What would you do?

[GravityHater]

Instead of filling the car up (that can be 50 bucks these days!) I prefer to hand the person I am dealing with $20 bucks and say, this is for you I thank you so much. I think that is appreciated much more by the staff than, 'the car is full'.
The staff often has a lot of discretion on what happens, management is not always hanging over their shoulder.
PS KAUS one fbo is $250.00 handling fee with no purchase for a bizjet!!

 

[HawkerF/O]

However, a ramp fee like $120 at Signature @MEM is crazy.

Why on earth are you going to Signature when you have a choice of another FBO? Especially in MEM where Wilson Air Center is located. Wilson is one of the best FBOs in the country! Explain yourself young Lass, fore unto you shalt the thrashings commence and thou'lt be cast down below to the Sodomites (and they'll get unto you as well)...................

Note: I don't care who you are, that was funny.

 

[prpjt]

I've found that offering to buy lunch for the crew that is signing out the car will often result in them offering a ride.

A rent car or cab ride is cheaper than the min fuel purchase if you fly for an operation that also owns on FBO.

Tell the offending manager that you would like to discuss the FBO's min fuel purchase/crew car policy over lunch.

Good luck next time.

 

[Groundpounder]

What kind of aircraft are you flying?

 

[HawkerF/O]

Now were cookin'! Exactly, slip the CSR a 20. Speaking of Memphis, when I worked out of MKC, we would go to MEM about 2-4Xs a month, and I would slip a $20 to the CSR. It's funny how that works; always got out of there with no ramp fee, discount of fuel if we needed any, front door departures, etc. After I turned in my expense report for the 1st time, I got called into the owner's office (small company and she hated the CP so he always got skipped, but that's another story), and asked why I had $60 in tips for the 3 times we were in MEM the previous month when none of the other pilots felt it was necessary to tip when they had gone there (I was on vacation for one of the trips). I asked her to pull out the MS bills for that month (MS bills every 2 weeks) and compare the costs of going there when I am on board and when I am not. She put 2 and 2 together quickly and asked what it was I was doing with the $20 to get out of all the fees. I told her when I hit the counter, I always give the CSR a fresh 20. She just smiled and said she appreciates me looking out for her $. I told her I was saving her money so it could be passed along when it came time for a raise; somewhat of a trickle down effect I like to think of it as. She told me to get out of her office. Can't win them all, but Gravity Hater is right, start being polite with green backs. CSR are probably the lowest paid employees at an FBO, but they can do the most for you. Take that and use it to your advantage and see how much you'll save.

Instead of filling the car up (that can be 50 bucks these days!) I prefer to hand the person I am dealing with $20 bucks and say, this is for you I thank you so much. I think that is appreciated much more by the staff than, 'the car is full'.
The staff often has a lot of discretion on what happens, management is not always hanging over their shoulder.
PS KAUS one fbo is $250.00 handling fee with no purchase for a bizjet!!

 

[HawkerF/O]

Put a call into Debbie Jeans (816 842 8484) and ask her if that is Executive Beechcraft policy to be treated like that? Phones will ring.

Assuming fuel at $3.50/gal and you had to buy 50 gallons, that crew car just cost you (your company) $175!! If you go there frequently, I would have your CP call and speak with the manager to see if they will just charge you a ramp fee. $175 for crew car usage is rediculous!!

Last week I was at MCI. We don't go there much and it had been nearly a year since mine or the captains last visit (we tankered fuel and forgot that they don't have any fees). We walk in and go up to the counter. They ask us if we will need fuel, I reply no, we'll just pay our fees now and get it out of the way, and if you have any crew cars left (it was lunch time) we would like to take one of those to grab something to eat. She then got an attitude and replied that they don't have any fees and all we can do is give you a ride. I replied that we would love a ride and apologized for not taking fuel. She just gave us a dissatisfied "Hmmmph" and turned and walked away from us!

 

[bigD]

PS KAUS one fbo is $250.00 handling fee with no purchase for a bizjet!!

Austin is getting nuts. Even Trajen is getting in on the hard core handling fees. Unfortunately there's no alternative here. Georgetown is the closest reliever airport with decent facilities, and it's close to 45 minutes into town from there.