Disqus - Latest Comments for jimluff

Re: JIM LUFF: Can’t Wait To See You In Vegas, Baby

jimluff — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 19:36:21 -0000

Dianne, I loved reading this! I never forget my first show and how everyone seemed like they were in clique. I have made a great effort to reach out to newbies. I attend the First Timer's session, just for people like you to make people feel welcome. I posted above that I would be in the LCT booth every day from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Next time you go, just head to our booth. We are right there with high-top tables and bar stools and I am happy to sit down and talk to anyone that comes by about anything they want to talk about. I'm going to go a step further and say, if you are coming to any show, email me (Jim@LCTmag.com) and I will give you my personal cell phone number and make you feel as welcome as I can.

Re: JIM LUFF: When The Flu Knocks You Down

jimluff — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:26:10 -0000

As of today, 29 Bakersfield residents have been admitted to the ICU of local hospitals for the flu. 22 of those have been put on ventilators to breathe for them and we have had a total of six people that have died from the flu since Christmas Day. GET A FLU SHOT!!!!!

Re: JIM LUFF: When The Flu Knocks You Down

jimluff — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:47:00 -0000

Two Bakersfield residents have now died from this flu according to the Kern County Health Department. A flu shot didn't help!

Re: JIM LUFF: Fatal Crash Puts Spotlight On Industry

jimluff — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:51:03 -0000

Thanks for the great comments Bill. It just amplifies what I am saying could happen in any city in our country simply because the crash involves a livery vehicle. Even crashes that would not normally merit any media attention are sensationalized simply because they involve a limousine. It is one of those situations we can probably never change.

Re: JIM LUFF: Spring Cleaning The Ranks

jimluff — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:48:40 -0000

Sorry I did not respond to this earlier but Mozilla is showing ZERO comments on every thread so I had to open each one up today looking for comments. You obviously didn't read my post.

Specifically this paragraph: When I say, “Not correctable,” this means that you have usually tried through training, discipline and progressive documentation and action to correct ongoing problems but either the employee doesn’t care enough to change or they don’t have the mental capacity to hold the job they are assigned to.

That means giving fair effort to "save them".

On another note, I never allow a single chauffeur to have a "regular" client for the very reason you described. Since we have a 40 hour week training program, every chauffeur delivers the same service and a regular client might have as many as five regular chauffeurs so if one quits or gets fired, he may not even realize it for month.

As for your comments about telling your former clients not to use your former employer, it clearly shows that you are indeed a driver and not a professional chauffeur. Professionals generally have moral integrity and simply pack up their marbles and go play in another sandbox. If they are worth a shit, they will be hired by a competitor in a heartbeat.

The cost of hiring and training a new chauffeur is simply part of the business. Terminating someone has nothing to do with their pay, benefits or anything other than lousy performance. Employees are an asset to the company and I don't throw assets out the door without evaluating their usefulness.

Re: JIM LUFF: Scheduling Chauffeurs — You Just Can’t Win

jimluff — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:34:08 -0000

The best part of this blog was that the employee recognized himself and the situation. We should talk Bill. I do have chauffeurs that work only days or only nights by request. Being on the rotation list is a privilege - not a right. Not every chauffeur is on the rotation list. Only full-time employees and the best of the best in part-time chauffeurs. Refusing to work when you are called based on the rotation list is a sure fire way to get kicked off of it. Likewise, the part-timer that always says "YES" when we call is offered a spot on the list. We use the list first for both advance scheduling and call-outs so if you are not on the list, you are bottom of the barrel.

And just for the record - I don't have any drivers working for me. Only well educated, customer service oriented, highly intelligent-think-on-your-feet kind of professional chauffeurs that understand the importance of developing their own relationships with skycaps, doormen, bar security and even mall security. They know where every Kinko's (or similar place in town is). They know where to get a Wall Street Journal or a New York Times along with a Starbuck's. They know which restaurants have free wi-fi for business lunches and not just in their own town but throughout the area they serve. If I find I have a driver working for me, I generally show them where the cab companies in town are. We usually weed these out by a five page written test where handwriting, spelling and grammar are evaluated to make sure I don't have a dumb-dumb driving the president of Chevron and embarrassing our company. My type of clientele won't tolerate a driver or they would have called a cab.

