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When relocating an employee and their family for a long-term assignment, transportation isn’t just about getting from point A to point B, it’s one of the most important things for a smooth transition. From the moment the assignee steps off the plane to the day they leave their host country, dependable, well-organized transportation supports settling in, adapting and ultimately succeeding in their new environment.
Think of transportation as the invisible thread that weaves through the entire relocation journey. It’s what allows the family to make their new life work. From getting to work on time, taking the kids to after-school sports, or heading out of the city for a weekend break, reliable transport is what enables daily life to function smoothly. Without reliable transport, even well-planned relocations can quickly become frustrating or overwhelming.
This case study follows one such journey: that of Aimee, a senior software executive relocating from London to San Francisco with her family. It illustrates how a thoughtfully designed, end-to-end transportation solution enabled her to focus on what really mattered: settling her family, thriving in her new role, and making the most of her assignment.
Client: Senior software executive relocating from London to San Francisco with her family
Services Used: Airport transfer, short-term rental, family orientation with chauffeur, long-term lease, armored vehicles, airport transfer
Assignment Duration: 18-months
When Aimee, a senior executive at a global software company. When her employer offered her the opportunity to relocate from London to San Francisco she happily accepted. She was excited about the professional opportunity, but also worried about what it would mean for the family. She had the usual worries that come with uprooting a family: how would her two kids adjust? Would the transition be smooth? How would they set up a life with no local credit history?
Her employer worked with a Relocation Management Company (RMC) to handle the overall move. For their transportation needs, the RMC worked together with their supplier ExpatRide.
Arrival Day: Stress-free start in a new city
After a long flight from Heathrow, Aimee and her family arrived at San Francisco International Airport. They were tired. Aimee barely slept on the plane, and now it was early morning in the US, so they still had a full day ahead of them. They walked towards the exit, cleared immigration, picked up their luggage, and walked through customs, where their airport transfer was waiting for them. Here, they were greeted by a chauffeur, carrying a sign with the name “AIMEE” and ready to assist with luggage. The driver escorted the family to a spacious SUV, perfect for their needs after an overnight flight.
Although Aimee had initially considered picking up a rental car at the airport, she was relieved to have followed her RMC’s recommendation to arrange a transfer instead. The alternative would have been a gauntlet of stressors: navigating the massive, unfamiliar airport to locate the rental shuttle pick-up point, waiting in line at the rental counter, and then figuring out how to install car seats for the kids. She also avoided unexpected costs: picking up a rental car directly at the airport in the U.S. often comes with surcharges and taxes. By skipping the rental car pickup entirely, she not only saved energy and hassle – she also saved money. And then there was the driving itself. Facing an unfamiliar city, traffic rules, and driving on the opposite side of the road after barely sleeping would have been overwhelming. Instead, Aimee and her family were driven safely and comfortably straight to their new apartment, allowing them to start their first day with peace of mind. They were dropped off, unpacked a few essentials, and then walked to a nearby café to enjoy their first breakfast in their new city.
Settling in: Orientation of the new city
The next day, after a full night’s sleep, Aimee felt better. Aimee headed to pick up a short-term rental car that had been pre-arranged, until the leasing car would arrive. Aimee brought her passport, UK license and a contact number for ExpatRide in case something did not go as planned. She had too many times organized a car by herself, where there was no car waiting for her. However, this time, picking up the rental car was easy and went without any problems.
On day 3, the whole family seemed to have combatted the jetlag, and was ready to explore their new city further. This was also the last day, before Aimee was starting her new position, so she was happy they could spend it all together. On this day, an orientation tour with a DSP consultant and a local chauffeur had been arranged – a service that quickly became one of the highlights of the move.
The DSP consultant showed them around their new city, while the chauffeur navigated traffic and parking. This meant that the consultant was fully focused on Aimee and her family, and was ready to answer all their questions. This gave the family a relaxed introduction to their new life in San Francisco. During the orientation, the family:
This service helped Aimee and her family to settle in quickly.
Transition to Long-Term Lease
Two months into the assignment, it was time to switch from the short-term rental to a long-term lease vehicle. Right on schedule, a brand-new SUV was delivered directly to the family’s home. It was fully fueled and prepped according to company policy, including sustainability preferences. The car aligned with the employer’s eco-conscious transportation policy, offering both comfort and low emissions. Once they had the keys to their new car, they decided to drive to the rental car branch to return the rental car. Aimee had been a bit nervous about returning the car, because unfortunately, another person had made a small dent in the car at a local supermarket. But because ExpatRide had arranged a rental car with full insurance and zero deductible, Aimee to her surprise, didn’t have to pay for the damage. This meant that everything went easily and smoothly, there was no extra fees for neither the damage nor for returning it a bit early.
Business travel with extra security
As part of her role, Aimee occasionally traveled to higher-risk locations, including select areas in Mexico. For these business trips, her employer requested armored vehicle transport with trained drivers. Each time Aimee arrived, she was met by a discreet, professional driver in a secure vehicle, ensuring not only her safety, but her peace of mind, allowing her to focus on the work at hand while away from her family.
Departure Day: A seamless send-Off
At the end of her 18-month assignment, it was time to return to London. At the end of her 18-month assignment, it was time to return to London. Aimee and her family finished packing their suitcases, as most of their stuff had already been shipped by the container. The scheduled airport transfer arrived right on time. The chauffeur helped load luggage and ensured the family arrived at the airport early and relaxed, bringing their relocation journey full circle.
Why it worked
Tailored services: A fully customized transportation plan handled every need; from airport transfers, orientation service, car rental, leasing, and departure airport transfer
One point of contact: ExpatRide offers one point of contact. No need to juggle multiple providers and engage in endless e-mail correspondences to schedule everything.
Eco-conscious approach: The company’s sustainability requirements and goals were met without compromising comfort and convenience.
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Image credits:
1 Picture by rawpixel at FreePik
2 Created by AI FreePik
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