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Travel News from Hoyt’s Here Free Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest travel tips for the busy tri-state executive traveler, events going on in New York City and surrounding towns, cost-savings and updates from Hoyt Livery with our free newsletter “Hoyt’s Here.”

Business Travel Rebounds as Travelers Face Higher Costs

What’s the Damage?

What’s Fair is Transparent Fares

Luxury Travel on the Rebound

A Volcano’s Hard Lessons for Business Travelers

The Benefits of Flying Private: Tradewind Aviation

A New Venture in Aviation

New Airport Screening Measures—Now Based on Intel

5 Tips for Flying from Westchester County Airport

Business Travel Trends

Do You Know Your Flyer’s Rights?

Airport Security Update: European Body Scans

Airport Security Measures Increase

Avoid the Alarm: Dress and Pack Right for Security Checks

3-1-1 Rules

Avoiding the Swine Flu

How do you travel to meetings in Manhattan?

4th Quarter Business Travelers Will Continue to Watch Expenses

Plan a Safe Holiday Party

Traveling for Thanksgiving?

12 Tips for Hosting a Responsible Party

Business Travel Rebounds as Travelers Face Higher Costs

At the 2010 Annual National Business Travel Association Convention held earlier this month, the buzz of rebound was palpable. Domestic airlines report that sales are climbing steadily, with improved second-quarter profits. Even hotels are “starting to dig” out, according to an article in The New York Times’ Business Section on August 9th.

All this may not necessarily be good news for the business traveler however, as the airlines are realizing much of this profit through higher airfares, while at the same time due to consolidation and reduced number of flights, there are still fewer seats in the air. In fact, research from American Express reported that airfaires are “climbing towards prerecession rates” and are at the highest they’ve been since early 2008. Christa Degnan Manning, a research director with American Express Business Travel said, “With travelers on the road again, air suppliers have gained ground in pricing power, and the end of hotel rate drops is likely near.”

Although the travel industry is starting to rebound, companies are remaining diligent about keeping their employees’ travel budgets in line. Corporate travel departments continue to strictly enforce policies and negotiate with hotel chains for lower room rates, as they anticipate across the board travel cost increases.

Read more about the NBTA Annual Conference in the full article from The New York Times

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What’s the Damage?

Just about anyone who’s flown recently, whether for business or leisure, has been hit by hidden costs that airlines have levied over the base price of the airline ticket. Earlier this month, the Consumer Travel Alliance (CTA) analyzed a number of well-known airlines’ hidden fees, including what portion of a traveler’s costs are typically undisclosed at the time the airline ticket is purchased.

CTA based their analysis on four flight itineraries that millions of air travelers take every year including New York to LA, Boston to Washington, Chicago to Miami, and Washington to Orlando. Of the dozens of common fees that airlines charge, they analyzed only checked baggage and extra legroom fees.

What is truly surprising is just how much the hidden fees add up to, and unfortunately, most travelers discover those costs as credit card charges after their flights. Percentages above the base ticket costs found by the CTA include:

26% more for requesting extra legroom and checking a single bag
54% more for checking two bags
A range of 10% - 82% more for traveling with just a single bag
A range of 21% - 153% more than the base fare for two bags

For more on the results of the analysis, visit the Consumer Travel Association’s website.

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What’s Fair is Transparent Fares

Hidden fees imposed by airlines are not just affecting leisure and business travelers. The expected billions of dollars in additional costs are having a serious impact on travel agencies, corporate travel departments, and corporations as a whole as they try to contain and manage their businesses’ travel costs. Additional costs for such common items like carry-on bags, meals, blankets, early boarding, seat selection, and many more, are so well hidden, many travelers don’t even discover the costs they incurred until they see their credit card statements. The result is that companies are unable to accurately estimate travel costs and budget accordingly.

