The Backup Plan May 2013

 Optimum Efficiency

What is it that makes a transportation or limousine company work?  How in such an industry is it possible to operate at optimum efficiency?  With such a huge margin for error, and countless possible caveats how do most limousines companies even stay in business?  The simple answer is they don’t.  There are many companies that start up with a few cars and hopefully an actual location that swiftly vanish.  The truth is that the industry itself is poorly regulated and nearly anyone can purchase a town car or a stretch limousine, put an ad on Craig’s list or in the penny saver and start servicing clients.  They under-cut the competition in an attempt to bring in business and then in the middle of your night out, or even worse on the way to your wedding reception, the car breaks down.  Now because you’re dealing with a smaller, improperly run business they have no on-call mechanic nor do they have another vehicle to send to pick you up and they suggest to you to call a cab, utterly horrific. 

It may not be as dramatically bad as all that, the car could just be late or old or dented, or the driver could be rude or sloppily dressed or generally unprofessional, but you’re paying good money for a luxury service don’t you deserve to have all these things?  The answer is yes.  But without the ability to operate properly most companies take a big risk every time they take their poorly maintained car out on the road. 

How can all of this be avoided?  Very easily on your part, just take the time to ask the right questions and do a little investigation on the company that you choose.  Some things to think about are turnaround time; turnaround time is how fast or how often does said Limousine company or said black car company update their fleet.  A company who does not know what that is or that doesn’t have one is going to have older vehicles that have most likely seen some hard miles.  Does the company employ its own mechanics and do they perform preventative maintenance on all their vehicles and if so how often?  It is of paramount importance that a large company employs an in house mechanic; these vehicles are on the road constantly and need routine tune-ups and maintenance. How are reservations handled and does the company have 24/7/365 dispatch and live staff around the clock.  This is important in case a last minute booking needs to be made or a last minute change needs to be made to an existing booking.  What does the company’s facility look like?  If it’s run out of someone’s garage you may want to give it a pass.  A proper limousine company will have a dispatch area, a reservation or customer service area and a mechanic shop where the vehicles are serviced. 

Often we are servicing individuals during incredibly important events where time is of the essence and quality of service is paramount.  Communication technology and GPS tracking guarantee a punctual vehicle that knows how to get where it needs to go.  Screening drivers and training them properly will also help to mitigate any potential human error.  Preventative maintenance will ensure you are riding in a safe and reliable vehicle. You are important and you deserve to be treated as such and that is why our facility operates at optimum efficiency 24/7/365 so that we can guarantee you excellence every time.

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!

With so many other concerns deciding what to do after the magical night can be one of the most difficult tasks when planning your prom.  She wants to go out dancing, he wants to go to the beach; they just want to hit a diner late night in their red carpet cloths.  Whose mom wants them home before 1am whose parents are insisting that they get picked up and dropped off at the doorstep, this ones dad says she is absolutely forbidden to go to that club.  It can be truly maddening if you are the one responsible for making the arrangements for your special night.  In the interest of simplifying the situation we have compiled a list of the five hottest after prom spots in NYC…

 Webster Hall

 The massive Manhattan nightclub is located in the heart of NYC’s East village and has been blasting beats for decades.  With 4 floors (including the largest nightclub dance floor in NYC) five unique rooms dedicated to specific styles of music, VIP rooms, lounge areas and live entertainment Webster Hall has appeal for all.  They also cater to the younger crown on the more popular prom nights.

 The Copacabana

 The Copacabana, now located at 268 W. 47th Street, New York, NY, was originally opened in 1940.  It was then as it is now one of the most notorious and popular nightclubs in NYC.  A restaurant and a stunning rooftop lounge complement the always packed dance floor and it is one of the few locations that allow the patrons in the restaurant area to dance as well as those in general public.

 Sunrise Cruise

 The perfect way to cap off an unforgettable evening is to board a sunrise cruise.  You board their magnificent yacht at 4am and sail around NYC, witness to the lights and un-matched skyline of the metropolitan area, until the sun comes up.  You will have the experience of a lifetime as you enjoy every moment possible of what most consider the most anticipated night of your high school career.

 Broadway Comedy Club

 Located in Time Square Broadway Comedy Club features some of the top stand up comedians in the industry.   Comedy central’s brightest stars grace the stage at this world famous comedy club.  This club cranks seven nights a week and boasts more shows then any other comedy club in NYC.

 New York Comedy Club

 Owned by the same individuals as Broadway Comedy Club the New York Comedy club is the original.  Not quite as large as Broadway the New York Comedy club has been a fixture for New Yorkers since 1988.  Its owner Al Martin is responsible for jump-starting the careers of some of comedy’s premier talent today.  They cater to individuals from all walks of life and are more then happy to welcome the next generation into their iconic establishment.

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 in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest.

Prom Time!

Here are five tips for kids and parents to keep in mind when selecting a company and a vehicle for their prom:

1)     Always go and visit the limousine company, make sure the vehicle you are interested in will be on site and available for you to view.  If you find yourself in a situation where that car is not there when they said it would be or the person on the phone is trying to arrange a meeting spot for you to see the vehicle (probably because they don’t have an actual location) think twice before committing to that company.

2)    Make sure you have an accurate head count and a small monetary commitment from all the people that will be in your limo on prom night.  Prom only happens on one of a few days out of the year (due to the need for most schools to have prom before graduation and the limited availability of catering halls) so a last minute vehicle switch due to a member of your group dropping out or going with someone else may be difficult to accommodate and will leave the remaining individuals in your party responsible for a larger portion of the bill.

3)    Ask questions.  There is no such thing as a dumb question.  Some things you may want to ask the sales person from the limo company are; is the price your giving me inclusive of all fees (it’s ok to ask if that price includes tip)?  Do you own all your limousines (many companies advertise vehicles they don’t even have)?  Are your drivers safe and reliable (are they properly certified)?  Is the vehicle you are showing me the exact car that we will be receiving on our day? Do you allow drinking or alcohol in the vehicle (obviously guys your underage and can’t drink so this is a big no) if the answer to any of these questions is not what you imagine it should be then that is an immediate red flag. 

4)    Sign a contract.  It is very important that you are properly contracted for the agreed upon price and the agreed upon vehicle.  Also along those same lines make sure the company asks for a credit card. Any company that does not require you to sign a contract or does not request you leave a credit card on file is not engaging in proper business practices.  Many times these are small fly by night companies that are trying to avoid taxes or proper insurance fees.  You run a good chance, when dealing with this type of operation, of them taking your money and then just not showing up the day of.

5)    Have a solid logistics plan.  Know where you’re going and at what time.  Do not schedule things too close, as it will take longer for a vehicle such as a party bus to get from point A to point B then it would in a regular car.  Also do not try to pick up all 20 people in your limo from their individual houses try to limit your pickups and drop offs to three and three (suggest common meeting places that are centrally located so no one is traveling too far on their own), this is really so that your time is maximized in the limousine.  It makes no sense to spend half the night picking up people and then dropping them off. 

Kids we want you guys to have the most memorable and magical time of your life.  We will accommodate you exactly according to your needs and we guarantee our service.  Moms and Dads we will protect your children, we will keep them safe.  We will be early, our drivers are professionals and will act as such, the vehicle we provide will be a 2013 model and will appear on your day as if it jumped out of the pages of a magazine.  No matter what your arrangements please be safe and please have fun.  Congratulations from All Star Limousines!

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 in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest.

The North Fork Wineries

Long island is blessed with a geography varied and stunning, lush verdant woodlands, gorgeous beaches and of course the rolling vineyards of the North Fork.  From Pindar to Macari and Bedell to Baiting Hollow, long islands wineries have a lineage, a beauty, and a vintage that is unlike anything in the world, and for most of us these prestigious establishments are only a few hours away.  When the weather becomes warmer and the snow finally melts, hundreds of thousands of long islanders will begin their long awaited migration out east and it is during this time that these legendary wineries come to life.

Starting in Riverhead with Schneider and Palmer vineyards the North Fork is populated with over twenty acclaimed wineries.  Some are in relatively close proximity where as others are a bit off the beaten path, the wineries out east cater to those of all interests and walks of life.  There are of course your more classic establishments those that have existed for decades and boast vintages rivaling the great French and Chilean wines, places like Laurel Lake, Baiting Hollow, Pindar and The Old Fields Vineyards have been perfecting the art of Viticulture since the late 70’s.  Now understandably these vintages aren’t exactly comparable to the wines gleaned from the centuries old fields of Alsace and Bordeux but long island wines are in a class all their own.  Having been grown in soil that is by comparison very young these wines are sweeter and in many cases lighter than their cousin’s across the sea.  So although a vineyard like Baiting hollow may not have the history of a vineyard in the south of France the beauty and style of these establishments are extraordinary in their own right.

Now maybe you’re not a connoisseur or you’re into a faster paced style of unwinding but you still enjoy a good wine.  Perhaps these quieter and more traditional establishments are not for you, not to worry the growing interest in Long Island’s Wineries has created a blossoming industry and a big business that has developed rapidly to cater to all its potential patrons.  Take vineyard 48 for example, relatively new even compared to its neighbors.  Vineyard 48 is attempting to revolutionize the wine tasting experience with loud music, dance floors and an appeal to the younger generation.  Traditionalists may frown at the idea of such a thing but it certainly seems to be a hit with the Hamptons crowd, and with so many other venues to choose from how can anyone really complain.

It’s important to remember when planning your trips to the wineries out east that you arrange safe and reliable transportation.  Please do not drink and drive.  There are many methods of travel but usually the most ideal is to contract a limousine service.  Nothing is quite as luxurious or classy as riding out to the North Fork in a 2013 stretch limousine dressed to the nines with your closest friends.  If you’re taking the trip with more than just your closest friends the 2013 Escalades are aesthetically incredible inside and out, and if you’re really popular maybe the 56 passenger luxury coach is the way you need to go.  Whatever your needs it is important to consider the establishments you’re planning to visit. Some have very strict guidelines regarding the reservation process and require you to schedule an appointment or a time that you will be arriving.  This can pose a problem for those of us that are less then punctual especially when adding a few drinks to the equation so again allow a professional company like All Star Limousines to do the work for you.  We have specialists that will ensure you not only have an unforgetable ride in one of our immaculate and brand new luxury vehicles but that also will take care of all the worry and stress that can potentially detract from the magical experience of Long Island’s North Fork.

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 in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest.