Thinking about starting a shuttling service

[zoidfu]

A couple of weeks ago I picked up the guy from this thread and his friend-

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...+grove+furnace

It went well other than his plane being delayed by an hour and I had a good time talking with them. Anyway, it got me thinking about doing this more and the pitfalls that go along with it. I work 3rd shift so I'd have a good chance of being available during the day all week.

I live about a half hour from the Doyle. Is that too far? I live about 3 minutes from the Harrisburg Intl. Airport. Basically, I have no idea what it takes to be a good shuttleman(or whatever you call it) and I'm looking for some of the experienced people to chime in.

So-
What is a fair rate to charge?
Would I be poaching someone else's territory? Should I care?
Any bad experiences?
What other considerations are there?

[bloodmountainman]

Do this at your convience. Do it because you enjoy it and want to meet new people and possibly make some new friends. Once you try to make a "job" out of this service it will sour over time. The pitfalls will become many.
I have moved people on and off the trail and have never set a rate to charge. Hikers are grateful (mostly) for the help and nine times out of ten, they will pay a fair amount for your troubles. Sometimes you get burned, but in my experience, it is not often.

[Dances with Mice]

Call your insurance company and tell them you're considering hauling paying passengers in your vehicle. Then make your decision.

[YeOldeBackpacker]

Don't forget your Dept of Revenue license in PA. you are now running a Business in PA. and will be taxed for it.

[Lone Wolf]

So-
What is a fair rate to charge?
Would I be poaching someone else's territory? Should I care?
Any bad experiences?
What other considerations are there?

at least $1 per mile
"territory"? no. you shouldn't care
the only bad experiences i've had are with the thru-hiker types. they're cheapskates and are rarely ready to go at the agreed upon time

[bloodmountainman]

Call your insurance company and tell them you're considering hauling paying passengers in your vehicle. Then make your decision.

Just one of the many pit-falls. This is a biggie!

[zoidfu]

Call your insurance company and tell them you're considering hauling paying passengers in your vehicle. Then make your decision.

Good call. I never even thought of that.

[zoidfu]

Don't forget your Dept of Revenue license in PA. you are now running a Business in PA. and will be taxed for it.

I'll tell you when I'm running a business

[Lone Wolf]

Good call. I never even thought of that.

here goes any $$ you'll make

[ki0eh]

Don't forget PUC registration. They've been clamping down on the folks who drive the Amish around. http://www.puc.state.pa.us/transport...tor_index.aspx

And further rain on the parade, I'd bet HIA wants a cut too if you pick up directly - the cops there are so bored they'd surely notice the same car coming around time and again. Maybe cut a deal with Cramer's if they're still in business by the time all this legalese gets figured out.

[ed bell]

Good call. I never even thought of that.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you won't like what the insurance company quotes you. From there, it all boils down to how much of a risk you think you are taking on.

[McKeever]

at least $1 per mile
"territory"? no. you shouldn't care
the only bad experiences I've had are with the thru-hiker types. they're cheapskates and are rarely ready to go at the agreed upon time

Do you think $1 is the average rate per loaded mile (hikers on-board) or for round trip mileage too? For example, 30 miles to the trail head is a 60 mile trip for the service provider. Should the provider charge $30 or $60? Is a flat fee customary or per person fee? My wife and I are doing a lot of sections this year and would like to know what to expect. I hope my questions help with the original post too for setting expectations for fees.

[zoidfu]

Ok........... scratch that idea. What a pain in the ass.

[Lone Wolf]

Ok........... scratch that idea. What a pain in the ass.

just say it's a donation.

[Ox97GaMe]

Another thing to consider is any licenses/permits you might be required to get if you are going into a National Forest or National Park trailhead.

Also check about any rules even if you are doing a 'donation' type shuttle. If you print up fliers, post in the AT publications, or make it known that you are 'available for service', that may count as 'being in business'. If you arent doing this sort of advertising, then you will find yourself hanging out at trail heads and hoping that hikers are willing to pay you to drive them around from there.

[bigcranky]

The final call will be your insurance company. For Hire rates are very expensive. And if you are doing it "for donation" and you have an accident, do you really expect your customer to lie to the insurance investigator to save your butt?

[zoidfu]

The final call will be your insurance company. For Hire rates are very expensive. And if you are doing it "for donation" and you have an accident, do you really expect your customer to lie to the insurance investigator to save your butt?

Yes.

[ki0eh]

I really do wish someone would take this bull by the horns in the Harrisburg area and offer a recognized service. It's the #1 question to the SATC website and pretty high among the real queries posted to WB too.

(Just in case folks are wondering what answer I give, it's either "look at the shuttle list on the ATC website" or "call the Doyle", not necessarily in that order.)

[Lone Wolf]

The final call will be your insurance company. For Hire rates are very expensive. And if you are doing it "for donation" and you have an accident, do you really expect your customer to lie to the insurance investigator to save your butt?

so if kincora catches fire and people die the owner is not responsible cuz it's donation only? and not up to fire codes?

[Cabin Fever]

so if kincora catches fire and people die the owner is not responsible cuz it's donation only? and not up to fire codes?

It's probably the thru hikers that started the fire to begin with.