Now many industry organizations, from the Consumer Travel Association (CTA) to National Business Travel Association (NBTA), and even the General Accounting Office (GAO) are adding their influence and encouragement the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposition to require the airline industry to clearly display all of their fees at the point of purchase, whether or not the ticket is purchased online, over the phone or through other channels. Although the DOT currently does not require airlines to disclose their hidden fees, last month they filed a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.” In addition to other consumer protections such as rules governing tarmac delays and enhancing consumer complaint management, it is also targeted to “strengthening, codifying and clarifying the Department’s enforcement policies concerning air transportation price advertising practices; requiring carriers to notify consumers of optional fees related to air transportation and of increases in baggage fees;” and “prohibiting post-purchase price increases…” according to the DOT’s Office of the Secretary. This notice makes the airlines aware that they are testing different ways that the fees should be disclosed.

To read the full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, visit Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections, from the DOT.

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Luxury Travel on the Rebound

After last year when so many people decided to take "staycations," spent their time off with relatives or took no time off at all, it seems that luxury travel is making a comeback. As more recreational travelers are increasing their spending on their accommodations and service, the tide seems to be turning. Bloomberg reported this week that by the end of the year, hotel occupancy in the U.S. and Europe is forecasted to rise.

The travel industry was severely hurt during the economic recession, with the hospitality industry arguably taking the hardest hit. Hotels severely lowered their room rates to attract what business they could. As leisure travelers start to spend again and companies are even beginning to lift their restrictions on their employees’ business travel accommodations, the hotel industry is starting to revive.

Don’t expect the lower rates to remain for long, however, because as the report states, some luxury hotels have also begun raising their rates as their rooms start to fill up. Together with the demand for more luxurious amenities such as butler services and poolside cabanas, the hotels are finding it easier to raise their rates. Some hotels like the Four Seasons are expected to raise their prices to the pre-recession peak levels of 2008 by the end of the year. By 2011, most are expected to be back to peak level.

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A Volcano’s Hard Lessons for Business Travelers

Ash from Iceland’s volcano caused havoc to travelers throughout Europe and all over the world as it caused the grounding of flights for more than 310,000 business travelers. The virtually unpronounceable Eyjafjallajokull not only inconvenienced many, but is estimated to have cost many major global businesses nearly $200,000 per company, according to a survey recently conducted by the National Business Travelers Association.

The new survey of more than 234 businesses reports that more than 80% had employees either stranded or delayed because of the thousands of flights in and out of Europe that were cancelled due to the volcano. It subsequently caused the cancellation of nearly 5,600 corporate meetings and more than 165,000 total trips.

According to Michael W. McCormick, executive director of the NBTA, "This has been a natural disaster for the record books, and one the travel industry will remember and learn from for years to come.” He continued, “The direct financial impact of this incident in terms of additional travel spend is astounding, but just imagine how much more loss companies will experience due to lost opportunities. Meetings were cancelled, clients were not met, hands were not shaken, and deals were not made. Those missed business opportunities will take their toll, and companies will have to get their people back on the road quickly to make up for it.”

What should you do to be prepared in the future? As McCormick stated, “We often forget the human aspect in a crisis like this. People have been stranded for days, many without sufficient funds or even an adequate amount of clean clothing. We’ve heard from travel managers helping single parents who had to make arrangements for their children, mothers who missed their daughters’ weddings, and even a traveler who couldn’t get home for his father’s funeral. Travel managers remained in constant contact with these folks as they personally dealt with this ordeal, working diligently to get them home as soon as possible."

How well you prepare for a crisis while you’re traveling can be key to surviving a lengthy delay. For some great tips on how to survive such a travel nightmare, we recommend that you read “Joe vs. the Volcano,” from Portfolio.com written by Joe Brancatelli, veteran business traveler, who offers strategies and tactics to survive those travel nightmares you simply can’t predict.

To view the report by the National Business Travelers Association, visit: nbta.org

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The Benefits of Flying Private: Tradewind Aviation

This month, Hoyt Livery spotlights our preferred private aviation service, Tradewind Aviation, a perfect compliment to the exceptional ground service discriminating Hoyt customers enjoy. Tradewind is ideal for those who prefer executive or recreational private air travel, and convenient charter services to popular weekend vacation locations. We are impressed by their incomparable service.

