Since there are mixed reviews regarding this service, I though I'd start a thread that will easily come up with a search.

Here's our experience.

I completed a reservation request at Ray's Transport website. Though a confirmation is promised within 24 hours, I received no response (and did check my AOL Spam folder) for several days. Finally, I phoned. Whoever answered the phone took my name and promised a confirmation that evening. I still received no response.

So, I went to the JustAirports website and filled out a reservation request. During the booking process, I had to change from a Saloon Car to Estate Wagon "due to the amount of luggage" (5 bags total). I don't recall the initial quote, but I received an e-mail overnight stating that we would have to book a "People Carrier" due to the amount of luggage at £40 from Heathrow to the airport and £35 for the return. I responded that the luggage would consist of two medium sized bags, two small carry ons, and a small tote bag. I received a response overnight that a "People Carrier" would definitely be required.

I waited a few days and finally received a response from Ray. Ray's quote was £44 to the hotel and £39 for the return, which would be booked upon confirming the e-mail, which I did not do.

Since JustAirports was significally less, I replied that I'd like to go ahead and book. Overnight return e-mail requested all details all over again, which I supplied, exactly the same as before. The next day, I received a confirmation for a "Saloon Car" with rates of £31 and £26, with the information that one hour and ten minutes waiting time would be included. Driver would enter the terminal 30 minutes after our plane landed (which the driver would monitor), and wait an additional 40 minutes before waiting charges would accrue. Additional waiting time would be charged at 25 pence per minute/£15 per hour. Since I was confused now over the luggage/type of vehicle specifications, I duly printed out a few copies of the e-mail confirmation and brought them with me, fearing too small a vehicle might be sent for us.

While I was packing to leave, I received a phone call from Ray! I explained that a response was so long in coming that I had made other arrangements. Ray was very, very nice. Said he was just checking to ensure that we weren't stranded at the airport upon arrival.

Our flight landed 15 minutes early (6:40AM on a Thursday in May). It took exactly an hour to get to and through Passport Control, use the restrooms, find the ATM (a bit of a line there) and acquire some cash, then find our driver (with our name on a sign) opposite the Hertz desk. Our driver was very nice and took care of our bags. He was driving a very nice, new mini-van. Upon arrival at the hotel, he told us the charge would be £36 (£31 plus £5 waiting). I whipped out my e-mail, explained that I had checked my watch upon arrival and upon meeting him and that we had not accrued any "waiting time". He apologized profusely and agreed to the £31. He seemed sincere, so I tipped him as well.

Returning, we were downstairs with our bags about 15 minutes early. Our driver arrived about 5 minutes later, frantic that no one had given him our room number, though we had the concierge confirm our return by phone the day before. The driver was very nice, also with a very nice new mini-van, waited at the curb when we arrived at the terminal, while my husband fetched a luggage cart (large supply nearby), loaded the bags on neatly.

Round trip with Ray would have cost £83, whereas JustAirports charged £57. Even if the rates had been more similar, I would have been reluctant to book with Ray due to communication delays.

JustAirports responded each time within 24 hours (actually the following morning USA East Coast time).

Great comparison, though I think there are a number of posts about this already.

I'll just add that I just saw a negative review of Just Airports from another poster here. Here's the link:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34504070

After reading that review, the first negative one I think I've ever seen on Fodors.com, I have given some thought to using them.

The woman I'm renting the apartment from also recommends someone she knows personally... he's more in the price range of Ray. I'm actually thinking of booking him because she's comfortable having him take the key and let us into the apartment as soon as we land (we arrive before her 2 pm check in time) and she knows him personally. My understanding from all the posts about Just Airports is thatit's just a booking service for a whole bunch of independent drivers so you will get a lot of variation in drivers, cars, etc.

Ray's service has been so highly recommended here... does anyone know if he's the only driver? Many posts refer to him by name and says he does a bit of a talkig tour while driving.

Thanks,
Kat

I've booked Just Airports and at first I sent just an inquiry email to clarify certain issues I wasn't sure about. I got an email even sooner than 24 hours. Then since my questions were answered, I did send a booking request and once again, got a response within 24 hours.

Of course, I haven't gone through actually being picked up by Just Airports, but I've read enough positive reviews of them, that I feel confident. Yes, something could go wrong, and also, sometimes people's expectation in a different country are different than the reality and they can't be happy with anything unless it's just like home.

I'm hoping for the best and will see what happens. But their response to my inquiry was very good!

djk,

how far in advance would you recommend booking the transportation? we're going to london in two months.

thanks.

