ATTENTION TEXTERS BEHIND THE WHEEL: "If you cannot afford a chauffeur to drive you around, then your time is not as valuable [as] you think."
See commentary here. Another good selling point for chauffeured transportation: Safe, quiet, and hassle-free texting. -- M.R.
DON'T CUT TOO FAR: High-end hotels and luxury-oriented chauffeured transportation appeal to the same business travel clients, so what happens with one affects the other. The
latest pricing drama at Starwood Hotels should help inform the pricing adjustment decisions of any operator vying to compete in a recessionary market. -- M.R.
SAFETY SCANDAL: Motorcoach operators facing fines have
formed new companies to avoid penalties and bad reputation.
Another article here.
REGULATORY SOUP: Our business is governed by the PUC, CHP, LAX, Labor Board, IRS, a host of airports, and city and county government agencies. It seems as if you have to be a rocket scientist just to keep up compliance with every agency that rules us. I was reminded of this recently as I stopped to pump gas in my car.
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NOT DRESSED UP WITH PLACES TO GO: Whenever I am out and about and see a limousine, I check out the car. Unlike others who are looking for celebrities, I look at who built it, what it looks like, (scratches, dents, etc.), and what the chauffeur looks like. I went to the Toby Keith concert on Saturday and there were about 10 limos there. I did not see any chauffeurs wearing formal attire.
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AMUSEMENT OF THE DAY: I can now add a new tattoo to my thick skin: "Pathological Disdainer."
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OUT OF SYNC: We've heard the arguments over and over: You can drive a car at 16, go to war at 18, but can't drink legally until you're 21. You can legally rent a limo at 18 with some operators, but not rent a car from most rental agencies until you're 25. Or at least pay a hefty rate if you are below 25. Now an organization called Choose Responsibility has punctured the myths surrounding the 21 drinking age.
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"THE LUXURY MARKET WILL RECOVER" Don't sell out to compacts and basic vehicles, just yet. If the luxury carmakers are planning on future buyers, why shouldn't luxury-oriented chauffeured transportation anticipate future clients? A positive outlook here. -- M.R.
FOR LIMO CLIENTS, CREDIT IS BETTER THAN CASH: There are three types of clients: Corporate clients; well-to-do cards with Gold Amex cards; and cash customers.
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TOO MUCH PHONE? Many operators are pushing clients to move to online reservations as a way to cut costs and increase efficiencies. But these same operators are the ones who call the affiliate company three to five times with each reservation doing quality checks. Why is it necessary to make so many calls?
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DEADLINE IS OCT. 1: LCT Magazine posts its entry forms for Operator Of The Year, Association Award of Excellence, and Marketing Awards starting today as a downloadable PDF format.
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BIZARRE: Another reason for
BUYER BEWARE on the used and repo limousine vehicle markets. Is it worth the hassle for the original owner to "unstretch" the recovered vehicle? Is he stuck with a limo?
SAY IT AGAIN: LCT Publisher Sara McLean has been meeting with LCT and Bobit staff members this week to make big plans for 2010, both online and off. One statement from Sara that should reassure the chauffeured transportation industry: "When you are chauffeur driven, you want BIG." We shouldn't even have to say this, but with compact cars creeping into the industry, it can't be said enough. BIG vehicles 'R Us -- M.R.
WHAT WILL REALLY WORK? Toyota's technology chief
goes off on plug-ins and E-85 vehicles. Many comments follow.
EATING IT UP: Turns out hybrid vehicles are a lot like fat-free foods; consumers are tricked into thinking they can have more of them since there aren't as many calories, aka carbon footprints.
THIS STUDY PROVIDES ONE OF THOSE A-HA MOMENTS. Which explains why fat-free foods really don't cut much fat and hybrids don't save much, if anything, on gas and carbon. But then what would those Visa ads tell us? Striking a pose -- Priceless. -- M.R.
REALITY CHECK IN THE CARDS: Seems as if the Democrats are going wobbily on the reviled, anti-business union-driven card check legislation which has been deemed one of the biggest political threats to the chauffeured transportation industry. In the face of near-universal opposition from the private sector, moderate Democrats are realizing they want to get re-elected. Union card-check legislation has been a priority topic at the last several LCT conferences and trade shows. Hopefully, the radical Employee Free Choice Act will be taken off the industry threat list soon; there's plenty ahead with equally destructive cap (grab) n' trade, high tax, and government health care proposals. -- M.R.
BUSES OF ALL SIZES: Appear to be
thriving in this recession, as numerous operators have told us. Combined with innovation and new markets, mini-buses, vans, shuttles, and motorcoaches are redefining the limousine industry. More about this in the bus/van (September) issue of LCT Magazine. -- M.R.
SLASH N' TURN: If the restaurant industry could serve as any type of a guide,
THE ANSWER WOULD BE NO. Slash prices at your peril. -- M.R.