Whether you would like to go anywhere in the world, have a frequent corporate destination, or you would like the convenience of scheduled charters to such places as Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Caribbean, Tradewind provides convenient, air service from all airports throughout the Tri-state area.

Executive private charters are a perfect choice for companies with frequent travel, and can often be less expensive than normal commercial travel. Seasonal Nantucket and Vineyard travelers can take advantage of Tradewind’s scheduled departures leaving on Thursdays and Fridays from the NY area, and coming back on Sundays or Mondays. Throughout the winter months, they provide premium scheduled service to St Barth from San Juan and private charters throughout the Caribbean.

For more information on this exceptional service-oriented company that makes it a pleasure to fly, visit Tradewind Aviation, or call (800) 376-7922 24 hours a day/7 hours a week.

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A New Venture in Aviation

Hoyt Livery owners Lynda and Santo Silvestro are excited to announce the acquisition of Business Aviation Center, based on the North side of Danbury Municipal Airport. Westchester and Fairfield county customers who travel via corporate, private or chartered jets, as well as professional and leisure pilots will especially be interested to know that it is an advantageous alternative to the congested, higher-cost air fields nearby. Just off Interstate 84, it is minutes by air from Westchester County, Bridgeport and Oxford Airports, and a quick flight from major New York City airports.

Occupying five acres, BAC is the largest FBO on the field and is easily reached by arriving aircraft via two landing strips. Its 31,500 square feet of hangar and office space provide permanently based and transient aircraft with some of the lowest-priced Avgas and Jet A fueling in the country, tie-down space, and aircraft service and maintenance. Amenities include a newly renovated pilots’ lounge/planning center with wireless, HD-TV and internet access; catering services, a courtesy car, and of course, limo rentals. The Danbury Mall, excellent restaurants and Richter Park Golf Course are all just moments away.

Its assets include a full-service fixed based operation (FBO) and its related offices and properties, which was previously solely owned and operated for 26 years by Rob Zohn, who will focus on his new business, an aviation industry investing and consulting company, Flight Investments. BAC joins the Silvestro’s other aviation property, Danbury Aviation, which has been providing hangar and tie-down rentals for the last three years, also located on the North side of the airport. Business Aviation Center and Danbury Aviation are entities of Tango Yankee, LLC, controlled by the Silvestro’s of New Canaan, Connecticut.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to own BAC and look forward to growing its offerings over the coming years,” said Mr. Silvestro. “The synergy of our operations will lead to greater opportunities for our customers, especially our frequent corporate jet and private air travelers. We fully intend to build on BAC’s strong reputation with numerous capital improvement projects, additional amenities, expanded services and pilot events.”

For more information contact: (203) 748-7000 or Lynda@businessaircraftcenter.com or visit www.businessaircraftcenter.com.

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New Airport Screening Measures — Now Based on Intel

Earlier this month, Homeland Security announced new measures for screening passengers entering the US. The new system, which will replace the current procedure that targets travelers from fourteen mostly Muslim countries will rely on specific security intelligence to determine who needs to go through more vigorous screening at the airports.

Now, no matter what a traveler’s country of origin, or country from which they are flying, a person can be flagged for additional screening if he or she fits a specific description of a potential terrorist, even if their name does not match a name on the Terrorist Watch List.

Previous measures enacted quickly after the failed Christmas Day bombing on a plane bound for Detroit required passengers from the bomber’s homeland of Nigeria, plus Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen to under go additional scrutiny for all inbound US flights. According to Homeland Security, this new measure will no longer target these particular countries of origin, but will broaden the screening base of potentially any passenger traveling to the US.

An administration official stated “We're trying to match those intelligence indicators to the people who are trying to come to the United States,” reported the New York Times. The intelligence used to target these passengers includes physical features, characteristics, attributes, travel patterns and behaviors of individuals suspected of wanting to carry out or aid in terrorist activity, or those targeted for recruitment by terrorists, even if their name is unknown. Those with names that match the Terror Watch List, which currently includes more than 6,000 people, will still undergo pat-down screening, or be banned from flying all together.

