The Coronavirus has changed my Client Profile. Lately, I have had some truly interesting characters.
At the beginning of 2020, most of my rides were multi-passenger drop-offs and pick-ups at the three major NYC metropolitan airports, mostly Newark Airport. Six months later, most of my rides are for individuals working on special work projects or individuals going to doctor appointments, as well as pick-ups and drop-offs at Teterboro Airport, or folks moving in or out of Manhattan.
Here are stories about four very memorable passengers:
The Bank Exec
I started driving this guy in late May. I drove him from central Jersey to Stamford, Conn. in the morning and then picked him up in Stamford in the evening and brought him back to Jersey.
Then in July, the drop off changed to Manhattan. As you can imagine, I’ve gotten to know this guy’s life story and he’s gotten to know mine. His is much more interesting.
Whenever I drop him off at his house, his wife and young daughter are there as his own Welcome Home Committee. His daughter is fascinated by my SUV and she waves at me.
The Hockey Pro
I didn’t know who this guy was but he was very unassuming and pleasant. He said he was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. I picked him up at Teterboro and brought him to see a doctor in NYC. After that, I drove him back to catch his flight at Teterboro. He was very generous, giving me a $50 tip.
Movin’ Back to NYC
I picked up this very nice woman in Virginia, packed up my SUV with her personal belongings and drove her back to her Park Avenue Apartment in Manhattan. The drive took about four hours and was uneventful.
After I unloaded my SUV at her NYC apartment, she handed me four $100 bills. I could not believe her extraordinary kindness and generosity!
High Anxiety
I picked up a very nice elderly woman in South Jersey and drove her to North Jersey for a doctor’s visit. I was informed she was blind and would be needing my help to get into the SUV and in the doctor’s office.
Getting her safely into my SUV was truly an ordeal. She was terrified and shrieking loudly. By the way, it was pouring rain, which made this trip even more special.
I was so distracted by this, I forgot to put her walker in the back of my vehicle. I remembered it as we were 15 minutes into the ride! I immediately apologized for my error and doubled back to ground zero where the walker was, patiently waiting for us. The lady was understandably upset. I kept reassuring her that everything would be OK.
We arrived at the doctor’s office only five minutes late, which I thought was really remarkable!
After the successful doctor’s visit, we safely returned to her home. She was adamant that she had to write me a check to pay for the ride. I calmly and patiently told her that her ride was already paid for with a credit card. After my fifth time assuring her it was already paid for, she finally believed me. She then handed me $50 and thanked me for being kind, patient and compassionate.
These four characters have shown me that, with my new Client Profile, I need to adapt to their very special needs.
RH Stovall, Jr., is an award-winning Senior Executive Chauffeur, Trainer & Mentor for Royal Coachman Worldwide, based in Denville, NJ. He can be reached at rhstovalljr@gmail.com or call / text him at 908.358.4172.
