I had to park my less than two week old MCS(06) at the airport for a three day biz trip. Talk about paranoid I picked a fairly safe spot and said a few hail Mary's and left her behind

Was I so glad to see her bright smilling face today when I returned (these cars really do have a happy face) and no dings, nothing . I think I'll detail her tomorrow to make up for leaving her in that scary park and ride lot.

 

Glad she survived intact.

 

I too live in fear of dings .. your a brave soul !! Glad it all worked out okay.

 

It take nerves of steel, razor-sharp instincts, eagle-eyed strategizing, and uncompromising devotion to do what you have done. Good job.

I have to do the same thing next week, but I know this parking lot and all it's secrets. Safe parking shall be mine!!!!!!!

 

I don't think I can bring myself to park it at the airport parking lot, I am even paranoid to park it in normal parking lots, because of dings, etc (hence the car being around 13 month old with around 2,500 miles) . Under my ownership the MINI hasn't seen rain, etc, and it's been garaged ever since and I detail it ever 2 week if I have time! Talk about paranoid!

 

I couldn't have done you did. Thank goodness that your MINI survived the dings and pangs of separation.

 

The time I had to park at the airport, I took my daughter's car. But then she got to drive my MINI.





I decided my MINI was safer in the lot than with her.

 

WOW!

The last time I left my car at the D/FW airport parking lot, it got totaled. Dunno what happened. But when I got to the parking lot, there was a mangled pile of metal where my car once was.

I always take a cab to the airport now.

 

which airport skuzzy

 

D/FW = Dallas/Ft. Worth International

 

Glad to hear the MINI was safe and sound upon your return - you are a brave sole.. But - then again - we don't always have an alternative.

Donna

 

When we travel it is either leave it at home (street parking) or leave it at the airport (employee parking). Not sure which is worse

 

My wife need more practice with a stick before I can trade with her, but that is the plan for next time. The airport is 1 1/2 hours away so a cab ride isn't in the cards-too expensive. The lot I usually park in does have many cars under covers so I get the feeling that a lot of other frequent travels and car nuts park there too.

 

I got the THICKEST, CUSHIEST (which means heaviest and bulkiest) custom cover I could find (CoverKing Coverbond 4) and use it when I have to park at the airport or hotels - I find as "good" a space as possible - then use the cover. So far, so good. Need to cut a "flap" for the license plate so the security guys can see it - otherwise they'll pull the cover off the back

 

That's a really good idea. I usually park in a small private airport lot with 24 hour security so I'm not too concerned about damage. (No ding yet---knock on wood.) But I worry about hail. This would probably help.

 

Man I would dread parking at the airport in the states.... I had to do that here in Germany and to be honest wasn't concerned one bit. Parking spaces are smaller and tighter but the Germans tend to take great care when getting in and out of their cars. No dents or dings while parked for a week.

If I parked it at DFW for 15 min I would probably have several dings...

 

Mine was there for three days. During the process of waiting for the shuttle to the parking lot, there was much commotion in the lot where my car was parked.

Seems a tow truck operator had pulled up to a car to tow it and forgot to set the emergency brake before exiting the truck, but did manage to leave it in neutral.

The truck took off down the sloped hill of the parking lot, but was wrestled to a stop by my brave car. In the process though, my car was somewhat buried underneath the tow truck (300 ZX Twin Turbo).

I arrived at the parking space about 5 minutes after the fact. Just in time to see my poor car buried underneath a tow truck.

Suffice it to say, I would have been happier if it had been only a few dings in the door. The price of that car was going up and it was valued more than I paid for it at the time. Sigh.

 

Ouch!