4 ms·

I have a similar story. Once I rented a car from a budget but fairly popular local rental company. They were cheap because rather than renting from the airport,

I have a similar story. Once I rented a car from a budget but fairly popular local rental company. They were cheap because rather than renting from the airport, you had to take a 15 minute bus ride to a business park. When returning, I arrive 5 mins before closing (traffic) to find the entire business park locked up. My phone is dead as the drive took much longer than expected so I couldn't call their head office or anything. While waiting outside thinking what to do, the gates opened and a car came out. I tried to signal them down to ask for them to hold open the gate for me but they just drove off when I got close, so I got back in the car and quickly drove back in as the gate was closing and very nearly scratched the side of the car on the closing gate. Inside, the business park was completely deserted so I just parked the car beside the rental company's portakabin and posted the keys through their letterbox. I walked back to the gate and realised there didn't seem to be any kind of button to exit the business park without a key or fob, so I was stuck. I wait about 45 minutes to see if anyone turns up, while looking for some kind of pedestrian exit, but find nothing. Without a phone, I realise the only way I'm getting out tonight is to climb onto the roof of one of the portakabins and try to climb out using one of the overhanging trees. Somehow I manage this without injuring myself too badly. Obviously no rental company means no shuttle bus, and no phone means no cab, so I just had to trek the several miles back to the airport, using the light pollution for direction. Next day I get a return receipt emailed through from the rental company, so it all worked out in the end.

tzs 5y ago
Going into a fenced in business park that appears to be closed is a bit of risk. First, they might have guard dogs roaming the lot after hours. Second, they might have motion sensitive alarms that summon the police.
- LorenPechtel 5y ago
  So what if the police are called? He had a legitimate reason to be there, the company just messed up. The police will help him out and leave.
- cameronh90 5y ago
  In the UK, there is no chance they'd just have guard dogs roaming around without a handler. It is illegal, and even if it wasn't the liability would be insane. In any case a security dog has to be trained not to inflict any serious injury. If someone called the police, that would have been a good thing as they'd have let me out. Trespass on non-residential land here is usually not a crime provided you don't do any damage. Besides, I was in my mid 20s so such risk taking behaviour was par for the course. I was much more worried about getting a fine for a late return. Even now I still do a little bit of urbex from time to time.
sizzle 5y ago
No McDonald’s or anything to beg for a phone charger? This sounds like a nightmare scenario when you are already dead tired from traveling, let alone have luggage to drag back to the airport. Glad you made it back safe. I can’t imagine my significant other going through this BS in a seedy part of an unfamiliar town.
- cameronh90 5y ago
  It was at an airport outside of the city so it was mostly walking through unlit roads, countryside and fields until I got close to the airport. Honestly, it was kind of fun. I was very tired and a bit muddy by the time I got back to the city, having been carrying my luggage. I had also hurt my ankle a little bit when getting out of the business park - but nothing really hurts in your 20s. Girlfriend at the time had fallen asleep while waiting for me so she didn't even notice I was many hours late. I guess one thing is it's the UK, so you don't ever really feel too unsafe outside of a handful of areas in a few major cities (speaking as a male). No dangerous animals, roads are relatively safe and people are nearly always helpful and friendly. Felt a bit like when I would get lost alone in the forest as a kid, only to eventually find my way back to civilization after a few hours. It's so hard to get lost now that I almost miss it. Can't believe I'm getting nostalgic for the time I got trapped in a car rental place...

tzs 5y ago

Going into a fenced in business park that appears to be closed is a bit of risk. First, they might have guard dogs roaming the lot after hours. Second, they might have motion sensitive alarms that summon the police.

LorenPechtel 5y ago
So what if the police are called? He had a legitimate reason to be there, the company just messed up. The police will help him out and leave.
cameronh90 5y ago
In the UK, there is no chance they'd just have guard dogs roaming around without a handler. It is illegal, and even if it wasn't the liability would be insane. In any case a security dog has to be trained not to inflict any serious injury. If someone called the police, that would have been a good thing as they'd have let me out. Trespass on non-residential land here is usually not a crime provided you don't do any damage. Besides, I was in my mid 20s so such risk taking behaviour was par for the course. I was much more worried about getting a fine for a late return. Even now I still do a little bit of urbex from time to time.

sizzle 5y ago

No McDonald’s or anything to beg for a phone charger? This sounds like a nightmare scenario when you are already dead tired from traveling, let alone have luggage to drag back to the airport. Glad you made it back safe. I can’t imagine my significant other going through this BS in a seedy part of an unfamiliar town.

cameronh90 5y ago
It was at an airport outside of the city so it was mostly walking through unlit roads, countryside and fields until I got close to the airport. Honestly, it was kind of fun. I was very tired and a bit muddy by the time I got back to the city, having been carrying my luggage. I had also hurt my ankle a little bit when getting out of the business park - but nothing really hurts in your 20s. Girlfriend at the time had fallen asleep while waiting for me so she didn't even notice I was many hours late. I guess one thing is it's the UK, so you don't ever really feel too unsafe outside of a handful of areas in a few major cities (speaking as a male). No dangerous animals, roads are relatively safe and people are nearly always helpful and friendly. Felt a bit like when I would get lost alone in the forest as a kid, only to eventually find my way back to civilization after a few hours. It's so hard to get lost now that I almost miss it. Can't believe I'm getting nostalgic for the time I got trapped in a car rental place...