[ImTNT]

[SIZE=3]I would agree that TIME FACTOR could slightly favor air flight, but when comparing total trip time, flying is not much quicker. The plane does not pick you up at your door, use your street as a runway and drop you off at your hotel. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]TOTAL time for flying should include the drive to the airport, check in, clearing security, waiting at the gate, boarding, the taxi, flight time, deplaning, picking up luggage, waiting in the cab line and the trip to the hotel. The actual total time to fly, from home to hotel, is closer to 4 to 5 hours. And that’s IF, and that’s a big IF, the plane flys on schedule. How often does that happen?[/SIZE]

[AA702]

Originally Posted by ImTNT

[SIZE=3]I would agree that TIME FACTOR could slightly favor air flight, but when comparing total trip time, flying is not much quicker. The plane does not pick you up at your door, use your street as a runway and drop you off at your hotel. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]TOTAL time for flying should include the drive to the airport, check in, clearing security, waiting at the gate, boarding, the taxi, flight time, deplaning, picking up luggage, waiting in the cab line and the trip to the hotel. The actual total time to fly, from home to hotel, is closer to 4 to 5 hours. And that’s IF, and that’s a big IF, the plane flys on schedule. How often does that happen?[/SIZE]

If your logic is right, then you also have to figure in traffic on the interstate between LV and SoCal. The 15 gets congested easy on weekends and holidays. When there is a wreck it can really cause a big delay in your travel. If things go smooth, then you have to deal with the traffic when you get into the LA metro area and that can always be long delay esp during rush hour. I still vote to fly but that is just me.

[lvoc]

I believe there are some services that provide a daily roundtrip for merchandise. We actually have a client who drives a chemical truck round trip four days a week.

I would think if you could provide a service for small merchandise and haul people a good bit less expensively it might work. Leave Las Vegas at 7AM and return at 1PM so you miss both bad traffic periods in LA. It would have to be terminal based though as you would get killed picking up and dropping off.

I don't think you will find any great need above $150 or so.

Now a good local shuttle service? But that will never get passed the Nevada old boy's club.

[Jukesgrrl]

It seems to me that you are seeing the elderly as a significant client base and I would not discourage that, in and of itself. Many elders who can no longer drive, or don't even WANT to drive distances due to fear of their own capabilities and especially of other drivers, would love door to door service from someone they trusted and many would pay handsomely. I know a few. BUT I would agree with those who say your business plan is doomed in Las Vegas due to the extreme cronyism of those regulating public transportation in a city that is overrun with tourists who come without their cars.

The elders I know who hire a driver with his or her own car have met them through personal recommendations or through their church. That way they feel secure about the person. Elders are often preyed on and are fearful, sometimes not even enough, so who the driver is would be a huge issue for them, even in a cab. I personally know two people who drive elders, but both of them live in small towns that don't have other transportation options. One gets tons of business driving people to doctor appointments and other places around town. The other takes several different people on longer trips — usually they are visiting out of town children and they need to be dropped off and picked up. Both these guys just do this for extra pocket money and I suspect payment is under the table. Clearly, that's not what you're talking about. I suspect LV licensing will make this not cost-effective unless you have some kind of magic way to drum up business that I can't even imagine.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by AA702

I still vote to fly but that is just me.

One can legally drink during the trip on a flight - another advantage of wings over wheels.

[MediocreButArrogant]

If you have elite status on the airline you're flying, or have a business or first class ticket, and aren't checking a bag, air travel can be much shorter, especially if your destination is near the airport. For my commute type flights I never get to the airport more than 45 minutes before departure.

Last Wednesday I left my home in the Lakes at 7:25AM and was sitting behind my desk in Silicon Valley at 10AM. I went through security at 7:50AM, plane took off at 8:30AM, got to the gate at 9:45AM, hopped in a taxi at 9:50AM and it took ten minutes to get to my office. That's two hours and 35 minutes door to door. I could have cut things much closer, but I allow extra time for getting stuck in traffic, which we did, twice (once near Rainbow, and again at the airport exit). I have a friend who used to fly the same route and she'd shave 15 minutes off my time. She'd leave home 50 minutes before departure, though she is closer to a 215 on-ramp.

[ImTNT]

Once again, thanks for all the input.

It seems to me there are many areas out there without convenient flying/airport options. I’m thinking Bakersfield/Delano/Ridgecrest, Flagstaff/Kingman & St. George/Cedar City. Also, flights from the Palm Beach airport are VERY expensive, therefore the Palm Springs/Indio area could be a market.

I can’t argue about the booze factor though. Good point.

[ImTNT]

I definitely see senior living or retirement communities as a market. You are correct though, elders want somebody they can trust. I may be able to work with activities coordinators and provide references as I get established. I’m certain I will be able to gain their faith.

As far as Las Vegas or the State of Nevada are concerned, they do not regulate interstate travel unless you are driving a bus or truck. Interstate travel would be travel across state lines. The feds regulate that.

[dynimagelv]

you need a local license to pick up here.....if you pick up in Los Angeles and drive here thats fine....if you pick up here and drive elsewhere you MUST I repeat you MUST be licensed in the state of Nevada and it aint gonna happen.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by ImTNT

Once again, thanks for all the input.

It seems to me there are many areas out there without convenient flying/airport options. I’m thinking Bakersfield/Delano/Ridgecrest, Flagstaff/Kingman & St. George/Cedar City. Also, flights from the Palm Beach airport are VERY expensive, therefore the Palm Springs/Indio area could be a market.

I can’t argue about the booze factor though. Good point.

Palm Springs airport?