Re: JIM LUFF: Answer The Phones Live

jimluff — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:34:21 -0000

Nope, it was not you Curt. While it is hard to get YOU on the phone immediately for the reasons you cited - in a pinch, your office staff has always been courteous and efficient. I will narrow it down only to say it was in Georgia with a very well known operator. I won't name names as it certainly would not promote doing business with that company. It isn't my intention to hurt someone as much as it is to say - ANSWER THE DAMN PHONE with someone intelligent on the other line!

Re: LCT's Jim Luff Featured In Wedding Biz Article

jimluff — Sat, 08 May 2010 13:33:23 -0000

You don't miss a thing do you Martin???

Re: JIM LUFF: Operators Triumph In Tampa Bay

jimluff — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:46:18 -0000

I never spoke to either of those operators when writing THIS round of updates. They had been previous sources of information but not this time around. Once the Tampa Legislature attorney Brian Moore became involved - I followed it at the state level. When Commissioner Kevin White was successfully sued for sexual harrassment of an employee and I knew taxpayers would pay the bill, it became an agency to watch. When Kevin White, on public record, declared that the Mercedes "S" Class limo was NOT a luxury vehicle, I was entrenched. I don't personally know or care about the two operators who brought HCPTC to the spotlight of lawmakers. In fact, I personally decried the use of a Prius in the luxury car industry and I know that was Moshe's forte. What I like and don't like is not what I write about though and the fact is, the law was changed and it goes into effect July 1st giving operators like the golf cart shuttle system an avenue of appeal that did not exist before now. This is America and we should all have an avenue to appeal government decisions.

Until the HCPTC commits a new blunder, I am moving on to the next story and this one is now behind me. I received five new assignment yesterday so I need to look forward and not in the past. However, I am delighted that you posted here and I invite other operators to continue the discussion here, add your own information and make it a place to chat about issues. If there are any other comments, please feel free to leave them here and provide more information about HCPTC. Based on antics seen in the past and as a matter of public record, I stand by all previous accounts. I have twice interviewed people within the HCPTC and I know exactly what they are about.

Re: JIM LUFF: Modeling Southwest Airlines

jimluff — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:38:22 -0000

Thanks for the kind comments Bill. As a former Bakersfield resident yourself, you know exactly what I am up against in our city. It is not like a plethora of corporate work exists here.

Re: JIM LUFF: In Memory of James A. Luff Jr.

jimluff — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:37:03 -0000

Thank you for your kind comments.

Re: JIM LUFF: In Memory of James A. Luff Jr.

jimluff — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:24:20 -0000

To all of your that sent me personal messages yesterday, I am grateful and humbled by your thoughtful comments. So many of you have shared with me your own circumstances with depression and I realize that bringing this message to you through this blog was truly something that was needed. For those that shared your own tragedies, specially my friend Phillip, I feel the pain of your loss as only a parent that has lost a child knows.

Re: JIM LUFF: Springing Forward Not Like Falling Back

jimluff — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:51:58 -0000

Rat Butler......is that you???? Shout out to Tiffany Coach for treating me to the best meatloaf money can buy while visiting their factory. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Taking a nap now!

Re: JIM LUFF: Stopping Workplace Thieves

jimluff — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:54:14 -0000

It is amazing to me that apparently no one else has a theft problem but me and essex. I had hoped to learn about other ways employees steal, how you caught them, how you prevent theft in various areas and there is just no response.

Maybe I will ask this question instead.....

Is anyone at all reading this?

Re: Diva Clients Can Be A Bitch

jimluff — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:38:47 -0000

Yikes! Was this publicly aired somewhere? I can't imagine an operator in his right mind dishing dirt like that on a celeb. A cardinal no-no in this business to ever name names or share stories in public like this. It can almost guarantee you will never work a large music event.

Re: Ferrari: Replaceable. Driver: Priceless

jimluff — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:37:02 -0000

Oh Chris, I am so sorry this happened to you. What a disaster. And people in L.A. are so unlike SCV and Bako people who would yield to let you get to the shoulder and even jump out with fire extinguishers to help. In the heart of L.A. people just cuss at you as if you intentionally caused your car to have a mechanical problem (or fire) and block their path.

At least you get a new one!

Re: JIM LUFF: Operation Breakdown!

jimluff — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:32:24 -0000

Well, let me give you an update since so many have called, e-mailed and asked. Today marks 14 days that coach has sat at Sopp Ford in Los Angeles. The cost of the breakdown topped $10,000 yesterday in refunds, sub-contracted runs, additional payroll etc.

The Tiffany Coach has 30,000 miles on it. The engine is a Cummins diesel. The problem is a "particulate filter". On Friday night of last week, Sopp Ford called and said it was fixed. I sent to drivers to Los Angeles to pick it up. We made it 15 miles and the bus broke down again. Repeat play of one tow truck shows up but can't do the job and then we wait for a second tow.

Now all I get is.....Cummins says this, Ford says that. Ford Fleet - NO HELP! My own Ford rep here in Bakersfield has been in the loop everyday. Ford says, Cummins says, try this, try that. Not sure why Ford can't just send to TO CUMMINS since they built the engine and have all the parts on hand. Can you believe, Sopp Ford asked me if I wanted to pay $85.00 for Fed Ex shipping on a part they needed? $85 is chump change compared to what they have charged me already.

The Ford QVM dude, Jeff Nichols.....he's on vacation until January 4th! I have lost sleep. I may have lost weight from vomiting so much and the effects of a constant upset stomach as this mess pushes us closer and closer to closing the doors forever. We have no more money to refund and owe companies money for doing our runs.

Special shout out to Ken & Susie Martin for making the two hour trip to Bakersfield to assist me with my work at a fantastic price just to "save" me.

If only Ford cared enough about saving us. They are driving a spike right into our heart and it has become painfully clear they really don't care. I have called Sopp Ford twice today with no information available and left two messages for a Ford Customer Service Rep who was to be dedicated to helping me. I am not sure with what though!

Yeah, Merry Christmas. Thanks to Ford, mine is miserable.

Re: Can We Stop Counting The Carbon Now?

jimluff — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:01:41 -0000

There is a firestorm going on at Limos.com forum. Martin, you are being prasied as a hero for finally shing the spotlight on the truth about the overexagerated B.S. about "green" myths. You have become a hero there for your honesty. I would say as a majority, based on the comments posted on the forum (of 5700 members) that we all feel the same. Expose the B.S.!!!!

Re: Can We Stop Counting The Carbon Now?

jimluff — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:59:33 -0000

Finally! Someone telling the TRUTH. I have never concerned myself with such nonsense. I remember when Y from Eco-Limo tried to bend my ear one night about the "carbon footprint" and carbon offset credits. Where is ECO-Limo today. Gone! Absorbed into the fat rolls of Avalon as a side division. If America would have cared enough about it, of course ECO would still be ECO. I think the Prius is a great car for the gas mileage benefits and that is nice but in terms of luxury......I took a five hour trip in one a few months ago and by the time I arrived in Santa Cruz I felt like I was getting out of a sardine can! I felt like I should have been on the 19th hole! They are nothing more than a high speed golf cart with windshield wipers.

The Prius in my mind will NEVER be a luxury car. The Ford Flex, well, that is a different story but the bottom line is.....I am a Lincoln guy through and through and while some will be offended by this blog and my response, you are in the minority and I respect your point of view. I know that Moshe at Tampa Bay Limousine use Prius cars and if he can find clients to fill them and make money doing so.....more power to him. My clients just don't ask for them - ever in my 19 years!

