When I am working as an executive chauffeur, I receive my rides on an iPad using a special app called GroundPad. Sometimes the comments on a ride are comical. Sometimes they are annoying.
The Boilerplate
Many times, a ride will have a boiler plate comment that reads: “Always give the passenger a receipt.” This is a holdover from rides we did last century! Before the internet, chauffeurs would request a customer’s credit card to pay for the ride. The chauffeur would put the credit card in a small sliding machine (like the size of an iPhone). Today, in this century, if the passenger requests a receipt, we tell them that their receipt will be e-mailed to them. This is a good, quick, environmentally- friendly way to provide their receipt.
Outdated Message
Often, the notes at the bottom of the screen with the assignment will state: “First-time client. Must be perfect!” Every single ride should be treated like the customer / passenger is a first-time client and the ride must be perfect!
Stating the Obvious
Too many times, the comments on the job are stating the obvious. For example: “Don’t be late” or “Don’t get lost.” Often, the instructions will explain that the passenger is a Super VIP or VVVIP. Everyone who I drive is a VIP.
Female Chauffeurs
A few years ago, I was assigned a ride with the following comment: “Request female chauffeur.” I called my Dispatcher to say I needed a sex change in a hurry or we needed to assign one of our female chauffeurs.
More recently, I read this comment on the job: “Please do not send a female chauffeur.” When I asked the customer why he made that request, he explained that the last ride he had, his female chauffeur could not lift his six suitcases, each weighing about 60 pounds.
Car Seats
Sometimes a customer will be traveling with a child. The instructions will say, “Please have a car seat for a child.” Sometimes, the chauffeur will not read these instructions and arrive at Newark Airport with no car seat. Since dispatch knows I purchased my own car seats, they will sometimes ask me to meet the chauffeur at the airport to provide one. I joke that I am happy to do so for a minimal $20 fee.
Non-Smoking Car
One of the funniest comments / instructions is when a customer / passenger wants a chauffeur who does not smoke. Rather than say, “Passenger requests chauffeur who does not smoke,” the note says: “Passenger requests non-smoking car.” Frankly, I would prefer a non-smoking car as well, because that could be dangerous!
Non-scents
Every now and then, a passenger will request a chauffeur that is not wearing aftershave or cologne because they are sensitive to strong smells. Alternatively, if the chauffeur does not believe in regularly showering with soap and water, that can be its own problem.
The Kiss of Death
If there is a note at the bottom of the ride saying: “Never send chauffeur XXX,” this is an open billboard message to all chauffeurs that one particular chauffeur did less than a perfect job for that passenger.
The moral of this Street Story is: Read the instructions on each and every ride very carefully. If you don’t, you could be in for a nasty surprise. Also, if the instructions are annoying or obvious, just understand that this is meant to ensure success for you and all chauffeurs.
