If All Else Fails--Bribe.

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Bribes On A Plane: How to Make Nice With Your Fellow
Passengers When Your Baby Goes Insane

Laura Begley Bloom Executive
EditorApr 26, 2014

 

A young traveler on a plane.

It must have been the meatloaf. Something about garlic and my
18-month-old daughter doesn’t mix: instead of scaring off vampires, Lucy
transforms into one. And I made the mistake of feeding her a slice of
heavily seasoned meatloaf before a recent flight from Florida to New York.
She started off as an angel.

But as soon as the flight took off, she was
inconsolable—breakdancing on my lap, trying to pull the hair of the woman
in front of us, karate-kicking her seat back. And even though I had loaded
up my iPhone with Elmo and Dora and her little sidekick Boots, Lucy got
tired of watching the videos and started wailing for Mickey. How could I
have forgotten Mickey?

Suddenly, I was the person whom I’ve always loathed during my many
years of solo travel: the passenger from hell with the baby from hell in
Row 27C.

My husband had the brilliant idea of buying a round of drinks for
everyone around us. And it got us thinking: for future trips, we need to
pack an arsenal of payola to appease our fellow passengers. Here are 13
bribes that should stop people from looking at you in disgust.






1. A Ziploc bag with earplugs and a heartfelt disclaimer saying
that it’s the first time your baby has flown—even if it’s a lie. Bonus
points for a lollipop in the bag.

2. An official apology from the baby in crayon on a heart-shaped
of paper. I mean, who can resist?

3. $5 iTunes gift cards, which come in packs. And that $100 you
spent on gift cards doesn’t need to be exhausted on the plane—there are
plenty of places where you can offend people when you have a baby.

4. Offer to pay for movies (and headsets) for everyone in the
immediate area. Think of me as the Blockbuster of row 27C.

5. Mad Libs: Why not create bonds among your fellow passengers? A
noun is a noun is a noun. Better yet, make up your own Mad Libs. The
(insert noun) was going well until the (insert noun) started (insert
verb).

6. Trashy celebrity magazines to share. Need I say more?

7. A grab bag loaded with mini beauty products or samples from
department stores, to be passed around. Encourage your fellow passengers
to swap with other people on their row. Suddenly, everyone is in it together.

8. Scratch-off lottery cards.

9. Plan snacks wisely. Carrots are a wonderful thing if you have
health-conscious seatmates. Cookies are even better. Bonus points for Girl
Scout Thin Mints.

10. Not that I’m encouraging lying, but you can tell everyone it’s
your baby’s birthday—nobody gets angry with a baby who is celebrating her
birthday!

11. Circus peanuts—who doesn’t love those neon-orange pillowy
treats?—and SnoCaps nonpareils. I always travel with these two classic candies
because, inevitably, someone will like one more than the other.

12. Offer to call a game of Bingo for everyone, with valuable
prizes.

13. Little Valentine's Day hearts with “I’m Sorry” spelled out or
candy necklaces that say “I Love You.”

For guaranteed forgiveness, have your toddler deliver the bribes
to your fellow passengers. And if all else fails: drinks on me. Just not
literally, please.

 

At Excelsior Limousine we can provide
baby and toddler seats in our town cars and SUVs for a small fee.

Map Checking Ruled Prohibited Driving Behavior

 

The court ruled against the driver and made map-checking a GPS app on your smart phone while driving illegal behavior in California.

Posted on LimoDirect April 26, 2013


In March, 2013, a California court denied an appeal by a driver who had been ticketed for using his cell phone while driving in January, 2012. The driver went to court contending that he was not texting or talking on the phone, which, when not hands-free, is illegal in California. Rather, he said, he was using a GPS navigation application to find his way in unfamiliar territory, and since the laws are specifically about taking on a phone, texting and/or surfing the net while driving, the map-checking should be allowed. The court disagreed. In its decision to rule against the driver, the appeals court effectively made map-checking a GPS app on your smart phone while you’re behind the wheel, illegal behavior in California, because it is no different than texting or dialing a phone number.

The court ruled: “Our review of the statute’s plain language leads us to conclude that the primary evil sought to be avoided is the distraction the driver faces when using his or her hands to operate the phone. That distraction would be present whether the wireless telephone was being used as a telephone, a GPS navigator, a clock or a device for sending and receiving text messages and emails.”

The ruling makes California the first state to ban map checking while driving and more states are expected to follow. The general consensus seems to be that if a driver is looking away from the road, then the driver is looking away from the road! In that spirit, a ban on using phones while driving is meant to prevent distractions of all kinds. It would probably be next to impossible for a law enforcement officer to determine what kind of activity a person is conducting on their phone – talking, texting or map-checking – and it makes enforcement of a state’s law somewhat more difficult.

No one denies the dangers of distracted driving. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has its own website dedicated to raising awareness to the horrors resulting from something as “innocent” as a brief text behind the wheel. Distraction.gov presents ways the general public can get the facts, get involved and take action. DOT has also puts out a booklet, “Blueprint For Ending Distracted Driving,” that you can Download and learn about the country’s comprehensive strategy for ending texting and using handheld cell phones when you’re behind the wheel. It’s definitely worth sharing with every driver you know, especially the youngest among us.

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At Excelsior Limousine our town cars and SUVs are equipped with "built in"

GPS systems.

Romantic Cars for a Road Trip

10 Romantic Cars for a Road Trip

April 25, 2014 7:29 PM

 

The Top 10 Cars for a Romantic Ride



You can forget about wine and chocolate. These romantic rides are sure to wow
your date with their sexy looks, sumptuous interiors and seat-rumbling
horsepower. Perfect for intimate drives down romantic roads like California's
Pacific Coast Highway, Maui's Road to Hana or the winding routes of the
Cotswolds in England, GAYOT.com's Top 10 Romantic Cars range from cute
subcompacts to sleek sports cars. We can't guarantee the success of your date;
however, with a little luck, these cars will have you cruising down Lovers'
Lane in no time.

Aston
Martin DB9 Volante

The drop-top version of Aston Martin's high-performance coupe offers an
exhilarating ride with its 510-horsepower V12. Aggressive yet elegant, this
exotic convertible takes a scientific approach to sexy with its aerodynamic
design.

Ferrari
California

As the most affordable model in Ferrari's stable — and the first to sport a
front-mounted V8 engine — the all-new California is being touted by the Italian
automaker as a more versatile version of its notoriously aggressive speed
machines. And with a name that is evocative of sunny days and summer fun, this
sexy hardtop convertible is perfect for a romantic top-down cruise for two
along the coast.

Porche Boxter

Few things are more exhilarating
than the feeling of the wind in your hair as your Porsche roars down some
desolate road. Share the experience with your loved one in the Boxster,
a sleek two-seat roadster that boasts a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds while still
achieving moderate fuel consumption.

The Jaguar F-TYPE V8 S

The Jaguar F-TYPE V8 S swaps out
the luxury roadster's standard V6 for a beefy, 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that
boosts output to 495 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A powerful and sexy
convertible, the F-TYPE is sure to add some excitement to your date night.

Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio

This turbocharged version of
Fiat's Cinquecento adds an aggressive edge to the iconic Italian car. Fitted
with a stiffer suspension, responsive vented front disc brakes and a
retractable soft top, the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio makes for a fun summer drive for
two

Mercedes-Benz
SL550 Roadster

Jetting from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds, this super-fast two-seat
convertible was made for romantic, late-night drives to nowhere in particular.

Volvo C70

Make your moments together
special with this luxurious, limited-edition convertible. With only 500 models
available in the U.S., the Inscription improves upon the already-impressive
Volvo C70, boosting the dapper drop-top's performance while adding several
subtle-yet-appreciated design improvements including gloss black Midir wheels
and a chrome-trimmed black grille.

Volkswagen Beetle TDI Convertible

This cute and playful cabriolet
is perfect for romantic rides on warm, summer evenings. As one of few diesel
drop-tops available in the States, the Volkswagen Beetle TDI Convertible is
both fun to drive and fuel conscious, earning up to 41 mpg highway.

Bentley Continental GT V8

In this collaboration between two
famed Italian design houses, the Fiat 500c gets the Gucci treatment with a
sexy, couture take on the cabriolet. Satin chrome details give the car a
refined, understated elegance, while unobrtrusive Gucci branding adds a bit of
fashionista flair.

Mini John Cooper Works Countryman

Based
on the same platform as Mini's World Rally Championship cars, the John Cooper
Works Countryman offers solid performance in a small package. A roomy cargo
area make the Countryman ideal for dates at the dog park, or a romantic weekend
getaway to the mountains

We may be partial, but at
Excelsior Limousine we recommend the Cadillac Escalade SUV or the Lincoln Town
Car—with a chauffeur –for your romantic ride along the PCH.

 

 

 

.         .

 

 

The Washington Monument Got a Makeover

Planning a Trip to Washington
D.C.in May?

     The Washington Monument will be reopening
in Washington D.C. after being closed for 32 months because of the earthquake
damage caused in 2011. The 5.8 magnitude earthquake left more than 150 cracks
in the structure. A re-opening ceremony will happen on May 12 at 10 a.m. and
public tours will begin at 1p.m. Tickets for the public tours on that day will be
available starting 8:30 a.m. on May 12 at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15^th
street between Madison and Jefferson drives, but tickets for future tours are
already available.

     If you are planning that flight to visit
Washington D.C. feel free to call Excelsior Limousine for your luxury town car
or SUV ride to LAX or Burbank Airport.

Aircraft Interior Expo

At the Aircraft Interiors Expo in
Hamburg, Germany, the theme seemed to be “less for more”. That meant how to
make less room fit more passengers. Yikes. Here were some of the ideas:

1. Putting passengers
face to face

2. Installing
seats in a staggered diagonal layout

3. Lavatories
designed to wedge in a few extra passengers in the back of the cabin

4. Thin, flip up
seats

It is an
ongoing trend for all airlines save costs. The most popular idea came from a
French company called Expliseat, which had developed a seat made of lightweight
titanium and composite materials. It weighs about 8.8 pounds, wheras newer
economy seats weigh about 24 pounds.

At Excelsior Limousine we’ll
stick to good old leather seats and plenty of leg room in our luxury town cars
and limousines.

5 Things You Should Never, Ever Count on While Flying

 

Another article on the joys of
flying:

5 Things You
Should Never, Ever Count on While Flying

By RICK SEANEY, CEO of FareCompare | Good Morning
America 

You
know what you can count on when you fly today? Reliable transportation that is
usually the quickest way to get from Point A to Point B.

That's
the good news. There are several things one should not count on.

5
Things You Should Never, Ever Count on While Flying

Feel
free to tell me what I've missed.

1.
On-time flights

In
general, airlines are getting better at landing when they say they will. But do
not count on it! Weather is always a factor. Take the statistics from February of
last year showing only about 80 percent of all U.S. flights were on time.
Unfortunately, in February of this year, only 70 percent were. And in January,
only 67 percent of flights were on time.

And
don't get smug now that spring has sprung; thunder and lightning can delay more
planes than snow and ice.

Tip
No. 1: Avoid tight connections. If your plane is supposed to arrive in New York
at noon so you can board a 1 p.m. flight to London, that's way too tight. Give
yourself several hours or fly in the night before.

Tip
No. 2: Always confirm flight times, but be careful. Just because a flight is
supposed to be delayed a few hours doesn't mean it will be. If the weather
clears or a mechanical problem is fixed quickly, the plane will take off
whether you're on it or not.

2.
Faster security

Maybe
it usually only takes you 10 minutes to clear security but that may not be the
case this summer. Airports will be crowded with once-a-year leisure travelers
who don't know all the rules and may slow everyone down.

Tip:
If you're a member of PreCheck, with its aster security experience, good for
you, but this program comes with no guarantees. From time to
time, you could be demoted to the slow line in the interest of “random”
security measures.

3.
Special assistance

If
you have a young child traveling solo or maybe a wheelchair-bound grandparent,
make sure to do your homework when it comes to providing them with all the
assistance they might need. Learn your airline's rules for unaccompanied
minors, have the child's necessary paperwork in order and confirm all details.
If elderly folks have any medical issues, call the TSA Cares helpline at
1-855-787-2227 to avoid the possibility of unpleasant surprises at security.

Luckily,
problems are extremely rare, but not unknown: Children have been sent to the
wrong cities and a grandmother was left on a plane alone when her wheelchair
attendant failed to show.

Tip:
Make sure everyone has a cellphone (and knows how to use it), complete with
pre-programmed numbers. Then confirm all details of the trip. Then confirm again.

4.
Comfort

On
today's flights, you get what you pay for (as Spirit passengers know better than anyone). If you
want a bigger seat, you'll pay for it, or try for an upgrade with miles. If you
want food, be prepared to spend some money (credit cards only). If you want
more attention from the flight attendant, get an upgrade to business class.

Tip:
Bring all the comforts of home such as a lunch, a small pillow and blanket.
Electronic devices are nice, too.

5.
Sense of humor

I
hope you saw the video of that Southwest
flight attendant providing laugh-out-loud commentary during the usually dull
safety-briefing, but don't be fooled: Humor is in short supply. Most airline
and airport passengers are just too busy with service and safety tasks. Your
flight attendant will not be amused by efforts to flirt with her or the
constant ding of the call button.

Tip: Do not make jokes about bombs on a plane, at security
or on Twitter. The airlines have zero sense of humor on this topic and zero
tolerance. Just ask the teen who allegedly tweeted a bomb threat to
American Airlines recently. She can tell you all about her arrest.

At
Excelsior Limousine you can always depend on on-time arrival, safety, special
assistance, comfort and a sense of humor from our chauffeurs in our luxury town
cars and SUVs.

Red Cross Offers Travel Safety Tips for Easter Weekend

A helpful article from Red Cross...

Posted April 16, 2014

The Easter weekend is approaching and many
people will take to the highway to visit friends and family over the holiday.
Roads will be busier than usual and the American Red Cross has travel tips
everyone can follow to get to their destination safely.

Ten Steps to Highway Safety

1. Be well rested and alert.

2. Get your vehicle ready – clean the
headlights, taillights, turn signals and windows.

3. Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive
impaired.

4. Observe speed limits, follow the rules
of the road, use caution in work zones.

5. Don’t follow another vehicle too
closely.

6. Pay attention – avoid distractions such
as cell phones.

7. Turn the headlights on as dusk
approaches or in bad weather. Don’t overdrive your headlights.

8. Make frequent stops. During long trips,
rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.

9. If you have car trouble, pull off the
road as far as possible.

10. If you are taking your pet with you, there are special things you should know to
make your trip more enjoyable.

Travel Preparedness Tips

1. Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get
too low.

2. Carry a Disaster Supply kit in your trunk.

3. Let someone know your destination, your
route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way,
help can be sent along your predetermined route.

4. Pay attention to the weather forecast
for your destination and find out what disasters may occur there.

5. Download our Red Cross apps
to have important information on hand for different types of weather disasters
and how to handle first aid emergencies.

Excelsior Limousine is dedicated to providing safe and
elegant ground transportation in our executive town cars, SUVs and limousines