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

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

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

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

 Source: Journal News

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.

There is no better way to start your night.

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