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Taking a ride with A&A Limousine Service

For Bethlehem resident Tom Brady, getting to the Philadelphia International Airport on time is one thing this frequent flier does not have to think about.

That is the job of A&A Limousine Service driver Ed Vermillion, of Bethlehem.

On Oct. 22, Vermillion called Brady and confirmed the flight information and pickup time at Brady’s Bethlehem home.

A&A and Brady allowed The Press to tag along to uncover the ins and outs of the limousine business.

Brady said he has used the services of A&A several times and “every trip has been awesome.”

A trip to the MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. for the New York Jets/Philadelphia Eagles game recently stood out from the others.

“I had one of the most memorable, best times of my life,” Brady said. He explained he took his young son to the game in an A&A limousine and the last half hour of the ride was very special.

“I will never go to another professional football game any other way,” Brady said.

While riding to the airport in a limo, Brady is able to work on his computer and make telephone calls while the driver handles the transportation for the trip.

In the winter, Vermillion drives 4-wheel drive and front wheel drive vehicles and is always in tune with road conditions and airline delays.

Just like the movie “Home Alone,” Vermillion said he has arrived to pick up passengers who are still asleep as well as those who have forgotten items such as identification.

Trips to the airport are very popular. Customers hire a limo because they want to arrive safely and on time.

A&A staff and drivers monitor flights for drop off and pick up times and all customers have a cellphone number for the driver.

Vermillion has been driving with A&A since 2000.

“I love meeting people from all over the world,” Vermillion said. He remembers once driving an Indonesian woman who wanted him to pull over in a golf course so she could walk in frost.

Even though A&A is a corporation, it is still a family business and one of the largest limousine companies in the state. A&A stands for affordable and accommodating.

Located on a large corner lot in Northampton, many of their customers know their location as Kopper Penny Corner which used to be a drive-in/ice cream store in the mid-to late 1970s. A&A recently purchased 18 acres adjacent to their existing property. There are no immediate plans for the additional land at this time.

A&A began over 20 years ago by Dan Trinkle as a very small company in Lehighton with one car. Trinkle has been a successful businessman for over 40 years. He owned Dan Trinkle’s Auto Mall in Lehighton, a very successful used car business which moved to Northampton and is still in business today. As the president of the company, Trinkle comes in every day and oversees the day-to-day operations of the business. Trinkle will go out and wash the vehicles if it is needed.

In Northampton since 1999, the business has grown to over 50 vehicles, 45 drivers and 15 employees in this 24/7 operation.

General Manager Bryan Beale said the most popular trips are those for nights out, weddings, proms, sporting events and concerts.

Manager Tara Webber, Trinkle’s daughter, has worked with her dad since she was 13. She has been his number one “go-to” person for the last 25 years.

“We recently added buses to our fleet,” Beale said. “We are still providing luxury transportation as well as general transportation for weddings, funerals, bachelor and bachelorette parties and private groups.”

A party bus holds 26 passengers and allows people to walk around and talk.

The buses handle large groups traveling to New York, Lancaster and other locations.

“When considering a limo, book with an established company who is financially sound,” Beale said. “Our rates are competitive and we provide excellent service.”

Beale said the business has tripled in the last 12 years as they offer around-the-clock travel. “We are busy 12 months a year. Winter used to be slow, but not anymore.

“We customize the service according to the customer’s needs. There are no minimum number of hours to rent,” Beale said.

A&A is responsible for driving some of Hollywood’s biggest stars when they come to town to perform at the Sands Event Center. Some of those celebrities include Jay Leno, Jack Hanna, Smokey Robinson, Rick Springfield, Howie Mandel, George Lopez and Larry the Cable Guy.

“Seventy-five percent of our customers are repeat customers.”

Beale said A&A is very involved in the community with donations to the Northampton Area School District and others. They placed six vehicles in the Northampton Halloween Parade Oct. 22. Following the parade, A&A held a pig roast for the employees and their families.

“We treat everyone with VIP service because everyone is a VIP. We treat our customers like they are family. We are very proud to be rated the best limo service six years in row by the Morning Call’s Readers’ Choice.”

A&A drivers have a full background check including criminal history, drug testing and a clean driving record.

Many hires are referrals from other drivers.

“I’m proud of our drivers,” Beale said.

Beale said A&A is always looking for drivers as the business continues to grow.

“The ideal driver has a professional appearance, clear English-speaking, prompt, dependable, flexible in their working hours, is customer-focused, has good communications skills and has a safe clean driving record,” Beale said.

Beale said drivers attend a two-day driving course provided by AAA.

All drivers are held to federally mandated standards including time logs and distance traveled.

All vehicles are safety checked and have GPS tracking devices.

Any GPS would report Vermillion got Brady to the airport early and right to the departures section of the airport. Brady did not need to park his car and walk to the departing flights.

“I would recommend using A&A Limousine Service without question,” Brady said. “I have already.”

A&A Limousine Service was the winner of a recent advertising contest. For more information, contact A&A at 610-261-3838 or 800-281-5911.

PRESS PHOTO BY DEBBIE GALBRAITHFrequent flier Tom Brady stands with A&A limo driver Ed Vermillion in front of the Philadelphia International Airport Oct. 22.