A couple of years ago, 4 of us flew into Heathrow and out of Gatwick. We used Ray and felt it wasn't excessive for 4 people once we figured the cost of the train + taxi.

Last month, my husband and I flew into Heathrow and out of Gatwick and chose to take the Tube from Heathrow. What a disaster that was. We had been advised to change to the District Line in Hammersmith because it was less hassle with luggage. Unfortunately, the Lift was out of service, so we had to haul our suitcases up and down 2 flights of stairs. Also, when we arrived at Victoria Station, there was no lift so again we had to haul our luggage up the stairs. I would have paid a King's Ransom at that point to Ray or anybody else! For our return to Gatwick, we used the Gatwick Express and, while not as difficult as our previous excursion, it was no picnic either.

It is expensive to use a car service to and from the airport(s) in London, but I now consider it to be worth every pence!

JJ625, When I was in London in March I called Just Airports the night before my flight, and there was no problem getting them to take me to the airport in the morning.

We've used Ray many times, and have never been disappointed. He may charge a little more then some of the other services, but we feel comfortable with him. I've recommended him quite a few times and everyone has been pleased. We saw Ray in April and he had just moved (to another house) and he also mentioned he had some computer problems again. I do not know if they were resolved, but they could cause a delay in e-mail answers.

Two trips ago our plane was late and we were hung up in immigration for what seemed like forever. Ray waited for us and did not charge us extra. He said "I knew you would be there". Granted we have become somewhat friends over the years, but from the very first we found Ray reliable and a lot of fun to ride with as well.

When I've made reservations with Ray I have done it via e-mail but always follow it up with a phone call too. He has a cell phone with him all the time. When Ray cannot do a "run" himself he will contract out the ride to another driver. There are several he works with regularly.

I have no comments on JustAirports, it does seem as if some people like them, others have problems. Prior to meeting Ray we used several other services, most were ok.

We have found that a car service is really not a luxury after a 10-11 flight, it's money well spent we decided long ago.

We had a very positive experience in March with JustAirports and would not hesitate booking again.

JoeG

We've used Ray Skinner's service many times over the last few years, have ridden with Ray and without him, and have only had great service. Throughout the years, however, my one complaint about Ray is his communication skills. On the two most recent occasions we've had exactly the same experience as djkbooks, ie, no confirmation. I don't get it. There's just no excuse for it marring an otherwise stellar business. Maybe the good news for Ray is that he has more work than he can handle. He's a great guy.

JJ625 - I called JustAirports 24 hours before our flight landed in Gatwick and it worked out fine. We had a good experience with them and would use them again.

I used Just Airports last March, and would use them again. There was one glitch in the experience, but that was probably as much my fault as theirs. Thanks to a favorable tail wind, my flight arrived at Heathrow 45 minutes early. It took about 45 minutes to get through immigration and pick up my bag, so I entered the arrivals area at almost exactly the time my plane had been scheduled to land. I looked (several times, carefully) at the names on all the signs the drivers were holding up, and didn't see my name, so I figured the Just Airports driver wasn't there yet. I didn't have a cell phone that worked in London, there were no pay phones in sight (and I was too befuddled from the overnight flight to try to find one), and I didn't want to hang around the arrivals area for 45 minutes waiting for the driver to show up, so instead of trying to contact Just Airports, I headed for the tube and took it into London. (Fortunately, my hotel was near a Piccadilly Line station, so I didn't have the transfer problems that bettyk had.)

When I got to the hotel, I called Just Airports to let them know what had happened. They were pretty annoyed with me, saying that the driver had waited two hours and had me paged three times -- all of which is probably true, but unfortunately I was probably already halfway to central London on the train, by the time he arrived and had me paged. I apologized, and repeated that I still wanted to use Just Airports for my return trip to the airport the next week. They obviously didn't hold a grudge against me, because the return trip worked out fine: the driver was waiting in the lobby of my hotel when I checked out, 15 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time, he was very pleasant and a good driver, the car was clean, and I got to Heathrow in ample time for my flight. So all in all, I'd use Just Airports again, but I'd come prepared with a plan for what to do if I'm ever on a flight that's that early again.

I also had an excellent experience with JustAirports. For the best price, pay with cash (instead of credit card). For a round trip, you pay separately each way with the first trip be a little more. We wre a family of 4 with 1 large, 1 medium and 2 small bags. We were comfortable in an Estate