http://www.9and10news.com/Spots/Pub/coastline/4620-0110.wmv

The short answer is 20% of the fare,  however..

While it is true most drivers depend on tips for upwards of 50% of their take home pay, that fact should not take a backseat to rewarding good service with a nice gratuity, tip beyond 20%, say target $5 as your minimum.

Remember, most drivers are NOT paid an hourly wage. Their base wage comes from a percentage of their fares  usually around 40%. So drivers normally average between $40 and $100 from tips in addition to what is normally around $80 base wage.

Not much when you consider others involved in the transaction of using transportation  here like a doorman (the chap who loads you at the Hotel) can average between 30 and 60 chances at a tip per HOUR. Hotel Doorman and Valets can do easily earn double or triple what a driver can from tips and they are not out risking their lives to do so. Doorman are not even licensed. Hotel employees also earn a hourly wage between $8 and $12 depending on seniority and enjoy excellent benefits and perks.

Generally, A drivers gets paid only when they are actually doing their jobs and the tires are turning. Most drivers have no benefits or equity stakes.

So the question how much to tip a driver? is minimum $3 in my opinion. Unless one feels they were truly not given value for their money using a specific service one should always tip accordingly.

In the end, tipping is not really about the other party, it is about YOU and your connection to Life. If you are cheap, or think you can slide by in Life, that attitude and those actions will return to you always. If you are not happy, maybe part of the reason is you are not fully engaged with life. Give more and you will get more.

Enjoy your ride and thanks for choosing Coastline Transportation, LLC

I’ve managed to spend most of my life living and working/driving in places that tend to get  snow every year, from the snow covered roads of Central lower Michigan to the lake effect infested NW Lower Michigan region and several highways in between.  Over the years I’ve picked up a few winter driving tips from personal experience,  family and friends that have proven to be handy when I’ve ventured out into the snowy wilds.

Given that many of us will be loading up the vehicle sometime this winter, I’ve assembled a list of winter driving tips and dropped them into a 10 Tips for Safe Winter Driving article.

If you have any winter driving tips of your own — or would like to comment on the ones I’ve provided — just click on the “comments”.

1. Snow Removal
It’s an obvious tip, but arguably the most important. If your vehicle has been covered in snow and ice while parked, spend a few extra minutes completely clearing your windows and removing snow and ice from your roof. We’ve all seen cars driving around during winter months with drivers peering out of tiny peepholes on their mostly covered windshields, which is an accident just waiting to happen.
Clear windows will obviously help you see better (especially important in limited visibility winter conditions) while a clean roof will prevent large clumps of snow and ice from breaking off and striking the vehicle behind you, which could make a dangerous driving situation even more so.

2. Snow Tires and Rims
If you live (or will be traveling through) an area that tends to see substantial amounts of snow and ice during the winter months, you should consider getting snow tires for the season. If you can afford it, I’d recommend purchasing a dedicated snow tire and wheel package, which makes it easy to store your winter tires in the summer months and a snap to switch them in the winter when you need them.

3. Check the Battery
Cold weather always places extra demands on vehicle batteries, so regular checks of your battery are a must. There are several ways to test a battery charge level, and most auto parts stores sell car battery testers for less than $20.

4. Slow Down, Drive Smoothly
Most modern minivans and front wheel drive vehicles are equipped with a full suite of extra safety features, from anti-lock brakes to traction control and stability control. While these features can help in a pinch, they can’t take the place of driving slowly and cautiously in slippery winter weather conditions. Slowing down and driving smoothly will give you better vehicle control and more time to react to dangerous situations.

5. Check and Fill Fluids
Before you take that big winter road trip, it’s always a good idea to check the following vehicle fluid levels:

    * motor oil
    * antifreeze
    * brake fluid
    * power steering fluid
    * washer fluid
    * transmission fluid

It’s also important to keep your gas tank full, for several reasons: to minimize condensation, to give your vehicle some extra weight (which can help with traction on some surfaces) and to give you a safe reserve of gasoline. Driving in winter conditions often takes more time, and that extra fuel reserve can come in handy when you’re stuck in traffic miles away from a filling station.

6. Pack Extra Supplies
It’s always a good idea to pack a first aid kit in your vehicle. It makes even more sense to pack some blankets and some extra food and water during winter months as well. If you ever get stuck, having those blankets and some extra food/water will help keep you and your loved ones warm and comfortable until help arrives. A cell phone (with a spare battery and car charger) is a must for winter travel as well.

7. Using Tire Chains
Some locations have especially severe winters, and the use of tire chains is sometimes a must. Be sure you know how to install the chains properly on your vehcile before leaving on any winter trip. Driving with chains usually requires that you limit your speed to under 25-30 mph or less. Tire chain usage guidelines can vary by location, so check with your local state department of transportation for more information.

8. Watch for Bridges and Overpasses
Bridges and overpasses freeze faster than other roadways, making them especially dangerous during the winter months. Slow down and drive carefully when crossing them, especially under high wind conditions.

9. Carry an Extra Key
Locking yourself out of your own vehicle is never a feat to be proud of, but doing so in sub-zero weather conditions can be dangerous as well. I always carry an extra car key in my pocket (or in my wallet) during winter months to be on the safe side.

10. Use the Radio
Keep your car radio tuned to local weather stations or th  National Weather Service for updates on winter weather conditions in your area. Learning about upcoming weather changes and road conditions before you encounter them can help make your journey a safe and comfortable one.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience Northwest Michigan and wanted to go wine tasting with a designated driver, then kick back in the air-conditioned comfort of our passenger van for a fun-filled scenic tour of local wineries and attractions. We’ll visit several wineries on the Leelanau or Old Mission Peninsula, where you’ll enjoy the hospitality of the vintners and have the opportunity to taste and purchase their wines. Along the way, we just might stop at a scenic vista or out-of-the-way attraction so our guests can enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan Wine Country.

Our goal : We want you and your friends to take part in a complete wine tasting “experience” that leaves you not only with great memories, but increases your knowledge of the wines and wine-growing region of northwest Michigan.

Fall  is a time of changing leaves, football and cooler weather. It is also, unfortunately, a time of some pretty dangerous driving. Across most of the country, as warmer air treks South, changes in driving conditions can occur rapidly.
This weather can affect you, your vehicle and your safety. Here are a few things you should understand about fall weather so your not left unprepared.

Preparation is the Key!Before you travel, do a quality pre-trip and make sure your brakes, tires, lights and wipers are ready for whatever the weather throws at you.

Be Aware:

• Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice. If it’s been raining, watch for patches of wet leaves in the road.
• Watch for deer. In Michigan rural areas, fall is hunting season. Many more deer will be crossing roadways.
• Time to “fall back,” not asleep. On the fourth Sunday in October, clocks are turned back one hour. That change affects your body’s internal clock. Crashes due to drowsy drivers are more frequent during the first weeks after the time change. You are likely to be fatigued until your body has adjusted to the time change. You may be commuting in the dark more frequently, which you haven’t done in six months.

As the days grow shorter, prepare yourself by being well rested. This gives you the best defense against fatigue while driving especially at night and affords you the optimum reaction time should you encounter any challenges on your journey.

The ultimate goal is to welcome you and provide a professional service that is reliable, relaxing, and committed to your needs.

Personal Statement:

Jim’s top standards in service are reliability, integrity and sustainable practices. He thrives in an environment that is structured and busy. His background in customer service the past twenty years working for a variety of discliplines has enabled him to be a compassionate provider and find the fulfillment and joy in others.

His second standard is customer service. He is committed to taking care of his customers in a reliable and safe manner. He has found that communication allows everything to flow smoother than an environment in chaos.

The driving force in Jim’s sustainable work has been that celebrations of life allow us to freeze time and honor meaningful milestones. If we don’t mark these milestones, then they risk going away forever. It is this belief, coupled with Jim’s very parallel feeling about the need for service that sparked his idea for Coastline Transportation, a company that combines superb service in private and commercial applications.

Jim & his family live in beautiful Manistee, MI. In Jim’s spare time he is a paid on call firefighter and enjoys coaching boys basketball and youth soccer.

Contact Coastline Transportation
Phone: (231) 398-0360
Fax: (360) 285-8130
Email: manager@coastlinetransportation.com

NON EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION (NEMT):  Transportation to or from any medical service for the purpose of receiving treatment and/or medical evaluation.

LOADED MILEAGE: The distance traveled by a motor vehicle while transporting a client from a pickup point to a drop-off point.

UNLOADED MILEAGE:  The distance traveled by a motor vehicle to the point of pickup of the passenger AND/OR from the point of drop-off of the passenger.

TRAVEL TIME: Driving time for a motor vehicle from the point of departure to the location of destination

ACCESSIBILITY:  The extent to which vehicles, are barrier-free and can be used by people who have disabilities, including wheelchair users.

CURB-TO-CURB SERVICE: A common designation for paratransit services. The transit vehicle picks up and discharges passengers at the curb or driveway in front of their home or destination. In curb-to-curb service the driver does not assist the passenger along walks or steps to the door of the home or other destination.

EMPLOYMENT TRANSPORTATION: Transportation specifically designed to take passengers to and from work or work-related activities.

OPERATING COSTS: Non-capital costs associated with operating and maintaining a transportation service, including labor, fuel, administrative and maintenance

PARATRANSIT: Types of passenger transportation that are more flexible than conventional fixed-route transit but more structured than the use of private automobiles. Most often refers to wheelchair-accessible, demand-response van service.

TRIP: A one-way movement of a person or vehicle between two points.

CHARTER SERVICE: A vehicle hired for exclusive use that does not operate over a regular route, on a regular schedule. (FTA1)

A commercial passenger vehicle trip not scheduled, but specially arranged. The charter contract normally commits the carrier to furnish the agreed to transportation service at a specified time between designated locations. (FHWA2)

Service – Integrity – Reliability

The service of Coastline Transportation in N.W. Lower Michigan is an unmatched amenity. From arranging the smallest details of everyday life to a once in a lifetime event, Coastline Transportation becomes your personal luxury.

Coastline Transprotation is a fairly new concept in personal & professional service in Michigan. Please see the service menu for more information.

Affiliations & Education

     * Michigan Association of Transportation Systems (MASSTrans)

     * Ludington Area Chamber of Commerce

     * Benzie County Chamber of Commerce

     * Access 2 Care

     * Amercian Disability Installations

     * Bachelor of Arts, Alma College 1990