The only thing worse than a bad actor is an actor who thinks they're a good actor

Bad Actors

Normally, we tend to hear the term bad actors in reference to data breaches or Hollywood B Movies.  However, there are bad actors everywhere.  Yep...even in ground transportation.  So today, I would like to take a moment to share a few tips to help you recognize some of those that pollute the limo industry and maybe help you and your family stay safe in your future travels.First of all, don't take your safety for granted.  The convenience of TNCs (transportation network companies) often pushes safety to the back seat.  And while most TNC drivers are probably fine, many probably shouldn't be driving for the public.  Heck...many shouldn't be driving at all.  However, the vetting process for drivers does not include any skill evaluation or safety training.  Another - and more commonly known safety concern - is being aware of predators.  Uber users have been targets for years.  Bad actors will drive along looking for inattentive victims...typically people standing on the sidewalk looking like they're expecting an Uber.  Most users are smart enough by now and check their app for the driver's location, or for the identifiers in the vehicle.  But a bad actor tries to take advantage of distracted people, so make sure to pay attention.  Also, don't just jump in the first vehicle that pulls up.  Ask that driver to verify who he is picking up!  And as a final safety warning, verify that the driver on the app is the driver behind the wheel.  It is not unheard of for drivers to share their phones with people that aren't approved by the TNC.

One thing Uber and Lyft have contributed to the travel space (besides confusion) is an abundance of newly minted "limo companies".  The backstory isn't as important as the result, which is a glut of people who identify as legitimate car services without actually doing the work.  This is actually quite an easy feat; print out some fancy business cards, build a website full of fictional history and stock vehicle pictures, and voila!!!  You are a limo company.  You may know someone who has taken this path.  I wouldn't be surprised. I am a member of several social media information sharing groups, and frequently witness dialog where people are looking for transportation services; to airports, Downtown Chicago, or venues around the area.  Besides the usual word of mouth advertisements for various services in  the area, I see recommendations for "this guy (insert name here) that lives in the neighborhood".  Their glowing recommendations are always the same...always on time...great driver...hard working, but these are characteristics of the guy and not qualifications of a service.  Squeezing a pimple on your forehead doesn't make you a dermatologist, serving on a jury doesn't someone a lawyer, and doing your own taxes doesn't mean you should open up an accounting firm.  Following the same logic, owning a car and driving people around doesn't make someone a legitimate transportation service.  So why does it make a difference?  Let's discuss...

That nice guy (let's call him Joe) you use to go to the airport, maybe he drives for a TNC sometimes, or maybe he just runs his own gig.  But here's the first thing to look for - commercial license plates.  Livery and taxi plates can only be legally obtained by a legal corporate entity.  It's not a "guarantee" that their legality is up-to-date, but it does show some effort so it's likely they're good.  If your guy has private plates, there is a chance he's operating illegally.  So how does that affect YOU, right?  You're just looking for a ride, and Joe is a nice guy...hard working...reliable...etc.  Well, it's possible....no...pretty likely Joe isn't insured for public transportation.  If Joe isn't displaying public transportation plates, he's not insured to perform that service.  AND...if Joe is involved in an accident and you or a family member is injured, Joe's insurance will not be much help to you.  First, he is most likely paying for the state minimum coverage, which won't get you too far past the emergency room, but more importantly, Joe's personal auto coverage doesn't cover his (now exposed) commercial venture.  This will hit YOUR wallet, unless you, or Joe, or some combination of you and Joe, wish to dabble in insurance fraud.  Sticking with legal entities just makes good sense.  

Accountability is also something you should be looking for.  I'll leave Joe out of this one for now.  But ANY company you use for transportation should be accountable for the service they provide and any issues that arise in association with that service.  Many bad actors that operate small companies work out of their vehicles.  There's nothing necessarily wrong with this. although the lack of a base of operations is in some ways a convenient hole to hide in.  And for those who are not aware, there is an entire network of bad actors operating behind these "front-facing" companies, connected to one another by various tools like text apps and WhatsApp.  These backroom operators wait for jobs to be posted in a group by other "companies" at a discounted rate (of course), and grab what fits their needs.  So, let's say Joe (sorry...I can't leave this guy alone today) has overbooked himself.  He will tell you that he has a friend who can fill in for him.  Then he posts your information on one or more sites until someone grabs it for him. Joe will let you believe he's accountable, but if something breaks bad, Joe will not be responsible. Your calls to Joe will probably go answered, and Joe may avoid driving by your house for a while.  If you're ever curious whether you're dealing with a legitimate company, you only need to ask one question..." can I visit your office sometime?"  your answer will flow from there.

My final bad actor story hits close to home for OML.  Over the years there have been MANY bad actors who have attempted (and continue to) profit off of our name.  As I have explained in the past, due to reasons that probably should be explained by a lawyer (or someone who's at least served on a jury), we could not trademark the name O'Hare-Midway, or any truncated version of O'Hare-Midway Limousine Service.  We were only able to trademark O'Hare-Midway Limousine Service, Inc., which is is a quite lengthy moniker to be sure, and not search engine friendly.  However, it was fine for a while.  As time wore on though, bad actors realized they could benefit from identifying various adaptations of our name that people would likely use when searching for us, first in the phone book (remember those?) and later using internet search tools.  O'Hare Midway Limo, O'Hare Midway Chicago,  O'Hare Midway Limousine Company, or any other variation of the two airport names probably exists at this point, and to this day we continue to get calls from people that Google one of these variations and end up dealing with an imposter.  It usually becomes evident when their credit cards are billed ridiculous amounts for transportation, or when their driver shows up in jeans and flip-flops.  We've attempted to stop these individuals, but it is like pulling weeds; you dig up one, and three take its place.  And since it's unlawful to use herbicides on people, we ultimately made the decision to rebrand, which is where OML Worldwide Transportation came from.  Same company...less imposters.  However, if you ever try to reach us by phone and the person on the other end answers "limousine service" or just "service", hang up immediately.  If they don't use their name, it's because they are impersonating multiple entities.  Your safety and your dollars are at risk.

Bad actors will come and go, usually one step ahead of the law.  We can't stop them.  But please remember that for nearly 70 years, O'Hare-Midway Limousine Service, Inc. has been a trusted partner for private and corporate transportation services in and around the Chicagoland area.  We have been providing safe and reliable transportation for generations of travelers...here...and anywhere they may need us.  That is not an act...it's a FACT!

Thank you for your continued loyalty!

Dale SchahczinskiChief Operating Officer