Perturbed by an incident at O'Hare when returning a rental car
May 9, 2024, 1:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 312
Perturbed by an incident at O'Hare when returning a rental car
Sorry, not really about United although I was flying United at the time.
On the way back to O'Hare, Chicago in my rental.
Got confused, and also listening to directions on my iPhone.
Accidentally drove into a drive that says Coaches Only.
Within seconds a car come aggressively up behind me, emergency lights flashing.
Digby Security.
Rolls down window and shouts to pull over.
Asks what the hell I am driving aimlessly for. Says I can be cited and fined.
Tells me to follow him to Rental Return, and drives left through a no-left-turn sign.
Eventually takes me to the right place, angrily gesturing.
Me. A bit traumatized.
Can private security really impose fines? I thought that was just police etc.
On the way back to O'Hare, Chicago in my rental.
Got confused, and also listening to directions on my iPhone.
Accidentally drove into a drive that says Coaches Only.
Within seconds a car come aggressively up behind me, emergency lights flashing.
Digby Security.
Rolls down window and shouts to pull over.
Asks what the hell I am driving aimlessly for. Says I can be cited and fined.
Tells me to follow him to Rental Return, and drives left through a no-left-turn sign.
Eventually takes me to the right place, angrily gesturing.
Me. A bit traumatized.
Can private security really impose fines? I thought that was just police etc.
May 9, 2024, 4:06 pm
#7
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My little airport has signs in the departure drop off area threatening $50 fines if you park/stop without loading or unloading. The area is patrolled by private security. I assume they are authorized to do that by the real police.
My (former) employer’s private security once gave me a parking ticket for parking in a handicap parking spot. It was a real ticket, to be disputed in court. I had a handicap placard, but that day for some reason forgot to hang it on the mirror.
Maybe the OP is a coach?
People take the wrong turn every day. Mistakes happen when driving in an unfamiliar environment. I have more than once missed the car rental return exit an an unfamiliar airport because I was in the wrong lane or missed the sign.
Private security often has a bit of an aggressive posture. It’s probably off topic to debate why. But this thread probably would also be better in another forum
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 9, 2024 at 4:14 pm Reason: clean up before move; thanks for the link
May 9, 2024, 4:11 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 4,784
Having said all that, this should be in the Chicago thread not United.
May 9, 2024, 4:15 pm
#9
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May 10, 2024, 12:04 am
#11
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Frankly, if you were legitimately scared, maybe renting a car in a city like Chicago was not smart anyway. Chicago is a really friendly place, and I am not shocked he helped you instead of fined you. You sound upset instead of glad. I get you may have been scared by the whole situation, but this man actually gave you assistance. Chicago has exceptional public transport. Just take the L if you can. Sure, bad stuff happens there, like any city, but I'm surprised you found someone helping you so upsetting.
May 10, 2024, 5:15 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 29
It would have to occur on private property, and they would have to sue you in court to collect if you didn’t pay. If you didn’t pay, the most they could do without taking you to court is ban you from their property. Effectively, if you were on private property, it’s not much different than private parking fines in Scotland, especially with you not residing in Illinois.
May 10, 2024, 9:02 am
#13
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I don't think they can in this case. It's owned by the city, not private property. And security at the airports is specifically prohibited from Law Enforcement activities since 2017 when the state board declared they were not law enforcement officers. They probably would have called for an actual CPD officer to come and write the ticket. Whether the CPD officer would have written the ticket is another question. Many wouldn't want to write it for a simple mistake.
May 10, 2024, 9:52 am
#14
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Section 10-36-260 (Passenger vehicle driveways and parking stations) of the Municipal Code of Chicago states: Designated employees of the department of aviation are authorized to issue notices of parking violation for, and effect the removal of, vehicles that are in violation of Section 9-92-030 (Authority to impound or otherwise relocate vehicle) at O'Hare International Airport
In this case, I am pretty sure that your Digby Security employee is a "designated employee" in the meaning and for the purposes of the municipal code.
May 10, 2024, 11:26 am
#15
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Frankly, if you were legitimately scared, maybe renting a car in a city like Chicago was not smart anyway. Chicago is a really friendly place, and I am not shocked he helped you instead of fined you. You sound upset instead of glad. I get you may have been scared by the whole situation, but this man actually gave you assistance. Chicago has exceptional public transport. Just take the L if you can. Sure, bad stuff happens there, like any city, but I'm surprised you found someone helping you so upsetting.