United States of America (Press Release) November 7, 2008 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Austin, TX - AlphaRide announced it has moved into a larger facility on Bastrop Highway (SH183) near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The company says the move, which took place November 1st, will allow for growth and enhanced customer service. Prior to the move, AlphaRide operated out of an uncovered storage facility in Pflugerville,TX.
“The proximity to the airport will allow us to react to customer requests faster and the space gives us ample covered storage for the vehicles”, said Isaac Hammond, President. “This move allows us to immediately double our load capacity and the lease terms give us the option for further expansion at the same location.”
The move has affected the company’s phone number. Customers can now reach the main office at 512.385.8700 or 877.ALPHA.30. This information is reflected on the company web site at www.alpharide.com.

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www.alpharide.com
About the Company
AlphaRide offers high-quality, low cost private airport transportation in Austin, TX. Customers are given service similar to a limousine at prices comparable to a taxi or airport shuttle. With private service, customers are immediately transported directly to their destination without waiting on other passengers. All drivers are uniformed and operate a fleet of fully-insured Lexus vehicles. Office hours are 8 AM - 7 PM. Reservations are accepted for any time of day, 7 days per week (excluding certain holidays).

AlphaRide’s operating hours often start well before sunrise as folks head to Austin Bergstrom International Airport for flights leaving as early as 5:30 AM.  That means that there is a very important tool for our job that cannot go overlooked: coffee.  Yes, the other black gold.

There aren’t that many restaurants or coffee shops open at 4:00 AM to serve that important shot of caffeine.  However, here are a few tidbits that we’ve found:

*Seattle’s Best/Starbucks opens at 6:00 if you can wait that long

*Austin Java isn’t open until 7:00 - yikes!

*McDonald’s actually has good coffee now.  You read that correctly, McDonald’s.  Not only that - they’ve now begun to add the cream and sugar for you.  This is great as you aren’t left with trash in your vehicle or a mess; unless you spill coffee on yourself.  This is a real “zero to hero” type story.  Before they made the switch to premium coffee you could use the stuff they served as motor oil.  Several locations around town are open 24 hrs if you are out late/early.

*Chick-Fil-A also has good coffee and their chicken biscuits are pretty good.  They need to talk to the McDonald’s people about putting the cream and sugar in the coffee.  Did we mention this was a cool idea?

*Sometimes temptation can get the better of you and the you take the only thing available.  We’re talking, of course, of the no-name convenient store coffee.  You know the stuff, we’re talking about - it looks like it’s been sitting there for 3 days and probably has.  They only have Sweet N Low and powdered cream.  Everyone will have to make this decision at some point in their lives.  Do you or don’t you?  It just depends upon your level of desperation, but we warned you.:)

Here is the list of best coffee places in Austin from citysearch.com:

Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.

-General George Patton

It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.

- Yogi Berra

Occasionally we see situations that are a little out of the norm.  Recently, one of our drivers was picking up two friends we’ll call “Thelma & Louise”.  These two ladies were very excited about a trip to Europe they were taking.  About 5 minutes into the trip Thelma realized that she left her purse back at house.  The purse had passports, cash, boarding passes, etc. so the vehicle turned around.  However, upon returning they realize that they’ve completely locked themselves out of the house!  All keys were inside and they had come out through the garage door which had no keypad on the outside of the house.

Time was of the essence in coming up with a solution.  Their international flight left in a few hours and the tickets were NON-REFUNDABLE.  All windows were checked to see if one was left unlocked but none were.  No key was hidden under a pot or mat and it would take too long to get a locksmith out there.  The only tool left in the backyard?  A golf club.  Louise made a quick call to her husband frantically explaining the situation and a decision was made.  A window would have to be sacrificed.  

Our driver tried calling several locksmiths to make sure that nothing else could be done, but none could be reached on the phone and the clock was ticking.  So, at the request of the homeowner, our driver took to the double-paned glass with extreme efficiency.  One swing shattered the window so that he was able to reach in, unlock, and then open the window.  Louise used the golf club to retrieve a comforter from the room inside so that she could climb in without cutting herself.  Once inside all was found and the duo were back on their way to the airport.

Although a rough start to their trip, they maintained high spirits and realized they would always have an interesting story to tell.  Pictures to follow!

