What a rip-off....

[bobs98tlr]

I am going to assume that your FBO has insurance, and pays some sort of lease for the land, and pays for you to work the front line, and has many other costs. So how does your FBO make money on aircraft that just do QT's and never take fuel? They are in fact losing money on those aircraft.

And hopefully you did more than marshall and chock the plane (i.e. help pax and crew with bags, put out the red carpet, and generally be a friendly smiling face at the a/c).

First of all, of course i helped the pax......read airnavs comments on the FBO im at. Its North American Aviation. We do the whole carpet treatment/door opening thing for eveyone. I just wasnt going to list EVERY LITTLE thing i do when a plane stops in for a QT when that wasnt the subject being discused. Now, we do have insurance and we do pay a lease on the ramp space. However we dont outragiously charge our customers for a 10 minutes stop over when they need a QT. Its not really a QT when we have to have the pilots go inside and handle the ramp fee rather then them trying to tent to the pax and getting situated for there flight. We make our money on the fuel and cargo fees. So, we are in FACT not losing money because we dont charge a stupid ramp fee. But if you want to fly 50 miles east over to PWK im sure they will NOT have any problems with givin you a ramp fee...Im sure they are making a killing.

 

[flyinlow67]

So how does your FBO make money on aircraft that just do QT's and never take fuel? They are in fact losing money on those aircraft.

How does an FBO loose money on an aircraft they do nothing to? If the ramp maintenance is done by the airport authority, the line crew doesn't chock the plane, and the plane isn't blocking anyone in, then what is the difference?
I got charged $145 in STL the other day on a QT and didn't get parked, or anything. Part of it is a landing fee, but come on folks! This is getting to be highway robbery.

 

[Groundpounder]

How does an FBO loose money on an aircraft they do nothing to? If the ramp maintenance is done by the airport authority, the line crew doesn't chock the plane, and the plane isn't blocking anyone in, then what is the difference?
I got charged $145 in STL the other day on a QT and didn't get parked, or anything. Part of it is a landing fee, but come on folks! This is getting to be highway robbery.

Look at one of my previous posts. If you are paying a ramp fee, and getting nothing in return, then you should complain, and refuse to pay the fee.

Anyway, the FBO I work for DOES charge ramp fees, and we have the highest fuel prices on the airport out of the four FBO's here. But, we are also the busiest on the field, and one of the top ten indepenent FBO's on ProPilots survey. Those ramp fee's go towards brand new equipment, and paying above average salarys so that we can have the best people possible working for us.

 

[Tigers]

I guess I don't need to tip the line guy's anymore since they are being so handsomely paid by said FBO who is charging me to taxi into their ramp space.

 

[Groundpounder]

I guess I don't need to tip the line guy's anymore since they are being so handsomely paid by said FBO who is charging me to taxi into their ramp space.

Right.......I've been doing this 10 years, and I do ok, but trust me $5 is nice now and then.

 

[KSUPILOT]

Our company mandates that we do not use Mercury (BC of Ricci) and no Signature. Additionaly if we are there less than 15 minutes we never go in and pay the fee. Our company attorney found some clause for public use airports and sends them a letter with it attached and we never hear about it. We will probaly be out of busineess shortly!

 

[Cowboypilot]

Can I have a copy

Can I have a copy of that doc?

 

[psysicx]

I think that these FBO's need more competition.

 

[G100driver]

Our company mandates that we do not use Mercury (BC of Ricci) and no Signature. Additionaly if we are there less than 15 minutes we never go in and pay the fee. Our company attorney found some clause for public use airports and sends them a letter with it attached and we never hear about it. We will probaly be out of busineess shortly!

Yes, please post it. It would be very helpful to all of us.

 

[bobs98tlr]

I think that these FBO's need more competition.

Thats what im saying man....Some FBOs are just crazy when it comes to this crap. Im in IL and see alot of places where a good honest FBO could make alot of money..for instance DKB there is no longer an FBO there and it gets VERY busy on the weekends. PIA..Byerly is the only one there and they are expensive (line guys suck but the customer service inside is great).

 

[Dr Pokenhiemer]

Went to Signature-MIA a few times and the handling charge was $200. Next time I went in there the handling charge was $250--BUT--they also gave us a keylime pie!!!! There's another net profit of $45 for them!!!! Where does it stop? Everytime I use a Signature (only as a last resort) I feel like I should be kissed afterwards!!!

 

[El Bucho]

I've never been charged a ramp fee at any Piedmont-Hawthorne anywhere we go. I RDU great fbo with great service and people, no charges. I feel bad doing that but they act like it's no problem because they know we'll choose them over a-holes like Signature every time.

Don't get into IAD much do you...

 

[westwind driver]

Don't get into IAD much do you...

Piedmont at IAD has been known to charge a so called "Security Fee"
They do charge a legitment landing fee, which is reasonable, but the GM at Piedmont-IAD is a real dick and thinks he can come up with his own fees.

A call from our chief pilot to Piedmont's Home Office (he spoke to a Vice President) rectified the situation at IAD for our company real quick.

The one owner in our aircraft who is doing the Ads in BC&A and AIN starting calling Piedmont, "Piedmont-Hawthorne at Dulles. The NEW Signature West."

The VP at Piedmont Headquarters did not like that comment one bit and said they never wanted to get an image like Signature. He also said the GM at IAD instated the "Security Fee" on his own, and that it is not Piedmont's practice to charge ramp fees or service fees, with or without fuel purchase.

 

[hawkerjet]

Make Signature work for their money

I try to avoid Signature like the plague, unfortunately sometimes I am forced to use them as was the case in SFO. They have a 300 gallon min. there and at $5.04 a gallon . otherwise it's $325 ramp fee. What they don't advertise heavily is their Gold Cap service. The line guys have a specially made cart that will come up to your plane and vacuum the carpets, wipe down your windows, seats and tray tables, then condition the seats. I also have them do my lav as well as windscreen. this service is free of charge EVEN IF YOU DON'T BUY FUEL. It is included in the ramp fee. The fuel price hurts but that makes me feel a little better. Am I shallow or what!!!!

 

[English]

Thanks Hawkerjet!

I'm going to get my 400 dollars' worth at SFO from now on.

 

[501261]

Ya, but don't forget you're supposed to tip the guy doing the "Gold Cap Service".

 

[hawkerjet]

Signature Gold Cap Service

That service is available at all Signatures' nationwide, not just at SFO. I've used it at MMU, and PWK.

 

[GLD Direct]

I guess I don't need to tip the line guy's anymore since they are being so handsomely paid by said FBO who is charging me to taxi into their ramp space.

Tipping is always a good practice, sonny. Back in my day, I'd tip two bits to a lineman for a job well done. The smile on the lineman's face after I gave him 50 cents was priceless. I still remember one time where I tipped a line guy in Hays, KS. He said it was the best day of his life. I felt real good about that-- I surely did.

Sonny, you seem like a nice young man. don't fall into the trap of not giving lineman no money. Fixed Based Operators don't pay much and your dollars do help those boys in the fuel trucks and tugs.

Fly safe,

GLD

 

[AA717driver]

Ok. Exactly how did you find this thread? Grave robbing? I suggest woodworking, golf or fantasy football instead... TC

 

[G100driver]

Ok. Exactly how did you find this thread? Grave robbing? I suggest woodworking, golf or fantasy football instead... TC

Farkin Hystarical ..:laugh: uke: