valet parking?

I mentioned last week that my new job is located in a hospital complex. I've spent quite a bit of time at US hospitals lately and there is a phenomena I've observed that surprises me. I have seen it many times now, and each time it surprises me and leaves me shaking my head. What is that, you ask?

Well...hospitals now offer free valet parking. Seriously. It doesn't look much different than this photo other than the men are wearing colorful vests and no bow-tie. It works like a typical valet service where they give you a ticket in exchange for your keys, park your car, and then fetch it when you are ready to leave.

Yes. I fully acknowledge the frustration of roaming parking lots hunting for a spot. But, is this necessary? Really? Are we really that impatient? 

Just so we are clear, I am not talking about emergency room visits, those have a separate (fast) system. It seems to me those who use valet service are visiting relatives at the hospital, or coming in for a check-up or other non-emergency reasons.

Have you seen this? What do you think - good customer service or unnecessary luxury?

just Sheri, thoughts from a parking vulture roaming the lot