<p>My D is attending SSEP this summer and I'm trying to reserve a shuttle to the campus from the airport in Hartford. Does anyone have experience, good or bad, with either Michael's or Valley Transporter? Are they about the same? She's coming in a little late, so she'll probably be the only one they pick up.</p>
<p>We have found Valley Transporter to be very reliable. My daughter has used them between both Bradley and Amtrak (Springfield) and Mount Holyoke.</p>
<p>Valley Transporter has always worked out wonderfully for me. There are horror stories about Seemo Shuttle. I have never heard of Michael's.</p>
<p>thanks! how busy/confusing is Bradley, anyway? USNWR just listed it as one of the more delayed airports in the nation</p>
<p>is it hard to find the Valley Transporter kiosk?</p>
<p>Valley Transporter requires prior reservations. As of my daughter's last trip, they were no longer part of the phone board at Bradley...the phones were very hard to hear out of and there is no kiosk. Their website is: <a href="http://www.valleytransporter.com%5B/url%5D">http://www.valleytransporter.com</a> I have never booked on line. I like to speak with a live person. The number I have is 413-253-1350. They will give you another number for (the dispatcher) your daughter to call once she gets in.</p>
<p>I think Bradley is a very manageable airport...but then our "home" airport is Philadelphia!</p>
<p>I've gone through O'Hare, Philadelphia, and Baltimore on a semi-regular basis, and I think Bradley is pretty tame. I've had a few minor delays there, but the biggest delay I experienced was due to a snowstorm - the plane was stuck and we couldn't board until it made its way to the gate (this, incidentally, was also at the beginning of spring break). It's not likely to snow in the summer, though. :)</p>
<p>D has never been delayed at Bradley. O'Hare, yes...Bradley, no. Has always used the Valley Transporter without any problem, reserving in advance.</p>
<p>As one used to the likes of SFO, LAX, EHAM, etc., Bradley was extremely quiet to me. It was actually kind of weird that there were so few people there.</p>
<p>I even used Valley Transporter WITHOUT booking in advance when I returned for reunion recently. My ride to Northampton suddenly de-materialized, and at 8 in the morning, after a redeye flight, the ground transport desk at Bradley hooked me up with them. They arrived within half an hour and another alum and I shared the quick ride to campus. Very smooth, easy and pleasant. I would, however, recommend booking ahead.</p>
<p>Bradley strikes me as a small, sleepy backwater as airports go. We've called it "Bradley International Trailer Park" due to its downscale facilities and appearance. Relatively darned little traffic, too.</p>
<p>My daughter used Valley Transporter a number of times last year and it was very reliable. What your daughter needs to be sure about is where they pick you up. The place is different depending on which terminal you arrive in. Be sure they explain precisely where it is. My daugher experienced trouble on one return because she was waiting in the wrong place.</p>
<p>Ok slightly out of topic but my parents are not very keen about me traveling alone for the first time to Bradley, especially cause I have to stay at Dubai on the way. So I will be going with some friends on the 28th to Kennedy at NY and staying with my aunt. She lives in Manhattan. Can anyone tell me the fastest and cheapest way to go from Manhattan to South Hadley and how long it would take?</p>
<p>If you drive the way my mom does it'll take you an hour and a half to travel from manhattan to northampton. I don't think that's normal though. =/</p>
<p>Haha. your mom loves speed? xD</p>
<p>You can take the Peter Pan bus right to the Northampton bus station, and I think to South Hadley too if that is indeed your destination (was that typo or are you on your way to Mt. Holyoke?). The bus leaves from Port Authority in Manhattan and is definitely the cheapest way to go. The station in Northampton is right downtown and you can either walk the short distance (maybe 10 min, depends which part of campus you're going to) or take a taxi from the bus stop. </p>
<p>I've never taken the Peter Pan to South Hadley, but I'm assuming it's pretty similar/you can get a taxi from wherever hte stop is.</p>
<p>Valley transporter is the best shuttle service (I fly out of Bradley all the time, so i'm experienced with the choices). Very professional, very reliable. Bradley is the easiest airport in the world to navigate. It takes little time to get through security and it is very rarely crowded (especially when there are no college students in town). It's really just a couple of small terminals and a baggage carousel, it's no problem.</p>