It was all about test-driv ing that Viper—surely on e or two would be in tow was no hotter car on the n. In the mid-’90s, there market; the Corvette fol ks got a little nervous when the So I set the course and Viper hit the streets. landed a valet job at a loc al high-end hotel. As spr waited for Derby weeke ing approached, I patien nd to arrive. When it did tly , the sweet rides began Not even a few hours int arriving at the hotel. o my shift on Derby eve , there it was: the covete As I cast my eyes on tha d, mirror-painted Viper. t beauty, I began to metho dic ally place myself in the from the veteran manag spot to grab the keys er. But, as I was about to learn, a very green, you ply get the right to valet ng, valet parker does no park a Viper; the right to t simpark the Viper is earned . Only veterans had the Not even a few hours authority to valet the Vip into my shift er. Harumph. I decided to stick around to earn on Derby eve, there it my stripes and hopefull y was: the park the Viper the follow ing year. And as they say, that was that. coveted, mirror-pain
Being Seasoned
ted Viper.
As I cast my eyes on th at beauty, I began to methodica lly place myself in the spot to gr ab the keys
You might wonder at wh at point a parking professional is considered a veteran. There are a number of ways to earn those stripes. One is by years; perhaps 20 is eno ugh to qualify for vetera n from the veteran man status. Another is by exp ager. erience. Have you ever set the ticket dispenser clock by turning the me chanical hour hands in Were you around when the front of the dispenser there were more mom? and -pops with cigar boxes tions? Maybe I earned the than professional organi title from working for five zaparking companies. It cou wearing a beeper to ide ld be that I remember ntify which valet car nee ded retrieval. Maybe the earned by parking cars veteran status badge wa at hotels, city garages, cam s pus lots, front yards, ho Maybe it was the year I spitals, and church lots. helped shuttle more tha n 1 million people. I wo in an RV with four other uld strongly argue that parking dudes for a weeke living nd parking cars at a hip own affords one the rig pie fest in Akron on its ht to be called a parking veteran. It’s hard to say parking cars in a cornfi . But having the high ho eld does not happen if the nor of basics are not first acquir ed. First things first.
Questions and Answ ers
One of the more perple xing positions new par king professionals need thing where the cars par to tackle is what to call k. Is it a garage, a parkin that g garage, a car park, a dec just love the ring to “ca k, or a facility? Don’t you r park,” though? A quick answer so we can move ent or employer calls it. along: Call it what your cliDo not sweat the small stuff. Most people will surely have no idea wh they really care, at least at you do all day, nor wi until they get a ticket. We ll know the truth. You wi which could include bei ll serve 20 separate rol ng a human resources es, agent, accountant, techn tainability expert. In my ician, planner, and/or sus humble opinion, the par king manager requires than most other indust a wider range of skill set ry positions. s Are you dependable, ded icated, and a visionary for your stakeholders? closely: Do not attempt Here is a big tip, so read to promote yourself by def am ing another company or front of your client or bos predecessor’s work in s. Most directors will tak e no value from it. A col avoids certain dinner inv lea gue recently told me he itations because their gue sts use their time togeth petition. Most of your clie er to defame their comnts do not care how bad ly the previous operator yours, own it. ran their facility. When it’s
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THE PARKING PROFESSIONAL | MARCH 2018 | PARKING.ORG /TPP