I'm starting to think about what to do when I decide to lock my tool box up. At some point I'd like to walk away from my career and just get a job. I've been thinking of bartending. I can shoot the **** with the best of 'em, and I can stay on my feet all day long. I'm a bit weak in the wine department but I can figure it out.

Driving a limo has crossed my mind as well. I know the streets of New York City like the back of my hand. Airport runs, theatres, tourist stuff, etc., and I like driving. I've learned quite a bit about customer service in the last 25 years, so I doubt I'll have any problems dealing with difficult patrons (the answer is always YES!!!).

Anyone have any experience or thoughts?

Just so long as it's fun.

I have been getting involved in television production and so far it is a blast. Tons of details to work out over just the smallest production, and when I get a show in the can it is a greater feeling of accomplishment than I ever had when I was looking into a refinery fire or plotting out a new pipeline.

I have talked to a lot of Limo drivers. They can tell some weird tails, and when they work a high society wedding they get to sit around and enjoy the party like they are an invited guest.

One told me the worst tippers are the on the fringes of high society types. They have enough money to get into the right parties but never enough to leave a decent tip.

Why not get an SBA loan and buy out an indy shop? Or buy a bar -- I've seen several for sale in NJ cheap, building and all, recently.

Screw working for someone else full-time with a sharp stick, unless you have enough bank in the bank to be able to tell them to fornicate their sisters while walking away any time you like.

Crime doesn't pay.

I tended bar and cooked all through college and off and on my first few years of teaching. Back at it sort of now as I'm involved with a nearby winery. Although I don't have to I sometimes like to get behind the bar in the tasting room and pour samples and BS with customers. In general, extensive wine knowledge isn't required to be a bartender, although it might be a plus in certain bars. I would think limo driving might have the same cash advantages bartending has. We get a lot of tours in the winery. The drivers tell me that after several stops the customers are happily buzzed and tip very well.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I've always wondered about Limo Driving also - I'm not sure that I'd like wearing a suit everyday, but if the money is there... Are there no limo drivers on this forum ? even part time ones ? my impression is that you get your limo license(?) and start with a service- who fields calls and provides cars. IIRC sometimes the driver is responsible for cleaning the car at the end of the night- which may affect the working conditions. I'd fear that I might be distracted by what happens in the back seats....

-Not always an Angel

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

There is a member here with the handle "xlimodriver".

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
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Beat me to it....

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/members/xlimodriver.html

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

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Practice "Welcome to Wal-Mart"...


Actually - I play bartender at a friends bar when he is short staffed. Not going to lie - it is a blast, especially when you have a big group of people!

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

He's driven for some high profile musician-types. Bet he's got some stories to tell!

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

What kind of jobs are there that require a person to work full time with a sharp stick? Javelin toss in the Olympics?

Thanks for the advice, but I'll be looking to lighten the load not add to it. After nearly forty years in the car biz the last thing I need is another sixty-plus hour a week headache! I've been doing that my entire adult life (FWIW, working for someone else isn't a bad deal as long as you're treated right )

Most folks spend the better part of their lives doin' what they gotta' do. I'd like to be able to do what I wanna' do while I'm still relatively young.