What a rip-off....

[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:

 

[GLD Direct]

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

you are right young man-- I was definitely digging through the bowels of this website in order to resurrect this thread. As a retired pilot, I now have a lot of time on my wrinkled hands. My grand son flies for a regional airline out of IAH so I like to keep informed of what's happening in all sectors of aviation. In the old days, there were a few magazines but mostly we learned things from simply talking to other pilots.

Yes sirree, The internet is one of my favorite hobbies. In addition to reading flight info, I look at all types of neat things-- late last night, I found a website that had movies on it... it was pretty exciting, even for an old timer like me. I'm glad my wife don't know nothin' about it though-- she wouldn't approve most likely.

With golf, I try but my hemoroids act up some time. It's hard to play in pain. I do play checkers and shuffle board though. That don't hurt much. Fantasy football is something I don't know much about. I prefer rodeos.

But I do stand by my reply and still say that tipping line people is a done right good thing. I'm sure everyone thinks the same thing.

 

[siucavflight]

You guys are insane, of course they are going to charge you, you are using their ramp. Lets say that you are flying a 20M jet and you go to the so called "evil FBO" and while you are there something damages your aircraft, the FBO is now responsible, and their insurance premiums reflect that. So what gives you the right to think that you can go there, and not have to pay your fair share?

 

[icefr8dawg]

"Their Ramp" lol, that's the big misnomer man. Take MMU for expample. The operators of the airport have a sweatheart deal with the towns that own the place. The operators put signature in place to "Handle" traffic at the airport and get paid big time by signature. In fact, the ramp began years ago as the taxpayers ramp. Through lease deals and a private managment company the ramp became signature's and we now pay $300 to keep an airplane there for an hour. Do we really need two layers of profit making here? Let alone the monopoly FBO? It all started when the town stoped managing the place and put the lease up for sale.

 

[siucavflight]

At PWK Signature and NAJ paid for every cent of their ramps.

 

[AAslag]

you are right young man-- I was definitely digging through the bowels of this website in order to resurrect this thread. As a retired pilot, I now have a lot of time on my wrinkled hands. My grand son flies for a regional airline out of IAH so I like to keep informed of what's happening in all sectors of aviation. In the old days, there were a few magazines but mostly we learned things from simply talking to other pilots.

Yes sirree, The internet is one of my favorite hobbies. In addition to reading flight info, I look at all types of neat things-- late last night, I found a website that had movies on it... it was pretty exciting, even for an old timer like me. I'm glad my wife don't know nothin' about it though-- she wouldn't approve most likely.

With golf, I try but my hemoroids act up some time. It's hard to play in pain. I do play checkers and shuffle board though. That don't hurt much. Fantasy football is something I don't know much about. I prefer rodeos.

But I do stand by my reply and still say that tipping line people is a done right good thing. I'm sure everyone thinks the same thing.

Sorry old man, posting at 0259 means the old prostate must be in a sort.

My grandpa said the cure was to have sex every night. Preferably with a different woman.

Another time (I was a young pup) he casually informed me that I had screwed up by ordering too much food. "Now, don't screw up again and try to eat it all too." He said.

Restaurant was kind of like a Cracker Barrel, but they didn't exist yet. Bet you've been there! Do ya git the grits too like Pa used to? He'd mash em up with butter and sugar.:laugh: