UNISON-CR5, Inc.
Car Rental Services


January 17, 2012

Ms. Gael Tarleton
President, Port of Seattle Commission
Seattle, Washington

Dear Ms. Tarleton:

During the regular meeting of the car rental tenants at Sea-Tac on January 11th
the topic of curbside assistants and their importance to the industry in the successful
opening ofthe new facility was made evident. I would like to state that I believe all the
companies were in agreement for the following items:

a.) There is a demonstrated need for curbside assistants both at the terminal
(North and South) and at the Consolidated Rental Car Facility when it opens.
b.) The length of need is not known at this time, but at least for a minimum of
four months.
c.) The objective of having assistants present to facility queue
management/crowd control and to provide organization to the overall process.
No one wants the facility to acquire a negative reputation at the opening as has
happened at other facilities.
d.) Flexibility in the schedule to achieve cost savings but still meet the objectives.
e.) Acknowledgement that crowding can complicate operations with potentially
unanticipated results.

The discussion of January 11th was lively and centered on the length of time the agents
may be needed following activation of the new bussing operation and to what degree
stafng should be bolstered during the peak periods of operation. As you know, June-
August is the peak rental car months in Seattle and crowds ofpeople are expected. Even
with great signage, without having someone to guide customers at the bus stops,
customers will surge and overwhelm the drivers with ingress and egress from the vehicles
at each stop. Crowd control is a signicant requirement.

There was no dispute about the need for the service, just the length of time it
should be continued. Some companies believe it should exist for 4-6 months while others
want it at least a year or more. Having the exibility to determine the length oftime and
the need for the service will be dependant on customer issues and complaints or lack

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Ms. Gael Tarleton
January 17, 2012
Page 2.

thereof. Further the companies recommended that the daily use of the service be exible
and in coordination with trafc experienced on the curbs.

As you know, the Seattle facility was designed to create a new experience for
both the seasoned traveler and rst time visitor; and each rental customer will be offered
better customer service in by-passing the typical counter check-in requirement. Preferred
customers will be directed by signage to go directly to the oor plates on levels below
their arrival without a need to address the counters in the Customer lobby. Cross trafc
at the facility and on the curbs will create issues, but the biggest issue is getting the
customers to and from the facility in a timely fashion and without incident.

The grand opening of the CONRAC in Phoenix experienced problems when
lled. Those buses had to
surges of people were left on the curb as the rst buses were
leave passengers behind due to the overcrowded conditions. Not having trained personnel
the complaints and created a negative
on site to regulate the pedestrian trafc exacerbated
reputation. Seattle must do everything thing it can to prevent these issues from
occurring.

The Rental Car Companies and the undersigned are available to discuss this
matter with your staff and with the Commission. It is noted that the cost for this service is
already built into the fees and expenses; thus it is affordable when allowed to be exible.

Res ectfull   ubmitted


Activa 'o  dvisor for the Port
and the Seattle Rental Car Industry
Cc;

Lori Tallarico, Avis/Budget
Connie Gurich, Hertz/Advantage
Paul de Cloux, Enterprise/Alamo/National
Tammy Branham, Thrifty
James Cassan, Dollar
Arnold Gehring, Fox
Jennifer Linsley, Payless
Douglas Cook, E-Z