Annoying FBO things....

[guido411]

Ok, I have one that MOST of you probably don't have a problem with but, please, sympathize with me.

At a certain FBO that many of us LOVE to HATE, I won't say any names but it's name is also something you might do at the end of a written letter where your name is, I am not allowed to use their crew cars. This is despite that fact that I have bought a couple hundred gallons of fuel, paid their outlandish landing fee, as well as their "handling" fee for that minimum wage golf card driver to bring my passengers to the terminal from the back 40, and left a million $ airplane sitting on the ramp. Why? Did I piss somebody off? Nope, I am only 23 years old, and they require a user be 25 to drive their $10,000 Ford Focus.

So there I sit, drinking the cappucino that I get for paying $3.70 for Jet-A, waiting for the van driver to run me to another MacanDon's lunch. Or by some miracle there might be a kind crew in "big iron" that is running into town that doesn't mind eating lunch with a "k-Mart King Air" driver. To all of you out there that don't mind a young single pilot type tagging along, it's much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[FL350]

I feel your pain!!!!!!!

 

[aeronautic1]

FBohhhhssss

Kid, you can ride shotgun to the chinese buffett anytime!! But, let's get back on course here. Okay, I typically carry my own trash, walk my coffee urn to the ramp shack and shovel a bucket of ice myself... unless of course a line guy (or gal, we need more gals) tells me that it is his job to get these items. A good F/O is willing and able to service the airplane while the captain handles the finacing end of the ground evolution. However, I must again reiterate, when the line guy tells you that it's his job to run ice/coffee/trash, then it is just that - his job. Now, if the lav needs servicing and the line guy offers to handle it, then I certainly tip him accordingly (again, another F/O job). I have not had too many problems with proper marshalling but a little comedy on the ramp does go a long way for a weary crew. I fly because I love my job. I do not get tipped for greasing one on the tarmac... I am just doing my job. The subject of this particular forum is what we do not like about SOME FBOs. Personally, I would like to see bigger tats on the counter girls.

 

[BoilerUP]

I dispatch at a Fractional. A month or so ago, I had a crew tell me how wonderfully they were treated by a TAC-AIR FBO (I don't remember where now).

Was it TAC-AIR LEX? Those guys and gals have always treated me well, and their line workers are about as friendly as can be. Fueling *usually* runs quickly, too. They hangared an Archer I flew down there one time in a thunderstorm, then put it in the back 40 when it blew through. A phone call 15 mintues before I arrived to the airport and the plane was waiting for me right in front, between a CJ and a King Air.


shameless plug for my hometown FBO...but they ARE good!

 

[PC12Cowboy]

Line Guys/Gals

I am glad to be flying instead of werking the line, but I always take the time to say thanks and be as personable as possible..but when you come across the rude tired and cranky ramp rat..it is hard not to let the venom flow and ask if his mommy will let him take a nap...What you receive is what you give to others!

FBO PEEVS
And having the latest weather service....limited to only a few options...now thats a pain!

 

[Publishers]

True

All of these things happen. Sometimes there has to be a little recognition on everyones part as to the situation of the moment.

When you drive your luxerormoaircraft on the ramp, most can recornize when the place is jumping and realize that this place does not have 30 crew cars. Like the pilots first thing is a safe flight followed by getting his passengers out of the airport and on their way, line crews first thing is marshalling the aircraft safely to a spot and helping you get your passengers out of there. Secondly is to find out how long you will be and what you want for your aircraft.

Be courteous and like stated above usually good things will happen. Check out what is going on and be patient when everybody is showing up at once.

 

[Limeyflyer]

All I know is that there are good FBO's and Bad FBO's. I throw the line guys a couple bucks wherever I go, not saying that they desereved it but just to be a nice guy. Do a better job get a better tip. I do have to say that if any of you guys are at enterprise aviation in Oshawa, there is no control for the tv, however this was fine because as I was lounging The Playboy Channel magically appeared thanks to the great ground crew.

 

[singlespeed]

JFK not a FBO but want money for no service

 

[Diesel]

publishers knows this from his vast experience in the corporate world. Don't you have someplace else to post about having to give up pay because it's good for the company and pilots are over paid?

HAAAAAaAAA


JFK man that place is truely the worst. Doens't Ogden fuel run the fuel farm and the port authority on NY/NJ run the "fbo".