Disqus - Latest Comments for earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill

Re: JIM LUFF: Operation Breakdown!

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:04:36 -0000

A few years back, Ford told me that my '93 Town car was NOT one of the ones included in the Cruise control brake switch recall despite the fact it was one of the ones to burn. Well after spending about $700.00 to fix it and later selling the car, Guess what? It is now included in the recall. I forewarded the notice on to the new owner.

We have an old '93 Ford Van sitting in our junk yard behind our school bus garage we are putting up for bid for scrap. We are thinking of sending it in to have it done even though it does not run. We are kind of hoping it will just burn down all by itself.

Re: JIM LUFF: Operation Breakdown!

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:09:33 -0000

Jim: This is why I always tell some bright eyed young person with a few thousand burning a hole in their pocket wanting to get into the Limo business that you just cannot do it with one car or in your case bus. You said you were refunding deposits because you could not provide the service while the bus is down. Just imagine that if this was your only bus and this was your only bookings. You have the economy of scale so that you are not hurt too bad but think about the one car wonder who has his home mortgaged to the hilt to make a go in this business.

I had a rear brake chamber blow on a 102A3 while I was decending the cork screw on the Jersey side of the Lincoln tunnel. I only lost the air when I appled the brakes. I would have to wait for it to build up before I could move again. Pissed off a lot of people but we did make it into NYC. Thank goodness for the piggy back spring brakes or that would had been a catastrophic crash.

Re: JIM LUFF: NLA Provides Official Labor Guide From Lawyers

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:58:32 -0000

Jim: You and I have discussed this many times in the past and we both know that thoes who are doing the IC thing know exactly what they are doing but don't give a "Rat's Behind' untill they get caught. Then let the crying begin. I guess it depends on how long it goes on. Some Guys have been doing it for many years and have put a lot of money into their pockets. Whats a little "Ding" from the IRS. Pay it and move on doing the same as they have always done but under a new name. Yes Jim, Crime ( although this is not really a crime) does pay for some. Lets hope this message does reach some poor unsuspecting new Operator who has gotten some bad advice.

Re: PUB PAGE: Being All Things To All People - Limousine, Charter & Tour

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:59:43 -0000

Sarah:

You finally are seeing it my way. Just because a company is called a Limousine service, it does not mean that their "exhaust" does not stink. I know of a Guy who buys up old school buses, paints them by hand, throws used van seats into them, and "ass kicker" sound system and makes a ton of money and the people just love it. He now has 7 buses on the road. I tried to follow the Limousine way of doing things and failed. I did not listen to the public who was telling me lighten up a bit and let us have some fun.

I am glad to see that you are a spokesman for the Bus business. The next thing you need to focus on is the Taxi business because of all the operators who are running sedans at a price lower than many Taxi Cabs.

Re: JIM LUFF: What’s Hot? Not? In? Out?

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:09:31 -0000

Jim: I don't know what happened here but for some reason my comment did not post so I will repeat it.

Why not do a article on the pros and cons of the airport sedan business and its place in the "luxury transportation" business. It is my opinion that we should leave the "taxi Type" business to the Taxi and black car operators who are set up to do this type of work and jus concintrate on the pre arranged and pre paid luxury transportation business.

The same applies to the motor coach end of it. There are too many Guys in this business trying to run motor coaches that are not even close to being equiped to do so and pose a great danger to the public as a result.

Re: LINDA MOORE: Do Industry Associations Deliver Value?

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:17:10 -0000

Mr. Luff made an interesting observation in another venue about how he is able to use other operators to fill a need in his company. His method may leave something to be desired but the concept is something that could be considered through an Association. He finds out the dates of all of the big school events in his service area well in advance and then reserves A number of his competetors vehicle on these date thus making him the only show in town. Well this is good thinking on his part but this could be something that an association could coordinate. The competetion seems to be OK with this other wise they would be demanding a large deposit to reserve the cars.

Re: JIM LUFF: When Employees Talk -- And Balk

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:06:23 -0000

Thoes days are gone for ever. I use to use this on people when the service was poor. I would tell them "I am in the Limousine business and it is very important that I provide prompt, dependable service." I would ask them "how would they like it if they scheduled me to be at thier Daughters wedding at 2:00 on Sat but I showed up at 1:00 on Sunday". Well you can guess the answer.

Should you go back? Well they are new and probably do not have their "stuff" together yet so I would give them a couple of weeks and try once more. If it is more of the same well that would cinch it for me.

Re: JIM LUFF: Vegas Chauffeurs Still Wringing Bell

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:24:43 -0000

James: That is the whole key to the issue. Since you are "Told" what to do, that is control. If you were an Independent Contractor with your own car and no obligation to a base operator, you could do all that the local ordinance allows. The fact that you have to wait for Dispatch is control. A true I.C. would have the option to take a dispatch call or find one on his own no mater where he finds it. The only obligation he should have to the Base operation is that you pay your fee or lease to operate under their Banner or permit and conform to possible idnetification requirements Other than that, you should be free to make as much money as you wish. If you wanted to use the car to take your Girlfriend to the Lake for the day, the company cannot tell you that you cannot.

