OPERATORS & REGULATORS: In one of the most helpful moves made by the NLA in recent history, NLA attorneys spell out everything you need to know about compliance with labor laws specific to the industry, including the hot topic of "employee vs. independent contractor.”
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TRUTH IN LABELING: Most limousine companies automatically add 18-20% “gratuity” to their bills. Is this really a gratuity or is it a service charge?
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SEE IT ALL @ LCT EAST: The trade show floor at LCT East will have it all, including some NEVER BEFORE SEEN vehicle debuts!
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BRIEF REPRIEVE: What with all the excitement and anticipation of attending the
LCT EASTERN CONFERENCE, we realize getting submissions and packages together for the 2010 LCT Operator Of The Year and LCT Marketing Awards can be a bit challenging. So, we've extended the deadline to Oct. 15.
DOWNLOAD FORMS HERE. Send to LCT Magazine, 3520 Challenger St., Torrance, CA, 90503. Questions: Martin Romjue, editor,
martin@lctmag.com.
NOT NICE TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO: So, we'll just let the facts speak for themselves on why the Toyota Prius will get kicked to the curb as a chauffeured vehicle.
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TALE OF TWO OPERATORS: Operators George Jacobs of Windy City Limousine in Chicago and Bill Atkins of Red Bank Limo in Tinton Falls, N.J. are at opposite ends of the fleet size scale but both report revenue increases of 20% year over year. During a bad recession. And both are coming to the LCT Eastern Conference.
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New Jersey and New York area operators face parking and waiting hassles at
Newark Liberty International Airport.
OPERATORS & REGULATORS: TGIS Party Bus, an Oklahoma City based operator recently received a letter from an attorney for OKC Party Bus, also known as Ragin’ Transit Authority. The letter asked TGIS to cease and desist using the name “Party Bus” as apparently OKC Party Bus has a trademark on the name “Party Bus” — at least in Oklahoma.
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ROUGH RIDERS: With preparing for a wedding, my husband and I were not able to get the motorcycle out this year. The summer was just too rainy, and when the weather was finally good, we were working to clean up our backyard to host the big event.
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FEDERAL COACH has added a new bus, the Spirit I CE, a new cab entry bus. The Spirit I CE is built on the Ford E450 chassis with a 158” wheelbase. It features an expanded interior that fits up to 21 passengers, and offers a wide variety of interior configurations that can be tailored to fit unique customer specifications. The Spirit I CE is ADA-compliant and built with customers’ comfort and safety needs in mind. Federal Coach has built a venerable reputation as a market leader in the crafting of the highest-quality buses in the industry.
Since 1997, Federal has set out to meet the demands of a diverse market by providing a unique array of buses for a wide variety of businesses, occasions, and groups. Its model line up includes the 14-passenger Messenger built on the Ford E350 chassis, the 44-passenger Premier built on the Freightliner business-class M2 chassis, and every variety of shuttle, limo, and party bus in between.
For more information about the Spirit I CE or any of Federal’s other buses, limousines, and specialty vehicles, visit its website at www.federalcoach.com or call toll free at 1-800-292-6210.
LCT EAST: If you don't show up, your competitors may wonder what's wrong. This will be the place to get the scoop on industry know-how, trends, and networking. And the keynote speakers will be talking about BUSINESS finance matters, not personal finance advice you can get on CNBC.
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ROYALE HYBRID: Royale Limousine Manufacturers is getting more attention for its Ford Fusion Hybrid L model, stretched to make more legroom. Royale is helping set what should become the prevailing standard for green vehicle comfort and amenities: NO SACRIFICES.
DEADLINE OCT. 1 for LCT's annual OOY Awards, Marketing Awards, and Association Award of Excellence.
Download forms here. Nominees and winners to be announced at the
2010 International LCT Show in Las Vegas.
UPDATE: Attendee registrations to the LCT Eastern Conference are slightly ahead of last year's so far, a good sign after a difficult year industry-wide. Speakers and sessions this year will emphasize business success and finance, not personal finance, and the conference is the first to the table with an organized framework for speed networking. The deadline for discounted rooms at the Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort has been extended to Monday. Join LCT for the premiere industry event on the East Coast -- located halfway between Boston and New York City.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Due to a technical problem, LCT's weekly e-newsletter is not blasting out to the full database of subscribers. Our web department is working to correct the problem. The latest edition of LCT E-News can be
ACCESSED HERE or by going to our website (
www.lctmag.com) and clicking on LCT E-News.
CONGRATULATIONS:
To our East Coast Editor Linda Moore and Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association President Philip Jagiela. Linda and Philip wed last Saturday, Sept. 12. No limo was needed as the ceremony and reception were held in Philip's backyard.
The Jagielas live outside Philadelphia in Shamong, N.J. Philip Jagiela also owns and operates Aries Limousine Service, based in Southampton, Penn.
WHEN A STRETCH IN NY WAS $32/HR: LCT came across this archived feature from 1981 about a limo company called Dav El, founded by David Klein. Of course, the company is now known as Dav El Chauffeured Transportation Network, the second largest operator in the U.S. Current owner and CEO Scott Solombrino bought it in 1987.
DUMB ON THE ROAD: SHOCK VIDEO HERE. This is not exactly the type of publicity that helps the charter and tour and chauffeured transportation industries, let alone the company and NLA member that operates and employs the driver. In fairness to the company, no operator can control every chauffeur or driver at all times, and every company invariably will get an employee who turns out to be a dud. The driver in the video has been put on leave.
But one strong selling point for both transportation segments is SAFETY. It's one of the main things that distinguishes chartered buses and black vehicles from public transit and taxi cabs. There have been too many mass transport accidents in recent years. Talking and texting on cell phones while driving LEADS TO THIS. -- M.R.
OPERATORS & REGULATORS: The Hillsborough County Public Transportation Committee is on my radar again as the Florida Legislature and Tampa citizens wrestle with overzealous acts, such as declaring that the Mercedes “S-Class” models are not luxury vehicles!
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WHAT DO YOUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT YOU? Building business is becoming harder and harder. Advertising and marketing budgets seem to be shrinking or even disappearing. Consider building a chain of Raving Fans.
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KENTUCKY LIMOUSINE ASSOCIATION: The KLA has spent the last few months putting together a simple statement about itself, purpose, goals, and positions.
POSITION PAPER HERE. Helpful to members and legislators alike, such papers can help any industry organization focus clearly on specifics. Note the KLA's official opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act; such clear, bold statements against harmful measures are needed in the anti-business, anti-free market climate developing in many state capitals and in Washington, D.C. as desperately grabby politicians ignore busniess constituents at their peril. -- M.R.
ROYALE NAILS IT: Instead of blindly trying to justify a compact hybrid as a luxury vehicle, as some operators stubbornly insist, Royale Limousine Manufacturuers has adapted a hybrid vehicle to luxury tastes: smooth ride, plenty of legroom, and luxury amenities. Plus the excellent mileage and cost-savings. Royale's new hybrid underscores what LCT has said all along: Don't let green zeal compromise luxury. Bye, bye Prius. . .
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OUCH: Clearly, a luxury chauffered transportation operator should have landed
THIS CONTRACT, instead of a rental car agency. This is the second recent example we've seen of Avis making inroads in the global tourism and travel market by partnering with a resort, airline, or exotic destination tourism agency. While Avis' arrangement is legal and competitive, the global demand for chauffeured transportation should be met by chauffeured vehicle operators. -- M.R.
BUSINESS PROFILE: The best publicity an operator can get -- aside from LCT Magazine -- is a substantive profile in a major metro newspaper.
Reston Limousine scored recently with
a column in the Washington Post. This is the first media mention I've seen that dares to estimate an operator's take-home salary after all the bills are paid. Note the candor that president and CEO Kristina Bouweiri displays about layoffs, revenues, cutbacks, etc. -- M.R.
Whenever pricing is discussed fire seems to brim out of the ears of operators. How dare we question late and early morning charges? Who are you to question why I have both an STC and a fuel service charge? I’ve been called to the carpet a few times (one person even asked for my resignation).
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No one ever seems to know how minor damage occurs. Some say the dent fairy did it. I think of fairies as good luck so I think dent fairies should fix dents at night while you sleep.
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The New York Times reported this week that new technology in LED lighting is intriguing lighting designers. LED’s have long been used in limousines for twinkle ceilings and other star like effects. The new technology OLED’s create light in sheets rather then points and can even be made flexible. The new technology when integrated into limousine interiors will take designs to the next dimension. Visionaries may be even able to create rolling advertisements in light for companies within the window panes. OLED technology is currently being used in cell phones. The panels are only .07 of an inch thick and give off very little heat. Keep your eye on new designs of limousines coming out at the 2010 ILCT show for integration of this new technology. Which manufacture will be the first to bring it to life? Be there to see.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/07/technology/07bulb.html?th&emc=th
Temecula Valley Wine Country has new rules in place designed to deter drunken booze cruises with limousines. Limousine and charter companies are being asked to hand out pamphlets with guidelines and to contact the wineries in advance when they will be bringing groups of ten or larger. The wineries themselves are working with the limousine companies to eliminate drunken patrons. Establishing this type of criteria should be embraced by every limousine company across the country. In previous years, there have been movements to eliminate busing patrons into wineries. As an industry, we need to take a proactive approach to keep this revenue stream available to us. Every state in the country now has wineries
TO ALL ENTREPRENEURS:
And anyone else who owns a business or works for a private sector enterprise. Labor Day traditionally devotes its commemorations to the dwindling confines of union labor. Well, at LCT, we want to "take the holiday back" and honor all those business owners and non-union workers, from the CEO to the barista, who toil in the private sector to fund the public one.
Regardless of how big government gets in its ballooned britches, we private sectorites get to wear the economic pants. During this painful economic year, let's hope and strive for a private sector that shall always far outsize the public one. Such a sensible concept is now endangered, with much of the threat coming from public sector unions.
So in honor of entrepreneurs, owners, executives, professionals, and private sector workers, LCT BLOG will take a break for Labor Day Weekend, returning on Wednesday, Sept. 9. We wish you the most taxless and thankful weekend possible. -- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
REPOSITION: The strategic partnership will give New Jersey-based Flyte Tyme access to a fleet of 267 vehicles. The deal is another example of how the economic downturn is leading to consolidations, mergers, and partnerships in the chauffeured transportation industry.
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TOO SMALL TOO SOON? THIS BLOG POST challenges the current wisdom on hybrid vehicles. Although hybrid vehicles are certainly relevant, more pointed questions need to be asked: As the roomier Toyota Camry and its hybrid version catch on, will those models eventually supplant the Prius as the go-to hybrid chauffeured vehicle? And will hybrid technological improvements in mid to large-sized vehicles flush the smaller ones out of the chauffeured market? -- M.R.
USA TODAY REPORT: Sapped school budgets nationwide are forcing school sports teams to cut back on
motorcoach transportation, hurting one of the bread-n-butter markets for bus operators.
SNEAK PEEKS: What would you do if your employee called one of your clients for a date?
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NEW TRADEMARK, MORE INVENTORY, CHANGED MANAGEMENT: Los Angeles-based
American Limousine Sales culminates a decade-long journey from dealership to full-fledged limousine sales, trade-in, and manufacturing service.
TODAY'S PRESS RELEASE HERE.
SEPTEMBER 2009 LCT PREVIEW: The print edition is heading toward subscribers, but we just couldn't wait to release some of it ahead of snail mail. In this month's issue, readers will find the timely topics of OPERATORS WHO LOWBALL and the importance of devising a NETWORKING PLAN, preferably at the LCT Eastern Conference just one month away.
The features on lowballing and networking reflect two different approaches to coping with a recession; the first approach is for short-term gainers and desperadoes, the second for those serious about building long-term business. While lowballing is legal and competitive, unless it's done by a gypsy operator, the old rule still applies for operator and client alike: You reap what you sow, and you get what you pay for. Those rules also apply to networking, joining industry associations, and attending LCT events: What you put in, is what you get out.
The other two articles on www.lctmag.com feature revenue opportunities with DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES, and LCT Publisher Sara Eastwood-McLean's latest take on industry trends. Main point: Think PEOPLE MOVING, not just luxury pampering on wheels.
About the Cover: Royale Limousine Manufacturers of Haverhill, Mass. has repositioned itself with two innovative vehicle lines that meet changing demands and tastes in chauffeured transportation.
Finally, the 2010 OPERATOR OF THE YEAR FORMS, are now posted on the LCT home page. Just download, fill out, attach to supplemental materials, and send to me at Martin@lctmag.com. We know it's been a rough year and everyone understands -- but don't neglect a shot at gaining industry prestige and the opportunity to help others with your successes. Entry deadline for OOY, LCT Marketing Awards, and LCT Association Award of Excellence is Oct. 1.
-- Martin Romjue, LCT editor