A few tidbits we’ve learned in this business. Keep in mind this list could go on for daaaaaaaaays!  A quick disclaimer, these may only be interesting to us.:)*

*Street numbers on houses, and especially apartments, are poorly lit.  Ironically, lights placed near the street numbers that are meant to illuminate often do the opposite by creating a shadow - go figure.  Some nice neighborhoods have gone away from the green reflective street signs.  These are almost impossible to read after dark.  Next purchase - night vision!

*Google is the best mapping tool on the web.  It kicks the pants off of MapQuest.  In general, there are a ton of FREE applications that Google offers that are useful.  We’ve saved thousands of dollars utilizing this company’s free stuff.  However, we’ve spent a pretty penny advertising with them too!

*EVERYONE has a preference about the route traveled to and from their home.

*Southwest is consistently the best about getting bags off of planes quickly at ABIA.  American is the worst.

*A lot of the airlines fudge their on-time numbers from Dallas or Houston.  These flights are scheduled at an hour but typically take 45 minutes to arrive.  The result?  They get to say they’ve arrived 15 minutes early.  But, we’re onto them!

*It is almost inevitable that late night arrivals will be delayed.  Logic says this should be expected as all of the small delays throughout the day compound to make these last flights of the day uber-late.  We often get asked what it the most delayed we’ve seen a flight.  In terms of hours it’s 6.  A flight from Chicago to Austin on American was supposed to leave at 8 pm and arrived at 2 am.  The latest one was delayed was until 4 am.  A JetBlue flight from New York was scheduled for midnight and pulled in 4 hours later. As Confucious says, “Grant me the strength not to get angry at things I cannot control and may there be a Starbucks nearby to keep me alert.” 

*A/C vented seats feel fantastic during the Texas summers.  Cheek chillers!

Effective 6/30/08, AlphaRide has LOWERED prices for Austin airport transportation service. For example, service from ABIA to Downtown Austin is now offered at $45, down from $49. AlphaRide still offers service in the same high quality vehicles just at a reduced fare.

Even with gas prices soaring, AlphaRide has found a way to offer the same great service at a reduced cost. How do they do it??!!

When traveling to Austin Bergstrom International Airport, you have no shortage of options. There are taxis, airport shuttles, friends, your car, limos/sedans, hotel shuttles, maybe even pedicabs (although we wouldn’t recommend it, yikes!) Here are a few of the pros/cons of each and why we think AlphaRide is a good choice for you.

AlphaRide

OK, we’re biased, but we think we’ve got a good idea. We pick you up at your house, at the time you pick, in a Lexus with a uniformed driver, for a price close to a cab. When you return, we are waiting for you in the baggage claim area with a sign and we monitor your flight for delays. Bottle of water? No problem. No smoking? Of course. Will the driver sing to me? Probably not, but you wouldn’t want that anyway. We hire for friendliness, not for American Idol. The radio station is up to you, though! Give us a call:)

Taxis

The good is that they are typically waiting there and most drivers are hard-working people eager for your business. Cabs have regulated fairs so you will receive the same price from any and you can expect a ~$30 fare to downtown Austin. Of course, the service levels vary widely. Some cars are kept very clean and the drivers are friendly. Some……are not. Let’s face it, sometimes you are tipping the driver just to let you out of that dirty car.

Your Personal Vehicle

No problem here, you know what you are getting. However, it still costs to park and the least expensive off-airport lots require a shuttle to get to it. The closest lot costs $17 per day. It doesn’t take long before it would have been less expensive to pay for a ride! Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone waiting for you, monitoring your flight, and then just leaving instead of walking or taking a shuttle to your car? Besides, your car will love you if it gets to wait at home rather in a lot subject to the elements and other people! Door dings or your car broken into are not a nice way to return home!

Airport Shuttles

Let us get this straight….You have to stop by other people’s houses to pick them up before I get to the aiport or get home? That doesn’t paint a great picture. You’ve been traveling all day and want to get home, but now you have to wait another hour to get 15 miles because of a shared-ride shuttle. Sure, the cost seems good, but have you compared it to a private ride? The prices really aren’t that appealing and as soon as you add multiple people, you could have done this less expensive by taking a ride all unto yourself! Of all the options out there, we just don’t get this one.

A Friend

This can be a good idea. After all, it’s free and you are dropped off right at the terminal! However, how long will you have these friends if you continually ask them for rides and use their costly gasoline (at $4/gallon no less)? Please, keep you friends. Call us instead.

Austin Airport Limos and Sedans

A lot of good here, and definitely convenient. Drivers wait on you, the car is parked nearby, you have someone to help you with your bags. However, be ready to fork over the coin Rockefeller!