LOOSE LIMO LIPS: Actress Jada Pinkett is a wife who talks too much, but nevertheless, in her own special way she helps promote the limousine industry. -- M.R.
LUXURY STILL PREVAILS: Does it make good business sense to start a high-end chauffeured operation in the middle of a severe recession with two Rolls-Royces that get 10 miles to the gallon and require 100-octane fuel? In Knoxville, Tenn.?
THIS BRITISH ENTREPRENEUR proves anything is possible given the right concept and approach. -- M.R.
IN ALL WAYS EXCEPT ONE: Time for long distance travel. But within a few hundred miles, the time differences are likley negligible.
THIS SUMMARY describes how charter bus travel excels in every possible way. If you’ve got the time, why bother with security checks, tight seats, small windows, long lines, and delays? -- M.R.
CHAUFFEURS AND DRIVERS ARE THE FACE OF YOUR COMPANY. One chauffeur can literally drive your client to leave your company and you may never know that you have lost the client as a result of actions by your employee.
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EMPLOYEE SEARCH: A friend of mine ran an ad to hire some chauffeurs and a dispatcher. He scheduled interviews with the candidates who responded that he felt were the most qualified. One candidate pulls a no show. The next day, he is sitting at his desk and he gets buzzed that his candidate is here for the interview. So he walks out and says to the guy that your interview was for yesterday. The guy says no it’s for today.
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BUT NO LURID SECRETS HERE: The process of putting together LCT's annual fleets list this year and talking with operators nationwide about their fleets reaffirm what industry success and excellence are all about in this debilitating economic environment.
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ELEGANCE: She joins Rosie, Diana, and Emily in a classic fleet of leading limo ladies. . .
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HERE WE GO AGAIN: Tom Mazza makes a good point about the LCT 100 List when you get past all the breathless smack talk. But we've already thought of it. . .
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SALISBURY, Mass. --
Four Star Limousine, a 2009 LCT Operator Of The Year finalist, marks 15 years of service to the Greater Boston area this month. Four Star Limousine was established in 1994 by Brion Svenson. Having previously worked for limousine companies, Brion knew he would enjoy the industry long term, so he bought his first six-passenger limousine. The immediate goal of the company was to provide corporate clients with a level of personalized service and attention to detail that one would expect from a quality transportation service. Brion now runs Four Star with his wife, Georgieanna Svenson.
Four Star Limousine has grown to include a fleet of nine vehicles consisting of corporate sedans, SUVs, limousines, and a limo coach. Four Star has 12 employees, including professionally trained chauffeurs, full-time office staff, and auto detailers and mechanics. Brion attributes the company’s continued growth and success “to our focus on personalized customer service and detailed preparation.” Four Star Limousine remains active in its local community and region.
MARKETING MUST: This
charter and tour operator is showing the
intiative needed to market and promote in the Internet era; chauffeured transportation and charter/tour operators alike should sponsor either an in-house or contracted company
BLOG, preferably one with an enterprising "travel character" such as "Lady Limelight." -- M.R.
SNAPSHOT: A two-stretch operator in Elk Grove, CA faces challenges all too common for small operators in this downward economy. The local newspaper
DID A LENGTHY PROFILE of the operator and his financial situation.
NEW COMMENT SYSTEM FOR LCT: The latest content upgrades at
LCTmag.com allow you to comment on news articles, features, AND LimoCentric blog posts. The comment option appears as a click-link at the bottom of each article/post. This is not only a good way for to offer varying viewpoints but to help set the record straight, or at least your version of it.
CLARITY NEEDED: Flex-fuel vehicles appear to be unstoppable, but there's
GROWING DEBATE about whether the ethanol blends damage engine systems. Environmentalists and the auto industry offer varying assessments.
AS THE INDUSTRY WATCHES: The Bell Transportation wage saga might be an ideal time to examine your own pay methods before a judge decides what is right and wrong in payroll arrangements — as was the case recently with one of the largest limousine companies in the nation and its employee chauffeurs.
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PHONE PROCEDURES: Put a group of operators together and the conversation will eventually circle around to drivers’ cell phone numbers. Do you give the client the driver’s cell phone number? There are many different opinions on this but let’s look at all sides.
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REALITY DOSE: Some
helpful data here in understanding energy choices, options, and alternatives facing the U.S. transportation system. Stay informed.
RATE DEBATE: A recession invariably brings up a key question on service pricing: Maintain your rates or cut them to snag more business?
One New York operator has publicized his policy of
keeping rates at 2004 levels. Is this unusual? Is this prudent? Should you swallow higher costs, fees, and taxes in a recession? How do you keep and add customers, maintain quality service, and compete in a cutthroat recession?
UNCONFIRMED: Photo shows new, restyled successor to the Cadillac DTS for 2011. Ray Bush, program manager for Cadillac Professional Vehicles, told LCT today in a statement: "Cadillac is not prepared to discuss future product plans and does not comment on future product rumors."