Re: JIM LUFF: Vegas Chauffeurs Still Wringing Bell

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:57:17 -0000

Looks like it will be a matter of who runs out of money first. You know it won't be the government. It will probably be like Fed Ex, There will be a give and take. I have heard that Fed Ex kind of won but the Drivers did too because now they can carry other companies freight in "thier" trucks and do not have to follow specific instructions from Fed Ex. I guess the best way is to do like humberto did and move on to another company who has a little respect for their Employees. I know jobs are a little scarce right now but they are out there if you look around.

Re: LINDA MOORE: 3 Scenarios For Limo Crime

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:01:49 -0000

Linda: Having been in the Taxi business for nearly 15 years and the Limo biz for nearly 12 years, I have experenced all of the above. I really cannot say that I learned anything from them other than like you said, turn down the run. The person answering the phone and dispatching the run can do a little "due dilligance" in getting and confirming phone numbers ect but with cell phones, that is nearly impossible. Probably the best way to keep from getting "stiffed" on the fare is run the credit card or just get the cash up front.

When I was in the Taxi business, it was in a boader (Mich/Canada) town. We would have a little problem with people going back to Canada. You always got the money up front. If you had a problem with a person and you could find an OPP or an RCMP (canada Cops) they did not care about being P.C. they would "take care" of the problem and you would be on your way.

I did have one Guy use my Cab to rob a party store. I drove him there, waited, he came out got into the cab. Next thing I know the store clerk comes running after me. The Guy baied and yes I got "stiffed'" on that fare. (better than getting shot I guess) Not to mention the time I was tied up with the Police investigation.

I had the Credit card thing happen in the Limo business. The people called and convinced the boss they were a big record company who wanted to showcase a couple of "Artist" at a few clubs. I was in places I never even knew existed in Detroit. There was gun fire involved and sure enough, the credit card was stolen.

I guess all I can say is try to be carefull as you can but don't let it dominate your life.

Re: JIM LUFF: So Your Relative Or Friend Asks For A “Deal”

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:23:23 -0000

I use to get a kick out of the "big shots" who tell me they are a "close personal friend" of the owner and then pronunce his last name wrong.

Re: LINDA MOORE: When Did Retail Go Casual?

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:17:45 -0000

This all started when Cadillac's and Town cars were replaced with Hummers and other SUVs. Even the 300 is a stretch to qualify as a limo despite its popularity.

To me a Limo should be a Cadillac, A Town Car, maybe a Rolls some kind of luxury ride, not an off road vehicle.

If you want to transport more than 8 people, buy a bus, it is far more appropriate not to mention safer and more comfortable.

That is part of the reason I got out of the Limo business. Most of my clients wanted to stuff 15 people into a 10 pax. I could not afford to buy a bus so I started working with the bus companies to provide the service they wanted. Has worked fairly well for me. As A bus driver we are required to wear dress slacks, a botton blue or whithe shirt and a tie. In cold weather, the company jacket.

Re: JIM LUFF: Why Must I Follow All The Rules?

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:02:36 -0000

I was once informed by the regulating authority that they only regulate the ones who have authority. You need to file criminal charges with the State Police or the local LEO's if you see some one not following the rules. Most of the time the enforcement authorities will tell you they will look into it if they have time but they have more importatnt things to do. I guess it will take a couple of tragic situation's to open the proper eyes.

Jim I feel we are fighting a loosing battle but if we get on convert well, we made some progress.

Re: LINDA MOORE: Should Chauffeurs Give Out Their Cell Phone Nos.? Keep A Book Of Clients?

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:46:36 -0000

Linda: Since a lot of operators want to treat their Employees as Independent Contractors, that is the risk they take. As an Independent contractor, I am free to persue my own clients because I am just leasing the owners vehicle and he has no control over me. At least that is the way it is done in the Taxi business. Having been in the Taxi business for 15 years I have a pretty good idea of how it works. The problem is too many Limo operators do not have a clue. If a client calls for a cab and ask for a certain driver, dispatch will send that driver.

For an owner, who is calling me an Indenpendent Contractor to deny me access to MY client now could be grounds for me to file a redetermination as an employee and open a whole new "can of Worms" for that owner.

I met you at Steve Pixley's place at a GLLA meeting a few years back and talked with you several times on the phone.

Re: JIM LUFF: When O.T. Begins With No Credit Card On File

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:35:38 -0000

I would have done the same thing (either as the Chauffeur or the owner). But wareing my "owners hat" I would had gotten on the phone the next business day and asked them to pay for the OT but I would had not pushed it. You made a good profit off the deal (Our high dollar Motor coach operator here in Mich only charges $85.00 per hour {6 hour minimum} for a late model J4500) so $800.00 was enough to pay the little extra for the Chauffeur and the little bit of extra fuel.

Re: Fare and Open

earkmetcalfakadavidmerrill — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:57:15 -0000

The Guys I work for, Country Line Tours out of Alpena, Mi. have been doing very well on their short distance day trips. (so is one of our Colleagues, Area Fun Run) I just did a 110 mile (one way) Casino trip fri. night and we had 38 people on a 55 passenger bus. Sat. night I did a local pub crawl (a service that use to be provided by Limousine services).

Last week I did a trip to the Potawatami Casino in Milwaukee. After beating my head aganist the wall for several years in the Limo business, I have found this charter bus business is the way to go.