The Backup Plan October 2013

The Government Shutdown

The government is effectively shut down but what exactly does that mean?  Who specifically does it affect and what are the long-term ramifications?  The synopsis of the current situation is that the governmental parties are not able to come to agreeable terms and pass a continuing resolution, or CR, and so a shutdown occurs in which no federal employment agency, unless essential, will be allowed to spend money without the permission of congress.  This means that parks, museums many aspects of domestic and international travel, as well as several other facets of federally controlled industries are effectively shutdown until congress can come to a mutual agreement.

In the short term this means less security for travel, The FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Department of Homeland Security have had to furlough more than 40,000 employees combined.  Included in this number are over 4,000 safety inspectors whose job is not only to inspect new aircraft but also to check up on pilots and aircraft currently in operation.   The long-term implications are a loss in tourism revenue due to a drop off of international travelers.  Not the end of the world but certainly not a loss the country can easily afford in the midst of our current economic crisis.

Another hit we take is the closing of all federally funded parks and attractions; libraries, museums and preserves will be completely closed until the shut down stops.  Again this means a large loss of revenue.

Federally funded programs and services are also suspended.  Certain federal civilian defense employees will be furloughed.  Overall it puts certain industries and civilians at greater risk when engaging in certain activates and the short and learn term economic effects can be potentially catastrophic depending on how long the shut down continues.

The reasons for the most recent shut down are somewhat understandable but the reality is that the federal government must acknowledge the long-term affects and both parties need to come to a mutually agreeable resolution.  People are out of work and afraid and the country itself is losing money every day the shut down is in effect.  One way or another a compromise must be reached and the sooner the better.

New York Road Show Transportation

What exactly is a road show?  A road show is any event or tour such as a promotional marketing campaign, a book tour, an aggressive outside sales campaign or any event that requires the frequenting of multiple destinations and adhering to a tight schedule.   As you may imagine road show transportation can be a difficult undertaking for an executive car service or an executive transportation company.  Constant shifts in schedules; traffic and weather conditions and plain old human error can wreak havoc on even the most well coordinated of road show events.

Now imagine coordinating a New York road show.  Planning out the ground logistics for any type of road show transportation, in any city or area, is tedious and stressful.  In an area with such a high population density like New York City or even Long Island it can be maddening.  If the company providing the road show transportation is not properly equipped for road shows then you may as well pack your bags because the endeavor will not end well.

To truly accommodate a company or individual looking to arrange a New York road show the company providing the service needs to have several things; first they absolutely must have a dedicated road show desk manned 24/7/365 by an experienced and dedicated professional.  Second the vehicles must be up to date, out-fitted with the latest technologies to ensure the most expeditious route is always taken and have had prevented maintenance performed on them regularly.  Third the company must have road show experience.  There are many companies out their that tout themselves as executive car services or claim to offer VIP transportation that do not have the first clue about road shows.

All Star Limousine specializes in New York road shows and international corporate travel.  We have over 30 years experience in the industry and service a long and distinguished list of fortune 500 companies and C level executives.  With a fully updated fleet of over 200 vehicles, multiple locations and an office staffed by a team of fanatically dedicated and trained professionals All Star Limousine is equipped to handle any and all ground transportation needs.  We pride our selves on excellence and have over a 99% success rate (over 99% of our customers expectations are met or exceeded), we are on time every time and we will never say no.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick 

The Barclays Center

The Barclays Center is a newly erected sports and special events arena built in Brooklyn NY.  Despite much controversy and some resistance from local residents the Barclay center promises prosperity and new life for the beleaguered Brooklyn and Nassau area.   Construction ultimately began in 2010 and the arena, now fully a year old, was completed in September of 2012.  A new home for two professional sports teams, both the Nets and the Islanders, the Barclays center is also an event venue for concerts and shows.

