Carlson Limousine & Party Bus

Was told that limo was «updated». When it arrived, an hour late, the driver was very rude and tried to boss everyone around. The limo is very old and we were told that we could play cd’s. When arrived at the concert the driver all but dumped us out and was gone. Very rude from they guy who took the reservation to the driver. Would never recommend this company.

Absolutely a nightmare. I would not risk your special event or needs for transport with this — «family business.» I have used many businesses for transportation including limo services and this was shocking.
Owner is temperamental, was not accommodating despite my upfront phone and email discussions before my once in a lifetime vacation. He spoke like a drill sergeant, his driver had trouble finding my apartment and I assisted him until he arrived at my place. I was running behind, but told George I am disabled and go slow when scheduling my reservation. I would have paid for the time, but he ignored my suggestions. So I called him because I thought he WAS the driver outside for me at 4:00 am. He yelled at me and said, «If you are not ready in 2 minutes that car is pulling away.» The driver told me to disregard the angry owner and to relax, he will get me there, all is fine. That driver was kind, professional, respectful and I got to the airport after calming down.
Returning from my international vacation — my phone had water damage and did not work. I called via an iPad and explained to Carlson Limo. Honestly after traveling from a different time zone from 8am and arriving at O’Hare at 8pm my focus was not at it’s peak. George said he had all the info before I left my trip and I thought he was really on top of things. I been to O’Hare many times to pick up family, been picked up no problems. Departures and Arrivals.
I called Carlson Limo when I got off the plane because I was unsure I could access my iPad in certain areas of the airport and it was a hassle, I have spinal arthritis, hauling a large suitcase and carry-​on, a lady. I have used transportation in many countries and even picked up via livery services in places where I do not know the language, many kind and helpful people. When I called from the gate, saying I would be at the baggage claim and the number, the driver told me to: Go through some door, make another call, blah blah blah… Look I am tired, I need to get my bag, and get home at now 9 pm. The driver said there are «so many terminals at O’Hare, he has to call Vic or someone…» So aggravated! Supposed to be set! We argued and disconnected my now dying iPad.
Sickened by their «service.» I got my bag, walked up and down the length of the arrivals area, only yards long with several lanes: FOR PREARRANGED LIVERY OR LIMO SERVICE. There were limos there, waiting, not for me! I know non-​registered cars are not allowed to idle at the curb, so I don’t know if they are registered or not? I was fumed! I talked to American Airlines staff, they said they never heard of a limo company making so many requests, I asked the O’Hare attendants what they thought? They looked at each other and shook their heads. The one man told me kindly: Ma’am, I would call a cab and American Taxi has good rates for the suburbs. At that point, I was ready to rent a car, but they were out of 1 way rides for the weekend. STUCK! Middle of the night a lady with bags at a large international airport because some limo driver is sitting obeying his boss at some off-​location parking lot?
I walked towards rental shuttles very much like the film PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, Steve Martin. A bus driver for a shuttle service got out of the bus that was parked because they can for passengers, and he also kindly said: I have daughters, I would not want them at some airport without a ride. He called a friend of his from American Taxi luckily, he came in his little Prius, super nice, flat rate and we had a nice ride to the suburbs.
I got an email from the owner George, though I told him before my flight my phone was broken. Will let his own words shouting in caps and his opinions about my disabilities speak for him:
” YOU were instructed by me to call after you have your bags…
Your driver has been waiting at the airport in the limo lot since 9pm waiting for us to send him down to pick you up. We can not proceed to send a car down until you have your bags in hand and advise what door you will be waiting at– the city of Chicago issues $ 100.00 tickets for vehicles sitting (idling) at the terminals.
(I did not know what terminal my airline flies from or to btw)
Saying your at terminal 3 does us no good because your driver has no clue what you look like and you had no idea what vehicle was coming down for you.
Because of your special needs that you stated in your previous emails and your failure to follow instructions. I have determined that this is no longer a good fit for either of us. Please call a taxi for your future travel needs and remove our phone number.”
+++ I can see why they need to hire new drivers, they did not seem very happy either.
So I would never recommend this business to anyone, especially people with physical, learning or mental disabilities, chronic pain or children because they have no consideration or compassion for that sort of stuff.

We used Carlson Limousine for our wedding on the mag mile, downtown Chicago, in November, 2011. He was truly the greatest guy. He was on time, polite, funny, and affordable. If and when I need a limo again, I will always use him. He even decorated the limo for no extra charge, and was happy to make extra stops as requested.

