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AN INTERVIEW WITH LAWRENCE SHEPARD - A CHAUFFEUR

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Lawrence Shepard has been a chauffeur for McPherson Enterprises, Limited in Towson, Maryland, since 1996. He has an AA in general studies from Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas, and military police training from his previous career in the U.S. Army.

How Lawrence Shepard Got Started

"I was attracted to this position by the pay, $35,000 per year, and I like to drive and see various places. I had taken defensive driving courses in the military for police work so I was qualified. "I found my job through a help wanted ad I saw in the Baltimore Sun. My boss asked me if I had any administrative knowledge when I interviewed. My job involves more than just being a chauffeur. I had plenty of experience, from being a platoon sergeant in the army and from writing police-type reports in the military. I also was a recruiter for a while and ran an office in Baltimore, giving me complete knowledge of the Baltimore and D.C. areas. My last job at the Pentagon for the army was on General Colin Powell's personal security team. I knew how to run all types of different computer systems and software, a good fit for my current boss's needs. You have to be versatile or present yourself as versatile to fit."



What the Job's Really Like

I am responsible for driving up to three cars, and seeing that the general maintenance gets completed. I do a lot of driving between Baltimore, Richmond, Virginia, the Washington, D.C. area, and Northern Virginia.

A typical day is to be on the road by 4:45 A.M. on my way to my boss's house. From his house, we either go back to the office or head to our first appointment.

We have a full office set up in the car so, while he is on appointments, I am on the computer retrieving items needed for the next appointment or working on correspondence for various appointments. So, in addition to driving, I also get to do on-the-spot administrative-type work. We have a laptop, printer, and fax, so I can accomplish these tasks.

I also am responsible for reading several publications to glean information regarding potential clients. In addition, I research various companies to determine the true owner and the value of the company and its annual income.

My boss is a financial/estate planner. He also sells insurance and does very detailed tax planning. He does this work primarily for people who have significant wealth. Before he hired me, he spent too much time driving between appointments and not getting anything else done. Now he can work in the back of the car while I drive.

My boss's appointments generally last about an hour and a half or so and finish up for the day around 3:00 or 3:30 P.M., at which time I transport him home. I then get home between 6:30 and 7:00 P.M.

My boss travels out of the area a lot, so some days when he's gone, I help around the office doing whatever needs to be done. I also check his house while he is on vacation or at a convention.

To me, the days are laid back and relaxed, especially com-pared to my military career. But some days the driving can be hectic. The roads, expressways, and beltways in the Baltimore-Washington-Northern Virginia area are bumper to bumper during rush hours. So we have to plan my boss's appointments wisely. This is why we start so early. Our first appointment is usually at 7:00 A.M.

I never get bored because I always find something to do. The people I meet are very interesting and most are entrepreneurs' self-made millionaires.

When my boss is out of town I generally get to the office by 8:00 A.M. and leave by 2:00 or 3:00 P.M. because there just isn't that much to do. But, when he is there I work about fifty to sixty hours per week. It all averages out to about forty hours per week.

I like the driving the most as I get to see a lot of the nation's capital and meet interesting clients. Plus, I am by myself and only have to worry about what I'm doing right or wrong and not forty to fifty people, like I had to do in the military. I am only responsible for myself, my own work, and ensuring that my boss gets to his destinations safely.

But I don't like coming home during rush hour because it takes way longer than it should. My boss used to live forty-five minutes from my home. Now he lives two hours away. I don't like getting home later than 5:00 P.M. because I umpire baseball and coach the local high school wrestling team in my spare time.

"I'm retired from the military and I'm just trying to have fun now. I don't want to do anything dangerous, like being a police officer in Baltimore. I really enjoy my work."

Expert Advice

You'll need to know how to drive a big car and how to drive well and safely. If possible, you should take some driving courses. Any type of past taxi driving or delivery driving could be helpful. This would give you a general idea of the area and how to get around.

"You should be courteous, patient, prompt, and willing to provide service with a smile. Nothing is the boss's fault; it's always yours, even though you know it isn't."

INTERVIEW

Artemio Gonzalez, Jr.

Personal Chauffeur

Artemio Gonzalez, Jr., has been a chauffeur for CAI Advisors in New York City since 1992.

How Artemio Gonzalez, Jr., Got Started

I was out of work for a year. A friend of mine knew one of the drivers for the company and said they were looking for someone. I drove for my employer for three months before I was hired permanently.

What the Job's Really Like

The job is, at times, lonely. My duties are to pick up my employer at 7:30 A.M., or earlier if he's going to a meeting. I finish around 6:00 P.M. but sometimes, if he goes to dinner or the theater or opera, I finish about 10:00 or 12:00 P.M.

I spend a typical day patiently waiting in my car. I don't even go up to the office to relax or use the bathroom.

Sometimes I enjoy being alone, with no one bothering me. But I would like to be more active. I feel that my other talents are being wasted. The reason I stay is because the money is good and I do get a lot of free time. Also my boss is a nice guy and treats me well.

The biggest problem I have with this job is the lack of a permanent schedule. You never know what hours you're going to be working. If you're in a relationship, it will suffer if you don't have an understanding wife or girlfriend. I have lost a few girlfriends because I could never give them the quality time they deserved.

I am in the process of starting a mail-order business from the car. With all that free time, why not? With the help of a laptop, I am setting everything up. I hope my website will be up and running soon.

I do get some perks, like going to big functions and seeing people socialize and having fun, or getting to drive right up on the runway at the airport.

But I wish they would establish a place where all chauffeurs could use a clean bathroom, relax, and converse with one another. Also, the lack of exercise is a big problem. I have gained fifty pounds in the seven years that I have worked at this job.

I normally work around fifty to seventy hours a week. During the holidays it may be more. There's a lot of stress on this job and high blood pressure because of it. You worry about getting tickets, getting stopped by cops, getting the car towed, always looking over your shoulder, wondering if you're going to get car-jacked or held up or tons of other things, such as avoiding accidents. I must avoid at least ten a day.

"I do want to move on but I won't make what I am making now in a new job. I earn more than $35,000 a year."

Expert Advice

You must have patience and expect not to make a great deal of money right away. You must have good driving skills and be able to think ahead to avoid a potential problem on the road.

To get started, it helps to know someone. Or you could get lucky and find the right job advertised in the newspaper. Usually, though, a person recommends another person for a personal chauffeur position.

"To work for a car service or hired chauffeurs by the hour, just go to the companies and apply."

Information on licensing and registration of taxi drivers and chauffeurs is available from offices of local governments that regulate taxicabs.
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