The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

I was on an airport run last week. I dropped off my clients, and was on the way home when I hear a faint voice say my name. I turn around and lo and behold the client has left their 8 year old daughter in the car!!! I bullshit you not lmao. I was like hey...is there somebody back there with you? SHes like no, I was asleep. Everyone must have left me.

Luckily she didnt freak out and start crying or anything. She was a pretty good trooper. I was only about 4 minutes away from the dropoff so I took her back home immediately (Had her call her moms on my cell too) and the parents didnit even know she was gone. The look on her hubbys face was worth a million bucks. He was like my wife left my daughter in the limo!!!! I was like ummmmm here she is thanks gotta go see yaaaaaaa. Didnt wanna get caught up in the middle of that.

Digger - you are right on the money. Our chauffeurs go through three days in a classroom before ever seeing a limousine and we teach them the importance of inspecting the passenger area BEFORE pick up and after drop off but before leaving. It does allow the opportunity for the client and chauffeur to discuss damages if any. We train to stop one block out, spray the car lightly with air freshener, check for anything jarred loose during the ride to the pickup location. Could be a decanter lid popped off over uneven railroad track crossings etc. It only takes a minute.

The drop off.....yes, camera, purses, backpacks, fanny packs, gifts, personal alcohol bottles, umbrellas etc. all seem to be forgotten so that post check is so very important.

All,
Thanks for the advice/comments. I definitely will be checking the car when I do my dropoffs from here on out and Digger made a suggs I def will use. Im going to search the car with the clients standing there next time. Lesson learned :-)

I remember when I first started driving, I did a wedding and the bride had her small purse tucked behind the back seat, in the window. It was a long trip, didn't check there, drove the limo back, and while cleaning, noticed the purse. Man, it was a pain because it was late and I had to drive all the way there, then back home. Needless to say, that is the first spot I check now, and you have to be thorough. I found a diamond earring behind the glasses on a bar, the client was extremely happy and appreciative!

Luckily I haven't done that. I have forced myself to search the car while the client is still standing there for several reasons...

1: Tell them you know the cubby holes and just want to check for items left behind. Almost always something will be found.

2: Look over the interior quickly for any damage done, it's easier to place blame when the client is still standing there. Once they leave it's your word against theirs.

3: It gives the client a minute alone to get the tip together.

I've found cell phones, wallets, credit cards, licenses, purses and all kinds of stuff.

The Key Indeed is how it was handled. Mistakes happen-it is how we react. Exceptional recovery !!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Dave M:
Fantastic story.

When I was a chauffeur, I did hundreds of family runs. Although I never drove away with an extra passenger, more than a few people walked away from the car without their kid.

Although you should have double-checked the car, every chauffeur has made this mistake. The key thing is how you handled it. You responded to the problem immediately and did the right thing by having the little girl call her mom. Good Job.

Great story-thank you for being honest. My only comment is this : YOU DIDN'T LOOK IN BACK OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE PULLING OFF ? Limo 101 ! I know that now you know about these things...

Stupid Parents! but, the Chauffeur didn't check the car. Usally cell phones and sun glasses are the common items left in the car. A kid????? How do you miss that. Attention to detail. That Chauffeuring. I am sure you will check the car every time now...... lesson learned

Fantastic story.

When I was a chauffeur, I did hundreds of family runs. Although I never drove away with an extra passenger, more than a few people walked away from the car without their kid.

Although you should have double-checked the car, every chauffeur has made this mistake. The key thing is how you handled it. You responded to the problem immediately and did the right thing by having the little girl call her mom. Good Job.

L.I.K. you are right on #s one and two. I make SURE to double check now.

I bet Paul will be doing once overs in every one of his cars from this point on.

Bad thing: Driver didn't double check vehicle for items left behind.

Good thing: No one was injured in any way

2nd Good thing: This will never happen again with this driver after this incident.