Speck Transportation Blog

Here are 5.5 commandments for maximizing your relationship with your coach drivers on trips:

1.  Never ask a driver to provide you with any of his personal information.  In addition to offending your driver, federal privacy laws prohibit the coach carrier from giving you any background information on their drivers. When the coach arrives at your facility, you may ask the driver to show you a current and valid CDL license.  However, you may not copy it for any reason.

2.  Never interfere with the ability of the driver to properly operate the coach.  Allow the driver to review any rules and regulations provided by the carrier before departing to your destination.  This will help your and your group avoid any misunderstandings later about what was expected.  Confirm with your group that the rules were heard and understood before leaving.  If at all possible, avoid touching any of the operating controls if you are unsure how to operate them.  You may accidentally cause the coach to malfunction if you ignore this advice!

3.  Have your group ready to load luggage when the coach arrives.  Do not expect the driver to pack the coach unless you plan to offer an additional gratuity.  The driver has rested well for eight hours and will need all of his strength and concentration to focus on transporting your group safely.  Treat the driver like a family member and not a hired servant.

4.  Respect the driver and coach at all times.  Your group will be riding in a vehicle that represents a $400k investment for the carrier. Keep the coach clean, avoid yanking on window shades, and never sit on the armrests.  Pick up trash and bring extra trash bags with you as a backup.  Treat the coach as if you personally owned it.  Be courteous and kind when conversing with your driver.

5.  Never get into an argument or get personal with a driver!  If you determine that you can’t work with the driver, or that they are unfit for duty, call the carrier and ask for another one!

5.5   Never ask the driver to leave the coach while anyone is inside or while it is running.  The driver must protect the coach and will be fired if he commits either of the above infractions.  Build a predetermined gratuity for the driver into your budget, and never ask the driver to deviate from the itinerary unless you would like an unexpected bill at the conclusion!   Show your love for your driver as the lives of your group will be riding on it!

This article was authored by Craig Speck, President and Founder of Speck Transportation.  He can be reached at 817-477-3003, 817-437-8702, or 817-405-0874.  Email him craig@specktransportation.net or visit our website at http://bit.ly/niLh6m

Speck Transportation provides all types of ground transportation with and without a driver, except planes and trains.  We serve our clients as trusted advisers, assistant buyers, tough negotiators, and safety experts.  When you call us, we will respond quickly to your requests for quotation in a timely manner.  We will remove all the hassles and legwork for you, negotiate the optimal overall value package, maximize your budget, and keep you extremely safe as we guide you through the transportation maze!  Turn to our twenty years of experience and let us serve as your transportation authority! 

This entry was posted on Friday, October 28th, 2011 at 10:03 am and is filed under Motorcoach Rental Safety, Motorcoach Rentals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.