So, What's in the Masters?

November 02, 2018 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars

After the good feedback received from my previous article on POWDERY checks I thought I would make public the 27 check points that examiners use to judge the skill of an advanced driver when they take the Masters driving test with IAM Roadsmart.

I realise doing this could make me vulnerable, but it does provide an insight into the testing involved should anyone be interested in improving their own driving skills to make them a safer and more observant driver.

Have you done your Powdery checks?

October 05, 2018 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars

Following on from my previous article, where I outlined the major phases of the system of car control

“I P S G A”, the Information part flows through each phase and is a continual source of input and output.

Indeed there are many ways of giving information to other road users and pedestrians. Among them are those I have listed below:

From Irresponsible "Boy Racer" to Professional Chauffeur

August 24, 2018 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars

During my travels and I am sure you all do, I notice varying skills of driving. It sometimes still shocks me at how some people can be when they squeeze their car into gaps when travelling at often excessive speeds even over and above the speed limit.

We have seen on YouTube

To Wax Or Not To Wax, That Is The Question?

July 18, 2018 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars

Since my previous article on the preliminary stages of preparing my cars, it seems I have been on the road so much that I cannot quite believe it that 2 months have passed by !

So, here is part 2 of how I

Its all in the Preparation

May 04, 2018 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars

One of the many questions I get asked is how do I manage to clean my car after a journey in such a short time, and when on a client job?

Preparation

So, before I answer that one,

Delayed for a Honeymoon!

April 20, 2018 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars

Some of the airport transfers I do for clients are to take them on the first leg of their journey to their honeymoon having just got married.

It just so happened that recently,

Help, I'm lost, do your magic!

March 30, 2018 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars, mobile technology

One of the most essential pieces of information given me for every single job is the full postal address including post code, of where I am to collect my clients.

Many years ago, in the days when

From Proms to Sally Army!

February 09, 2018 by David Barnes in Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars, customer care

As well as exhibiting at some wedding shows, we have been exhibiting at School Prom Shows and I would like to tell you about a very long day at the McArthur Glen Outlet Centre, Swindon when we joined with Prom Day and many other exhibitors.

The day was earlier in February 2018, and was a very cold day indeed.

It's Show Time!

January 05, 2018 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars

2017 was our first full year providing quality Jaguar wedding cars for many happy couples, 19 in fact, and each one was so much fun. The many reviews on our website bears witness to the high level of personal service we have provided, some of which are part of our 21 5 star google reviews we have received so far.

Also in April 2017, we launched

Very Happy Christmas to you all!

December 22, 2017 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars

During this past week, our family along with millions of others has been trying to complete the final preparations ready for next week as Christmas approaches. It is a very special time indeed and whether you personally celebrate Christmas or not, we would like to wish

Confessions of an Executive Chauffeur

December 15, 2017 by David Barnes in customer care, Executive Travel, family business, mobile technology, Wedding cars

Finally, the plane has landed after a delayed turbulent flight, lasting over 7 hours. My executives all too often experience uncomfortable seating with cabin noise levels and poor quality food that make it hard to

Typical Admin Day

November 24, 2017 by David Barnes in Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars, customer care

Having mentioned about what started off as a ‘network meeting’ day last week, I thought I would give an insight into what I do during a working day when not attending network meetings or when I am not sat behind my steering wheel for executive travel or wedding car duty.

Thankfully, the days vary quite a bit, but there is a pattern which goes something like this:

Having already

Applying the System of Car Control

November 10, 2017 by David Barnes in Executive Travel, family business, Wedding cars, customer care

Applying the System of Car Control as described by IAM Roadsmart & Roadcraft

The 'System' is a systematic method of driving which, if used correctly, will substantially reduce the risk of a driver being the cause of an accident. A detailed explanation of the System is given in Roadcraft, the police driver's manual, and it is to this book you must refer if you want a thorough understanding. There are five phases of the System which must be considered on the approach to any hazard. A hazard can be the presence and/or movement of any vehicle or pedestrian, a road feature such as a roundabout or a climatic feature such as a sudden downpour of rain.

The five features are: