July 12, 2007
Valium, a Lap Top and a Greyhound Bus
I’m not a savvy traveler. In fact, I rarely take a vacation or travel anywhere that requires a night’s stay in a hotel.
So picture this semi-country girl from Wisconsin travelling to Chicago for four days and three nights to attend the BlogHer Conference in less than 15 days.
Don’t read me wrong. I’ve been to Chicago several times. My dear, sweet friend Amy lives near the city and so when I travel I have a place to park that doesn’t charge $43 per night.
I know. I should have been smarter and planned these expenses in advance. And I did, for the most part. Parking was the last thing on my mind. Pass me the get out of jail free card. I make mistakes. I’m human.
I tried to find alternative, suitable parking garages and lots but the cheapest I found is still $30 per night. It’s a ridiculous expense if you ask me. I do understand the Windy City needs to make a few bucks off my poor midwestern ass, but an additional $100 bucks is a little over the top.
And so, I’ve decided to take a Greyhound bus to Chi-town. Five hour drive, no transfers, no gasoline expense and plenty of blog fodder! What more could a wanna-be city girl ask for?
The last time I took a Greyhound was in 2000. I was travelling to Texas to visit my high school pal, Amanda. It was an overnight trip and an old lady fell asleep on me. A little boy threw up next to me and another woman asked me to hold her toddler while she went to the bathroom and he peed on me.
I’m praying to the Bus Gods that none of these things happen to me this time around.
BlogHer or bust, right?
Posted by Dana @ 11:08 AM • BlogHer,Travel Mama
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July 12th, 2007 at 12:07 PM, yoshi Says:
You know, I don’t think anyone really has a pleasant time on a bus ride, going anywhere. And buses have been around for ages right?
Goes to show you that even if technology changes our lives, riding a bus will always be dreadful.
July 13th, 2007 at 8:54 AM, jenn in holland Says:
Wah-hah! That’s going to be fun. And surely worth a blog post or two!
Have a (great) trip!
July 13th, 2007 at 10:05 AM, Leslie Says:
Oh Dana, I can’t wait to hear about this! Should be an adventure.
July 14th, 2007 at 12:17 AM, ignipott Says:
…you’re very very funny…
…come to meet me at:
ignipott.blogspot.com!
July 14th, 2007 at 1:30 AM, Jon Says:
Very nice blog! Thanks for sharing. I wanted to tell you that I am trying to get a conservative digg alternative going called GOP Hub (GOPhub.com). Anything you can do to help get the word out would be awesome. Plus you can post links on it to any articles you write here on your blog. At any rate, have a great weekend and keep up the good work!
May 20th, 2008 at 8:58 PM, Jimmy Boney Says:
After a 4 day horrible experience, lost luggage, stolen wallet, and a week of frustrating dealings with Greyhound, I’m putting out a Call to Action against Greyhound. Please read below for more information:
It’s time Greyhound was held accountable, so I’m putting this action together to get everyone who has ever had trouble with Greyhound’s bus system to call and complain about their operating procedures, lack of customer service, amount of lost baggage, and anything else you can think of that you, or anyone you may know, want to address with Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Action Dates: June 23 through 27, 2008
Action Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Standard Time (so adjust the times for your time zone.)
I believe if you can post this information in your Blog, on Message Boards, on Forums, or email it to your friends. If everyone then calls, sends letters, creates picket lines outside your local Greyhound station, faxes Greyhound and Laidlaw on June 23 through the 27th, perhaps they will understand just how unhappy everyone is with their bus service. Also, please consider finding and taking another bus service. If you know of a bus service, please list it so others can learn about them. I’ve listed one below, after all the other information.
Unpublished location of Greyhound’s Corporate Offices:
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Criag Lentzsch, CEO
15110 Dallas Pkwy
Dallas, TX 75248-4635
U.S.A.
Do NOT call the listed phone numbers for Greyhound (214-849-8218 is given but only reaches a voice system and it’s almost impossible to reach a live person on the 800-231-2222 official Greyhound number.), instead reach a live person by calling any of these unpublished numbers:
Operator with Executive Office: 214-849-8219
Bryan: 214-849-8217
Ursala: 214-849-8215
Safety Dept: 214-849-8214
Claudette: 214-849-8213
Jennell: 214-849-8211
These are the numbers that I was able to reach people, however, you can try to reach other live people by dialing 214-849-82XX (put any number in for the XX)
The Parent Company (the company that owns Greyhound) for Greyhound is:
Laidlaw Inc.
55 Shulman Boulevard, Suite 400
Naperville, IL 60563
U.S.A.
Phone: 630-848-3000
Fax: 630-579-6438
Other Bus Services:
Trailways services some areas, so please see this website to see if they service the areas you are traveling: http://www.trailways.com/schedules.asp
Another great website to find bus services: http://www.apta.com/links/transit_by_mode/bus.cfm
August 4th, 2008 at 6:02 PM, Chris Says:
I realize your last reply was in May but here is a great way to trave between many cities in the midwest or northeast try the megabus website:
http://megabus.com/us/index.php
here’s a sample of the schedule between chicago and milwaukee
7:00 AM Depart Chicago, Union Station
Arrive Milwaukee, Amtrak Station 8:55 AM
1 seat = $11.00
9:30 AM Depart Chicago, Union Station
Arrive Milwaukee, Amtrak Station 11:25 AM
1 seat = $5.00
11:30 AM Depart Chicago, Union Station
Arrive Milwaukee, Amtrak Station 1:25 PM
1 seat = $5.00
3:00 PM Depart Chicago, Union Station
Arrive Milwaukee, Amtrak Station 4:55 PM
1 seat = $11.00
5:30 PM Depart Chicago, Union Station
Arrive Milwaukee, Amtrak Station 7:25 PM
1 seat = $11.00
9:30 PM Depart Chicago, Union Station
Arrive Milwaukee, Amtrak Station 11:25 PM
1 seat = $10.00
unfortunately I’m going to kentucky and my only route is with greyhound … I have to start sacrificing something to the bus god’s now in the hope my trip will go somewhat smooth. I hope your trip went well