At the United Center. Driver was rude, cut off our van and almost hit us. Called immediately to report this and was told we should be more careful and give him room! Watch out for these guys.

My wife and I have used Carlson Livery on multiple occasion’s over the last couple of years for both personal and professional use. In all instances George has been professional and helpful and done right by us. Their rates too and from the airport are cheaper than most of his professional competitors and the drivers have always been helpful and friendly. I would highly recommend using this service.

Terrible! Used them for service from Huntley to the Chicago Symphony. The Itinerary was: Home to dinner, dinner to show, show to home.
The driver Joe was courteous and on time picking us up.
When I sent him a text to pick us up from dinner to go to the show, I got no reply. Five calls to his cell got no answer. I sent him a text that read «Taking a cab to the Symphony, where the hell are you?».
While at the Symphony, I received a text that read «Sorry I fell asleep and didn’t hear the phone ring. I will be there on time to pick you up from the Symphony.»
I said «ok».
We did get picked up, on time from the show.
Upon arrival at home, I paid the service, and even gave a moderate tip.
The car itself was ‘ok’, I think I was in the same car twenty years ago for prom. The rear suspension was blown.
That wasn’t the end. They charged my card three times for the same amount. Bill, who I talked to on the phone wanted to wait a full day for George’s plane to land at 6pm the next day. I told him I wanted it fixed immediately.
And the saga continues…

We used Carlson Livery for a combo bachelor/​bachelorette party last weekend in Barrington and couldn’t have been happier! My wife set up the schedule, and spoke with George numerous times. He was very accommodating with getting the right vehicle for our party, and allowing us to send various revisions to the schedule. He even had suggestions for changes to the schedule based on his experience with event timing (completely unrelated to his side of things) that helped us from feeling rushed for the evening.
On the day of, the limo arrived early, looking great. Inside there was plenty of room for all of us which was great. I’ve been in other limos before where they say they accommodate 8 – 10 people, but the only way you’re getting 10 in there is if 4 of you are children. Not the case here! We had 10 people total, and everyone had room to breathe without sitting on anyone’s lap. The driver gave us his card after he dropped us off at the first place and told us to call him as soon as we were ready if it was different then the scheduled time. We changed the plan after the second stop and just asked him to drive around for a while so we could enjoy the limo and beverages, which he happily did. Every time we made a change or called him at the end of a stop, he was right there and ready to go immediately. The cost at the end of the evening was exactly as expected and we were able to settle up in a minute. Definitely a very professional company with competitive rates that I urge you to give a try!

Everything I expected and more. I was stressed out, planning my own graduation and I called this service one day before the event after struggling to find someone to accommodate us during the busy holiday season. The driver showed up early, assisted us with our bags and helped my elderly father in and out of the car. In addition, the driver was upbeat, the car was clean and festively decorated for the holidays. My parents enjoyed this so much I’m just sorry I never did it before. This was worth every penny and I thank the driver and the company for adding to a wonderful day!

While I was expecting something more closely to the level of communication prior to the trip, which was excellent, the actual trip fell a little short of average at best. Everything seemed on par initially. Car was in decent condition and clean, driver was courteous and friendly albeit a little casually dressed for a professional driver, and pick up time was within 10 – 15 minutes of the requested time. We made our way outside of the city (Chicago) and on our way to Midway airport, our first stop. For whatever reason, the driver took I-​290 than the normal I-​55. No biggie I thought, but it spiraled quickly. Upon exiting the Interstate, it became apparent we took the wrong exit (too early). We spent the next 20 minutes winding around the not-​so-​nice-​parts of Chicago like West Garfield and Cicero finding our way to Midway airport. Granted it was 7:45am on Sunday morning, but still not where I or the other passengers want to be lost at any time of day. As we got closer, WE were giving turn by turn instructions to get to the part of Midway airport we needed to get to (not the terminal). We ended up being 10 minutes later than what was planned, worst case scenario, and put me in a rush. In actuality, had we taken the EL we would have arrived sooner. The worst part, for the company, our lead corporate dispatcher just so happened to ride along with us at the last minute. He schedules limo service for our principals and passengers. Not a good first impression. You would think a professional livery service would usually use a GPS or mapquest? Price wise it wasn’t any cheaper than what I have paid before for same service, maybe a little more with gratuity.