www.westcanadatours Anyone ever used them?
#1
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www.westcanadatours Anyone ever used them?
I'm trying to rent a 15-passenger van for a group of 9 plus loads of luggage. So far, this is the only company I've found to offer 15-passenger vans. Most only offer 12-passenger. I've used 12-passenger vans many times, but there's only 6 of us and luggage. I felt compelled to explain why I need a 15-passenger van when there are only 9 of us.
After reading their Reservation Policies, I'm a little nervous. There's no contact phone number for me to call and ask questions...only and email form...and they didn't respond. Even when making a reservation REQUEST, you have to give them your cc information.
After reading their Reservation Policies, I'm a little nervous. There's no contact phone number for me to call and ask questions...only and email form...and they didn't respond. Even when making a reservation REQUEST, you have to give them your cc information.
#2
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Hi jewelhawg,
A 15-person van is the size limit of the vehicle you are allowed to drive with a standard driver's license in Alberta, regardless of the actual number of passengers in the vehicle. That is, if the vehicle has only one passenger in it, but has space for 15 people, that is as large a vehicle as a person with a standard driver's licence is allowed to drive.
The standard driver's licence in Alberta is called a Class 5 licence. That is the class of licence that I have. You can read the details on this web page:
http://www.servicealberta.ca/index.c...LicenceClasses
Now I think there may be a problem with your renting a 15-passenger van. A 15-passenger van has a seating capacity of 16, does it not? What I mean is that the driver plus 15 passengers add up to 16, right? My understanding is that, according to the rules of the road in Alberta, a person with a standard driver's license may not drive a vehicle that can seat 16 people, even if that driver has only one passenger riding with him/her in that vehicle.
I am not familiar with www.westcanadatours.com . Mind you, I don't work in the travel industry, and there are many tour operators with whom I am not familiar.
I looked up their website. I get totally creeped out by companies that don't have a phone number at which I can contact them. Basically I refuse to deal with companies like that. The fact that they have not responded to your e-mail enquiries add to my discomfort. But, even if they did respond to e-mails and did not provide a contact phone number, I would not be happy.
Although it would be more expensive for you to do so, if I were in your position I think I might rent two standard mini vans. I'm sorry if that is bad news from you from a budget point of view.
If you are a group of 9 people, there may be some advantages to travelling in two vehicles. It may give you some flexibility if some people want to do one thing while other people want to do something else.
Hope you have a great trip.
A 15-person van is the size limit of the vehicle you are allowed to drive with a standard driver's license in Alberta, regardless of the actual number of passengers in the vehicle. That is, if the vehicle has only one passenger in it, but has space for 15 people, that is as large a vehicle as a person with a standard driver's licence is allowed to drive.
The standard driver's licence in Alberta is called a Class 5 licence. That is the class of licence that I have. You can read the details on this web page:
http://www.servicealberta.ca/index.c...LicenceClasses
Now I think there may be a problem with your renting a 15-passenger van. A 15-passenger van has a seating capacity of 16, does it not? What I mean is that the driver plus 15 passengers add up to 16, right? My understanding is that, according to the rules of the road in Alberta, a person with a standard driver's license may not drive a vehicle that can seat 16 people, even if that driver has only one passenger riding with him/her in that vehicle.
I am not familiar with www.westcanadatours.com . Mind you, I don't work in the travel industry, and there are many tour operators with whom I am not familiar.
I looked up their website. I get totally creeped out by companies that don't have a phone number at which I can contact them. Basically I refuse to deal with companies like that. The fact that they have not responded to your e-mail enquiries add to my discomfort. But, even if they did respond to e-mails and did not provide a contact phone number, I would not be happy.
Although it would be more expensive for you to do so, if I were in your position I think I might rent two standard mini vans. I'm sorry if that is bad news from you from a budget point of view.
If you are a group of 9 people, there may be some advantages to travelling in two vehicles. It may give you some flexibility if some people want to do one thing while other people want to do something else.
Hope you have a great trip.
#3
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Thanks for all your input, Judy!
I did check on the capacity of a 15-passenger van and it is 15...14 plus the driver. So I should be okay there.
Since I'm the only one who's been to Canada, they've all requested to somehow be in the same vehicle. That way I can talk and point out things as we drive through your beautiful country. However, if I don't find a reliable source for a 15-passenger van, I will rent 2 mini-vans...great idea!
I did check on the capacity of a 15-passenger van and it is 15...14 plus the driver. So I should be okay there.
Since I'm the only one who's been to Canada, they've all requested to somehow be in the same vehicle. That way I can talk and point out things as we drive through your beautiful country. However, if I don't find a reliable source for a 15-passenger van, I will rent 2 mini-vans...great idea!
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Driving Force states on their website they rent 15 passenger vans:
http://www.drivingforce.ca/calgary-truck-rentals/
http://www.drivingforce.ca/calgary-truck-rentals/
#6
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Thank you for your suggestion, Shelli. I was very excited to read your post. After reading their website information, I contacted them immediately.
Unfortunatly, they do not offer airport pick-ups on the weekends. We arrive on a Saturday and depart on a Sunday.
I'm not giving up!
Unfortunatly, they do not offer airport pick-ups on the weekends. We arrive on a Saturday and depart on a Sunday.
I'm not giving up!
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I'm answering my own question now that I've returned from our trip.
Budget at the Calgary airport has 15-passenger vans and for a nominal fee they will remove the back bench. This allows plenty of room for storing luggage.
There were 9 of us and it was a comfortable way to travel through the Rockies.
Budget at the Calgary airport has 15-passenger vans and for a nominal fee they will remove the back bench. This allows plenty of room for storing luggage.
There were 9 of us and it was a comfortable way to travel through the Rockies.
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