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| - I have been more impressed with yelp during summer 2012 and tried great new things. I drove limos in the 1980 rock and roll era, and know a few things about car and limo challenges. My small business uses car services in several major cities and we have some direct accounts with a few national and local operators. I am not employed by any of these companies, but it's fair to say, all limo operators wrestle with fuel prices, insurance, changing fleet options, and especially in Vegas, a very rapidly changing market.
I used our traditional vendor upon my arrival last week, August 3, 2012. I will review that in the appropriate post. The other company caused me to try On demand Sedan today, August 8, 2012. They were easy to book on the phone, I knew exactly when and where we needed to be, I am never late or pissy, I know travel times in major cities, and I allow for delays at airports. The reservationist at ODS, was super polite, patient and convinced me I had struck gold. The dispatcher re confirmed the pick up address, later that evening. The driver arrived early as I had to clear the car through our security staff and everyone is logged in.mthe driver, a very nice, well dressed lady, was so pleasant. The basic town car was clean. The air conditioner was on and cold. She knew directions , traffic concerns and from our brief talk, she is a highly experienced chauffeur. I did not request any bottled water or additional amenities,..just very pleased with on time, clean, well groomed driver. Additionally , in many cities, former taxi drivers or poorly trained drivers, do what I call the lurch...they speed up, then slow down and brake...this is totally unacceptable. ODS driver was smooth and never blew through a signal or had to jam brakes. I am a professional , including in my driving. My dad was an army man driving a general.
My dad trained me at age 13 to drive his olds 98, using a glass of water set upon the front floor hump, to see how far I could go without spilling a drop. So, I know what it takes to be mellow on the pedals. I have also driven in motorcades, high speed pursuits., crashed through fences to avoid thugs and sat in cars all day for work.
Maybe vegas visitors can enhance any limo request by doing a few things. One, if you book online, that's great...you will get whatever is sent, by any of the operators.
Two, know generally what and where you might like to go. A simple airport to hotel run, one way at peak arrival times is typical. In las vegas, peak arrival times tend to be Thursday and Friday. Add in a major convention, fight or holiday and this is a peak time. You can't complain about any company when you change plans several times.
Three, if you have three adults and light luggage, that is a lot different than 6 adults, each with a complete Louis Vutton 4 piece set with bridal gowns. Tell the limo reservationist, what you need. They will all accommodate you....but it may not be the bargain rate online.
Four, many online booking sites and so called limo online reservations are simply brokers and farm out the jobs. They take your order, process a credit card, and then attempt to subcontract the actual gig. On peak nights, these middlemen, scramble to actually find available vehicles.
Five, if you arrive, having booked " a limo" and suddenly invite extra new friends along, and expect the same price and car to work out, you set yourself up to be upset. Many laws, taxi- limo commission rules and company insurance requirements, dictate how many passengers can occupy a given type of vehicle. As in private jet travel, a seatbelted position is required, to qualify as a seat. So..even if ther are jump seats , and you booked a car for 6 adults, you will likely find that aunt Trudy weighing in at 400 pounds, will not be comfortable , as you zoom to the nearest buffet.
Six, the drivers are well intentioned and if you are acting like a VIP, in Las Vegas, then tip like one. If the driver says he cannot permit you to smoke that joint from the so called legal cannabis store in Hollywood, assume he can lose his job, for any type of smoking , and also brush up on the fact that the drug laws in Nevada are not as lenient as that state to the immediate west. The driver is liable for whatever you are doing so be real. He doesn't want to be responsible for your crazy...but he is driving.
If you think smoking crack or meth is a great way to start the limo ride, it usually vents through the partition and air system, soothe driver is put in jeopardy. Oh, and when you arrive totally drunk, and puke, the driver also has to personally clean the car . And it's out of service for later revenue streams.
The limo industry is fun, and lives to fulfill your needs. They also have to pay huge insurance premiums, licensing fees, repairs, drivers wages, garage rents, fuel, maintenance etc. so be nice, and think through what type of car you truly need.
If you want a stretch hummer with a hot tub, ask.
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