Ground transport

For a club show, ground transport is usually four rides, and in most deals the promoter provides them. Each needs a time, a pickup point, a destination, the driver’s name and mobile number, and the vehicle.

Example

A flight lands at 14:35. With hand luggage inside Schengen, the artist is usually out in about 30 minutes; with a checked record bag or passport control, allow 45–60. Coming from Vienna into London means passport control, so the pickup goes on the day sheet at 15:20, at the arrivals exit, with the driver following the flight number. The venue ride leaves the hotel at 00:15 for a set from 01:00 to 03:00, and the ride back is at 03:30, half an hour after the set ends.

What to watch for

• A pickup before the landing is a classic on draft day sheets. Behind it there’s usually a time converted into the wrong zone.
• The driver needs the flight number, so a delay moves the pickup by itself.
• The driver is sober, rested and on duty. A friend of the promoter who offers a lift at 04:00 after a night in the club is none of those.
• If nobody is at arrivals after 15 minutes, the artist takes a taxi and sends the receipt. Put that fallback in the advance.
• “Promoter provides ground transport” includes the ride to the airport the next day. Write it down.
• Driver phone numbers are in the advance at least three days before the show.