Time to flame Des Peres Travel
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vdavis
Sep 1, 2011, 5:39:09 PM9/1/11
to randon
I hate to be negative after all the great things about PBP.
But Des Peres Travel should not go un-flamed. I had an appalling
experience with their airport transfer service on Saturday August
27th.
We were picked up at the Novotel, as promised, at 6:00 AM. But mass
confusion. First we loaded all our bikes and bags on the bus, only to
be told by Claus to take the bags off, that they'd be picked up by a
truck "momentarily."
So off we go to CDG, leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of
high-end bikes scattered on the hotel lawn with no one watching them,
no claim checks issued.
We stop at all the area hotels. Even though everyone has paid 45
euros, more than HALF THE COST OF A TAXI, there isn't enough room on
the bus for everyone's luggage. So people start piling it in the
aisles. A safety hazard. Then, when we get to CDG at approx 8-8:30 AM,
there is no truck, no bikes. And no Des Peres Travel representative to
tell us where and when our bikes will be delivered.
We spend the next HOUR (I kid you not) wandering up and down the apron
at CDG Terminal 2E, chasing rumors of bike arrivals. At one point the
bikes from the Campanile Hotel are dumped several hundred meters away
and we all go running. Unbelievable.
Finally, at 9:00 AM - THREE HOURS after we left the hotel - the bikes
arrive. One woman has a flight at 10 from another terminal, and sure
to miss it. The only information we get on the whereabouts of the
bikes is from one passenger who phoned his hotel to see when the truck
actually showed up to collect the bikes.
A couple of truck monkeys dump the bikes on the tarmac and it's a
complete free for all of people grabbing bikes and running for
flights. Still no Des Peres rep there to protect from theft, or help
the people who are now going to miss flights. I end up having to run
one kilometre through the airport with my bike and luggage to barely
make my 11:00 AM flight... after leaving at 6:00 AM!
I've never seen anything so unprofessionally done - at such a high
price. I don't know how Claus can stay in business.
I am not impressed and will never use Des Peres' transfer 'service'
again. Would have been much better taking a cab to the airport for 70
Euros.
But Des Peres Travel should not go un-flamed. I had an appalling
experience with their airport transfer service on Saturday August
27th.
We were picked up at the Novotel, as promised, at 6:00 AM. But mass
confusion. First we loaded all our bikes and bags on the bus, only to
be told by Claus to take the bags off, that they'd be picked up by a
truck "momentarily."
So off we go to CDG, leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of
high-end bikes scattered on the hotel lawn with no one watching them,
no claim checks issued.
We stop at all the area hotels. Even though everyone has paid 45
euros, more than HALF THE COST OF A TAXI, there isn't enough room on
the bus for everyone's luggage. So people start piling it in the
aisles. A safety hazard. Then, when we get to CDG at approx 8-8:30 AM,
there is no truck, no bikes. And no Des Peres Travel representative to
tell us where and when our bikes will be delivered.
We spend the next HOUR (I kid you not) wandering up and down the apron
at CDG Terminal 2E, chasing rumors of bike arrivals. At one point the
bikes from the Campanile Hotel are dumped several hundred meters away
and we all go running. Unbelievable.
Finally, at 9:00 AM - THREE HOURS after we left the hotel - the bikes
arrive. One woman has a flight at 10 from another terminal, and sure
to miss it. The only information we get on the whereabouts of the
bikes is from one passenger who phoned his hotel to see when the truck
actually showed up to collect the bikes.
A couple of truck monkeys dump the bikes on the tarmac and it's a
complete free for all of people grabbing bikes and running for
flights. Still no Des Peres rep there to protect from theft, or help
the people who are now going to miss flights. I end up having to run
one kilometre through the airport with my bike and luggage to barely
make my 11:00 AM flight... after leaving at 6:00 AM!
I've never seen anything so unprofessionally done - at such a high
price. I don't know how Claus can stay in business.
I am not impressed and will never use Des Peres' transfer 'service'
again. Would have been much better taking a cab to the airport for 70
Euros.
Wayne J
Sep 1, 2011, 6:29:10 PM9/1/11
to randon
I used the Des Peres drop bag service, and that worked fine. I booked
my SQY hotel through Des Peres and wasn't happy with the cost-to-
quality ratio. I was much happier with the rooms I booked myself in
Paris. I used the Air France bus to get between CDG and Paris. That
worked fine.
Erik Nilsson
Sep 1, 2011, 6:55:55 PM9/1/11
to randon
I also used the DP drop bag service, and was highly satisfied. I was
also highly satisfied with the deal Claus got on Air France tickets.
Sure, I didn't have assigned seats so since I was traveling with my
family we got stuck at the back of the plane on the way over. But it
was a direct flight, and since I kept my bike box under 25 kg, I
didn't have to pay extra for the bike either way. (And we did all get
to sit together both directions.)
I also used the Air France bus from CDG to Paris, and was highly
satisfied. They loaded my bike box on the bus without batting an eye.
The bus delivered us and our luggage to within a 5 minute walk of our
apartment in Paris. The return trip was equally painless. (But, the
Air France bus doesn't go everywhere. We got somewhat lucky....)
Getting my bike to the airport in Seattle and back again was actually
a much bigger problem. I couldn't get a van taxi reserved ahead of
time in Seattle, so we ended up begging a ride from a friend who owns
a pickup. Sure, the bottle of cognac we brought him back as a present
was only slightly more than two cab rides, but if we had needed
separate cabs, it would actually have been 4 cab rides. That's if I
could have gotten the bike box in the cab at all. The cab dispatcher
was trying to tell me it would fit in the trunk, and I had to explain
that there was just no way to get a bike box in the trunk of any car
ever made. (And I like giving my friends presents anyway, so it's not
like the cognac is a pure "cost.")
I overheard a PBP rider discussing the arrangements for cabs in Paris,
and apparently it took some talking to get two people and a bike box
into a Paris cab. For us, with three of us and more luggage than we
normally travel with, we would definitely have needed two cabs on both
the Seattle and Paris ends. I think that would have amounted to about
$500 in cab rides, avoided by a friend with a pickup and the Air
France bus.
also highly satisfied with the deal Claus got on Air France tickets.
Sure, I didn't have assigned seats so since I was traveling with my
family we got stuck at the back of the plane on the way over. But it
was a direct flight, and since I kept my bike box under 25 kg, I
didn't have to pay extra for the bike either way. (And we did all get
to sit together both directions.)
I also used the Air France bus from CDG to Paris, and was highly
satisfied. They loaded my bike box on the bus without batting an eye.
The bus delivered us and our luggage to within a 5 minute walk of our
apartment in Paris. The return trip was equally painless. (But, the
Air France bus doesn't go everywhere. We got somewhat lucky....)
Getting my bike to the airport in Seattle and back again was actually
a much bigger problem. I couldn't get a van taxi reserved ahead of
time in Seattle, so we ended up begging a ride from a friend who owns
a pickup. Sure, the bottle of cognac we brought him back as a present
was only slightly more than two cab rides, but if we had needed
separate cabs, it would actually have been 4 cab rides. That's if I
could have gotten the bike box in the cab at all. The cab dispatcher
was trying to tell me it would fit in the trunk, and I had to explain
that there was just no way to get a bike box in the trunk of any car
ever made. (And I like giving my friends presents anyway, so it's not
like the cognac is a pure "cost.")
I overheard a PBP rider discussing the arrangements for cabs in Paris,
and apparently it took some talking to get two people and a bike box
into a Paris cab. For us, with three of us and more luggage than we
normally travel with, we would definitely have needed two cabs on both
the Seattle and Paris ends. I think that would have amounted to about
$500 in cab rides, avoided by a friend with a pickup and the Air
France bus.
sekhem313
Sep 1, 2011, 7:13:48 PM9/1/11
to vdavis, randon
At least you GOT transportation. He sent 6 of us incorrect information about where we were supposed to meet the shuttle to the hotels. He was unappologetic about his error and it cost each of us an additional 100+ Euros to catch taxis to our respective hotels. Of course he refused to refund the shuttle fee.
He won't answer simple questions by e-mail or responds inappropriately in a nasty way (which is just a nasty response but not the answer to the question)
He announced that he would refuse to pick up drop bags that were left for him in a pile with other bags at the hotel. He would only accept bags that were handed to him. That bike check in overlapped with his pickup wasn't his problem. Ditto on nastyness comment above.
His after ride 'dinner' was a gross misrepresentation of the actual facts.
It was completely unacceptable that the bikes arrived 35 minutes prior to departure of the airplanes. Other passengers mentioned that there is a history of bikes arriving after the planes have departed. The general comment was that he often cuts corners to maximize profits by only having one person picking up bikes. It appears that he has not changed how he manages bike transport and that delays in bike delivery is a routine problem. I consider this to be gross neglegence. The guy should be sued.
Claus stays in business because of the fresh batch of first timers each round. I have no plans to ever use his services again.
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li...@jkassen.org
Sep 1, 2011, 7:42:07 PM9/1/11
to randon
> Claus stays in business because of the fresh batch of first timers each
> round. I have no plans to ever use his services again.
I'm in agreement with everyone in this thread but unless someone else manages to book a block of hotel rooms before
Des Peres or arranges group airport transport or a bag drop services you're going to be stuck with him in 2014. He's the
only game in town and charges accordingly. He has no reason to reduce his fees.
In 2007 I was happy with the flight but felt [very] ripped off by the hotel and ground transportation fee. That's half the
reason I skipped PBP 2011.
Jake
Jim House
Sep 1, 2011, 9:12:43 PM9/1/11
to vdavis, randon, Claus Claussen
THANK YOU FOR STARTING THIS POSTING - CANNOT BELIEVE ALL OF THE NEGATIVE
RESPONSES IN JUST A HOUR.
RESPONSES IN JUST A HOUR.
Claus - it would be great to get your reaction on how well you perceived
everything worked!
MY STORY:
I booked my own room at the Mercure 300 days prior to the trip paid 130 Euro
(paid for with A Club credit) - then needed a room at the end and his price
was much higher at 205 euro - I stayed in the same room.
So I paid him for the room - a few weeks later the Mercure now had rooms
available at 99 Euro but I could not cancel with Des Peres.
The first drop bag was not by the church where they told me they would be
when I handed them the bag - I WASTED 45 min and could not find them.
Later I found out this is where they were in prior years - not this year.
I asked at the general information and many workers about a bag drop and
they never heard of Claus or Des Peres.
You think a pro like this company would let the local organizers know who
you were what you were doing and where you were located - just in case
someone had an issue finding you!
Next the dinner - sit and wait till the second bus arrives - bottles on the
table but no glasses - so after half an hour people start working the way
into the kitchen to get glasses.
Some are lucky - most are turned away.
Next the meal - pick up your tray pull the food you want and go eat off your
tray at a dining hall table - not round tables with table cloths and table
service like in there photos!
The program - no program - speaker Clouse book with us next time - this was
not a program.
After words - everyone is waiting outside to get on a bus - but no busses -
the busses must have another gig to do - or more professional operations I
just do not understand.
Can you say Bait and Switch!
Next day - pick up at 6 AM.
Bus arrives at 6:30 AM.
We load bikes in a truck and bags under the bus.
Two hotels later we are all driving to the airport.
TWO AND ONE HALF HOURS LATER THE BIKE TRUCK ARRIVES AND TAKES A HALF HOUR TO
UNLOAD.
Two hour in line I make the flight my bike arrives at 2 AM two days later at
my house.
Missed the connection home waiting to bring the bike through customs that
never left Paris.
An extra two hours waiting for the next flight - glad I did not have to pay
extra for that feature!
I paid $45 for this mess and paid 70 Euro for a cab and was dropped off at
my hotel directly from the terminal without waiting - what was the better
deal long term?
HOW CAN THEY STAY IN BUSINESS?
I know we all signed a release but this is gross negligence - I am willing
to join a class action if we can get it rolling!
Jim House
Maumee, OH
-----Original Message-----
From: ran...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ran...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
vdavis
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2011 5:39 PM
To: randon
Subject: [Randon] Time to flame Des Peres Travel
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Charles Coldwell
Sep 1, 2011, 9:51:58 PM9/1/11
to Erik Nilsson, randon
On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 6:55 PM, Erik Nilsson
<erik.nilss...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I also used the Air France bus from CDG to Paris, and was highly
> satisfied. They loaded my bike box on the bus without batting an eye.
> The bus delivered us and our luggage to within a 5 minute walk of our
> apartment in Paris. The return trip was equally painless. (But, the
> Air France bus doesn't go everywhere. We got somewhat lucky....)
<erik.nilss...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I also used the Air France bus from CDG to Paris, and was highly
> satisfied. They loaded my bike box on the bus without batting an eye.
> The bus delivered us and our luggage to within a 5 minute walk of our
> apartment in Paris. The return trip was equally painless. (But, the
> Air France bus doesn't go everywhere. We got somewhat lucky....)
It will take you to the Gare Montparnasse, from where you can take an
RER train to St Quentin en Yvelines.
--
Charles M. Coldwell, W1CMC
"Turn on, log in, tune out"
Belmont, Massachusetts, New England (FN42jj)
Erik Nilsson
Sep 1, 2011, 11:56:41 PM9/1/11
to randon
"It will take you to the Gare Montparnasse, from where you can take an
RER train to St Quentin en Yvelines."
little French village. Except without the village. Or the charm.) But
8.50 euros Air France bus ride and 3.50 euros RER train ride gets you
there.
Plus, both the buses and trains run every half hour, and each ride is
about a half hour, so average travel time of about 1 hour 45 min,
which is apparently faster than *Shuttle des Claus* for the person and
much, much faster for the bike.
I don't understand not finding the bag drop locations, though. At both
locations, they were IMHO dead obvious. I did overhear at least once
case where someone couldn't find the bag drop and was asking for Claus
by name to a volunteer who didn't speak English. Should have asked for
the bag drop. (Or "récupération des bagages." It's easy to use Google
translate to make a custom phrasebook that may amuse your French
interlocutors while being just informative enough for your purposes.)
I set the stray rando straight. Those guys with the big pile of bags
you just went past? That's the place.
Jeff Sammons
Sep 2, 2011, 7:33:11 AM9/2/11
to vdavis, randon
I used Des Peres for both 2007 and 2011, got their total package, and had no issues. Maybe the people that stay at the Campanile have less issues. I will use them again in 2015.
I also had hotels in Loudeac both times and had no issues with drop bags or having someone show me the way to the hotel.
I did notice a big change with the format of the post ride celebration dinner though. In 2007 I thought it was well worth the money. But in 2011 I'm glad I didn't pay for dinner, I got someone's dinner ticket for free.
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2011 4:39 PM
Subject: [Randon] Time to flame Des Peres Travel
Subject: [Randon] Time to flame Des Peres Travel
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roadijeff
Sep 2, 2011, 8:11:10 AM9/2/11
to randon
Reading this thread reminds me of why I stayed in Paris an extra day
this year and took the RER from my SQY hotel back to the CDG airport.
One transfer from the RER C to the RER B line at the Gare de Saint
Michel and I was at the airport with my bike, wife and luggage. Cost
was 13.9 euros for a one-way ticket. And on an early Sunday morning
in the Paris area the trains were practically empty. The Hotel
Campanile looked like a ghost town for the last 24 hours of our stay,
a welcome relief from the frequent chaos of the sardine-like bike
storage area.
I will be using the train system again in 2015 to get to/from the
airport with my bike and will be making my own hotel reservations.
Some of you said that part of the reason you skipped PBP this year was
because of the hassles encountered through the travel service in
previous years. They're not the only game in town. If you do your
own planning you will save a lot of money and headaches. Many PBP
vets are here and willing to offer advice for your next adventure in 4
years.
this year and took the RER from my SQY hotel back to the CDG airport.
One transfer from the RER C to the RER B line at the Gare de Saint
Michel and I was at the airport with my bike, wife and luggage. Cost
was 13.9 euros for a one-way ticket. And on an early Sunday morning
in the Paris area the trains were practically empty. The Hotel
Campanile looked like a ghost town for the last 24 hours of our stay,
a welcome relief from the frequent chaos of the sardine-like bike
storage area.
I will be using the train system again in 2015 to get to/from the
airport with my bike and will be making my own hotel reservations.
Some of you said that part of the reason you skipped PBP this year was
because of the hassles encountered through the travel service in
previous years. They're not the only game in town. If you do your
own planning you will save a lot of money and headaches. Many PBP
vets are here and willing to offer advice for your next adventure in 4
years.
David
Sep 2, 2011, 8:37:33 AM9/2/11
to randon
Only used the drop bag to Loudeac and was highly satisfied with that
particular service (despite the high cost). Made my own arrangements
to stay a 2 minute walk from Montparnasse and used the Air France bus
from CDG. Everything worked smoothly, though it took me an extra hour
to get from the plane to the city than when I travel for work due to
waiting for checked baggage and a 15 minute wait for the AF bus.
Aside from AF baggage handling (still a notorious black hole) CDG is a
good airport.
particular service (despite the high cost). Made my own arrangements
to stay a 2 minute walk from Montparnasse and used the Air France bus
from CDG. Everything worked smoothly, though it took me an extra hour
to get from the plane to the city than when I travel for work due to
waiting for checked baggage and a 15 minute wait for the AF bus.
Aside from AF baggage handling (still a notorious black hole) CDG is a
good airport.
Steve Rice
Sep 2, 2011, 8:44:34 AM9/2/11
to randon
You bring up an interesting point. The only service that Claus offers which is not easily replaced is the drop bag service. Since you were not staying at one of Claus' hotels, how did you get your bag back? Did you have him drop it at the Campanile or Mercure and just make a trip out to pick it up?
Thanks
Steve
Thanks
Steve
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Yiping Lin
Sep 2, 2011, 9:44:22 AM9/2/11
to ran...@googlegroups.com
I can answer this question: You drop and pick up your bag at one of his hotels.
Retired
Sep 2, 2011, 10:41:06 AM9/2/11
to randon
Yes, it really sucks that everything didn't go perfectly for everyone
with Des Peres. If you have ever organized an international effort
over multiple locations on a quadrennial basis, you probably
understand the problems, and may well be able to do better.
OTOH, when I was hospitalized after a crash in 2007, Klaus showed up
at the hospital, got me through checkout, straightened out my
transport to Paris, got my bike and drop bags back to my hotel - all
during the event.
Peter
with Des Peres. If you have ever organized an international effort
over multiple locations on a quadrennial basis, you probably
understand the problems, and may well be able to do better.
OTOH, when I was hospitalized after a crash in 2007, Klaus showed up
at the hospital, got me through checkout, straightened out my
transport to Paris, got my bike and drop bags back to my hotel - all
during the event.
Peter
Yiping Lin
Sep 3, 2011, 7:48:11 AM9/3/11
to ran...@googlegroups.com
I wonder whether the lost bike box in CDG has found its way home. We saw
Claus rolling the lost bike box up and down the check-in hall to look
for its owner. But since there's no name/address outside the box we
couldn't help either.
This is my first journey and I booked the trip via Claus (except the guided tour & celebration dinner). Overall it's not bad until the return flight. Our flight to New York (as well as to DC) was cancelled due to hurricane Irene. Unlike the personal reservation, we had to go to the airport to book the re-route flight. For a group ticket, it is very difficult -- but not impossible -- to get re-route ticket over the phone (only one case in our NJ/NY group got it over the phone but the on-hold time was 1 hour!). This should be Claus's job to get the re-route ticket for us but he just told us to go to the airport to make change. One of our group was ripped off by one check-in agent and paid for the re-route ticket in full.
For a group ticket, we cannot check-in online or make special request before the departure of the flight. I tried on my way to Paris but Air France reservation couldn't do that for me and suggested me to go through the travel agent (Claus).
However, this was the only bad part of my journey. I enjoyed very much my stay in the hotel (Le Relais de Voisins) -- very pleasant place and stuff, and got to know a bunch of riders in the same hotel. If I made my own hotel arrangement, I wouldn't have chance to know these people. Friendship is priceless.
This is my first journey and I booked the trip via Claus (except the guided tour & celebration dinner). Overall it's not bad until the return flight. Our flight to New York (as well as to DC) was cancelled due to hurricane Irene. Unlike the personal reservation, we had to go to the airport to book the re-route flight. For a group ticket, it is very difficult -- but not impossible -- to get re-route ticket over the phone (only one case in our NJ/NY group got it over the phone but the on-hold time was 1 hour!). This should be Claus's job to get the re-route ticket for us but he just told us to go to the airport to make change. One of our group was ripped off by one check-in agent and paid for the re-route ticket in full.
For a group ticket, we cannot check-in online or make special request before the departure of the flight. I tried on my way to Paris but Air France reservation couldn't do that for me and suggested me to go through the travel agent (Claus).
However, this was the only bad part of my journey. I enjoyed very much my stay in the hotel (Le Relais de Voisins) -- very pleasant place and stuff, and got to know a bunch of riders in the same hotel. If I made my own hotel arrangement, I wouldn't have chance to know these people. Friendship is priceless.
David
Sep 3, 2011, 1:27:07 PM9/3/11
to ran...@googlegroups.com
Yes-- just dropped it at one of the hotels in SQY and picked it up there
afterward
David Buzzee
Sep 3, 2011, 8:31:03 PM9/3/11
to ran...@googlegroups.com
The bike box is mine. The name label was ripped off by handlers. By reports, the bike boxes arrived at CDG around 9 AM, some 10 minutes before my Delta flight closed its doors. As far as I could tell, I was the last passenger boarded. That I was boarded at all was due to unusual good luck in selecting the fastest lines through passport control and the security check. I could not have waited another minute longer so was not at the curb when the bike boxes arrived. I e-mailed Claus' office at Des Peres and received assurances that Claus had taken the box to the Campanile where he would gather it when he returns to the US this next week. I'll post a followup note if the bike does not arrive as promised.
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|
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Old5ten
Sep 4, 2011, 1:48:23 PM9/4/11
to li...@jkassen.org, randon
i researched and booked all of my own travel arrangements for PBP in 2007 and another trip to southern france this year. no problems on either trip. i think many people are enticed by organizations like des peres because of the simplicity.
elmar
elmar
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vdavis
Sep 5, 2011, 10:40:59 AM9/5/11
to randon
Wow. I never expected so many reponses. The person who had to leave
his bike behind just to make his flight... that is PATHETIC.
Bottom line: Sounds like the hotel/airport transfer and the
"celebration dinner" were a disaster. But... to be completely fair to
Claus... I had no problem with his Loudeac drop bag service and the
hotel I booked there. The drop bags were easily found at the control,
well-guarded and sheltered from the rain, and the Des Peres rep wasted
no time walking me to my hotel and carrying my bag for me. Much
appreciated after 450k. The service, while expensive, was flawless.
However... I will NEVER use his airport transfer service again. There
is no excuse for not getting people and their luggage to the airport
in time to make their flights. Sorry. For me this does not fall into
the category of 'needing to be understanding about complexities of
international sporting events.' There was no traffic Saturday morning.
Claus had an overcrowded bus, not enough reps, and an unreliable (VERY
LATE) trucking service for the bike boxes. This is a function of
trying to cut costs to make more money... unconscionable considering
the high price (45 euros) and high stakes (missed international
flights) for his clients.
his bike behind just to make his flight... that is PATHETIC.
Bottom line: Sounds like the hotel/airport transfer and the
"celebration dinner" were a disaster. But... to be completely fair to
Claus... I had no problem with his Loudeac drop bag service and the
hotel I booked there. The drop bags were easily found at the control,
well-guarded and sheltered from the rain, and the Des Peres rep wasted
no time walking me to my hotel and carrying my bag for me. Much
appreciated after 450k. The service, while expensive, was flawless.
However... I will NEVER use his airport transfer service again. There
is no excuse for not getting people and their luggage to the airport
in time to make their flights. Sorry. For me this does not fall into
the category of 'needing to be understanding about complexities of
international sporting events.' There was no traffic Saturday morning.
Claus had an overcrowded bus, not enough reps, and an unreliable (VERY
LATE) trucking service for the bike boxes. This is a function of
trying to cut costs to make more money... unconscionable considering
the high price (45 euros) and high stakes (missed international
flights) for his clients.
Hamish Moffatt
Sep 5, 2011, 7:13:52 PM9/5/11
to randon
On Mon, Sep 05, 2011 at 07:40:59AM -0700, vdavis wrote:
> Bottom line: Sounds like the hotel/airport transfer and the
> "celebration dinner" were a disaster. But... to be completely fair to
> Claus... I had no problem with his Loudeac drop bag service and the
> hotel I booked there. The drop bags were easily found at the control,
> well-guarded and sheltered from the rain, and the Des Peres rep wasted
> no time walking me to my hotel and carrying my bag for me. Much
> appreciated after 450k. The service, while expensive, was flawless.
> Bottom line: Sounds like the hotel/airport transfer and the
> "celebration dinner" were a disaster. But... to be completely fair to
> Claus... I had no problem with his Loudeac drop bag service and the
> hotel I booked there. The drop bags were easily found at the control,
> well-guarded and sheltered from the rain, and the Des Peres rep wasted
> no time walking me to my hotel and carrying my bag for me. Much
> appreciated after 450k. The service, while expensive, was flawless.
Well guarded? We in Australia used the same service (though our
PBP committee generously took care of the details for us). We were told
that we would not get our bags without our claim tickets, but there was
no sign of anyone checking them at Loudeac or indeed guarding the bags
at all.
Hamish
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