Living the Dream and remembering the Bagman COMPLETED 5/16 - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Great photo coverage from the air as it looks so familiar at times with my many flights from Orlando to NYC! Interesting hint for your next post as NYC cab drivers are not known for being polite as I know from experience!
Oh trust me, I do know that, as I've heard it many times, but to experience it for yourself is something else...
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Friday 30 September – part four: the rudest cab driver ever
We knew that it was likely to be rough as we came into LaGuardia, given the weather, and the first thing we saw of the ground beneath us was probably at only a few hundred feet. As Mark said, there was so much water on top of some of the buildings, it looked like snow…
Coming into land really wasn’t too bad, we were bumped around a little bit, but heck, I’ve had a lot worse. Our landing was also fine, although I must admit I did wonder what we were doing here, when you’re greeted with this view…
We taxied to the gate, and we were soon off, and into what I can only say reminded me of something out of the 1960s. It was horrible in here, and I guess that’s the reason we’d see so much construction, as frankly this just needs tearing down, and starting again with something modern. It’s not really a great way to welcome people to one of the world’s great cities, and does not give a great impression.
We headed down to baggage claim, and quickly had all four cases, and were off into the never ending line for taxis. At least that’s what it felt like anyway…
Look at the work going on here!
I can’t show you photos, as I was pulling two cases at the time, but we had to go out into the rain at one point to get to the actual taxi rank, which was not very well planned, and didn’t improve the impression I was getting of this place. I really got the feeling LaGuardia has needed investment for many years, and it just hasn’t happened. There is no way you’d see something like this at London. In fact, Heathrow has been shutting one terminal at a time to re-do every terminal, but this place felt like it could keep going while still serving passengers – a big mistake. I think they did need to close off bits completely to get the work done.
Finally we were at the taxi rank, and explained we had four cases, so would need a big cab. The guy said he thought they’d all fit in one that pulled up, and then we met the rudest cab driver ever. The guy told one look at our cases, did not even attempt to pick them up, and said he’d need help getting them into the trunk of the cab. I turned round to him and asked if he expected me to do it with chronic fatigue and problems with my fingers, and told him he was capable. He just stared at me, and we ended up doing two together, and Mark did the other two. Even then, he couldn’t work out how to get all four in, and Mark had to tell him to rotate two.
It got better on the way into Manhattan. While I can’t fault his driving, he was on the phone (hands free, but still not sure that’s allowed) and had his radio on, blaring out, which I find downright rude. I just thought he was an appalling introduction to a wonderful city. When we pulled up at our hotel, I said to a tip, and he asked if I was adding one, I told him I wasn’t. He looked surprised, but he hadn’t even got out of the cab to offer help with the luggage here. What a rude and nasty man. He missed out on a good tip, as 20% would’ve been $10. Maybe he’ll learn his lesson, but I doubt it…
We headed into the hotel, and you enter on the ground level, then take an elevator up to the lobby level. I didn’t realise it, but at this point, you’re actually being whisked 15 storeys up. It’s done so quickly, you just don’t notice.
We checked in, and were assigned what we were assured was a quiet room on the 23rd room, and in fairness it was. Look at the view we had…
The room itself was very big, much better than we were expecting. We stayed in a hotel on Times Square on our honeymoon, and literally you could barely walk around the bed, it was that small. No such problems here!
We called bell services, and the luggage was delivered, and he asked if we wanted anything else, and I said I was gasping for some water. He immediately arranged for housekeeping to deliver two bottles, and best of all, there was no charge.
Next: can we find dinner on a Friday night with no reservation?
Glad you arrived safely in NYC. I haven't been to LaGuardia in years but it does look pretty dismal.. That cabbie sounds obnoxious! Your hotel room view is beautiful! Even in the rain!!
Oh LaGuardia. Chicago's Midway used to be the same way. The old, dingy airport that nobody wanted to go to. I haven't flown in there in over 15 years, an d your pictures still look the same as I recall! Mind you, LGA is also a lot busier than Midway, but I'm sure they can find a way to renovate and still keep operations going!! Midway is much better these days - at least all of the Southwest areas are!
That cab driver was terrible. Holy cow! Yeah, definitely no tip.
Remind me again, which hotel are you staying at? So far, it's been a much more welcome to NYC that either the airport or the cab ride!
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I really think LGA is one of the worst airports in the country. I avoid it at all costs. We're taking the train home after our TA cruise as there was no way I was ending a fantastic trip with LGA!
And that cabbie?! Yikes! I'm sorry, I thought hoisting luggage was part of your job?
At least the hotel is nice!!
Oh LaGuardia. Chicago's Midway used to be the same way. The old, dingy airport that nobody wanted to go to. I haven't flown in there in over 15 years, an d your pictures still look the same as I recall! Mind you, LGA is also a lot busier than Midway, but I'm sure they can find a way to renovate and still keep operations going!! Midway is much better these days - at least all of the Southwest areas are!
Yes, we flew in with Southwest once and I thought it was a very pleasant airport. I'm glad they at least revamped that one.
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That cab driver was terrible. Holy cow! Yeah, definitely no tip.
Remind me again, which hotel are you staying at? So far, it's been a much more welcome to NYC that either the airport or the cab ride!
We were at the Hilton Times Square and it was very nice.
I do remember asking about the various NYC airports before we booked our flights and I don't remember all the answers now, but let's just put it this way, from the answers I wasn't expecting La Guardia to be as bad as it was...
I really think LGA is one of the worst airports in the country. I avoid it at all costs. We're taking the train home after our TA cruise as there was no way I was ending a fantastic trip with LGA!
Oh my goodness, that I can completely understand, now having been there...
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And that cabbie?! Yikes! I'm sorry, I thought hoisting luggage was part of your job?
Hmmm... so did I, but I guess we were both mistaken?
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At least the hotel is nice!!
I was so relieved it was, after such a rotten day otherwise....
What a dismal arrival to NYC, between the weather, the airport, and the cabbie! Luckily, your hotel room looks very nice!
I know. By the time we got to the hotel, I must admit I was wondering why we'd bothered coming to New York. It wasn't a great day, but thankfully our time in the city did get better from there... then again, it could hardly get worse!
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Interesting hint for your next post as NYC cab drivers are not known for being polite as I know from experience! 
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Our landing was also fine, although I must admit I did wonder what we were doing here, when you’re greeted with this view… 
It was horrible in here, and I guess that’s the reason we’d see so much construction, as frankly this just needs tearing down, and starting again with something modern. It’s not really a great way to welcome people to one of the world’s great cities, and does not give a great impression. 
. That cabbie sounds obnoxious!
Alaskan Mom aka Bonnie
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