driver for airport pick up in NY
 

anyone recommend a good private driver who can do airport pick ups and drop offs to JFK and EWR. We know the big companies and names listed in the web, but looking for someone who is reliable, pleasant and fairly priced, who has a clean car. Any recommendations?

We only use Carmel or Dial 7 - since they have so many cars there is always one available - and their prices are essentially the same as a cab.

If you want something more upscale there are real limo companies with larger, more well-appointed cars, drivers with uniform and meet and greet services - but the price will be much higher (twice?).

Nor at all sure about private drivers - if one person would be available when needed or what they would charge. Not sure the same person would want to do JFK and EWR depending on where they are based.

The so-called "big companies" are actually made up of independent private contractors who work for those companies on a regular basis, often (but not always) exclusively. I'm not personally aware of a specific driver that you can call by name, and I don't personally think that's necessary. While it's always possible to have a specific limousine or car driver on call, it's usually much more efficient to take whomever is available at the specific time you want someone to pick you up. The way the companies work at EWR and JFK is that you make a reservation for a time, not for a specific driver. Then you call at baggage claim when you are ready to leave the airport and the next driver comes to pick you up.

Of course, you can arrange in advance for someone to meet you as you exit baggage claim. That costs significantly more (at least double, perhaps triple).

I've always found Dial 7 reliable and the cars clean. However, my own personal opinion is that at many JFK terminals (depending on the time of day), it's often easier and more efficient to take a regular taxi. At EWR, it's usually easier and more efficient to arrange a curbside pick-up with one of the large companies.

If you are wealthy enough to need or want a specific private driver, you may be in the wrong forum.

What forum should I go to then Doug.... ;)

answering my own q. Obviously the lounge....

I also use Dial 7 and Carmel private car service specially for hotel pick up to go to the airport. I find both companies reliable and the fare reasonable. Sometimes cabs can be hard to come by in inclement weather when these private cars can come in handy.

There are coupons for dial 7 and Carmel if you are interested in saving a few bucks. You'll find coupons in those free NY tourist publications like What's On or TimeOut NY.

Our company used to use Big Apple and the vehicles are slightly more upscale (always free water, magazines to glance at) and most drivers seem to wear uniforms. they seem to be used by a number of corporations.

That said - I believe the cost is much higher - but I don't know how much of that is that the service is always meet and greet.

There are true deluxe limo services - as used by the famous - but their prices are usually MUCH higher. And since we don;t do that I can't make recos.

Both Dial 7 and Carmel sound good with good rates. Thank you

Their actual numbers are 212 666-6666 and
212 777-7777

Strusserslimousineservice.com is a smaller co. and does a very good job. Their prices include everything (tolls, tip and wait time) and they meet you inside the terminal.

I work for executives who use Empire CLS for all airport transfers (both in NYC and abroad), you do not need a corporate account just a credit card for all charges. CLS is international, discreet and extremely reliable (I’ve been using them for 5 years). For an extra cost you can hire a curbside greeter to assist with your check in process and even escort you to your first class lounge or departure gate. Same upon arrive, you can pay to have an agent meet you at your gate (domestic flight) escort you to baggage claim and remove your luggage from the carousel however if you are arriving on an international flight a greeter can only meet you outside of customs after you have claimed your luggage. In NYC anything is possible if you have the money – that’s why we rock it. http://www.empirecls.com/