Greyhound Bus ripoff nationwide

Many people think of bus travel as being only for the poor.

Not so.

It's also for the people who want the convenience of curb service. The bus stops a few miles from your house. If you didn't have luggage to carry, you could walk home.

The airport? Well, it's far away.

When something does go wrong, you stand a better chance of survival on the bus.

Plus, the security precautions are minimal on the bus. Nobody asks you to undress in any way. Nobody goes through your stuff. Except outside Vegas, one time. That place is like lunatic central.

In comparison to the airlines, the bus is pretty much minimum hassle. Plus, way safer. Plus, cheaper. Plus, easier.

You would think that the bus driver could get pulled over for a traffic violaion for having either too many people on the bus or for having people standing on the bus, wouldn't you?? I guess carrier enforcement/highway patrol was out for donuts that day. lol

I had a similar situation happen. I was taking my kids to FL for a summer visitation. I live in SD. The trip down to FL went fine, so I thought the trip back would be no problem. The first bus back was an hour late. I had problems all the way back, some places tried to say it was my fault I missed the bus and weren't going to try to get me on busses back to SD, UNTIL I argued and talked to managers and had them look up what busses I had taken and find the late one.

I had a 6 hour layover putting my return about a day later than it should have been. I don't know if I'll ever do the bus thing again. I had a 50/50 experience with them. If I do it won't be cross country like that, it'll be more local, like a state away or something. I'm just glad it happend on the way back (when I was by myself) instead of the way there when I had the kids with me.

You would think that the bus driver could get pulled over for a traffic violaion for having either too many people on the bus or for having people standing on the bus, wouldn't you?? I guess carrier enforcement/highway patrol was out for donuts that day. lol

I had a similar situation happen. I was taking my kids to FL for a summer visitation. I live in SD. The trip down to FL went fine, so I thought the trip back would be no problem. The first bus back was an hour late. I had problems all the way back, some places tried to say it was my fault I missed the bus and weren't going to try to get me on busses back to SD, UNTIL I argued and talked to managers and had them look up what busses I had taken and find the late one.

I had a 6 hour layover putting my return about a day later than it should have been. I don't know if I'll ever do the bus thing again. I had a 50/50 experience with them. If I do it won't be cross country like that, it'll be more local, like a state away or something. I'm just glad it happend on the way back (when I was by myself) instead of the way there when I had the kids with me.

You would think that the bus driver could get pulled over for a traffic violaion for having either too many people on the bus or for having people standing on the bus, wouldn't you?? I guess carrier enforcement/highway patrol was out for donuts that day. lol

I had a similar situation happen. I was taking my kids to FL for a summer visitation. I live in SD. The trip down to FL went fine, so I thought the trip back would be no problem. The first bus back was an hour late. I had problems all the way back, some places tried to say it was my fault I missed the bus and weren't going to try to get me on busses back to SD, UNTIL I argued and talked to managers and had them look up what busses I had taken and find the late one.

I had a 6 hour layover putting my return about a day later than it should have been. I don't know if I'll ever do the bus thing again. I had a 50/50 experience with them. If I do it won't be cross country like that, it'll be more local, like a state away or something. I'm just glad it happend on the way back (when I was by myself) instead of the way there when I had the kids with me.

You would think that the bus driver could get pulled over for a traffic violaion for having either too many people on the bus or for having people standing on the bus, wouldn't you?? I guess carrier enforcement/highway patrol was out for donuts that day. lol

I had a similar situation happen. I was taking my kids to FL for a summer visitation. I live in SD. The trip down to FL went fine, so I thought the trip back would be no problem. The first bus back was an hour late. I had problems all the way back, some places tried to say it was my fault I missed the bus and weren't going to try to get me on busses back to SD, UNTIL I argued and talked to managers and had them look up what busses I had taken and find the late one.

I had a 6 hour layover putting my return about a day later than it should have been. I don't know if I'll ever do the bus thing again. I had a 50/50 experience with them. If I do it won't be cross country like that, it'll be more local, like a state away or something. I'm just glad it happend on the way back (when I was by myself) instead of the way there when I had the kids with me.

Here's a couple of tips to remember the next time something like this happens.

1. Assuming you're in a depot, ask for the Depot Manager, or the Senior Agent if the Depot Manager isn't available.

2. Immediately after your trip, send a complaint via email to ifsr@greyhound.com outlining your problem, and the specific remedy you're seeking

My fear has many illogical components, I know.

You're right, as a truck driver, I stood a much greater chance of either falling asleep and dying, or being crushed to death in an accident while I was wide awake.

Many drivers die in this exact way. It's a dangerous career.

The only rational explanation I can offer is the instinctive fear of heights.

Plus, the sensational media coverage surrounding major accidents. When does a car crash make headlines? That has a tendency to alter one's perception of reality.

Plus, I understand how the average American does their job. Many people decide to let things go when they are good enough as opposed to correct.

In addition, the airlines are in financial trouble now. They simply don't have the money for extensive overhauls. Fuel is all they can afford.

So far, I've managed to remain earthbound. Hopefully, I'll be able to live out the rest of my life that way.

Wal-Mart heir John Walton died Monday when his ultralight aircraft crashed after taking off from an airport in Jackson, Wyoming

That just goes to show you, all the money in the world doesn't allow you to cheat death.

I know a guy back home in NC who has been hit by lightning 3 times. His name is Steve Marshburn. I have never met anyone who has been in 3 airplane crashes. Just a statistic you might like to have.

Paul,

I understand your affinity for flying. A large number of people in this country absolutely refuse to set foot on an airplane, especially after 9/11.

Since you were a truck driver, I would think you would agree that the roads in this country (especially in California) are much more dangerous than the skies.

In 22 years of driving, I have been in 5 major traffic collisions. In my flying career (which includes having taken flight lessons and being on an aircrew in my 6 years in the Air Force) I have had none.

A few more stats and I'm done.

You are more likely to be struck by lightning (1 in 25,000 chance) than by being in a plane crash.

Most aircraft incidents do not result in any deaths (same as with car crashes).

Frankly, I can't wait until someone invents a matter transporter like in Star Trek.

Of course, when something does go badly wrong, it always results in a horrible death for the people on board.

I guess if I had to choose, I'd rather be in an accident at ground level than falling out of the sky from 35,000 feet.

Who cares about safety... When it's your time, it's your time. You could die in a major traffic accident driving your own car, die in a bus wreck on Greyhound, plane crash on the airlines, train wreck on Amtrack... Choke on a Cheeto on your couch...On and on and on

The surprising thing about Nicole's complaint was how odd it seemed that you could easily substitute "US Airways" or "American Airlines" or any other airline for "Greyhound" and it still works.

Bus travel would have to suck, but I did think they were at least a little better than airlines.

I definately do not agree with the sitting in the aisle portion, although, if I were in that situation I would have plopped my butt in the aisle.

Paul,

Generally, I agree with most of what you have to say on all the reports here, but this time I'm surprised at you. Even you should know that statistics say you are far less likely to die using air travel than any other mode of transportation available. There are far fewer factors to create problems.

Just made my annual trip back to Florida for vacation. Used Southwest Airlines. Trip couldn't have gone any better. Most of the planes we were on were the newer versions of the 737. The only delays we experience were due to bad weather in Orlando.

Yeah, greyhound has some problems. I agree with you.

Full busses. Packed busses. No doubt.

In your case, you could have gone on to an open terminal instead of getting off in Baltimore. That way, you sit inside until the next bus comes. Of course, first time users wouldn't know that. The driver should have suggested it.

It's a hard way to travel. You sit in a seat for 3 days.

But, you know, I always feel safer in a bus. If I ever tried to get on a plane, I think I would freak out. You just know a part is gonna bust off. The maintenance is so bad. They don't make any money. Nothing gets fixed. Same junk planes that were made before I was born.

The only way that I would ever get on a commercial flight is if I was dying of cancer or something. That way, what would I have to lose? A day? A week?

But, even then, you still have to go through security. They treat you like absolute trash. You know, I don't care if I am dying or not, I won't spend my last days of life letting some security freak treat me like garbage.

Easy to see why I won't fly. Too scary. Way, way too humiliating. And, don't even get me started on the ticket buying hassles.

Trust me, if you value your life, go greyhound. The airline are like a freakin' crapshoot.