[Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver

[David Andrews]

If you can't afford cash you may have to barter with someone, 
offering some kind of service in return for driving.  Think 
creatively, talk to your sighted friends etc.

Dave

At 01:52 PM 12/8/2013, you wrote:
>I would like to know all that Chasity would like to know, plus, I read
>that their paid $10 per hour.
>
>Any suggestions on how an individual living off of SSI is supposed to
>come up with $10 per hour?
>Thank you,
>Michelle
>
>On 12/8/13, Chasity Jackson <chasityvanda at charter.net> wrote:
> > Hi David,
> >
> > Thank you for explaining how you find drivers. What service do you go
> > through to conduct a background check? I'm also a little confused on what
> > you said about the state considering the drivers limited term 
> employees. Why
> >
> > are the drivers hired through the state? Is that for work related 
> purposes I
> >
> > assume? You also mentioned that when you use them for personal reasons, you
> >
> > pay them yourself. Do you recommend that anyone who does this pay them the
> > same rate the state pays, or a comparable one?
> >
> > I hired a driver 7 years ago on craigslist. I did it by instinct and trust.
> >
> > He has worked out well and does great with local errands, but really does
> > not do trips that require farther travel. Should I find myself in 
> a position
> >
> > in the future to hire a driver for other travel, I would certainly like to
> > know where I can go to conduct a background check. And David, if you don't
> > mind, would you share with me or with us what an example of your ad
> > requesting a driver on craigslist would look like, as far as outlining the
> > duties?
> >
> > When I hired this particular driver about 7 years ago, it took a 
> few drivers
> >
> > before him until I found a good one. The few drivers before him were either
> >
> > unprofessional or asked too many probing questions, like how much was in my
> >
> > bank account, and how much I spent for certain things. So out the door they
> >
> > went!
> >
> > I'm glad this is being discussed, because I'm curious about how others hire
> >
> > their drivers.
> > Chasity
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Arielle Silverman
> > Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 9:50 PM
> > To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver
> >
> > So what do you guys do to find drivers for personal errands (not
> > work-related)? And how do you screen and interview them?
> >
> > I hired an old research assistant to help me with shopping and things
> > like that and it has worked out great, so I'd like to do it again when
> > I move to my next location. But I'm a little nervous about finding
> > someone I don't know who is safe and reliable.
> > How do you conduct background checks? And if you hire from CraigsList
> > what precautions do you take to make sure they're not scammers?
> > Arielle
> >
> > On 12/4/13, Elizabeth Campbell <batescampbell at charter.net> wrote:
> >> David,
> >> These are great suggestions. Thanks for sharing.
> >>
> >> Liz
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hyde,
> >> David
> >> W. (ESC)
> >> Sent: Wednesday, December 4, 2013 8:11 AM
> >> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> >> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver
> >>
> >> I too work with drivers. I use them for out-of-town travel for work, and
> >> I
> >> pay them myself for things that do not involve work. They are what the
> >> state
> >> calls limited term employees, and that means that they may not accrue
> >> more
> >> than 1040 hours of work in a year. They are paid about $10.00 per hour
> >> and
> >> can drive either a state car, or, if they choose their personal care
> >> about
> >> 35 cents per mile. If they need to stay overnight, the state picks up
> >> their
> >> hotel cost and meals as they do for mine.
> >>
> >> I agree with Elizabeth about background checks. We're required to do them
> >> anyway. To find them, I posted an add on Craig's list, outlining the
> >> duties,
> >> making it plain that this was not a full-time job, did not involve
> >> driving
> >> a
> >> truck and or delivering pizza and that their vehicle must be clean and in
> >> good repair. I screened the responses to make sure that they understand
> >> all
> >> of the things that the job was not. I interviewed candidates, and had a
> >> colleague walk through to give me an idea of their ability to be well
> >> groomed.
> >>
> >> What I have gotten are mostly retired individuals. This has worked out
> >> well.
> >> If I can help, please let me know.
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> >> Elizabeth
> >> Campbell
> >> Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2013 7:59 AM
> >> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> >> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver
> >>
> >> Hello all,
> >>
> >> I work with drivers on a regular basis to get to and from assignments out
> >> in
> >> the field. I find that working with a driver is more efficient than using
> >> fixed route, paratransit or taxis to travel to various locations. I have
> >> also trained my drivers to help me out with tasks which include assisting
> >> me
> >> when I need to interview someone who spoke during a city council meeting
> >> or
> >> in giving me details on what someone's home or office looks like.
> >> Several years ago, I wrote a proposal requesting that the newspaper pay
> >> the
> >> drivers since reporters are reimbursed for their mileage. This has worked
> >> quite well, even with our budget cuts. The drivers are considered as
> >> contract employees.
> >> One thing I would strongly advise anyone to do these days is to conduct a
> >> background check as safety is incredibly important. I let the those who I
> >> am
> >> interviewing know that a background check including their driving record
> >> will be conducted. No one has had a problem with that.
> >>
> >> Hope this helps.
> >>
> >> Liz
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Carly
> >> Mihalakis
> >> Sent: Wednesday, December 4, 2013 7:34 AM
> >> To: Blind Talk Mailing List; Blind Talk Mailing List
> >> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver
> >>
> >> Good morning, Mary,
> >>
> >> You ever considered Paratransit to accommodate rides for you? My partner
> >> and
> >> I have a standing order which, while it doesn't guarantee arriving on
> >> time,
> >> it will show up at a similar time each day to pick you up. And, the price
> >> of
> >> service is likely to fit snugly within everybody budget.
> >> fort today, Car
> >> 408-209-3239