Finally completed and open to the public on September 21^st 2012 the construction of this LEED certified (the first structure of this type and size to be so) arena was a less then a smooth one.  Opposed by the residents and local business from the start, in part to due the exercise of eminent domain by the financiers and the requested public subsides, the initial construction and permitting got tied up for years in court.   In the culmination of these legal battles the right to build was granted but the downturn of the economy had contributed to another near catastrophic problem, a lack of funds.    On September 23^rd of 2009 Russian Business man, Mikhail Prokhorov, stepped in and agreed to a $200 million deal with Forest City Ratner (the company behind the Atlantic Yards Project) to complete the construction of the much anticipated arena.

The Barclays center promises jobs, attractions and general prosperity for the Nassau and Brooklyn area.  Aesthetically beautiful (in a tough Brooklyn kind of way) it is due to see even more improvement in the very near future as the Atlantic Yards Development project continues.  A controversial construction and some close calls did not stop the erection of the first LEED Silver certified building of its type and class in the state of New York.  We expect to see great things happen in, around and because of this structure in the very foreseeable future.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick 

When Is The Best Time To Book You're Holiday Travel Arrangements?

If you are looking to travel for the holidays then book your flights now.  Research shows that now is the proverbial sweet spot for airline bookings for this years Christmas holiday season.  Don’t even think about booking for Thanksgiving as that ship has already sailed.  Their does exist the perfect time to book flights where you can get an incredible deal, its just a matter of doing it when the time is just right.

Book too early and the seasonal deals won’t be applicable; book too late and the deals will be long gone.  The airlines aren’t any help when it comes to this stuff (as you can imagine) because it typically has to do with supply and demand, as flights book up the deals begin to dwindle as the time for the flights encroaches and the seats still need to be filled the price per seat begins to drop.  The best way to track and anticipate the best time to buy is to look at airline sales over the last year.

Now is the time to book flights for this years Christmas Season, do not let the opportunity for a decent deal pass you by.   It’s the quintessential example of supply and demand, they need to fill seats they drop the price, seats are filling up quickly they raise the price.   Prior planning and due diligence can save you some money here so just pay attention to the trends and if you’re looking to travel this Christmas Season book your flights today!

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick 

Great Restaurants Near LGA

LaGuardia Airport is a major commuter hub located in the NY metropolitan area.   With over a dozen airlines carrying tens of thousands of passengers daily the queens area surrounding LGA can get a little congested.  No one wants to fight gridlock looking for a reputable place to eat only to be tired and hungry and end up with an over cooked steak or chewy calamari.  In the interest of ravenous jet setters everywhere here are three top notch restaurants located within 15 minuets of LaGuardia airport.

5 Napkin Burger in Astoria.  If you haven’t yet experienced the 5 Napkin Burger chain you are seriously missing out.  The restaurant gets its name from the monstrous signature burgers they serve and it is well earned.  Primarily serving American cuisine 5 napkins offers a variety of dishes from around the world including several unique burgers that are exclusive to this Avant-guard burger chain.  Serving an a la carte brunch on Saturday and Sunday 5 Napkin Burger in Astoria-Queens is located less then 4 miles from LGA.

Uncle Jacks Steakhouse.  Uncle Jacks is just about 10 miles from LaGuardia Airport and it’s claim as “The Best Steakhouse in New York” is not too far off.  Now given there are some dynamite steakhouses in the NY metro area Uncle Jacks is certainly a contender.  Uncle Jacks boasts several locations but the original was founded in the early 1930’s and was titled simply Jack’s.   Their mantra is “Where superior quality and obsessive dedication to craft are the norm”.  With an impressive wine menu and the finest USDA Prime Beef Uncle Jacks is a steakhouse not to be missed.

Trattoria L’incontro Italian is the go too Italian restaurant near LaGuardia airport.  Located only three miles from LGA Trattoria L’incontro is the perfect place to stop in after a long flight, whether you just want to have a nice glass of wine at the wine bar or you are looking for some fine Italian dining.   Hand painted murals and an open brick over lend this establishment an air of tradition and comfort and this feeling is also reflected in their vast and somewhat unique menu.  A variety of brick over pizzas are offered at Trattoria L’inconto as well as some very interesting creations (including a brick oven pizza stuffed with chocolate).  Trattoria also offers the type of cuisine you would expect from a restaurant known for its fine dining dishes such as fried calamari, muscles in white sauce and grilled octopus are some of the more

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick