Super Shuttle Ceases Operations

Super Shuttle, with their distinctive Blue and Yellow vans, ceased operations at DFW Airport in November and will cease operations world wide at the end of December.  Opened in 1983 to serve LAX and expanding nationwide as well as Latin America, Canada and Europe have been plagued by competition from Uber and Lyft.  In recent weeks it has pulled out of airport serving many cities, including Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Many travelers at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport and Dallas Love Field said they appreciated SuperShuttle’s comparatively low prices and the fact that a large family plus luggage could fit into the van.  Allpoints Corporate Express received a service request for a transfer from Lancaster, Texas, to Dallas Love Field from one of Super Shuttle’s former clients.  She reported that Go Shuttle which is still in operation was going to charge her $105 for the transfer.  Allpoints charges $95 for that trip.  While trips to and from the Downtown area are low priced, because of the number of passengers going the same direction, prices from the outlying cities have long been more expensive.

Blackstreet acquired Super Shuttle in September from Transdev on Demand Inc., which is part of the Transdev Group of France, according to a lawsuit Transdev filed against Blackstreet this month in Delaware Chancery Court in a dispute over some terms of the transaction.

Officials at Blackstreet could not immediately be reached for comment on SuperShuttle’s suspended services or on how SuperShuttle’s services are divided between company-owned operators and franchisees.

SuperShuttle’s website shows that the company provided service to more than 80 airports worldwide, including those in Southern California, before it began suspending services in many locations.

The company’s demise comes less than a year after it won a labor victory that made it easier to classify its drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. In January, the National Labor Relations Board in which the drivers at DFW were attempting to form a Union.

 

 

LIMOUSINE SPA CASTLE ADVENTURE

A relaxing afternoon at the Spa Castle in Carrollton Tx

Allpoints Corporate Express provided our Black on Black formal Stretch Limousine for two transfers to and from the Spa Castle in Carrollton, Tx.  The ladies were picked up at one of their homes in Haslet, Tx.  which is North of Fort Worth.  As they enjoyed music and Pink Champagne our Chauffeur, Neal Arnold, whisked them away to Carrollton to the Spa Castle.  Our Driver arrived for the affair in a uniform complete with a chauffeur’s hat.  We are formal but never stuffy.

A quote was obtained through our Online Booking System on our website at www.FtWorthLimoService.com.  These clients were going to go to the Spa Castle at 1 PM but were not going to leave until 8 PM to return home.  They had made dinner reservations after their return home.  Allpoints agreed to do the trip as two transfers instead of the traditional hourly rate for the entire eight hours.  We were able to do this because of slower business during July and August.  This is a savings of $276.00.  These two trips are like the wedding transfers we feature on www.WeddingLimosDFW.com.

The Spa Castle in Carrollton offers the relaxation of Korean Spa Facilities as well as several restaurants and bars.

Each visitor is provided with an electronic watch, which will be used throughout their visit. These “keys” function to open personal shoe and clothing lockers, while also conveniently tracking accrued services and creating a running tab for any purchases made throughout your stay. Spa Castle clients are liberated from any unnecessary baggage, allowing them complete relaxation.

Each guest will be directed, by gender, to a grand locker and bath area, where they will find separate shoe and clothing lockers, vanity, lounge, and sleeping areas, as well as an ornate traditional “bath-house” – one of Spa Castle’s most unique and popular feature. Visitors are advised to shower prior to entering any of the tubs, and then are given a fresh Spa uniform to change into, promoting comfort as well as cleanliness. Common in Asian cultures, the Company respectfully ask that all guests remove their shoes while inside the facility. Spa Castle is a home away from home to all visitors and strives to provide only but the most immaculate space to enjoy.

 

Allpoints Corporate Express

214 212 0981 – 800 392 9602

www.FtWorthLimoService.com

One Thirty AM at DFW Airport Passenger Pick Up

Its 1:30 AM.  Your flight is late.  You are tired from a long day of traveling.  They finally let you off of your plane.  You still must make that last leg of the journey before you get a couple hours sleep and try to be coherent during that critical meeting.  Would you rather:

Get your bag. Go out side to look for a cab or Uber/Lyft.  Hope there is one available.  Hope it’s not a sub compact that last saw shocks this decade with a driver who has been in it for 13 hours.  Unless you want a sub compact you better order a Uber Select.

The Other Option

Order a Luxury Sedan from Allpoints when you book your travel.  We track your flight and whenever you arrive we are waiting with a “Sign and a Smile.”  Since we knew you are coming our driver is rested and safe to get you to your hotel without drama.

What Does All This Cost?

The Uber/Lyft Select is about the same bast rate as our Luxury Sedan

Contact Us

214 212 0981 – 800 392 9602

http://www.AllpointsDFW.com

Black & Decker Coming to Fort Worth

Quality

by Neal Arnold June 20, 2019

For the last 30 years Neal Arnold, owner and operator of Allpoints Corporate Express, has worked on vehicles in his shop and most of the tools in his tool box were purchased from Sears and were Craftsman brand.  My love of these tools started with their lifetime warranty.  Not that I really ever used it because of their unmatched quality.

As I have gotten older and do not tackle really big jobs much anymore I don’t use them like I used to.  But I could always be found stalking the tool department when Karen and I would go to a Sears store.

From Alliance for  American Manufacturing

By Elizabeth Brotherton -Bunch 2019

“Stanley Black & Decker announced this week that it is moving production of Craftsman wrenches, ratchets, sockets and more back to the United States from China. The company will break ground on a 425,000-square-foot facility in Fort Worth, Texas, this summer, and the factory is set to be up and running by late 2020.

About 500 people will be employed at the new $90 million facility, which will utilize robots and fast-forging presses to boost output compared to the older forging machinery now used in China. This will keep production costs in-line with those in China, according to the Wall Street Journal.

While we’d probably celebrate an announcement like this under most circumstances, the news is especially encouraging because it’s not just a single factory going up — it’s part of an entire American-made rebranding of the iconic Craftsman line.”

Her article points to the outsourcing of the manufacturing of these tools to China and a decrease in the quality of the product. Mechanics simply went to other brands. The warranty simply didn’t mater if the tool broke in use. As with so much we all assumed that this was just the way it now was.  After all didn’t everyone know that no one will pay extra for good quality.

If this sound much like the Sedan & Limo Business it is.  But I still find clients who value professionalism.  New trends show that after rushing to Uber/Lyft some of the companies desire better quality service.

 

 

CONSIDERATIONS FOR WEDDING LIMOUSINES & TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

Planning your wedding is a whirl wind of decisions and choices.  Your limousine should be a service that adds value and elegance not stress.  After doing literally hundreds of these events here are Five Things you should do so that your transportation comes off without a hitch.  Understand that you will be making a reservation for your special limo and it is at this stage that attention to detail is important.

1.  WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

Be sure to look at these items.  Date, time, cost, and routing.  Be sure that the routing follows what you want the limo to do.  You don’t want any surprises on your wedding night.  At Allpoints Corporate Express we welcome our clients checking details since most problems stem from a lack of communications.

When you book your limousine or other vehicles we always ask which entrance you want the vehicle to wait for you or your guests.  Often large churches will have several entrances so we will ask you to be specific about where you will come out.  If your limousine is taking you to several locations we would like to know in advance.  That way our chauffeur can do the driving and not trouble you with directions.  With limos and buses this is really important since your chauffeur needs to plan how to place you in a safe place to embark or exit the vehicle.

2. WHO IS GOING

Be sure everyone who is going to ride is accounted for the the “number of passengers” line on your confirmation.  It is never good to have a limo which is too small for your group.

3.  WHO IS IN CHARGE

We find it is a good idea to provide us with the name and cell number of someone you have designated to interact with the chauffeurs other than the bride, groom or their parents.  You and your family will be busy enough during the wedding.  By assigning someone to see that the limousine or other vehicles are on location it assures that things come off smoothly.  This person can see that your baggage gets into the limo, any food or wine being taken from the reception is stored in the limo or other details.  You want to exit directly to the vehicle and these details should be done in advance.  Often if you have a wedding planner they will do this.  If not enlist one of the wedding party.

Allpoints will provide complementary champagne on our bookings, except transfers, but if you look you will also find chilled bottled water in the limo.  Sometimes it a real lifesaver especially if it is a outdoor wedding.

 

Karen M. O’Brien, CTC

214 212 0981 – 800 392 9602

http://www.WeddingLimosDFW.com

sales@AllpointsDFW.com

 

ALLPOINTS OFFERS 20% OFF TO NEW USERS OF PHONE APP

Allpoints Corporate Express is pleased to announce our phone app.  Powered by Limo Anywhere our app allows our clients to book trips in just a few key strokes.  Simply select your pick up location, select your destination, date, time and type of vehicle and your ride is booked.

In seconds you have a confirmation.  When it is time to be picked up you can view your driver on the screen, see where the vehicle is and call your driver at the tap of a icon.

Allpoints is offering 20% off the first four trips booked through the app.  To Download the app go to http://www.AllpointsDFW.com and click on the iPhone icon.

Its really the easiest way to travel.

 

Allpoints Corporate Express – Contracts Limo Anywhere for Booking Services

Allpoints Joins the Limo Anywhere Family

Allpoints Corporate Express switched to Limo Anywhere’s Limousine booking software after 10 plus years with ULS.  Owner and operator Neal Arnold said, “We looked at several different options and believe that the Limo Anywhere range of products are the best fit for our company.  Our old software did not have a very good ONLINE BOOK system and the cost to add a phone App was too high.”

Limo Anywhere offers our clients a state of the art online booking experience which flows through the booking process.  Quotes and pricing can be done directly through the booking system as well as allowing our clients to completely manage their ground transportation from a smart phone any where in the world.  Our clients who have used this feature through our websites have told us that it is much better than the old system.

The improvements don’t end with the booking process.  The drivers who pick up our clients have the Driver Anywhere app on their phones.  This allows our dispatch to track their movements and progress in real time during the performance of a trip.

Need a Pick Up in Another City?

The Limo Anywhere system of companies have 4500 affiliates around the world.  This means that with one call you can book your ride to and from DFW and Love Field but also pick ups at almost any airport world wide.  The really exciting thing is that we at Allpoints can track the trip in real time here in Dallas.  Now Allpoints can offer truly seamless ground transportation through out your journeys.

 

 

ALLPOINTS TAKES IT’S SEDANS IN A BOLD NEW DIRECTION

After looking over the likely replacements for the Lincoln Town Car, which has been the staple of airport transportation, for many years. Allpoints Corporate Express has selected a crossover to fill the Town Car’s rather large shoes.

The considerations for this decision were the need to service up to four passengers at a time and be able to handle a reasonably large number of bags.

Other vehicles often used in the industry include the Lincoln MKS and Cadillac XLR  which are traditional sedans.  While stylish neither offered especially generous leg room in the rear passenger compartment or room for more than a few bags.  The Chrysler 300 was considered but had even less leg room or trunk capacity.  While picking up one of our clients one morning Mr. Arnold asked him how he liked the Ford Edge in his driveway.  He said he liked it.  This led to a look at the Lincoln version of the vehicle.  Allpoints has always had Lincolns in it’s fleet.

Karen O’Brien liked the vehicle right away.  The back seat affords great leg room and the automatic lift gate makes loading and unloading bags a breeze.  It will hold as much luggage as a Town Car and does not require bending over to remove the bags.  We even found that the Bumper Bib we used on the Town Car works great in the MKX.  Allpoints still has some Town Cars in the fleet but the way forward looks bright.

 

We believe that the MKX will provide out customers with a very comfortable passenger area with room to stretch out on the way to their destinations.  Of course there is a fold down arm rest as well as a USB port for their devices.

Come ride with us and let us exceed your expectations!

Cool Way to Handle Young Kids Flying

Neal Arnold  March 13, 2015

Bill H., a weekly Road Warrior, of Allpoints Corporate Express, Airport Sedans, regular passengers related the following story upon returning to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Delta Airlines from Salt Lake City.

Bill told me that he had boarded his return flight and had his noise canceling headphones on listening to music.  A young couple entered the plane with two infant children and started to put their belongings in the seat next to him and the other behind him.  His first thought was “what did I do to deserve this?”  The father of the two infants handed him the card pictured.  It said:

“My name is Ivy, and along with my twin sister Brooke, this is our first flight.  We may get angry at some point on this journey and we are sorry for that.  Please be patient with us.  I promise that my parents are doing all they can to keep us happy.  Please have a coffee or hot chocolate on us!  P.S. The gift card is from our Christmas flight that we had to cancel due to the flu.”

A gift card for Starbucks was included.  Of course, Bill felt bad about his first reaction and told the parents that he would not hear them due to his noise canceling headphones.  They told him to keep the card anyway.

What a cool way to handle a situation!

Neal Arnold

Allpoints Corporate Express, 214 212 0981 – 800 392 9602 http://www.AllpointsDFW.com

P.S. We always like to hear our client’s “Stories from the Road.”

SEVEN SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE YOUR CRUISE

Cruising is a vacation. Now understand that you are about to get on a ship with three thousand of your new “best friends.” A few tips can make the trip more memorable and fun.  After all, that is the point, right? Here are my top seven suggestions to consider.

1. GET THERE EARLY …

…Every year literally hundreds of cruise parties “miss the boat” and arrive too late to board.  Flight delays, traffic, bad weather and other delays can ruin your vacation. This is YOUR vacation. Why start it with stress and feel exhausted before you even set sail?

Booking your round trip transportation with Allpoints can help relieve some of the worries.  we recommend that you depart the Dallas or Fort Worth area allowing a extra hour and a half.  We will look at the time you want to arrive and schedule plenty of time for rest stops on the way down to the Port of Galveston plus traffic crossing Houston.  Find out more at our website www.DFWtoGalvestonCruiseBus.com

2. SAY “BON VOYAGE” WITH A SURPRISE….

… by sending a welcome package to your cabin. Imagine arriving to your cabin and finding a gift package or flowers.  Nothing starts a adventure better than a surprise. Having a package purchased thru your sales rep or cruise agent is a great way to start your cruise.  Links to Galveston Cruise Line gift shops are listed here:

Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines

There are Champagne and Chocolate packages, Flower packages, and even themed packages for the kids.

3. PICK YOUR TIMES AT THE POOL…

… There is so much more to do on the ship that you may not even think of going to a crowded pool. At full capacity the Disney Magic can hold up to 2700 guests.  and most will have their eyes set on the vessel’s pools.  Unfortunately there are only a fraction of the chairs necessary to accommodate everyone.  Chairs get claimed early in the day and are not given up.  Select your swimming times accordingly.  Also, look for the Serenity Deck with bar service, plush loungers and whirlpools.

4. EAT ON YOUR TERMS….

… and your own times. Some cruise lines still offer a rigid meal schedule. Others provide a freestyle dining, Usually buffet style. If your planning on dinner at one of the popular restaurants, be sure to set up your reservations as soon as you are settled, either thru the purser’s office or your cabin steward.   If the ship is in port late try having a dinner in the local port.  Try room service for breakfast and have a picnic on the balcony.  Try a specialty restaurant.  While they will cost you extra the prices are still less than on shore.

5. SKIP THE SHORE PASS…

… and skip the bussing hassles. If you are a seasoned cruiser, and have visited the ports previously, then you  know one of the best kept cruising secrets.  Stay on board and enjoy the pool with fewer passengers. The gambling rooms will be less crowded, the lounges will be quieter with more room to relax.  If this is your first time at the cruise ports, then it’s best not to see everything at once.  Pick and choose your itinerary.  Find one that isn’t completely full.  If you’re unfamiliar with the area, stay close to the ship.  There is usually a port desk manned to sign in when you want to go back to the ship.  BE AWARE, the ship will NOT wait.  It is required to leave on schedule.  Keep in touch with your phone.  If you’re lost, there is usually someone able to guide you back to the port desk.

6. GET A SPA PASS EARLY….

… and enjoy a little bit of heaven on Earth. There is a lot of competition when it comes to at sea spas these days.  Make you reservations early if you want these services.  Also, inquire at the front desk about using the facilities without the massage.  Often for $25 to $30 per day or $100 for a cruise length pass most lines will let you use the facilities, steam rooms, thalassotherapy pools, heated tiled loungers. There are also spa packages for men. This might be a good time to experiment with one.

7.  TRY THE DISCO….

…  or relax in one of the many lounges. Or maybe take in one of the variety shows.   Carnival also has a Comedy Club called the Punchliner.   Hey give it a try!  These spots tend to quiet down by midnight so fewer people will watch you get crazy.

These are just a few suggestions for making your cruise fun and most of all relaxing.

Karen O’Brien, CTC

www.DFWtoGalvestonCruiseBus.com