According to a security official at the White House briefing, “it's much more tailored to what intel is telling us, what the threat is telling us, as opposed to stopping all individuals of a particular nationality or all individuals using a particular passport."

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5 Tips for Flying from Westchester County Airport

Business and leisure travelers who live in Fairfield and Westchester Counties are lucky in that they have the choice of proximity, compared to flying in and out of airports in New York and Newark. Westchester County Airport sits on the New York and Connecticut border, and offers travelers of both counties the opportunity to avoid the delays and headaches that can come with departing from major travel hubs.

In the last few years, Westchester Airport has added some major carriers such as Jet Blue, and now serves eight different commercial carriers with more than 1.8 million passengers. Popular destinations such as Orlando and Fort Lauderdale are now direct flights, and connections at major hubs enable Westchester County flyers to reach destinations all over the world. Westchester Airport has made an effort to be a good neighbor, operating in a way that respects the environment and its community. Therefore it comes as a surprise to many in the area that it is actually one of the busiest airports in the country. More than 40,000 corporate and charter planes and 300 light aircraft operate from the airport in addition to its more than 23,000 commercial flights annually.

Once practically exclusive to high-end business travelers, the number of convenient flights at Westchester has added sheer volume to the airport. Often what travelers make up in time and delays at Kennedy, LaGuardia & Newark is offset by different headaches that this growing hub is facing as it continues to expand. Here are a few tips for navigating your travel through Westchester Airport:

Don’t Even Try to Park: With its growth, the airport has not kept up with the number of travelers who want to park short- or long-term. It’s best to get a ride, either from a livery service, public transportation, friend or family member. There is nothing worse than anticipating that you’ll be able to hop on flight with less wait time, only to discover there is no where to park, so you miss your flight. The main airport garage holds 1,100 cars. There is an overflow lot that holds an additional 300 cars and there is a free shuttle to the terminal. The airport parking hot-line is (914) 946-0843, but if a spot is available when you call, they do not have reserved parking and most likely the spot won’t be available when you arrive. Arranging your ride to this airport will save you from the risk of missing your flight.
Anticipate Long Security Lines: Flyers assume that since it is a smaller airport there won’t be long lines through security. However, tough FAA regulations mean travelers even at Westchester are spending more time in security. To save time in check-in, if you can, try not to check your luggage, but to send it by Fed-Ex or UPS in advance. For carry-on, don’t forget the 3-1-1 Rule. Knowing what you’re allowed to bring on board, and anticipating that you’ll need to remove your jacket and shoes, keeping metal objects out of your pockets, and remove your laptop from its case, will help you move faster through the security.
Eat Before You Fly – And You Can’t Bring Snacks: One of the benefits of flying out of the major New York airports like La Guardia and Kennedy is the wealth of quick-stop food places in addition to restaurants, lounges, bars and stores. Westchester Airport has one small kiosk for snacks, one coffee shop, one restaurant and one bar, and nothing but vending machines once you’re through security. Since they don’t allow food or beverages through security, it’s best to eat before you’re screened, especially since most airlines don’t provide meals in flight.
Check Delays Before You Leave Home: One of major benefits of leaving out of Westchester is its closeness to home. Check the status of your flight before you leave and if it’s delayed, at least you’ll be waiting in the comfort of your own home (or close by) as opposed to being stuck in a crowded terminal more than an hour away from home. But the key is to check. To find out the status of your flight, log on to your carrier’s website, flight.westchester.gov, flightstats.com, or fly.faa.gov for airport conditions such as weather problems in your destination city. You can also receive alerts on your cell phone.
Arrange Pick Up Ahead of Time: Since even short term parking is so difficult, Westchester Airport has put in place a “Designated Cell Phone Lot.” 30 spaces along Airport Road, just west of the main entrance allows drivers to be waiting when your plane lands. It will take them approximately 15 minutes to come around to the front of the terminal, so calling your ride when your plane lands gives the perfect amount of time for them to pull around. The lot also has its own Flight Information Display screen, which displays arrival times.

Traveling through Westchester County Airport allows you the opportunity to reach your destination faster and more conveniently — but only if you plan ahead. Be prepared, and you can save hours off of your travel. Hoyt Livery provides dependable service to Westchester, and is available within three hours from the time you book. If you’re planning to fly in or out of Westchester, contact Hoyt to ensure you enjoy stress-free travel at (203) 966-5466 or book your ride online.

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Business Travel Trends

Here at Hoyt, we’re noticing some trends so far this year for our business traveling customers, and we thought it was perfect timing to present some of the most relevant Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s 2010 Predictions for Travel. We’ve narrowed down the top five trends that we feel are the most important from the customer’s standpoint:

Face-to-face meetings will remain essential to business and especially client relationships. As one participant put it: “Look into my eyes, not my files.” Nonetheless, companies will increasingly examine how they can get the best return on investment from travel and eliminate any unnecessary trips.
More focus will be placed on employees’ work-life balance and driving productivity, and less on achieving savings at the expense of traveler comfort and well-being as companies step up efforts to attract and retain talent.
Safety is key. Companies will step up efforts to manage travel-related risks particularly for travel to high-risk destinations.
Technology such as self-service, plug and play, one-stop shop and mobile will enable travelers as companies will continue to seek technology that is more user-friendly and of value to employees throughout the travel process.
Flyers will demand lower cost of flying, which will affect competition on international routes by shaving about 15% off costs per seat.

As we’re seeing as we enter the third quarter of 2010, pricing is still at the top of the list when it comes to the importance companies put on travel. What is the most important aspect of business travel at your company from what you’ve seen so far this year? Email us and let us know. To read the full report from CWT, click here.

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Do You Know Your Flyer’s Rights?

Many of Hoyt’s clients are frequent flyers and over the years we’ve heard numerous horror stories from them about delayed airline flights. And the worst stories involve being stuck on a grounded plane on the tarmac for hours on end without even basic necessities. This past December, the Department of Transportation announced new rules that are designed to be the first step in “The Airline Passenger’s Bill of Rights.”

Beginning this Spring, the DOT will give domestic flights three hours to take off or they must return to the gate. After two hours, airlines must provide passengers with food and water. The planes must have working bathrooms, and the airlines must also provide passengers with medical attention when necessary. Airlines that fail to comply will face steep fines of up to $27,500 per passenger. On a full flight, that could mean millions of dollars.

According to the DOT Press Release issued December 21, 2009, the new rule also:

Prohibits airlines from scheduling chronically delayed flights, subjecting those who do to DOT enforcement action for unfair and deceptive practices;
Requires airlines to designate an airline employee to monitor the effects of flight delays and cancellations, respond in a timely and substantive fashion to consumer complaints and provide information to consumers on where to file complaints;
Requires airlines to display on their website flight delay information for each domestic flight they operate;
Requires airlines to adopt customer service plans and audit their own compliance with their plans; and
Prohibits airlines from retroactively applying material changes to their contracts of carriage that could have a negative impact on consumers who already have purchased tickets.

These rules will go into affect in April, and pertain to domestic flights only. According to a CBS News report, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the three-hour limit and other new regulations are meant to send an unequivocal message to airlines not to hold passengers hostage on stuck planes. If an airline doesn’t follow these regulations, they could face government action for using unfair or deceptive trade practices. LaHood said, "This is a way to say to passengers, we are going to avoid these long, long delays sitting on a runway."

The Department of Transportation is also working on additional regulations to further protect flyers. Under consideration are a requirement that airlines submit to the Department for review and approval their contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays; reporting of additional tarmac delay data; disclosure of baggage fees; and strengthening requirements that airline ads disclose the full fare consumers must pay for tickets.

The only exceptions to the three-hour-rule are for safety or security reasons, or if air traffic control advises the pilot that returning to the terminal would “disrupt airport operations.” This rule was adopted in response to a series of incidents in which passengers were stranded on the ground aboard aircraft for lengthy periods. Most notably was the overnight tarmac wait in Rochester MN last August, when the airline’s employees refused to open a gate to admit the 47 passengers into the closed terminal.

