This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2011)

This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2010)

Valet parking offered at a Burger King restaurant in Mexico City

Valet parking is a parking service offered by some restaurants, stores, and other businesses, particularly in North America. In contrast to "self-parking", where customers find a parking space on their own, customers' vehicles are parked for them by a person called a valet. This service either requires a fee to be paid by the customer or is offered free of charge by the establishment.

Explanation[link]

A valet is usually an employee of the establishment, or an employee of a third party valet service. When there is a fee, it is usually either a flat amount or a fee based on how long the car is parked. It is customary in the United States to tip the valet who actually parks the car. Valet parking is most often offered (and is most useful) in urban areas, where parking is scarce, though some upscale businesses offer valet parking as an optional service, even though self-parking may be readily available. For example, in wealthy suburban areas like California's Silicon Valley, some hospitals (like Stanford University Medical Center) offer valet parking for the convenience of patients and their visitors. On the other hand, where parking is not scarce, such as on the Las Vegas Strip, it is offered as a convenience to patrons. Some hospitals, like the Yale-affiliated Greenwich Hospital (Connecticut) on Connecticut's Golden Coast, have such limited space for parking that the emergency room is valet parking only, to fit as many cars in as possible.

Some cars come with an additional key, known as a valet key that starts the ignition and opens the driver's side door but prevents the valet from gaining access to valuables that are located in the trunk or the glove box.^[1]

Efficiency[link]

An advantage of valet parking is that it is possible to pack more cars into a given physical space, in what is generally known as "stack parking." The valet holds all the keys and can park the cars two or more deep, as he can move cars out of the way to free a blocked-in car.

Another type of stacking is called lane stacking. This is useful for events where guests arrive at around the same time, say for a wedding reception. The point of this procedure is to keep the lane (or lanes) of incoming traffic flowing forward so that guests are spared a long wait time for valet service. This is usually accomplished by designating one or two of the valets to be "stackers", who simply "push" each car up fifty feet or so and prepare it for a quick "take-away" for a returning valet to park. The process is then repeated until all cars are parked, utilizing as much lane space as possible, meanwhile keeping the lanes moving.

An additional advantage of valet parking, aside from stacking, is that valets can park cars closer and straighter than some customers may park. This will save them space in the parking lot or garage, and prevent the inconvenience of going to different floors by cramming everything in.

An efficient valet service will implement (or at least prepare) a system to handle the expected number of cars and guests. This may include, but is not limited to, any of the following: designated greeters, stackers, and parkers, a system for marking car locations, and sometimes even a shuttle service for valets at large venues in order to expedite car return times at the end of the event.

Luxury[link]

Jay's Valet Parking at Ferrari of Denver

Valet parking also adds a touch of luxury compared to self-parking. Many locations and events that provide valet parking provide extra touches such as bringing the car up front, having the doors opened for the guest, and in rare cases cleaning and detailing of the vehicle.

Venues[link]

As described above, several different types of venues offer valet parking. These include:

• Single Event: These Valets are usually hired for just the evening and have assigned roles for efficiency. Parking may be at an off site location that can handle many cars, and can range from a dirt field to a multi-story parking lot. It might also be in the streets near the pickup location. At a wedding the cars may be stacked in order, respecting the hierarchy of importance of the visitors. For instance, at a Middle Eastern oil company executive party the vehicles might be stacked in the order of the importance of the executives of the company.
• Restaurant or Bar location: In this setting, parking is usually in the establishment's own lot, but may also be a blocked-off section of a nearby parking house or multilayer lot. Often a dozen spots in front will be reserved for the big spenders or frequent visitors. When the restaurant is not busy, the nicest, most unusual or newest vehicles will be parked in front of the restaurant. This can be a sales and marketing stipulation. Restaurants trying to attract tourists may park rental vehicles or common^{[clarification needed]} vehicles in front. Expensive restaurants looking to attract less frugal customers may park expensive cars in front, including those of the restaurant employees or owners.
• Bar or crowded urban setting: Here, space is a premium, yet the cars on the street may have a huge bearing on the clientele inside.
• Hotel location: Hotels can have all types mentioned above. Lots, multi-layer lots, parking houses, hydraulic structures, parking in front, parking in back, shuttles for car owners, shuttles for valets and more. The biggest difference between hotels and other types is the cost. Hotels usually charge double or more for valet parking when compared to bars, restaurants and major events. Usually this is because of a captive market and the need for overnight parking.
• Airports: In the United Kingdom, companies such as BCP have offered valet parking at airports. The service is also offered when parking at an airport hotel.
• Casinos: The major casinos in the U.S., particularly those in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and most larger Native American casinos provide either free or low cost valet parking.
• Malls: Major shopping centres with high traffic volume often result in full parking facilities. Some malls offer valets (with fees) to park the vehicle at a temporary location or a reserved lot. Keys are given to the valet and a ticket is issued to the driver. Upon the return of patron, the valet will drive the vehicle back to the valet booth. Temporary mall parking valets may be found during major holiday periods, like Christmas.

