MAKING AIRPORT TRANSFERS
THE ART OF TURNING A RIDE INTO AN EXPERIENCE (WITH A SMILE)
Article by Rev’d Paul Newbery The Elite Family
www.elite-liverpool.co.uk
Introduction
Let’s face it: airport transfers don’t exactly top the list of life’s unforgettable moments. Most of us just want to escape the baggage carousel and avoid a driver who’s been waiting since the Bronze Age. But what if we could swap yawns for “yays” and make a private hire vehicle transfer the highlight of your journey? Buckle up - let’s make airport rides memorable (and maybe give you a giggle too). After all, there’s no rule that says transportation can’t be the best part of your trip - unless you’re a suitcase, in which case, you don’t get a say.
First impressions matter (so lose the cardboard signs!)
You only get one chance at a first impression, and it’s hard to recover once you’ve tripped over a suitcase in front of your client. So, let’s go all in:
l Punctuality: don’t just be on time - be early enough to look mysterious but not creepy. Bonus points for holding a sign with the passenger’s name spelled correctly (no pressure, but “Ms. Smyth” still has nightmares).
l Presentation: clean car, clean driver - no lingering smells of last night’s takeaway. The only odour should be “new car” or “is that fresh cookies?”
l Personal greeting: a polite hello, help with the luggage, and maybe a joke if your passenger isn’t heavily jet-lagged. Timing is everything.
Personalise, personalise, personalise!
One size fits none. The secret sauce? A sprinkle of personal touch.
l Pre-arrival surveys: ask about their favourite music, preferred temperature, or what snack keeps them from turning into a hangry gremlin.
l Special touches: welcome packs with water, local treats, or even a local trivia card - because who doesn’t want to know who invented Dutch cheese?
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l Celebratory surprises: if it’s a birthday or anniversary, a small treat or a balloon (or both) goes a long way. Just don’t let the balloons block the driver’s view.
Comfort and conversation (or not)
The inside of that vehicle should feel like a spa on wheels. Unless they want absolute silence. Then, you become a professional mime. (Fun fact: The world record for most words spoken by a driver to a silent passenger is currently zero.)
l Climate control: make the temperature just right - Goldilocks would be proud.
lWi-Fi and chargers: because low battery anxiety is real. Help your passengers avoid the “my phone died” horror story.
l Read the room: some people want to chat, others want to nap. The true pro can sense the difference. One gets a great restaurant recommendation; the other gets a pillow.
l Sparkling cleanliness: hand sanitiser, tissues, interior so spotless you can see your reflection in the gear stick.
Local knowledge: become the (friendly) encyclopedia
Nobody wants a lecture, but a good tale never hurt anyone. Share a few quirky facts or point out sights along the way - just keep it interesting (and optional). Did you know the local roundabout is actually a historical monument? Neither did anyone else, until the driver made it sound absolutely fascinating.
l Insider tips: “That’s the best bakery in town.” “Avoid that roundabout at 5pm unless you enjoy existential dread.”
l Language skills: throw in a phrase or two in the passenger’s language. Even if you butcher it, you’ll get a laugh.
Efficiency meets style
There’s nothing memorable about traffic jams, unless you make it fun:
l Flight and traffic tracking: stay updated. If you beat the passenger’s flight to arrivals, you get bragging rights.
AUGUST 2025 PHTM
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