Come on the Go!

Sure, "hiring a driver" sounds like a huge indulgence. It seems so much easier to queue up to take a taxi and stand around with everyone else. The thing is, getting into taxis has always made me a bit nervous. On one hand, I've had some of my most fun travel conversations with taxi drivers. On the other hand, some have seriously creeped me out. It's that feeling of getting in a strange car - and nobody knows where you are.

So, *especially* when I fly into major airports (like JFK), and *especially* for late-night arrivals, I call a car service. It usually ends up to be about $20 more than a taxi, which is a total bargain. The car is clean, they carry your luggage to the car and you don't have to wait in line.

Sometimes, you prepay the trip and tip the driver in cash. Sometimes, it's all taken care of at the destination (like paying a taxi driver.) I've always been able to put it on my credit card, unlike taxi rides.

One big caveat about "wait times." Some car services will wait forever without charging you a dime. Some may charge you $30 for every half hour "wait time." If your plane is delayed, or baggage takes forever, this could be an expensive proposition. Not to mention, some drivers just leave after 30 minutes. I almost had that happen at JFK - the driver for Ozocar (never again. Never, ever again) couldn't reach my cell - and I was stuck in the bowels of JFK with NO cell reception. When he finally did reach me, he informed me that he was ready to leave. Great....

It seems like I'm always getting up super early to hit a client, conference, whatever. I've tried ordering room service when I get up, but invariably, I hear, "I'm sorry, but room service will take at least an hour." Of course, by the time I DO get my food, it's cold, greasy and gross. No good.

Then, I thought I was being smart by putting out my room service door hanger and ordering breakfast that way. Apparently, I was being a travel dumbass. According to the site Women's Travel Tips, hanging out that "breakfast for one" hanger screams "Hey, I'm traveling alone. Come get me!" to slimy dudes and dudettes alike.

Now, I always bring some sort of munchie with me. Plus, I really, really try to get up early and grab breakfast at the restaurant (which is always faster and better.) And thank goodness for Starbucks - they have their new hot breakfast sandwiches (and, of course, endless cups of coffee!). It may not be the best, but at least it's food. And I didn't have to spend $50 for a crappy room service breakfast (are you listening New York Hilton?)