[jparsoneau@aol.com]

I have not been impressed with Groom
They packed the bus full, and you may be the first one. You may be the last one or again they may have ever booked and not get picked up at all.
I also had one driver pick us up who got lost and didn’t know where he was or where he was going other than an address that did not show up on his map because of new construction. Which almost cost us our flights because we were 45 minutes late due to him being lost.
There are just too many private drivers operating travel to and from the airport. Especially if you got a group of people is cheaper to take a private transport to his room that charge you by the person.

[TomDTV]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Rental or private drivers are great for multiple travelers but get very expensive for single travelers.

Missing your flight is way more expensive than rental or using private driver for single person. Not to mention reducing your travel time by at least an hour if you're in north side of TV.

[Gerrys]

Suggest you call your credit card company and have the charge cancelled.

[Foxtrot]

We park at Fast Park MCO and its cheaper, faster and more convenient than taking a bus.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Everything goes up. Would still pay for the convenience and control.

Anyone thought of driving their own car? Haven’t read the whole string, but we’ve done the math six ways to Sunday and it’s not only the cheapest way to go for a week, but the most convenient. Or get a hotel down there…many have a 7-day parking that goes with the room. Just a thought.

[Blueblaze]

Thank heavens for this thread! And I think I might have a reason why some people are missing their ride.

You might recall that the way Groome does your reservation is that you give them your flight time and they give you ride pickup times to choose. Mine is12:37 PM. When I checked my reservation, they had me set up for 9 PM! I guess their app must have confused 12 noon for 12 midnight, and I didn't notice. Maybe I typed it wrong. Who knows. But I've been sitting here with a reservation 12 hours too late for two months. But thanks to this thread I checked, and now I have a reservation for 8AM, just in case they don't show and I have to drive.

Thanks TOV!

[Mrfriendly]

I like Groome and they are my first choice for transport to my home when I come down for a visit. I always meet nice people on the little bus.

[M2inOR]

We use our car for 2 weeks or less trips, and a private transfer for longer trips.

Use the SpotHero app or website to identify daily rates and availability. Typically, they use hotel parking lots and similar independent parking lots.

Use your math skills to determine what's breakeven for you.

In rare instances for early morning flights, we will use SpotHero to identify a hotel parking lot and then stay overnight at the hotel for that flight. SpotHero's contracted daily rates are typically less expensive than what the hotels charge.

Book early, and note well, if plans change, SpotHero will let you cancel and get a full refund, provided you are
before the cancel window closes.

[JMintzer]

I've used Groome at least a dozen times since I bought my home in TV.

The only issue I've had was missing a pickup (my plane was late) and they picked me up on the very next run. I chilled at the airport for an hour, had a snack and a drink...

They've picked me up at my home, on time, and got me to the airport, on time (knocks wood...) No excessive waits, no "crowded" buses...

[Fenster]

I’ve used Groome many times, including recently, with no problems. However, these posts are concerning. I was dismayed when they jacked up the price, but getting stranded is worse!

And the customer service has been good in my experience, but obviously not for everyone.

I think it’s time to look at options.

I used to use Dave’s but it’s a bit steep. But they were always reliable.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by defrey12

Anyone thought of driving their own car? Haven’t read the whole string, but we’ve done the math six ways to Sunday and it’s not only the cheapest way to go for a week, but the most convenient. Or get a hotel down there…many have a 7-day parking that goes with the room. Just a thought.

We drove our own car, and we stayed at MCO Hyatt Regency in October for our first trip home to CA since moving here a year ago. It was very convenient, but definitely not cheap. I guess other hotels in the area would’ve been a better deal, but we didn’t mind paying extra for the convenience of staying in the airport, and being just an elevator ride to the security line. It was a great experience!

[spinner1001]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

I've used Groome at least a dozen times since I bought my home in TV.

The only issue I've had was missing a pickup (my plane was late) and they picked me up on the very next run. I chilled at the airport for an hour, had a snack and a drink...

They've picked me up at my home, on time, and got me to the airport, on time (knocks wood...) No excessive waits, no "crowded" buses...

I have changed my thinking about using a shuttle to and from MCO since the operations changed from Workman to Groome.

A delayed flight arrival into MCO and missing one’s scheduled Groome shuttle increases the risk of a big shuttle problem. @JMintzer was lucky that time. Groome uses vans having fewer seats compared to Workman’s vehicles on average. If the next Groome van is at capacity with people (who have reservations or otherwise jumped on ahead of you), you can’t get in that van. Then, if you wait yet again for the next Groome shuttle an hour later, you have a similar risk of a full van and no space for you. In the winter season, this risk is much higher than the summer season when shuttle vehicles are not so full. The practical problem with this situation when flying into MCO is no good transportation alternative for getting to The Villages if Groome cannot take you.

In the future, I likely will drive to and from MCO most occasions instead of shuttling on Groome. I was a big fan of Workman.

[DB]

I was not picked up by Groome on November 21 and was on hold with them for 55 minutes. Finally drove to the airport. I also called and asked to speak to a manager, when I arrived at my destination. Of course, there wasn’t anyone with whom to speak. I left 2 messages and finally went to their office when I got back. I was told they needed to see where the problem was and then would make a decision on giving me a refund. I felt he was blaming me for an error in making the reservation, though I made it via phone, not e-mail. Haven’t heard anything yet. I will go back next week to see where they are in their investigation of the problem. I will be contacting Seniors and Crimes here in The Villages. I suggest we all do that!

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

I've used Groome at least a dozen times since I bought my home in TV.

The only issue I've had was missing a pickup (my plane was late) and they picked me up on the very next run. I chilled at the airport for an hour, had a snack and a drink...

They've picked me up at my home, on time, and got me to the airport, on time (knocks wood...) No excessive waits, no "crowded" buses...

Yep. I'm sure that's the case far more often than not.

Unfortunately, it is the "not" that gets by far the most play.

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Its been....how long now since Groome bought out Workman? Six months, maybe? I read TOTV routinely and have seen maybe 5 first-person complaints about their service. Considering that Groome serves (est.) 50 to 100 Villagers a day, that's not a lot of complaints. My thought is that the vast majority of folks find Groome's service completely satisfactory.

I never bothered to complain about my Groome experience on TOTV, but I'll never use them again. They had a van breakdown, so they were behind on airport pickups. Instead of dispatching two vans to get caught up, everyone had to wait 2-4 hours at MCO to get on a van. Pickup wasn't based on how long you have waited, it was who could push their way to the front.

I travel weekly for work, so see the issues and can confirm they are not a "one-off". The advantage Workman had was they had multiple size vehicles, from vans to busses so could scale up or down as needed. Groome has one size, so when they are full that is it. If someone lands early and takes a seat, that seat is no longer available for those that actually reserved a seat for that time. Groome is a national chain, so your complaint is one of hundreds.....Workman is local.

If you have issues, make sure you let the corporate office know (FAQ - Groome Transportation - Book Now ). They won't step in until the complaints reach a level where THEY know there is a problem.