Lost my Shirt in Vegas ... also my underwear.... [long!]

[Zazu]

But the story really starts with a bad rental car and a 24-day road trip.

My "day job" is running a non-profit historical organization. This year the annual meetings were in Santa Rosa, California. Nice place, but there aren't exactly direct flights from Orlando. Worse, my surgeon wasn't too keen on my flying so soon after the operation. Add my own fundamental opposition to a mode of transportation that starts by presuming I'm a terrorist and I had sufficient reason to find a different way.

Amtrak would have been my first choice, but since they stopped running between Orlando and New Orleans after Katrina and still haven't started again, that would have been a long and expensive trip. This left driving, and the condition of my 10-year-old minivan argued for a rental.

I pitched it to the Society's president as a chance to stop along the way and visit members who wouldn't be attending the meetings. Surprisingly, he thought it was a terrific idea! So did I until I started adding up the mileage. Ah well, not my nickle.

The members responded well, so we made stops in Pensacola, New Orleans, Rogers AR, Amarillo, Gallup, Phoenix (where it had just cooled down to 108), Anaheim, Santa Clarita, and San Luis Obispo on the way out, and Bakersfield, Las Vegas, Green River UT, North Platte NE, Des Moines, Tonica IL, Milwaukee, Chicago, Cincinnati, Knoxville, Columbus NC, Hilton Head, and Savannah on the way back.

Yeah, it was 7700 miles, and my butt's still sore.

Now Hertz has been good for me over the years, and when they opened a "Local Edition" office 2 miles from my house a while back, that cinched the relationship. An online booking, a phone call to confirm, and they picked me up about 10am -- two hours later than I'd planned. Had a dinner meeting set in Pensacola, so when they brought out a dirty car, I just sighed and took it.

The 2009 Impala wasn't a bad car, but this one had been rode hard and put up wet. There were bugs on the grill and windshield, and when I got home to load it I found empty coke cans in the back seat and a wad of greasy paper towels in the trunk. Not what I consider "Show Ready".

But time was pressing, so off we went. Driver's seat belt had to be poked into the latch six times to make it catch. Parking brake took two or three tries to hold. Heating controls were fussy, and the seat heater kept turning itself on from Texas to Arizona. (Wonder if they'll find the toothpick tensioners I installed?) Tires leaked air, and had to pay to fill them. Bad enough when this stuff happens to *my* car, but when I'm paying for it ... oh wait, it's a business trip, I'm *not* paying for it. Nevermind....

The best part was when I had not one, but two flat tires the same day. Called Hertz after the first one and arranged to swap cars at the next location. Didn't make it, and had to get towed the last hour into Milwaukee. SWMBO was NOT amused!

Milwaukee Hertz treated me well, gave me an upgrade and free navigation (normally $10/day). Going back to that town next summer for a conference, and I'm looking forward to it.

Ah, but I saved the best for last: the trunk on that lame car didn't latch properly. Hit the unlock button on the remote and it didn't pop up, you had to grab the spoiler and pull. Should have guessed, but it didn't always latch down either, but because the spring was shot you couldn't tell.

Parked in the hotel garage at the New York-New York in Las Vegas. Apparently, this was one of the times the trunk didn't latch. It being Vegas, someone came by to check for me, and unloaded two suitcases for himself. One with dirty laundry -- hence the loss of shirts and underwear -- one with SWMBO´s entire collection of Crocs.

I guess the NY-NY hotel was just trying to stay in theme. First I get robbed, then their Security takes a report, promises to notify the LV Police and call me back within 72 hours -- they did neither, but they did send out a form letter disclaiming any responsibility for the crime and hoping I'd visit again soon.

Less the bad words, SWMBO's reply was, "If those...."

But other than that, it was a very successful trip, a most productive annual meeting, and we can now say that we have met over 15% of the membership -- something not easily done in an international organization.

So, anybody want to go Croc hunting with SWMBO?

[turkeyham]

It sounds like the business trip was ok, but the rental car replacements were a little bit shabby. This was Hertz? I will have to show my sister this story. I am glad you were able to make it home safe and sound.

[Near Philly]

Zazu, sorry you had some problems on your trip, but it sounded productive.
Our opinion of New York-New York is, it's just like the real one, dirty, loud, hard to get around in. "perfect" themeing.

Are you back to work this week? We're at the Top of the Toaster Thursday evening.

[darph nader]

I take Hertz wont do diddly either. :mad:
Write that travel advocate I see in the Sunday paper.

[Rob562]

I take Hertz wont do diddly either. :mad:
Write that travel advocate I see in the Sunday paper.

Christopher Elliot, probably.
http://www.elliott.org

He actually lives in the Orlando area.

-Rob

[CujoSR]

Next time use Enterprise. They have been nothing but awesome to me in the past.

[Main Streeter]

Next time use Enterprise. They have been nothing but awesome to me in the past.

Yes, Enterprise is awesome, + they give CM discounts.

[hobie16]

I'm surprised that Hertz was so poor. I used them years when I traveled on business and they always had good cars that got me where I was going and back.

Write them a letter and see what happens.

[DragonFox98]

Sorry to hear about the pitfalls of the trip, Zazu, but overall it sounds okay. I would write to Hertz and ask about them about any possible reimbursement for a defective truck latch.

BTW - what nonprofit? I'm interested because I used to work for a nonprofit and would LOVE to get back into one (only none around here can afford me:o :)

[Planner]

Sorry parts of the trip were less than fun but it sounds like otherwise a fantastic way to see our nation and meet a lot of cool folks. Hope you got to take, and will share, photos from along the way.


Mmm more Crocs! :p: