Newly built cellphone parking lots are helping ease congestion at several U.S. airports

When travellers think about air travel these days, many conjure up images of overcrowded skies. And while that may not be easily fixed, there is another problem plaguing many airports – traffic on the ground. And for that, there is hope.

Much of the ground traffic involves drivers circling the terminal or terminals again and again, waiting for arriving passengers to make it to the curb to be picked up. The problem has been worsened by the almost universal use of cellphones, which induced many drivers meeting passengers to stay in the car rather than go into the terminal, because the flyer and driver could co-ordinate by phone.

And it was complicated by security measures, imposed after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that prohibit drivers from waiting at the curb in many airports, forcing them to keep moving, or park illegally on the shoulders of roads in or near airports and other potentially unsafe places.

But many busy U.S. airports, from Florida to California, have found a simple partial solution to the problem by creating what they call cellphone parking lots within the airport but away from the terminal.The Greater Toronto Airport Authority recently opened its version of the cellphone parking lot at the east end of Terminal 1 at Pearson International.

Like most of those in the U.S., the Pearson lot is short-term and free. The lots are simply places where drivers can pull in and wait for the cellphone call from flyers who have been reunited with their luggage and are at, or on their way to, the curb.

The idea has captivated not only airport managers, but also limousine drivers and drivers who are picking up relatives or friends. At the cellphone lot at Logan International Airport in Boston, William Young was waiting for a friend recently after driving from Exeter, N.H.

Professional drivers love the cellphone lots, too. Mike Gres, who drives for a limousine company in Mount Vernon, N.Y., was standing next to his car, smoking a cigarette, while waiting for a passenger in the cellphone lot at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., one recent afternoon. Gres raved about the concept. He also said he appreciated the cellphone lot’s electronic arrivals board – a duplicate of the one in the terminal.

The lot also has portable toilets, which many drivers consider a convenience – even in the winter.
With about 25 spaces, the Westchester lot was more than half full on a recent weekday, mostly with limousine drivers.

La Guardia airport in New York City simply does not have the room for a cellphone lot – some would say it does not have room for one more taxicab, for that matter. But its big sister, Kennedy International Airport, which covers far more land, does. Its 250-car cellphone lot opened late last spring.

At airports where cellphone lots exist, airport managers usually call attention to them with big signs.

CHARLES DELAFUENTE
New York Times

During the first nine months of 2007, one in every 138 checked bags was lost due to airline mistakes. Airlines are trying to figure out how luggage is lost and there are several reasons why. American Airlines researched the issue and found that printers were producing adhesive tags that were too dirty, making bar codes hard to read, therefore misdirecting bags. Airlines are also downsizing leaving less employees to look after the bags once they are checked. Squeezing more flights into a day, airlines are also given less time to transfer bags, leaving more opportunity for failure. American and other domestic airlines feel it is not big enough of a problem yet to invest in radio frequency tags. These tabs are used by retailers to track inventory and would cost about $50,000 per day.

If you are flying to New York and need a transportation service to and from airport, check out Royal Luxury Limousine Service. They are on time and ready for any number of passengers. Check them out or call 877 769 2554.

 NY Times

Congressional staffers have outlined an agreement that would increase US fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. The Proposal has been approved by the House, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi. If the bill goes through in the Senate, the fuel standards increase would be the first since the fuel economy law in 1975. The deal would require federal regulators to treat cars and trucks differently under fuel economy rules, and preserve credits for those that sell vehicles capable of burning ethanol or other alternative fuels. Detroit automakers had been worried about this because they will face higher costs to meet these strict standards than their foreign competitors will. The White House has vowed aa presidential veto if the bill comes his desk.

A youth organization in Florida has partnered with a local limousine company to treat 80 underprivileged youth to a day of food, shopping and holiday activities. Organization promoting education and leadership among young people, joined with 654 limo in Destin, FL, for the even t called Wish Upon a Car last month. Parents and children were picked up and taken on a 45 minute limo ride and other activities which included lunch, shopping for gifts, writing Christmas cards, having pictures taken and siging Christmas carols.

The limousine will take the children to the event and usually sit idle waiting for them. Instead, have the limousine come back and transport parents to a special event or enjoy a ride around town. When the parents use the limousine in between it makes the children nervous and helps them follow the rules even though the adults and children never see one another.

Help the chauffeur by not allowing backpacks or purses in the limousine. This is one common method used by children to get drugs and alcohol into the vehicle. Let your children know that you care and therefore have rented a limousine, where they will be punished appropriately if they break the law.

Our company allows law enforcement agencies to search its limousines with or without cause anytime the law enforcement agency desires to do so.

Many children and even some adults are arrested each year due to the policy of permitting law enforcement searches.

Our company also advertises for and hires current or retired law enforcement officers as chauffeurs.

LCT Mag

We would like anyone with children at home who is being asked to rent a limousine for school events such as balls, proms, graduations, birthdays, or any other reason to know the possible truth behind why they want a limousine.

The fact of the matter is that some young people who want to hire a limousine are attempting to hide illegal activity, just as some adults do. It is the desire of our company  to use this opportunity to give you advice on the do’s and don’ts of using a limousine service for your children.

Do not allow your children to shop for a limousine for themselves. Seldom will your children choose a limousine from a reputable company that will monitor their activity. Many children want to find a limousine company that will allow them to smoke cigarettes, do drugs, drink alcohol, or do anything else they desire without restriction.

Never allow the limousine to sit idle at a restaurant or event for fear the children will use it as a private hotel room. You, as the responsible parent renting the limousine, will he required to sign a contract with our limousine company naming you liable for all the children’s actions in the vehicle. If you are not required to sign such a contract, you are endorsing the limousine company to allow illegal activity among the children in the limousine.

Signing this contract makes you liable for underage smoking, drug use, alcohol consumption, and anything else ANY of the children may do in the limousine. We have heard of cases where law enforcement arrests the signatory parent for multiple counts of contributing to the delinquency of minors. So make each parent sign for liability of their child, just as you will sign up for the liability of all children who will ride in the limousine.

 LCT Mag

A regilator in Rockland County, New York, is reintroducing a request that could allow the county to license limousines, taxis, and other for hire vehicles and perform background checks on drivers. In order for this to happens Rockland must receive permission from New York State. Regislator says recent criminal cases involving local chaufferus have brought this issue to the public’s attention. Several weeks ago, a Rockland Taxi Driver was arrested for possession of majijuana, cocaine and an opiate while operating his taxi.

 Source: Journal News

It has carried dignitaries and celebrities and been one of the flagship U.S. luxury automobiles and now it is made right here.

The Lincoln Town Car officially rolled off the line for the first time yesterday at Ford’s St. Thomas assembly plant, but on the shop floor, the gleaming Lincoln was about something a lot more important than prestige.

The St. Thomas assembly plant will make about 25,000 Town Cars this year and anywhere from 115,000 to 125,000 Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis cars, depending on demand, McKellar said.

That is welcome news for the 1,500 workers at the assembly plant, which has seen more than 900 workers take buyouts, the plant reduced to one shift and media regularly speculate it is doomed for closure in 2010 when the model lineup ends.

“This is very important to us,” said Scott Smith, plant chairperson for Canadian Auto Workers Local 1520. “We make top quality vehicles here, but we have to keep pressure on Ford to make an investment in this plant and provide more work for our people.”

Mark Boldin, plant manager believes “it is too early to speculate” on the plant’s future, but the landing of the Town Car is a good sign.”It continues the tradition of quality at this plant. We are proud to have it here,” he said. The issue of new investment will be a top priority going into bargaining this year between the CAW and Ford, added Smith.

The first Town Car was delivered to John Stollery, co-owner of the St. Thomas Ford dealership.

The Green Car Journal recently announced that its 2008 Green Car of the Year is the Chevrolet Tahoe HYBRID. The Tahoe is the first GM vehicle to use the company’s all new two-mode hybrid system. The Tahoe Hybrid has a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 30% compare to other vehicles with a standard V-8 engine. EPA 21mph city fuel efficiency rating for the Tahoe is the same as that of the four-cylinder Toyota Camry sedan which is an eye opening achievement for an SUV. The Tahoe stood out amonth other Green Car of the Year entries because it was a full-size SUV, can carry up to 1,400 lbs, and tow up to 6000 lbs, making it more challenging to achieve meaningful fuel efficiency increases because of the vehicle’s size and weight. Chevrolet’s General Manager Ed Peper said the company is thrilled to receive this award. The other finalist included Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and the Saturn Aura Hybrid.

There is no better way to start your night. A bylaw in the city of Calgary in Canada prohibits the consumption of alcohol in livery vehicles, including limousines. The bylaw was passed in February but many limousine companies and clients alike did not know about it. No other city in Alberta has a rule like this one, but several cities have rules that allow the consumption of alcohol in buses and limousines if the driver has a special license. One limousine company has filed a formal complaint with the city of Calgary, saying that the bylaw DOES NOT ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBLE CHOICES AGAINST DRINKING AND DRIVING. Others in Calgary agree that this bylaw defeats the purpose of wanting to go out to celebrate, such as wedding. No champagne allowed either. The law is up for review in spring 2008 and we all hope that it will change.

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