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Airport officials remove valet company early

Eyewitness News has investigated the problems at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport after months of bad service, theft, joyriding and a crash.
 
Now, the airport is kicking out its valet service contractor.
The head of the airport said he's tired of the problems and ready to make a change to improve your travel experience.
 
Interim Aviation Director Brent Cagle said the airport is so concerned about the poor service and increasing crimes at the valet that they are telling Park, Inc. to walk off the job a month before its contract expires.
 
In the last couple of weeks there have been some challenges like cars crashed by valet workers and another employee who police said admitted to joyriding in people's cars.
 
Cagle said Park, Inc. is out at the end of this month and service is suffering.
 
“It’s difficult to retain staffing when you know that in 45 days the contract goes over to a new provider,” Cagle said.
An employee emailed anchor Scott Wickersham and wrote, "Employees have now been told with roughly 11 days to find a new job."
 
In addition to better hiring choices, Cagle said the incoming company AmeriPark needs to address other problems.
 
A source sent Wickersham a photograph of travelers in a line 30 people long trying to pick up their cars at night.
 
Cagle has tasked AmeriPark with providing better customer service and safety measures that have been lacking.
 
“…Better technology software and hardware. To ensure better service and better internal controls over the vehicles in our possession,” Cagle said.
 
And he isn't willing to wait until the end of June to make that happen.
                               
Park, Inc. will be paid through June 29, when its contract expires.
 
The company's president said Tuesday he's been asking for upgrades like security gates and cameras for a long time.
 
Cagle agrees there are things the airport could have done to help secure the valet and they plan to install those gates and cameras soon.
While at the airport, one of the valet workers was unhappy about Channel 9 being there an attacked our camera.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — TIMELINE: Airport valet issues

May 12, 2014: Accident latest in airport valet problems

May 7, 2014:
Airport valet employee accused of driving customers' cars

Dec. 6, 2013: Another airport valet worker arrested for stealing, police say

Nov. 26, 2013: Charlotte-Douglas valet parking faces allegations of employee misconduct

Nov. 21, 2013: Airport valet service under fire again after another employee arrested

Nov. 18, 2013: Airport could take action against valet parking company

Oct. 30, 2013: Man claims two guns were stolen from car at airport valet

Oct. 4, 2013: Police charge airport valet with stealing cars

Oct. 4, 2013: Aviation director: Any vehicle dropped off with valet can be searched