The Importance Of A Good Chauffeur
Driving a limousine or a town car is something that many people can do, but it is something very few people can do well. You may be thinking how hard is it to drive a car? The reality is that being a professional chauffeur is about much more then just driving a vehicle (you have seen the transporter haven’t you?). But in all seriousness people underestimate the skill involved in being a professional driver.
Lets talk for a moment about a wedding chauffeur. We can divide this category of driver into two parts, part one is comprised of the gentlemen that drive the stretches and part two will categorize the individuals who drive the lead cars. Firstly we will look at the chauffeurs that drive the larger vehicles; not only does this require a special license it requires a very high skill level and the ability to navigate a vehicle that is larger and longer then it should have ever been. Secondly these men and women need to be able to accommodate and listen to 12-20 people (in a party bus much more) it can be difficult to navigate narrow streets and assuage the demands of a large group of slightly inebriated groomsmen and bridesmaids. Now think about the gentleman whose driving the 80 year old Rolls Royce, a vehicle created in a time when there were literally 100 times less cars on the road. The mirrors and windshield wipers are minuscule and the vehicle itself is huge. These antiques were never meant to be driven on the type of roads we have today, and so it takes a special talent to maneuver and handle the vintage vehicles.
For weddings there is an entirely different level of service that is expected to be executed on the day of. It takes an individual who knows what needs to go down behind the scenes to help the day move along smoothly. They need to coordinate with the photographer, the ladies and gentlemen at the church and at the venue. They must be familiar with any areas that they are expected to service. They need to possess a large amount of EQ or emotional intelligence; they need to anticipate the needs of their clients and be happy and willing to serve.
On the executive car service side, things can be a bit different; actually things can be a lot different. In all travel punctuality and expeditiousness is paramount but none more so then in the case of corporate travel. We tell our chauffeurs that if you are 15 minutes early your late. These men and women must possess an extensive knowledge of the service area and the areas surrounding. Updated traffic monitoring software and technology is needed because in densely populated areas it is highly possible that a ten-minute ride turns into a thirty minute one. A proper executive chauffeur needs to know the traffic patterns of the areas he is servicing. Again EQ is a must, you need to know when someone wants to talk and when they don’t.
Ultimately there is a lot more to being a professional chauffeur then just the ability to drive. Knowledge of the areas being serviced, and an in-depth understanding of the type of client being serviced are necessary to create that memorable experience. Without which all you are really getting is a ride.
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, 2014 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!