Those Pesky Airport Parking Rates

by Craig Butler

I haven’t traveled as much as I normally do since the beginning of the year, so I guess you can say I have been out of the loop. But when I went to Freeport recently I parked in the front lot opposite the domestic terminal as usual.

Now upon entering the facility I did not read the signs and I must admit I was at fault for that, but based on the number of times I travel per year I didn’t see anything that would have alerted me to the fact that major changes had been undertaken.

Imagine my surprise when I returned on Friday and presented my ticket at the kiosk. I had $20 in my hand which I thought was sufficient to cover the charges,. However, when the attendant said $90 I thought she had made a mistake. In fact, I was sure of it because I immediately started searching the car for another ticket thinking that this had been one that I had misplaced sometime ago.

But I was told the charge was correct as the rates had been increased to $30 per day. My first thought was to raise hell, not pay, and demand to see the manager. Reason won out and I realized that the young lady was only doing her job and I was responsible for my own predicament. That said, I am still pissed at Nassau Airport Development Company.

I have to give them some credit for the changes that they are making, which are more apparent now than a few months ago. Generally, things appear to be going in the right direction. But the same problems I had with them when they were fixing the parking lot still exist.

They need better public relations. What would have happened if I could not have paid the parking fee? I pride myself on being a reasonable person, but another in the same situation may not have been so understanding and a fracas could have ensued or worse still violence broken out.

Examples abound on a daily basis of senseless violence so I can’t fathom how one would arrive at such a decision without considering the consequences. So what would have been appropriate in the circumstances? Well, I say nothing less than large red writing at the point of entering the parking lot.

Don’t get me wrong. I take the blame for my own stupidity, but the point is if I found myself in this position just imagine how many other people have so found themselves. The new fee of $30 a day is a lot of money, and such a change warrants notices in the newspapers and on the radio. This may have been done, but I sure can’t recall coming across them. When a decision is being made that affects a person's pocket then it ought to be repeated often.

OBAMA
This week four primaries will be held in the United States, after which the Democrats should have a front-runner. Over three weeks ago the polls gave Clinton a sizeable lead but they have narrowed to the point that Obama actually has a one point lead in Texas.

If Clinton were to lose one of these big state primaries it would be time to turn off the proverbial lights. On the Republican side John McCain should by the end of Tuesday have secured the necessary delegate count to clinch the nomination.

Although as I have said I consider many of my views to be conservative, I strongly support Barack Obama and hopefully after November he will be the president of the United States.

Comments

[Wendie Bishop]

Had the same thing happen on return from Eleuthera. Again, because it was my fault for not noticing the sign, not much I could do except pay it!
Considering it's $30.00 per day my suggestion would be to have a very large red sign (perhaps with blinking lights ?!)at the entrance advising drivers!!!

[larry smith]

Not only are there signs for short- and long-term parking, but this matter was given extensive publicity in all media - both ads and PR.

[ptoom]

I didn't hear or see anything about the parking rates anywhere.

And Obama, Hillary, and McCain all suck. They're just more of the same.
Lies, false hope, uninformed decisions, too many ties to big business and the military industry, lack of knowledge about history (and I don't mean text-book approved history)

If Americans had any sense they'd have voted for Mike Gravel, Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson.