MARCHING ON

Due diligence can save headaches when booking limo service

Most people book a limo as dependable transportation with a little style – to celebrate a special occasion or impress a client. But recent events reveal that style and cost should be at the bottom of your list of questions for your transportation company.

In Georgia, 13 members of a college marching band were injured when their chartered bus crashed on the way to a football game. While that was bad enough, the investigation quickly turned from the driver to the limo company, when Georgia’s Public Service Commission announced that the company wasn’t licensed to operate in the state (see http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=137019&catid=3 for details). If the allegations pan out, the transportation company could be facing fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Any time you ride in a chauffeured vehicle, you are putting your life in another person’s hands. Accidents can happen to any type of vehicle, chauffeured or not. And, while price is a consideration, an even larger concern should be if the company is properly licensed and insured for your state.

How low can you go?

If a limo company is offering rock-bottom pricing, it’s important to question their licensing, insurance, quality of vehicles and service. They have to be doing something in order to pass a lower cost on to you, perhaps by driving personally insured vehicles or running much older vehicles that are not maintained properly. If you value your safety, it’s your job to find out why their prices seem to be better.

It’s expensive to use brand new, top-of-the-line vehicles – expensive for both the vehicles and the insurance. Regardless, all chauffeur companies should carry commercial insurance on every vehicle they operate. In addition, all chauffeurs should have the proper permits and licensing to operate these vehicles. The company should have a business license with the city in which they operate, as well as being registered with their local airport(s) and public service commission.

What to look for

It’s easiest to focus your search for the right balance between price and safety when you know what to look for. Here are some questions to ask a prospective transportation company:

About a vehicle:

• What type of vehicles do you offer?
• How are they insured, and for how much?
• What is the year of the vehicle?
• How frequently do you maintain your fleet?

About a chauffeur:

• How many years of experience do you require to hire a chauffeur? This will tell you, on average, how experienced your driver is.
• Are the chauffeurs properly licensed? This is a separate license from that of the company.
• Additionally, any chauffeur operating a vehicle with more than 15 people or weighing more than 26,000 lbs is required to have a Commercial Driver License (CDL).
• What level of insurance do your drivers carry?
• Are all chauffeurs W-2 employees? To be legal, they must be.
• Are chauffeurs required to speak English?
• Are chauffeurs legal citizens of the U.S.?
• Are chauffeurs subject to background checks? Drug and alcohol tests? How often?
• What is your standard chauffeur’s uniform?

About the company:

• Does the company pay worker’s compensation on all employees?
• Can you provide insurance certificates and license certificates?
• Can I come and see your office and vehicles and meet your staff?
• Does the price include all taxes, fees and gratuities?

While price is certainly a consideration, please do your due diligence before getting in the back of a vehicle and putting your life – or the lives of your friends, family and business associates – in someone else’s hands.

About the Author

Danny Bacher is CEO of Topper Limousine – providing Atlanta airport limousine service, the party bus, Atlanta limo rentals and wedding limos. Ask about 1 free hour of service or a complimentary upgrade to a larger vehicle.

NSU MARCHING BAND- Oct. 25, 2008

Marching Band $70.1 Marching band. Rehearsal, Bands of America, Brass band, Color guard (flag spinning), Drum and bugle corps (classic), Drum and bugle corps (modern), Drum major, Marching percussion, Military band, Scramble band, United States Scholastic Band Association,Ottoman military band. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 100 Publication Date: 2010/08/02 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.23 inches

Waconia Marching Band $76.47 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Waconia Marching Band, based out of Waconia, Minnesota, is a class AAAA youth Marching band that competes at the high school level. It represents Minnesota school district 110.The Waconia marching band was founded in 1972. Their first official performance was in 1973. Now in its 37th year of Marching, the Waconia marching band is regarded as one of the best marching bands in Minnesota.In 1982, the Waconia Marching Band was the first marching band to play inside the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It turns out NFL teams can only invite a high school band to do a half time show once, though the Minnesota Vikings invited Waconia back four times. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 116 Publication Date: 2010/06/29 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.27 inches

University of California Marching Band $87.62 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The University of California Marching Band, usually shortened to Cal Band, is the marching band for the University of California, Berkeley. While the Cal Band is studentrun, it is administered under the auspices of the university and represents Cal at sporting events and social gatherings. The name of the band is The University of California Band by the constitution, but is typically called The University of California Marching Band or The Cal Band. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 120 Publication Date: 2011/04/01 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.28 inches

The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band $92.4 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, known as The Pride, is the student marching band for the University of Oklahoma Sooners. The Pride was founded in 1901 as a pep band to play at Sooner football games. In the early years, the band was composed mostly of Norman residents and was disbanded every year after football season. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 130 Publication Date: 2010/09/13 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.31 inches

Sacramento State Marching Band $95.59 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Sacramento State Marching Band, known as the The Spirit of Sacramento, and sometimes informally known as the Sac State Band, Sac Band or SSMB, is the official marching band at California State University, Sacramento. The Band was formed in 1958 as the Sacramento State Marching Musicians. To this day the band performs at all home football games and various away games during the football season. The Band also functions as the defacto student cheering section at athletic events. The Band also is present every year during The Causeway Classic against archrival UC Davis. The band motto: Without Us, Its Just A Game , was adopted in 1996. In 2008, Dr. Clay Redfield, 84, became the newest director of the band. He is the first alumnus to ever lead the band. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 142 Publication Date: 2010/08/10 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.33 inches

Yale Precision Marching Band $81.25 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Yale Precision Marching Band (affectionately known as the YPMB) is the official marching band of Yale University. It is a scatter band (what some peers might call a scramble band ), as distinct from university marching bands that emphasize precise movements and geometric field formations. Band members refer to themselves as The Members of, which is derived from their introduction at Yale events. The repertoire of the YPMB is constantly evolving, driven by student arrangers and pop music trends. Besides standard types of band instruments, the YPMB includes violins, bagpipes, accordions, keyboards and air guitars, and was the first scatter band to incorporate electric guitars. The YPMBs Squids section creates large cardboard props for halftime shows. The Squids evolved from the Appoges (pronounced p od z, after appoggiatura, a grace note) of the 1980s and 1990s, who handled props but also carried their own instruments (frisbees, stuffed giraffes, lounge chairs). Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 114 Publication Date: 2010/07/31 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.27 inches

University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band $93.99 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band, or Pitt Band, is the college marching band at the University of Pittsburgh. The band includes over 200 instrumentalists, a majorette squad known as the Golden Girls, a color guard, and the University of Pittsburgh drumline. The band was founded in 1911 and has won numerous awards over the years. All members of the band must pass an audition in order to join. The band is currently housed in Trees Hall, however Pitt is in the process of building a new marching band facility. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 132 Publication Date: 2010/12/09 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.31 inches

The Ohio State University Marching Band $70.1 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Ohio State University Marching Band (often called The Best Damn Band in the Land or TBDBITL) is one of the few allbrass and percussion bands in the country, the largest of its type in the world. Military training was an important part of the early curriculum at Ohio State, and a band was formed to provide music for the cadets to drill to. The first appearance of the OSU marching band was in 1896. Gustav Bruder, a professional musician with military band experience, was hired to lead the band. Under Bruder, the band grew in size and began playing and marching for all military and athletic events. The OSUMB grew over the years, from 100 members in 1920 to 225 members today. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 80 Publication Date: 2010/08/14 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.19 inches

Cornell Big Red Marching Band $60.54 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Cornell Big Red Marching Band is the only traditional marching band (as opposed to a scatter band) in the Ivy League. It performs at all home, and most away, Cornell Football Games. In addition, the band has performed at half time for numerous National Football League and Canadian Football League games, and began a tradition of an annual Spring Concert in 2006. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 64 Publication Date: 2010/12/22 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.15 inches

University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band $82.85 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band (UMMB) is the marching band for the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The band currently has about 352 members and was directed by George N. Parks from 1977 until his sudden death in September 2010. Assistant Thomas Hannum has been named interim director, assisted by Michael Klesch and Frederick Omega Pye. The Minuteman Band plays halftime and postgame shows at all home football games and frequently travels to away games. The band has also performed at Bands of America in 1993, 2001, 2004 and 2007. In 1998, the Minuteman Marching Band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a collegiate marching band. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 108 Publication Date: 2010/12/07 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.26 inches

Alfred Publishing 0026524 Marching Fundamentals $38.12 Geared for incoming freshmen this DVD explains and demonstrates marching basics and familiarizes the student with all standard marching commands and positions. Can be used as a selfstudy aid.Contributors: By Greg MartinInstrument: Marching BandFormat: DVDCategory: Marching Band DVD

University of Montana Grizzly Marching Band $78.07 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The University of Montana Grizzly Marching Band is a select, fun and closeknit group of hardworking, dedicated students. The band is open to everyone on the UM campus regardless of year or major. In fact, it has members of the band from virtually every major and discipline on campus and from almost every corner of the United States and around the world. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 84 Publication Date: 2011/05/19 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.20 inches

Rhythm Band Instruments RB911 Marching Drum $33.08 The Rhythm Band marching drum delivers percussive sound that children will find enchanting. Rhythm Band includes rubber safety springs a pair of drum sticks and a head of durable Melinex plastic with the kidsized drum.

Alfred Publishing 0027040 Fundamental Techniques for Marching Percussion $38.12 Instant help for the marching band percussion section. Teaches tuning position of carry plus warmup and technique readiness. Demonstrations given at all levels for all instruments.Contributors: By Thom HannumInstrument: Marching BandFormat: DVDCategory: Marching Band DVD

The Dynamic Marching Band $62.66 No Synopsis Available