My FBO rant

[sweeps]

You have to call ahead and ask so you don't get surprised, which I'm sure lots of people have mentioned. We've all been there and while it seems ridiculous, these places have to pay for their lease and overhead costs right? Sometimes it can be excessive but that's why you call. That said I will avoid the big name places as much as I can unless someone else is footing the bill. Your instructors failed you for not telling you this early in your training

 

[fholbert]

They have costs, and expect users to pay. Even if you didn't use *anything*.

No different than Target and they don't charge me to park. "Expect More, Pay Less!"

I don't mind paying fees and have paid my share but I'm surprised these fees weren't waved.

 

[Cal Goat]

I used to work at an extremely busy FBO serving the Silicon Valley. Ramp space was at such a premium that we were essentially forced to charge a $25 ramp fee for small pistons (rates went up with aircraft size). If we weren't busy and someone just needed to use the restroom or drop a pax and go, I wouldn't bother charging them. But pilots in the know would have used nearby GA only airports (where the Gulfstreams couldn't land) to avoid the ridiculous fees.

 

[qflyer]

I am tomorrow with a copy of my bosses last 5 invoices from the FBO that add up to over $10,000. His idea by the way...

If I were the manager of the FBO, I'd send you a copy of the $25,000 fuel sale I make to the G5 that comes in every weekend. But I'm an ass.

Fact is, a lot of FBOs (whether right or wrong) don't want us little guys on their ramp. They make their money on the bigger jets, and they just don't want to deal with people stopping by for a bathroom break. I've found that a little pre-planning and lots of courtesy go a long way. I've had FBOs waive ramp fees, hangar fees, drop fuel prices to match competitors on the field, etc etc. Other times, they won't budge. If I can, I'll go elsewhere. If I have to use their location, I make sure to leave reviews just like you're doing here, and then leave it to the market to work things out.

 

[jgheggie]

If I were the manager of the FBO, I'd send you a copy of the $25,000 fuel sale I make to the G5 that comes in every weekend. But I'm an ass.

Fact is, a lot of FBOs (whether right or wrong) don't want us little guys on their ramp. They make their money on the bigger jets, and they just don't want to deal with people stopping by for a bathroom break. I've found that a little pre-planning and lots of courtesy go a long way. I've had FBOs waive ramp fees, hangar fees, drop fuel prices to match competitors on the field, etc etc. Other times, they won't budge. If I can, I'll go elsewhere. If I have to use their location, I make sure to leave reviews just like you're doing here, and then leave it to the market to work things out.

Speaking of G5. My boss is in talks to lease one for air ambulance flights to Hawaii from the mainland. We have 3 Lears, 2 turbo commanders, and 2 jet streams. They are always flying. The FBO would be dumb to think that isn't a decent amount of money in fuel.

 

[jgheggie]

I used to work at an extremely busy FBO serving the Silicon Valley. Ramp space was at such a premium that we were essentially forced to charge a $25 ramp fee for small pistons (rates went up with aircraft size). If we weren't busy and someone just needed to use the restroom or drop a pax and go, I wouldn't bother charging them. But pilots in the know would have used nearby GA only airports (where the Gulfstreams couldn't land) to avoid the ridiculous fees.

That's partially my problem. The guy I work for owns a small FBO that I worked at during summer in high school. It was the same thing. We didn't charge someone for a quick stop if we weren't busy. It was just common courtesy. That's all I ask for...a little common courtesy.

 

[SteveC]

Yes! Well sort of....the website had a fees section. It said under 1 hour was $50. And "landing fee" $50. Then at the bottom it said transient day parking---$0. So I now know that it's $50 to land and free to park in transient I guess??

So when I called I did NOT specifically ask if there was a fee. However, I did say something to the effect of "so if I park in transient parking and just use the restroom then that's ok?" And she said yes.

Ill admit there was some miscommunication. But the point is still valid. Sometimes you give a little to make a customer happy. Even if they didn't purchase something RIGHT THEN.

You're angry because they stood by their advertised pricing, simply because you misunderstood?

 

[jgheggie]

You're angry because they stood by their advertised pricing, simply because you misunderstood?

Well to be fair...the pricing was misleading. It said transient parking $0.

 

[fholbert]

If I were the manager of the FBO, I'd send you a copy of the $25,000 fuel sale I make to the G5 that comes in every weekend. But I'm an ass.

And I'd send a copy of my new paper license and tell the manager when I'm flying a G5 I'll remember what you did.

 

[Murdoughnut]

I landed my Viking in Montrose Colorado and the Jet Center directed me way down to the other end of the airport, about a mile away. The entire front of the FBO is open, guess that's for Jets. I assumed they would send a car for us, bad assumption. We tied the plane down and hiked to the FBO, got our rental car and asked that the gate be opened so we could drive down to our plane and get our luggage. Pulled up to the gate as directed waited for our escort... nothing. Biz jets are now pouring in and the FBO is going crazy, no one can escort us to the plane I own. (Come to find out a Cessna Jet folded it's gear in Tellurite closing the runway) Almost twenty minutes passed as we sat blocking the gate. Oprah was getting 1st class service, I got nothing. Finally went back in the Jet Center and someone let us through the gate and escorted us to our plane.

Next day we were going to fly over the Leadville. The lady at the Jet Center said; Pull up to the gate and they would open it for us. I kind of exploded; "I'm not playing your stupid games anymore..." and told the entire story of the day before. Pretty sure everyone in the Jet Center heard me including a manager who's now at the counter. She wants to call the owner at home so I can speak with him directly. I responded I'd leave the owner a message on AirNav.com and walked away.

By the time we untied the plane, added some oil and washed the windshield the FBO owner is at my plane followed in short order by the airport manager.

The Jet Center owner is extremely apologetic and came bearing gifts. Chap stick, hats, shirts and discounted fuel.

The airport manager was an ass saying no airport would let a transient pilot drive on the ramp (never mind it was okay to taxi). Where's my home airport badge? I hadn't done a sufficient pre-flight or I would have know the Jet Center number so I could call them for a pick up (before iPad).

The following three days I got the Oprah treatment. It was clear the FBO was doing their best under a very poor airport manager so I never did leave AirNav feedback.

If I was the OP of this thread I'd be leaving comments on AirNav and get my friend to do so also.

FBOs are like golf pro shops. Everyone is either super nice or a complete ass - no in between.

 

[CFI A&P]

So Class D, south Florida, signature, two FBO's on the field, a $50 ramp fee.... Sounds like Boca (BCT). If so, pssst it's BOCA! Did you notice that all your neighbors on the ramp were G5s, F900s, and The like?

 

[fholbert]

After paying $50 for a pee stop I'd been leaving with pockets full of cookies, all the pop corn and soft drinks I could carry.

 

[skypilot6]

The FBO chain you speak of in my experience always offers the best and most consistent service. I havent been to the one you're complaining about. But as a Pilot its much nicer to drive the Silver Arrow to lunch at said FBO, than the broken down Yugo the other FBO on the field has.

 

[Pachong]

Learning to fly around so cal I just always planned on pissing in bottles or something cuz we just assumed most FBOs charged you at least 50 bucks. I guess it just got around by word of mouth. I never even bothered to call one. I mean Even Catalina charges you. (Class G airport) Ill actually go one further and say that the FBOs charge those fees to keep the little guys out.

 

[fholbert]

Learning to fly around so cal I just always planned on pissing in bottles or something cuz we just assumed most FBOs charged you at least 50 bucks. I guess it just got around by word of mouth. I never even bothered to call one. I mean Even Catalina charges you. (Class G airport) Ill actually go one further and say that the FBOs charge those fees to keep the little guys out.

But Catalina is privately owned and gets no federal grants. Besides, base to final is worth $25 just for the view.

I've been a member of the Catalina Aero Club last 3 years and landings are free with $150 membership.

 

[Pachong]

But Catalina is privately owned and gets no federal grants. Besides, base to final is worth $25 just for the view.

I've been a member of the Catalina Aero Club last 3 years and landings are free with $150 membership.

Oh I'm aware and I agree. Just saying, around here its kind of the norm to expect to pay something if you're getting out of the plane.

 

[Cessnaflyer]

I landed my Viking in Montrose Colorado and the Jet Center directed me way down to the other end of the airport, about a mile away. The entire front of the FBO is open, guess that's for Jets. I assumed they would send a car for us, bad assumption. We tied the plane down and hiked to the FBO, got our rental car and asked that the gate be opened so we could drive down to our plane and get our luggage. Pulled up to the gate as directed waited for our escort... nothing. Biz jets are now pouring in and the FBO is going crazy, no one can escort us to the plane I own. (Come to find out a Cessna Jet folded it's gear in Tellurite closing the runway) Almost twenty minutes passed as we sat blocking the gate. Oprah was getting 1st class service, I got nothing. Finally went back in the Jet Center and someone let us through the gate and escorted us to our plane.

Next day we were going to fly over the Leadville. The lady at the Jet Center said; Pull up to the gate and they would open it for us. I kind of exploded; "I'm not playing your stupid games anymore..." and told the entire story of the day before. Pretty sure everyone in the Jet Center heard me including a manager who's now at the counter. She wants to call the owner at home so I can speak with him directly. I responded I'd leave the owner a message on AirNav.com and walked away.

By the time we untied the plane, added some oil and washed the windshield the FBO owner is at my plane followed in short order by the airport manager.

The Jet Center owner is extremely apologetic and came bearing gifts. Chap stick, hats, shirts and discounted fuel.

The airport manager was an ass saying no airport would let a transient pilot drive on the ramp (never mind it was okay to taxi). Where's my home airport badge? I hadn't done a sufficient pre-flight or I would have know the Jet Center number so I could call them for a pick up (before iPad).

The following three days I got the Oprah treatment. It was clear the FBO was doing their best under a very poor airport manager so I never did leave AirNav feedback.

If I was the OP of this thread I'd be leaving comments on AirNav and get my friend to do so also.

I thought only simulator pilots used AirNav.

 

[fholbert]

Oh I'm aware and I agree. Just saying, around here its kind of the norm to expect to pay something if you're getting out of the plane.

You're landing at the wrong airports, I rarely pay a fee other than Catalina.

 

[fholbert]

I thought only simulator pilots used AirNav.

You must be new.

Airplanes were around long before the iPad.

 

[Volkl5star]

I guess I have to play a (slight) devils advocate as well... Rants like this really don't make sense to me. I worked at a big name FBO so I do understand the fees suck, but they are what they are. The CSR is just doing her job, following policy just like any other job. You didn't ask if there were landing fees and then when you find out a fee exists, you complain because she's just doing her job? "Broke time builders" come on mannnnnnnn. What will your 50 dollar fee exponentially do to their company? Uhh, nothing. Then you say you hope they fail as a business? Just sounds like a whiny student that has never been to an FBO before.

I'm sure you're a good dude, so not trying to put you down, but just man up and pay the fee! Was there probably some room to cut you a break? Definitely! But, dont be hurt when someone is just enforcing policy.