Re: LINDA JAGIELA: Is Your Company A Football Widow?

jimluff — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:20:30 -0000

When I got in this business as a chauffeur, I had another job. I wanted extra money. It was fun. It was exciting AND it was lucrative in the money that could be made. I told my boss, I get off work at 5:00pm Monday through Friday. I can be on a job by 6:00pm and I can work any weekend. If I wanted a certain Saturday off, I asked in advance. Otherwise, if a job came up, I dropped what plans I had and took the gig. I made $5.25 an hour plus tips. It was not uncommon to earn $300 in a weekend in 1990! At some point, I realized I could make as much money as I did on my full time job working limo gigs. The rest is history. I knew the terms of scheduling in the industry and made a decision to live that way. I must assume that others understand that as well and I do not see it EVER changing.....unless of course we discover that a crystal ball really does work! I am going to detail my program even more here...

I use a roation schedule of chauffeurs. On any given day, there are 12 on the list. If you are in the #1 spot for the day, you are guaranteed work and the first assignment that comes up for that day is yours. The next day, you are in 2nd position and the 3rd day you are in third with each person going down the list and eventually being at the top. This insures fairness and equality. I also have some chauffeurs that prefer days, some evenings and some nights. I have those that will take anything and they are the cream of the crop. Everyone gets two days off, like the rest of America. On the days they are not off, they are generally scheduled well in advance. Today, we did all the scheduling for December 6th as it is a heavy day. I have no complaints and I have many employees who have been with us for well over a decade so I must assume they are happy.

Re: LINDA JAGIELA: Is Your Company A Football Widow?

jimluff — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:58:54 -0000

Limo Wire - You have been around long enough to know how the business operates. It is not a job. It is a LIFE STYLE. You work when the work is there and you sit and wait until then. I think I do it a little more fairly than most. I guarantee every employee two days off per week and they can choose what two days those are. On the rest of the days, if I call you, you are coming to work. Period. It is agreed when you walk in and submit your application and if that is not the kind of job you want, you should not apply here.

Re: JIM LUFF: Helping Hands Bring Out The Best

jimluff — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:55:58 -0000

Hope you guys are hanging in their Susie. Despite no comments here, I have had people call me to ask for more details so they are reading it but don't know how to express themselves I guess. Take care. Still praying!

Re: LINDA JAGIELA: Is Your Company A Football Widow?

jimluff — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:52:44 -0000

Seriously amused by this blog. The inmates don't run the asylum and they surely don't get to vote. If I assign your ass to work on Sunday during the game.......your ass it working! I give people a job to work at the pleasure of the company - NOT the pleasure of the chauffeur. When each chauffeur is hired, they are told that we operate 24/7 and must have chauffeurs available at all times. They get to pick their own two days off. Any two they want. If they pick Sunday, I guess it won't be a problem during Super Bowl Sunday - but if that is not your day off and you don't request it off two weeks in advance, in writing, have it approved by management then you are working.

It is amusing that some companies allow the chauffuer to dictate the work environment. The military, police departments, fire departments, hospitals etc. all work well because of a well structured CHAIN OF COMMAND. It works, so I use it.

Re: JIM LUFF: Chasing The Big Account With a Plan

jimluff — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:45:48 -0000

You can change it but you have to work it. You have to visit the hotel once a month and make them think of you. Our marketing rep (that might be YOU) stops by once a month to each hotel to visit the Sales & Catering Manager, refill brochures taken off the rack, count how many have been taken and talk to the front desk personnel to remind them (via flyer) that we will deliver a $20 bill the next day for any two hour or longer ride we do. Before anyone balks at $20 for a two hour ride - that isn't the point! The point is the BIG jobs. The conventions. Multiple airport pickups etc. You must make the hotel people think about you enough that when someone mentions they have many people arriving from the airport that the hotel staff recommends your company for the job. You can't expect them to think about you if you do not have a relationship with them.

Re: JIM LUFF: Helping Hands Bring Out The Best

jimluff — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:40:08 -0000

Hard to believe not a single well wish here........thoughts are with you.....anything? You guys let me down! I know you read this......everyone tells me all the time they read my blog every Tuesday. I had hoped to show Ken how much the industry cared and I know you do - you just don't know what to say apparently!