I think my email to the company says everything that needs to be said:
My driver from today should be immediately fired. I will never use your service again, and I don't really care about an apology -- I just want to make sure you are aware that your driver poses a huge risk to your customers and your organization.
Here's the story:
My flight into O'Hare was on time, though I had to get a checked bag. The driver had left a message to call him when I arrived. All standard so far.
I text him when I have my bag and tell him which door I'm at. He doesn't respond, so I call to find out what his car looks like. It sounds like he's talking to a police officer, so I give it a few minutes and call again. He tells me his number includes a 111, but he is clearly agitated.
Moments later he pulls up. He says nothing to me when I try to confirm that I'm the person he's looking for, but he takes my bag and I get into the car.
He then shouts, "That mother-f**ker just gave me a $150 ticket!"
He's obviously upset and I just want to get home to my family so I just keep to myself, despite him reading the ticket while driving and clearly getting more agitated. I do my best to ignore it.
He nearly misses the exit for 290 (I'm going to Lombard), and only takes it once I say something. He gets a call while we take that ramp, and ignores my telling him to take North Avenue. I assume he's going to take 83, since I know some drivers prefer that way.
As we get close to 83, he's still in the left lane and not showing any intent to exit. I ask him if he's taking 83, and he ignores me. I ask again, and he yells, "I'M NOT TAKING 83!"
I ask what he intends to do, and he says "NORTH AVE TO MAIN STREET." That's an idiotic path to my house from O'Hare, so I say "I'm sorry you've had a bad day! I just want to get home to my babies."
His response, "YOU THINK YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WITH BABIES?"
I say, "No, but I am paying to get home to them."
"DO YOU THINK I GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR MONEY?? I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOUR MONEY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY ME."
At this point I'm actually scared for my safety. This guy has become completely unhinged, and is driving erratically and getting angrier and angrier. He is swerving from side to side in the lane and I don't know whether he's going to ram another car or run into a light pole or what -- he seems capable of anything at this point. I stay quiet but am now contemplating whether he's going to bring me home at all, or if I should try to get out somewhere en route. I am actually concerned that he's going to try to run me down when I get out of the car.
He does end up bringing me to my house, and gives me my bag. I offer to pay for the ride. He says nothing, gets into the car and leaves. I go inside and hug my kids and wonder how that insane man could be employed as a professional driver. He shouldn't be.
Needless to say, after this experience I don't know what to do. Obviously I'm never, ever using Suburban Rides again, but that feels insufficient. I feel this story should be shared because I don't want to sit idly by when other innocent people could be getting in this guy's car.
I've been using Suburban Rides quite a while, and you've been pretty good for me in the past, despite a couple hiccups -- but to allow this person to work for you, even for a day -- you are actively endangering your customers. People need to be warned about a company that can't screen out somebody like this. How in the world could this person be on your payroll? read more