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Airport Security Update: European Body Scans

If you’ve traveled internationally this month, you may have seen—or in fact been scanned by—body scanners that have begun to be implemented as part of new security measures. This month, airports in England have begun using body scanners to screen passengers. Italy and the Netherlands have also implemented the use of scanners for US-bound flights. As “Hoyt’s Here” reported last month, they are part of over-all heightened security at major US airports and flights coming into the US after the attempted bombing by a Nigerian man on a Detroit-bound plane traveling from Amsterdam on Christmas Day.

However, Belgium and Spain, as well as other countries are waiting to decide based on an official position by European Union. Members of European Parliament are divided over airport scanners and will hold a debate on the issue this week. Some member countries of the European Parliament have raised concerns about passengers’ privacy and health. The European Commission will publish an impact evaluation in the coming weeks based on concerns over the devices’ efficiency, cost, health concerns and apprehension over privacy violations which will impact the EU’s decision. Their decision will affect travelers flying from Europe to the US.

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Airport Security Measures Increase

In lieu of the recent Christmas Day terror threat, there are additional security measures at the airport that every traveler should be aware of when preparing for a trip, especially if traveling outside of the country. Planning on getting to the airport earlier than usual (follow your airline’s instructions) and knowing what you should expect when you to get there will make your check-in easier. As of January 4, the following changes apply mostly to flights coming into the U.S. and some domestic flights. Here are some of the changes you can expect now.

Targeting travelers holding passports from (or through) countries that are “state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest,” the TSA has required that every person flying into the U.S. is required to go through enhanced screening. But if you are a citizen of the U.S., your carry-on baggage will also be severely restricted. You’re also affected because during the last hour of the flight you won’t be allowed to leave your seat or use any electronic instruments.

In a step that has caused much controversy, the TSA will employ the use of full body scanners. Although not widely available throughout U.S. airports now, more are coming. These scanners will allow agents to check over your body to make sure you’re not concealing a weapon. These machines are a concern to privacy advocates however, and at this point if you object, you have the choice to get a “pat-down” by security instead.

These steps are not restricted to citizens of targeted countries, and you may randomly be chosen for a body scan or pat-down regardless of your citizenship, especially if you’re wearing loose fitting or bulky clothing—including headwear. The new heightened air travel safety measures are meant to protect all travelers, but can seriously inconvenience you. These steps are in addition to the other security measures that have been continually imposed since 9/11. For a brush up on the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule already in place, click here.

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Avoid the Alarm: Dress and Pack Right for Security Checks

With longer wait times predicted because of the new, heightened security measures, here is a list of items to avoid wearing through metal detectors. Just like shoes, many items should be put in the bins to go through the conveyer belt before you walk through the detector. The information below is directly from the TSA. These items may set off the alarm, possibly leading you to a pat-down, body scan, or having the item confiscated.

Keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs)
Heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo ties)
Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
Belt buckles
Under-wire bras

Additional items that can set off alarms include:

Body Piercings. Certain metal body piercings may cause you to set off the alarm at the metal detector, which will result in you getting additional screening. If additional screening is required, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.
Head Coverings. You are permitted to wear head coverings and religious garments during the screening process. You may be directed to additional screening if your headwear or clothing (religious or otherwise) is loose fitting or large enough to hide prohibited items.
Shoes. Travelers are required to remove their shoes before entering the walk-through metal detector at all U.S. airports and put them through the x-ray machine for inspection. This allows officers to see if the shoes have been tampered with in any way.

When in doubt, put these rather innocuous items in the bin to pass through the conveyer belt. But watch your valuables. For up-to-date information on airport security requirements and measures, visit the Transportation Security Administration’s website at tsa.gov.

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Traveling for Thanksgiving?

Let Hoyt make it a pleasant trip for the whole family. Whether you’re departing from the airport to visit out-of-state or just visiting relatives a few hours away, trust Hoyt to get you there and back, and make it a fun, stress-free Thanksgiving. When you’re not driving, you can start your holiday early.

Here are some tips to make your travel-time fun for the whole family, including you:

Play the “I’m Thankful for…” game in which each person takes turns mentioning what they’re thankful for in their lives and why.
Reminisce, bring to mind the passed generations that came before your children, and tell stories of your favorite Thanksgivings when you were a child.
Tell your children the story of the first Thanksgiving in America and why we celebrate it still today.
Pack a bag for each child and include books, crayons and coloring books, small toys, snacks, a stuffed animal, game boys, and music. Pack a few little fun gifts for “surprise times” that they can each unwrap as your trip progresses (great for incentivizing good behavior).
Bring along a DVD player with a favorite holiday movie that you can enjoy watching together
Take a nap – everyone can relax, including you when you’re not driving!

By eliminating the hassle of dealing with the traffic and delays, parking the car, and lugging the luggage, you’ll start your Thanksgiving holiday early, and end it right with fun-filled round-trips. In fact, a Hoyt service to and from the airport can often be less expensive than the cost of parking, depending on how many days you’re away, and you won’t have to worry if your car is secure. Call us today for our special Holiday Rates and to book your service at (203) 966-5466.

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Plan a Safe Holiday Party

Now is the time when the planning of company holiday events is in full swing. These parties are a wonderful gesture on behalf of management and a way to thank employees for all of their hard work in the past year. They provide some out-of-office levity, and help build morale, too.

Although these parties are traditionally a company’s “event of the season,” they can also be a worry, and in some cases a liability to management. Holiday events are known for open bars and flowing cocktails, (and in many cases, funny stories for years to come), however, concerned organizations also know they can lead to tragedy if employees get behind their wheels afterwards, endangering not only themselves, but others on the road.

Hoyt Livery’s “Night Out” service allows everyone to still have a ball without worrying about drunk driving and getting home safely. This precaution gives an organization the assurance that drunk driving need not be an option—and sends a message to the employees that their management is concerned for their welfare.

Hiring a car service also limits a company’s liability if an employee is injured or harms another coming from your company-sponsored event. Organizations throughout the Tri-State area turn to Hoyt Livery as a responsible measure to keep employees safe from the dangers of drinking and driving. Contact us today for our special “Night Out Packages”—or forward this information to your company’s event planner.

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12 Tips for Hosting a Responsible Party

Whether you’re holding a corporate holiday event or a private party for your own friends and family this season, help keep your guests, and others on the road, safe and sound afterwards. Here are some tips from M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) to help you plan your festivities in a responsible way and help you have a happy holiday party.

Don’t rely on coffee to sober up your guests. Only time can make someone sober.
Beer and wine are just as intoxicating as hard liquor. A 12-ounce can of beer, a five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce wine cooler and an ounce and a half of liquor contain the same amount of alcohol.
If it’s a corporate event, arrange for discounted or complimentary rooms when a party is held at or near a hotel so employees won’t drive home impaired. If your party is at home, have sheets and towels ready in case your guest(s) need to stay over the night.
Hire a shuttle or limousine service to provide transportation for those that have been drinking. Keep a service number on hand so you won’t have to hunt for it at the last minute.
If you provide an open bar, be sure the bartender has had server training to prevent over-serving and serving guests under the legal drinking age.
Hold a contest before hand for guests to create non-alcoholic drink recipes.
Plan activities like party games, door prize drawings or amateur fortune-telling for less active consumption of alcohol.
Promote the designated driver concept in party invitations. As guests RSVP, confirm that at least one person in each group is prepared to be the non-drinking designated driver.
Do not push drinks!
Provide plenty of food to keep your guests from drinking on an empty stomach, but avoid too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty and drink more.
Offer non-alcoholic beverages or mocktails for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol.
If preparing an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base, like fruit juice. Although fruit juice and other sweet mixers mask the taste of alcohol and may cause people to drink more, alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream faster with a carbonated base. Mixers won’t help dilute alcohol.