Career/employee turnover[link]

Most career valet parking attendants are college age, around 18-28 years of age. However many valet parking attendants at the most influential establishments are as old as 60 years of age and up. Administrative attendants at parking lots or cashier centers may drive a car from time to time. These attendants may be any age.

Turnover is usually 2-3 months, but much longer among the older employee population. A valet attendant may be quickly dismissed by one company after an accident, but he may easily find a job with a competing company. Other frequent reasons for employment termination are:

• Driving infractions (moving violation) - surprisingly unknown to the employer until a driver's license is revoked.
• Crashes, accidents, damage to vehicles

• Habitual lateness or irresponsibility
• Drug use, alcohol or other substance abuse
• Theft
• Lack of language skills (Non English speakers in the United States for example)

Over-extension of control[link]

Valet parking attendants directly in front of bars or restaurants may use the limited street parking as "extra-fee" parking. For more affluent customers or those who simply desire to keep their vehicle parked up front, the attendant may park these vehicles in short-term or even prohibited parking spots on the street even in violation of local laws. These customer vehicles may remain for hours or even an entire evening in a 20-minute, red zone (fire zone), or loading zone.^[2] The attendants may manipulate the city ordinance by shuffling customer vehicles after the meter maid makes their chalking of the car tires, or by placing cones to block access to the spots, or even by using the valet's own vehicle in these spots for later use.^[3] Handicapped parking spots are infrequently used due to the very high fines associated.

See also[link]

• Valet boy
• Valet

References[link]

External links[link]

http://www.valetpark.net/valet_tips.html

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Valet parking

Ron White
Comedian Ron White
Born	(1956-12-19) December 19, 1956 (age 55) Fritch, Texas, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up
Nationality	American
Years active	1987–present
Genres	Country comedy, observational comedy, satire
Influences	Jeff Foxworthy, George Carlin, Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison, Cheech & Chong
Spouse	Lori Brice (1991-1999) 1 child Barbara Dobbs (2004-2008) Margo Rey (?-present)
Notable works and roles	Ron White: You Can't Fix Stupid Ron White: They Call Me Tater Salad Ron White: Behavioral Problems Blue Collar Comedy Tour
Website	http://www.tatersalad.com
Grammy Awards
“Comedy” for You Can't Fix Stupid (Nominee) (Best Comedy Album)

Ronald "Ron" White (born December 19, 1956) is an American stand up comedian and satirist who has had two Grammy Award-nominations, and is RIAA certified 10x Platinum for CD and DVD sales of over 10 million units.^[1] He is a charter member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and authored the book I Had the Right to Remain Silent But I Didn't Have the Ability (Dutton 2006, ISBN 978-0-525-94961-9), which appeared on the New York Times best seller list.

Early life[link]

Ron Dee White was born in Fritch, Texas on December 18, 1956 to Charles Don White and Barbara Joan Craig.^[2] Not much is known about Ron White's childhood, other than the fact that in 1961 he was living in Houston (he mentions living there during Hurricane Carla). He has mentioned in a few shows that he lived with his grandmother and that he has a brother and a sister. His sister is Shea White ^[3]. Shea is a former Amarillo, TX radio personality, turned author. She was born September 10, 1977. Ron was 20 when she was born, and kept her, in his words, "at arm's length" for many years. They share the same father, Charles Don White. Ron served in the United States Navy where he was given the nickname "Tater Salad" by fellow sailors who teased White for his love of potato salad.^[4] White is an avid fisherman and has always loved fishing as a hobby, but from an early age his dream was to become a comedian. When he returned from the Navy, White struggled financially for years as he pursued this dream, going from gig to gig in a beat-up Nissan truck and selling windows to help make ends meet.^[5] He has been rumored to have also pursued a career as a bronco rider for several years in the early 80's, however, responding to a question by Dana Strode on July 28, 2011 at the Coeur d'Alene Casino at Worley, Idaho, White said he has never ridden a bronco. White lived in Mexico for a brief period and bought a pottery factory there before returning to America to pursue comedy. White included stories from his youth in his book I Had the Right to Remain Silent But I Didn't Have the Ability. White's comedy revolves around observations and personal experiences retold in his smoking, drinking, Southern United States persona.^[6]

Career[link]

Ron White found success during January 2000 through March 2003, when he toured with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, and Larry the Cable Guy as part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour – a show that sold out across the United States in over 90 cities and grossed over $15 million.^[7] White is the only member of the Blue Collar crew who did not go on to star in the Blue Collar TV series because he did not want to be typecast as "blue collar," although he jokes in his performances that he simply does not have "the work ethic for a television show". He did, however, make seven guest appearances on the show. In 2005, The WB Television Network aired the pilot for The Ron White Show, a variety show that combined a number of celebrity cameos, cartoons, and sketches. He recently taped several episodes of The Gong Show with Dave Attell as one of the celebrity judges. White has had appearances in the TV shows Kath & Kim, Reno 911!, 12 Miles of Bad Road, the films Sex and the City 2 and Horrible Bosses, and a cameo in a Rascal Flatts music video, "Why Wait".^[8]

White is known for drinking Scotch as part of his act. (Though it has not been confirmed, it is believed he prefers Johnnie Walker Blue Label.) He stated during his You Can't Fix Stupid show, "Somebody asked what I was drinking. If the company that made the stuff I was drinking was paying me, I'd have it in their bottle and not mine. But it's the kind of scotch that people drink that are going to die penniless. It's good though!"^[9] In 2009 Comedy Central released Ron's stand up DVD Behavioral Problems.

Personal life[link]

White has been married three times. He married his first wife, Lori Brice in 1991. They divorced in 1999. They have a son, Marshall (who White nicknames Tater Tot and Poot in his comedy shows). In June 2004, he married Barbara Dobbs, who was Jeff Foxworthy's interior designer; they divorced in 2008.^[10] He later married singer-songwriter Margo Rey, sister of his frequent touring opener, Alex Reymundo.

Ron White has partnered with producer Michael Blakey to form Organica Music Group (distributed by Universal Music Group), a label that will promote both emerging and established musicians and comedians. He will be releasing all his future DVDs and CDs through Organica Music Group.^[11]

Marijuana arrest[link]

On September 7, 2008, White was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after an anonymous tip informed Vero Beach, Florida police that White’s private plane would be carrying narcotics. This tip likely came from a disgruntled pilot who had been recently fired by White.^[12] White had allegedly been involved in an altercation with the flight crew on his private plane involving his use of marijuana during flights.^[13] White was found to be in possession of 7/8 of a gram of marijuana.^[14] He spoke of the incident in his special 'Behavioral Problems', saying "when I have 7/8 of a gram of marijuana I consider myself to be...out of marijuana." He was reportedly very cooperative with Florida police.^[15] Ron White has a valid medicinal marijuana license from California.^[16]

Awards and recognition[link]

April 27, 2009 was designated as "Ron White Day" in the State of Texas by Texas legislative officials.^[17] White received the Armed Forces Foundation's "Patriot Award" in March 2009 for his work in raising money to help wounded soldiers.^[18] White also held benefit shows for Hurricane Katrina relief.^[19]

Comedy releases[link]

Besides the Blue Collar Comedy Tour CDs and movies, White has released five solo projects to date:

• Tater Salad aka. Busted in Des Moines
• Drunk in Public
• They Call Me "Tater Salad"
• You Can't Fix Stupid
• Ron White: Behavioral Problems

He has appeared on the following compilation albums:

• Redneck Comedy Roundup (2005)
• Comedy Central Presents Southern Gents of Comedy (2006)
• Ron White, Jeff Foxworthy & Bill Engvall: Live from Las Vegas (2004)
• Redneck Kings of Comedy (2005)

Discography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Ron White

• Ron White's official site
• Ron White at the Internet Movie Database
• Ron White on Myspace
• Organica Music Group, Ron White and Michael Blakey's record label