Day In The Life of A Luxury Chauffeur – Part 1
Have you ever wondered what the routine of a limousine chauffeur looks like? A nice starting point is to think about the nature of a chauffeur’s work. While a regular driver is any operator behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, a chauffeur is much more than that. They are employed to look after the needs of their passengers as well as, of course, operate the vehicle.
Currently, there are over 19,000 chauffeurs employed in the United States. It is a whole workforce committed to providing customers with the best experience possible. This experience starts at the moment of pick-up and ends only when the passenger is safely inside at their final destination.
The ability to provide exquisite customer service comes with continuous and dedicated training. For this, chauffeurs can take independent courses or join company-based training programs. After training, they are ready to join this group of professionals who are 47 years old on average, in the U. S. This means there are plenty of seasoned professionals working alongside younger folks.
It’s a dynamic market, with companies relying more on digital resources each day. Therefore, chauffeurs must keep up with innovations so that technology will make their life easier, and not the other way around. Counting on an app that, for example, locates the nearest gas station for chauffeurs, will help them focus on their top priority: their passengers.
Get Ready to Work With a Luxury Chauffeur
The work of a professional chauffeur starts long before they pick up a passenger. If you commit to this business, you must be aware that small but valuable adjustments in the work routine can make all the difference. An apparently minor detail can be the turning point that makes this ride an unforgettable experience for the passenger. Consequently, planning skills and attention to detail are key for delivering a successful ride every time.
Behind the Scenes: What Happens Before a Ride?
Personal Care and Supplies
The first step of a chauffeur’s preparation is taking care of their own health. A restoring night of sleep and adequate hydration will be the foundations of a productive working day. Also, sleeping well allows for getting out of bed early enough to peacefully prepare for the day ahead.
Before leaving their home, chauffeurs must get the car amenities ready. Bottled water and plenty of ice must be packed in a cooler and placed on the front seat of the car for easy access. They should also pack essentials like mints and phone chargers in an accessible location inside the car. Finally, extra bottles of water and other amenities of choice can be stored in the trunk of the vehicle.
Clean and Tidy
After getting the amenities ready, it’s time for a comprehensive cleaning routine. First, chauffeurs must clean the inside of their vehicle. Any litter must be removed and surfaces are dusted using a brush. After that, the chauffeur must wipe the seats and other surfaces with a cleaning cloth.
To complement the cleaning routine, vehicles can be sanitized. For that, a special sanitizing device is used to disinfect all surfaces–this is a special procedure implemented during covid-19. The whole process of cleaning the inside of the vehicle is also a chance to check for any nonconformities caused by previous drivers or passengers.
Now that the inside is spotless, it’s time to make sure the outside of the car looks gleaming as well. Before all else, a professional chauffeur will perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle. In this step, it is important to photograph the car from all angles prior to the ride. The reason behind taking these photographs is to record the conditions of the vehicle each step of the way. Thus, if something happens to the car, it will be easy to track where it happened.
During the outside inspection, chauffeurs will search for any marks, spots, or even scratches, and record any findings. Finally, they will check the condition of tires and wheels, cleaning them and polishing them if needed. Needless to say, vehicles should always have safety equipment and a spare tire.
Getting Ready for the Ride
Know Your Route
Professional chauffeurs, unlike other categories of drivers, anticipate issues and challenges that may come along the way. They continuously access updated information on traffic and works in the city works. Additionally, they are familiar with airport policies for pick-up and drop-off.
Chauffeurs always know where they will park their vehicle in each location, and the distance from the parking spot to the exact pick-up location. That way, they are able to answer questions such as how long the passenger will have to walk. This is especially important in case the passenger has any degree of reduced mobility. Professionals always know the specific characteristics of the customer they are serving.
Know Your Customer
A chauffeur who wants to deliver the best service possible will not settle unless they have exhausted their possibilities for exceeding their customer’s expectations. They will learn if their passenger has any special request for the trip, and make sure it’s taken care of. In that sense, they will think of the best way to make standard or extra amenities work for that customer.
Passengers are chauffeurs’ number one priority. In that sense, professional chauffeurs will not be looking at their phones while waiting, for that would take their attention. While waiting for the customer at a pick-up location, drivers remain attentive to their surroundings. When you hire a professional chauffeur, you are sure to have your name up on a little board or tablet. It is very unlikely that you will be searching for your chauffeur for very long unless it is a very crowded area.
Chauffeurs work to create long-lasting memories for their customers. Your next car ride can be ordinary or it can bring unique sensations. A next-level car experience is just one click away. Book your ride now and get ready to exceed your expectations.