SPECULATION: Sources familiar with the auto industry say automakers don't make new models official through P.R. efforts until about one year before actual release to retail dealers; they still want consumers to buy the current model years so people don't delay purchases to get "the new look." Ditto for a possible successor to the Lincoln Town Car which Ford plans to build at least through the 2011 MY. So far, Ford has refuted any reports of a Town Car sucessor, despite rampant rumors. The multiple sources and leaks along with adamant automaker denials at least raises the question of whether or not the chauffeured transportation industry could be getting two major new model revamps -- or at least confirmed new models in the pipeline -- by 2012 on the two biggest workhorse sedans of the industry. -- M.R.
SEARCHING THE DEPTHS: Where is that
economic black box from the recessionary plunge that will finally indicate the bottom and give clues on what happened, why, and how not to repeat?
MORE SIGNS TODAY that business travel is not recovering yet. The concept of "green shoots" of recovery should become a comedic punch line, given that they are acting more like greenhouse gases on the economy. Who were the fanciful idiots that predicted ONLY 8% UNEMPLOYMENT? Make sure you keep tabs and never forget. -- M.R.
SIMPLICITY: Whether a regional tour or a staycation arrangement, the recession provides ample opportunities for operators to promote simple and economical charter bus tour packages. The creative possibilities are endless, as
THIS CHARTER TRIP REVIEW shows. And as younger professionals embrace motorcoach travel, at least on the commuter front, the notion of a charter bus tour being a seniors-only activity is rapidly falling away. If this recession pushes more people toward chauffeured and charter transportation, then the silver lining will be apparent. -- M.R.
BECAUSE YOUR VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. Breakdowns are eventually inevitable in our business. Even the best maintained fleet can have one. Keeping the client happy after they encounter a breakdown takes special handling on your part. Most operators will not charge for the ride or even the return as a means of containing the problem. . .
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THANK YOU, MR. JEFFERSON: If only we could have given you an air-conditioned Caddy stretch back on July 4, 1776. LCT Magazine wishes all of Limoland a happy and free FOURTH OF JULY Independence Day weekend. Remember to thank an AMERICAN military servant, a military veteran, a law enforcement officer, and/or a firefighter who, along with all of their predecessors and war-time allies, have made 234 4th of Julys possible under the banners of human dignity, law and order, and freedom (I'm counting 1776). LimoCentric will fire up again on Monday. -- M.R.
ABOUT THE PICTURED LIMO
FRIENDLY WARNING: Find out why every single reader comment ever posted on LimoCentric will disappear on Monday, July 6 @ Noon PDT. . .
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WEB-SPECTACLE PREVIEW: See the latest content from the July 2009 "MAINTENANCE" issue of LCT Magazine. Select stories are now available on our multi-layered WEBsite, INCLUDING our first-ever WEBXclusive feature article.
The magazine won't hit your mailboxes for another, err, two weeks or so, but you can get acquainted with the following content:
- 10 Things an operator learned from doing his own maintenance
- What to look for when browsing used and repo limos and fleet vehicles
- Basics to keeping a bus in top running shape
- A global operator's advice on navigating the econ-storm
- LCT Publisher Sara McLean's primer on low maintenance success
Just click on the website or go straight to features.
LIMO FOR LAUGHS: What's wrong with this picture? If you think "That's not a limo," then you still understand what the chauffeured transportation industry is really about. The only question: Will the Tata Nano replace the Prissy Toyota Prius as the impostor chauffeured car du jour? Nano, Nano -- NO!
GET CREATIVE TO STAY AFLOAT: Livery companies frequently are sideline operations of other businesses or part of a collection of small businesses held by a single owner. So more and more limousine companies are finding creative ways to keep money flowing in while staying true to the core values of being a limousine company. . .
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IN THE SHADOWS: During the past few weeks we have been working on our Big Black Book which is our August issue. I have had the opportunity to discuss with operators what issues are affecting their geographic area. . .
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GLOBAL WARMING RATIONALE COLLAPSING? Much of the green energy and green vehicles movement so far has been driven by the hypothesis that the earth is warming at an alarming rate and everyone must radically alter their modern lives, i.e. what you drive, to stave off its worst effects. Now, there is clear proof that scientific data contrary to carbon-generated warming
HAS BEEN SUPPRESSED, which of course begs the question, WHY? So, once again, something just isn't right with the global warming motivator. What that means for operators and small businesses nationwide is that the alarmist environmental impetus to "greenify" a business is fading. Green decisions should simply be based on prudent cost/benefit analysis that encompass vehicle efficiencies, energy savings, and the more intangible public relations value. Be careful and skeptical of talk of carboon footprints and credits. Ask lots of questions and do your due diligence. -- Martin Romjue