Signature

[OUPilot]

Anyone else been having issues with Signature? The last couple of places seem understaffed and did not even have a free person to take us to the hotel.

 

[Hawker800]

Sign of the times maybe.

 

[hawkerflyer]

Without trying to turn this into yet another Signature bashing thread, our policy was to avoid them whenever possible. About a month ago, we used them as the only reasonable destination option for our principle and yes, very little has changed. Even giving them another shot proved to be useless. I'm not interested in having my handling fee reduced when they come up short, I don't want them to come up short. The perception continues to be that you pull up in a jet and anything goes. At least with us, 95% of the time we have another FBO or airport option so there is absolutely no reason to frequent their chain, our passenger understands this and will now gladly drive a few extra miles if need be.

 

[William Holiday]

The former CEO of Flight Options is now CEO of signiture.....That should raise a red flag or two. Look at the condition of Flight Options and you'll see signitures future. If I worked there, I would leave.

 

[BushwickBill]

The former CEO of Flight Options is now CEO of signiture.....That should raise a red flag or two. Look at the condition of Flight Options and you'll see signitures future. If I worked there, I would leave.

You can learn something from FI...

Thanks for that tidbit, you know signature is the only FBO @ SFO. 450$ ramp fee for a King Air 200.

 

[William Holiday]

Sign of the times maybe.

Sorry, it's by design, To create more business is not part of plan. You create profit by cutting service,benefits, pay, and anything else associated with the cost of doing business. This is his M.O. and he is very good at it. If you consider that a skill, he is the expert. Which is another reason this country is in the shape that it's in. Make a buck by stealing from everyone that puts their trust in you.

 

[BoilerUP]

The only Signature that's halfway worth a damn is HXD, and that's because most the staff are holdovers from the Carolina Air Center days.

 

[William Holiday]

The only Signature that's halfway worth a damn is HXD, and that's because most the staff are holdovers from the Carolina Air Center days.

Follow them, when they leave. Speaking of that, signiture is looking for a Business Development person in Orlando. To me and everybody else, that means sales.....But to signiture, that means a finance guy with an MBA, and 6yrs of merger and acc exp. Hmmmmm.

 

[wlacy]

I'll add another to BoilerUP's list: MKC Exec Beech

 

[NCherches]

Anyone else been having issues with Signature? The last couple of places seem understaffed and did not even have a free person to take us to the hotel.

Sounds like a lot of FBO's in this economy... At least most signature locations have lowered their prices a little...

 

[CA1900]

You can learn something from FI...

Thanks for that tidbit, you know signature is the only FBO @ SFO. 450$ ramp fee for a King Air 200.

And Mr. Grumpy A-hole behind the counter. I don't know what his problem is, but I dread when he's working behind the desk.

 

[Skippy]

You can learn something from FI...

Thanks for that tidbit, you know signature is the only FBO @ SFO. 450$ ramp fee for a King Air 200.

Yeah but what about all the free water and cookies u can eat

 

[TMMT]

I knew they were doom once they quit stocking those caramel pecan cookies with their coffee that was always so good.

 

[sleepy]

I won't defend Signature, but this is a trend I have noticed everywhere. I had a trip that included stops at several small FBO's, they all had one person working, doing everything. It took an hour to get fuel and a lav service and put the aircraft away for the night (and we were the only customer).

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Or any retail store, grocery store, etc etc....everyone has cut staff back to nothing.

I dont go to FBOs often - maybe 5X in the last year - but all have been ghost towns. Sign of the times.

Still - no reason a Signature cant take a crew to a hotel. Thats pretty bad.

 

[Rick James]

And Mr. Grumpy A-hole behind the counter. I don't know what his problem is, but I dread when he's working behind the desk.

I agree, must need a G plane or a Global for the good treatment. We do our best to tanker through SFO.

TEB wasn't that bad a couple weeks ago, counter girls were nice and the ramp service was great.

 

[jetwash]

I have talked to many signature employees all over the country, since they got their new CEO.
They are now trying to staff employees according to demand.

It seems he reduced most of the employees from full time to part time employees, so they can enjoy all the benefits that part time workers enjoy.

I heard they had some 15 year employees reduced to part time status.

 

[hyper]

Sounds like a lot of FBO's in this economy... At least most signature locations have lowered their prices a little...

Yea, from 50% more than everyone else to 20% more.

 

[hawkerflyer]

I agree, must need a G plane or a Global for the good treatment. We do our best to tanker through SFO.

Not gonna even attempt to compare my Challenger to the mighty (***cough***) Gulfstream or Global but pulling up in a 605 didn't get us squat for service.

