The driver said there are "so many terminals at O'Hare, he has to call Vic or someone..." So aggravated! Supposed to be set! We argued and disconnected my now dying iPad.
Sickened by their "service." I got my bag ,walked up and down the length of the arrivals area, only yards long with several lanes: FOR PREARRANGED LIVERY OR LIMO SERVICE. There were limos there, waiting, not for me! I know non-registered cars are not allowed to idle at the curb, so I don't know if they are registered or not? I was fumed! I talked to American Airlines staff, they said they never heard of a limo company making so many requests, I asked the O'Hare attendants what they thought? They looked at each other and shook their heads. The one man told me kindly: Ma'am, I would call a cab and American Taxi has good rates for the suburbs. At that point, I was ready to rent a car, but they were out of 1 way rides for the weekend. STUCK! Middle of the night a lady with bags at a large international airport because some limo driver is sitting obeying his boss at some off-location parking lot?
I walked towards rental shuttles very much like the film PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, Steve Martin. A bus driver for a shuttle service got out of the bus that was parked because they can for passengers, and he also kindly said: I have daughters, I would not want them at some airport without a ride. He called a friend of his from American Taxi luckily, he came in his little Prius, super nice, flat rate and we had a nice ride to the suburbs.
I got an email from the owner George, though I told him before my flight my phone was broken. Will let his own words shouting in caps and his opinions about my disabilities speak for him:
" YOU were instructed by me to call after you have your bags...
Your driver has been waiting at the airport in the limo lot since 9pm waiting for us to send him down to pick you up. We can not proceed to send a car down until you have your bags in hand and advise what door you will be waiting at- the city of Chicago issues $100.00 tickets for vehicles sitting(idling) at the terminals.
( I did not know what terminal my airline flies from or to btw)
Saying your at terminal 3 does us no good because your driver has no clue what you look like and you had no idea what vehicle was coming down for you.
Because of your special needs that you stated in your previous emails and your failure to follow instructions. I have determined that this is no longer a good fit for either of us. Please call a taxi for your future travel needs and remove our phone number."
+++ I can see why they need to hire new drivers, they did not seem very happy either.
So I would never recommend this business to anyone, especially people with physical, learning or mental disabilities, chronic pain or children because they have no consideration or compassion for that sort of stuff. read more