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Why Choose Gulf Coast Limousines and FAQs
What types of vehicles does Gulf Coast Limousines utilize?
Gulf Coast Limousiness proudly features Cadillac vehicles. We have:
- Luxury Sedans (seating 4 passengers)
- Ultra Luxery Sedans (seating 4 passangers)
- Escalade ESVs(seating 6 passengers comfortably w/luggage)
- Stretch Limousine (seating 10 passangers comfortably)
 
- Vans (seating 12-15 passangers)
- Escalade Stretch Limousines (seating 15, manufactured by Krystal Enterprises)
- Limos Buses ranging in size from 14-33 passangers
What if the vehicle I want is not listed?
With the largest fleet on the west coast, there is virtually no vehicle that we cannot provide.
What colors are available in the GCL fleet?
All Gulf Coast Limousine vehicles are black, platinum (metallic silver) and white in color.
Why you should pick Gulf Coast Limousines
Simply put, GulfCoast Limousines has the newest and nicest fleet as well as the best trained chauffeurs. However, just showing up is not enough. We will do it right! We are obsessed with vehicle care and maintenance as well as customer service! You won't find a better limousine company anywhere - we guarantee it.
We have the highest standards and to date have never failed to show for a client or even been late!
Gulf Coast Limousines has the newest fleet in the area! GCL buys each vehicle new and our fleet is composed of all 2008 vehicles or newer. Many of our competitors will use vehicles that are three, four, or five years old or in some cases even older. These vehicles often have over 100,000 miles on them. This is extremely important because the last thing you want on your special day is to be in a vehicle that is over used or worn out. Imagine the horror of being stranded on the side of the road in a broken down limousine on your wedding day!
Gulf Coast Limousines has an extensive training program. All of our chauffeurs, without exception, must complete our training program. This includes but is not limited to:
1. 8 hours of video training by the best and most renowned leaders in the livery education industry.
2. 8 hours of intensive classroom training.
3. Practical chauffeur training covering all facets of the position from driving, service standards, emergency procedures, and quality control to vehicle care and maintenance and much more.
4. Check ride(s) by management.
5. Ride-alongs: New hires ride and observe our trainers in action with real customers.
6. Check ride along(s) – New hires are accompanied on their first runs to ensure quality control
7. Final check rides - no less than 4 members of management and/or the owners of the company will review the new hire’s performance in multiple and typical runs of no less than 5 hours.
8. Upon successful completion of all of the above, a new hire will be given the opportunity to chauffeur a GCL limousine but will be susceptible to random and periodic reviews by “mystery shoppers”.
Gulf Coast Limousines has the highest standards for driver qualifications. As shown above, our training program is second to none. You may be surprised to learn that limousine companies are not required to comply with DOT standards. GCL, however, not only does so voluntarily but also goes far beyond the acceptable standards. As an example of this, the DOT guidelines require companies to conduct annual drug testing. GCL voluntarily tests the company’s chauffeurs once a year and then goes beyond the DOT standard by testing each chauffeur two additional times each year. GCL also requires all chauffeurs to comply with the Jessica Lundsford Act.
Gulf Coast Limousines has full and complete insurance coverage. GCL not only maintains all the required commercial insurance coverages from top rated companies but also maintains many that are optional but prudent. We have no problem providing customers with a certificate of coverage.
Limo 101: Picking the Right Limousine & Company
We know that most customers will be getting quotes from several companies. Some of these customers will be seasoned veterans while others may be renting a limousine for the first time. For those less experienced limousine shoppers, we wanted to take this opportunity to pass along some common questions that might help you choose which limousine company is right for you.
Picking the Right Limousine
The term limousine can be used to mean many types of vehicles. They can be generally categorized as:
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Sedans(Seat 4) This is a car such as Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac DTS.
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SUVs(Seat 7) This is a SUV such as Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade.
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Stretch Sedans(Seat 8-10) This is a stretched Town Car or Chrysler.
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Vans and Shuttles (Seating 9-15) such as a Mercedes Sprinter or Ford
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Stretch SUVs(Seat 14-18) This is a stretched Navigator or Cadillac Escalade.
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Limo Coaches (Seat 8-20) This is a limousine version of a shuttle bus.
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Limo Buses (Seat 20-50) This is a limousine version of a standard bus.
How do you know which vehicle you will need or want?