 

[PMVULB AvMgr]

You can learn something from FI...

Thanks for that tidbit, you know signature is the only FBO @ SFO. 450$ ramp fee for a King Air 200.

Suggest you tell your pax that OAK is just as good (if not better) if their ultimate destination is downtown San Fran. I can save in excess of $5000 by taking a Gulfstram 4 into OAK vs SFO - that includes fuel cost savings, service fees that are zero or minimal, ATC delays that do not exist saving us valuable flight time, and never mind the great service provided by any of the FBO's on the field. Unless you're running 135 and have to go where the fare tells you, your boss will be very happy with OAK - guaranteed!

 

[ghostrider64]

Signature's policy at DEN, perhaps company wide, is to have 3 ground personel available to tow a plane. We were there about 3 weeks ago and they only had 2, asked us to help them. They said that was the staffing level they had been cut down to.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Signature sometimes has the lowest fuel prices on the field...and while I don't visit many US FBO's, my experience has always been pretty good at Signatures - as good as anywhere else....

 

[StarHustler]

Signature as a brand is indeed the pits. However, the TEB Signature is especially bad. The attitude by the counter staff is almost one of contempt. I was in there early last week (the NE side) and I felt like I was serving her! If I have any control over the matter, I will NEVER voluntarily taxi any aircraft I fly on to a Signature ramp.

Meanwhile, Im calling this young ladies boss in the morning to discuss her complete lack of customer service (probably in vain though).

 

[PMVULB AvMgr]

Signature as a brand is indeed the pits. However, the TEB Signature is especially bad. The attitude by the counter staff is almost one of contempt. I was in there early last week (the NE side) and I felt like I was serving her! If I have any control over the matter, I will NEVER voluntarily taxi any aircraft I fly on to a Signature ramp.

Meanwhile, Im calling this young ladies boss in the morning to discuss her complete lack of customer service (probably in vain though).

Jackie Vibbert is Signature TEB's manager - she's actually a pretty good lady, and will likely be receptive to your complaints. Jackie's been around the NY Signature area for more than a decade, at both EWR & TEB. That's a long time for any Signature manager - they usually don't last more than 2 years!

 

[CA1900]

Signature as a brand is indeed the pits. However, the TEB Signature is especially bad. The attitude by the counter staff is almost one of contempt.

They must have hired everybody they let go from First Aviation! :laugh:

I think the problem is Jersey, not necessarily Signature. Everybody in that state seems to treat everyone else with that same contempt.

 

[Lou3]

Hey Star, I think I know who you may be talking about. She is sporting a serious permanent tan. I have had issues with her as well, but across the runway at Signature TEB. She is truly in the wrong business. A dose of humility would do her a world of good. Sadly, her tan will probably save her sorry tail..

 

[Rick James]

Not gonna even attempt to compare my Challenger to the mighty (***cough***) Gulfstream or Global but pulling up in a 605 didn't get us squat for service.

The Challenger is just a WalMart Gulfstream, I should know I fly one.:nuts:

 

[StarHustler]

Yeah, that is her. Im sure Im not the only one who has sufferred her 'service'..

 

[LJ45]

Signature sometimes has the lowest fuel prices on the field...and while I don't visit many US FBO's, my experience has always been pretty good at Signatures - as good as anywhere else....

Usually you are on the mark G200, but I think you missed this one...

There's a big difference at Signature Denver (APA), for example, where there is plenty of competition. Then there's EWR, BWI, MIA, SAV, SFO ....etc where they rape you.

I have notice most places that have competition, Signature will have the fewest planes on their ramp, I wonder why? Could it be the monopolistic based business plan?

They are avoided by our operation whenever possible.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Usually you are on the mark G200, but I think you missed this one...

There's a big difference at Signature Denver (APA), for example, where there is plenty of competition. Then there's EWR, BWI, MIA, SAV, SFO ....etc where they rape you.

I have notice most places that have competition, Signature will have the fewest planes on their ramp, I wonder why? Could it be the monopolistic based business plan?

They are avoided by our operation whenever possible.

I guess you missed the "sometimes" in my statement?...

For example - Signature KHPN will often have the lowest fuel price on the field - and sadly, their ramp is as dead as any lately.

Of course they charge a fortune at places like KSFO....supply and demand..and there's only one supply. Don't like it? dont go there! - I know many operations use KOAK, but Signature KSFO is still in business as some still use KSFO! monopolistic? many call it capitalism.

I'm not telling you to go to Signature, hate them all you want...I just never understood pilots hatred for any FBO. Is it personal?

Unless our pax has a love for a particular FBO, we call around and negotiate the best prices and service - Signature or not. I could care less what the sign says.