I am very thankful for Santa Barbara Airbus getting me from Goleta to LAX on time. I was caught in…read moretraffic during my drive down from Lompoc, CA, and the driver, passengers, and staff were very helpful in making sure I was accommodated. I left my car at the Goleta terminal, as I have done in the past.
As a side note, I also wanted to ask whether there is still a discount for customers who drive down from Lompoc, since doing so saves Santa Barbara Airbus fuel, time, and labor. Either way, while the departure from Goleta was hectic, it was ultimately successful, and I appreciated the assistance.
Unfortunately, my return experience was not as positive.
When I arrived back in Goleta, I noticed that my car was not parked in the front lot, where it has always been in the past. I asked the driver if he could help me get my car and my keys. He had already unloaded my luggage and was seated back in the driver's seat. When I asked for assistance, he casually shrugged his shoulders and appeared unconcerned.
At that point, it was after 10:00 PM. Although we had arrived about 35 minutes early, I was standing in the parking lot with my luggage and no clear direction about where my car was or how I was supposed to retrieve it. I finally had to ask the driver if he was simply going to leave me and my luggage there and drive away. Only then did he ask me for my name and phone number again, make a call, and begin looking for a solution.
After about 15 minutes, a very kind young lady came to assist me. She explained that she was "on call" that evening, confirmed my name, showed me to my car, and pleasantly helped me continue on my way back to Lompoc. I truly appreciated her professionalism and kindness.
However, I did pay for parking. Only the first five days were free, and I was charged for two additional days based on my return date. Someone forgot to move my car to the front parking area and failed to inform the driver about my keys. That oversight placed the driver in an awkward position, required another staff member to come assist me after hours, and delayed my trip home after a long day of travel.
Santa Barbara Airbus is better than this. Extending a 17-hour travel day because of a preventable communication failure is not the level of service I have come to expect. I hope this matter can be reviewed so that future passengers are not left in the same situation.