This is the first and perhaps one of the most important questions
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How many passengers are in your party and is everyone going to fit? First, think about the type of occasion. For example, if the occasion is a wedding and the bride has a big princess dress, she would not want anyone to sit or step on the dress while traveling in the limo. For a situation such as this, be sure to think about how much space each person will need. The bride may want to count her dress as a second passenger to protect it.
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Think about the type of passengers you will be transporting. A sumo wrestling team will have different needs and size requirements than a middle school class. Limousine companies typically quote the number of permitted passengers in their vehicles based on guidelines from the manufacturer. Typically, the manufacturer quotes a gross weight on the vehicle which will be calculated based on a number of factors including the number of passengers, an average passenger weighing 150 pounds.
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What "setting" are you trying to create? Perhaps the passengers are a couple and they could fit comfortably in a sedan. However, this particular couple prefers the size, privacy and opulence of a stretch SUV. Some limousines such as the basic four passenger sedan do not traditionally have many extras. However, the stretch sedans many times will have an all black interior and come supplied with a fully stocked wet bar. The stretch SUVs traditionally come stocked with a complimentary wet bar, plasma TV screens, CD/DVD player, surround sound system, twinkle lights on the ceiling, and laser lights.
Picking the Right Limo Company
Things to consider when choosing a limousine company:
1. Inquire about the limousine company's affiliations with reputable organizations such as the National Limousine Association as well as the local Livery Association. Memberships with these organizations are an indication that you are dealing with a professional and reliable limousine company.
2. Inquire about the limousine company's insurance. A reputable limousine company will have the required commercial insurance coverage and, if asked, will have no problem providing the customer with a Certificate of Coverage.
3. Inquire about the limousine company's licenses and operating authority. Limousine and transportation companies are required to have authority to operate their vehicles from an operating authority. Limousine companies with such licenses are regulated and thus more likely to provide the consumer with satisfactory service.
4. Ask to see the vehicle you are interested in reserving. If you do not have the time to go and visit the limousine company's showroom in person, ask the company to email a photo of the vehicle. This will ensure that you will not end up getting an old rundown limousine in lieu of the new super stretch you were led to believe you would have. Be sure to check the year, make, and model as well as the amenities inside. A good limousine company will furnish a clean, high quality vehicle every time but many times a bad limousine company will play "bait and switch."
5. Do not book a limousine solely based on price. It is expensive to run a quality limousine service. Insurance is up 40% and gas is over $3 per gallon. The lowest quote you receive for a limousine service often comes from a company that cuts corners. "You get what you pay for" certainly applies when renting a limousine!
6. Inquire about the limousine's manufacturer. Many of the less expensive limousines in our market were produced by manufacturers that are out of business or that cut corners.
7. Inquire about the companies training program and the actual chauffeur that will be driving your limo.
8. Inquire about overtime charges and overtime availability. Many limousine companies will charge you a full hour even if your time runs 10 minutes over the contracted time. Be sure to ask if it is possible for the company to charge the overtime rate on 30 minute or hourly increments in the event of overtime. If your event ends early enough, most limousine companies will schedule subsequent jobs after your scheduled event. Because some events such as weddings are not always predictable, you may need the service longer than anticipated.
9. Ask for references. Inquire about evidence of the company’s performance from past clients. Excellent references from other customers will minimize the possibility of service problems.
10. What types of limousines do you offer? Inquire about the size of the limousine you are interested in. Limousine companies typically quote the number of permitted passengers in their vehicles based on guidelines from the manufacturer. Typically, the manufacturer quotes a gross weight on the vehicle which will be calculated on a number of factors including the number of passengers which is based on an average 150 pound passenger.
Why does GCL buy Krystal Limousines?
1. KRYSTAL ENTERPRISES -Now 25 years in business, is the world's largest manufacturer of stretch limousines and a top producer of professional vehicles and luxury mid-size buses. Krystal has earned its unrivaled reputation in the transportation industry for its legendary commitment to quality and safety.
2. A REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE- Krystal dedicates itself to a standard of excellence in innovative design and customer satisfaction, however, Krystal takes the greatest pride in the safety of its vehicles. Krystal was the first limousine manufacturer to conduct and pass certified crash tests for vehicle safety after conversion.
3. KRYSTAL TODAY- Today, Krystal Enterprises is a $175 million dollar company in Brea, California, with over 800 employees producing over 2,000 vehicles a year. Krystal operates out of three state-of-the-art facilities, an ultra-modern 275,000-square-foot building being the largest, using only the most cutting edge of vehicle conversion technology. Regardless of its rigorous growth, Krystal will always remain loyal to building a superior and safe vehicle.
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