Rockwell Sabreliner blocked from leaving airport until fees paid

[SpiraMirabilis]

That story never gets old.

Was in recurrent with one of the crew who was supposed to fly it out that morning. He was telling how the city / airport people were like being real polite and seemed to be afraid that they would be upset. The reaction from him and the captain was more along the lines of 'This is awesome. Also, you shouldn't accept a check. Cash only.'

 

[SteveC]

I had the airport police at O'hare try to block my instructor and I from taking off when we went there to do touch and go's. They wanted landing fees. We put on our cool faces and took off over them. They didn't even call the tower, they just pulled out half way down 14R(if you're familiar this is like 7000 feet down) while we were rolling. Uh, cherokee 140s with two skinny dudes can rotate in like 2 feet there guys!

Questions:

1. You went to an airport that charges landing fees and didn't pay them?
2. An official vehicle pulled onto an active runway without talking to the tower?
3. You continued a take-off with a vehicle on your runway?
4. How did you know that the purpose of the police vehicle was to collect landing fees?
5. Is this story all hyperbole?

 

[Ian_J]

Questions:

1. You went to an airport that charges landing fees and didn't pay them?
2. An official vehicle pulled onto an active runway without talking to the tower?
3. You continued a take-off with a vehicle on your runway?
4. How did you know that the purpose of the police vehicle was to collect landing fees?
5. Is this story all hyperbole?

6. Wouldn't they have sent a bill to the registered owner of the "N" number?

 

[Tommay85]

Questions:

1. You went to an airport that charges landing fees and didn't pay them?
2. An official vehicle pulled onto an active runway without talking to the tower?
3. You continued a take-off with a vehicle on your runway?
4. How did you know that the purpose of the police vehicle was to collect landing fees?
5. Is this story all hyperbole?

1) The FBO billed our FBO
2) We didn't hear anything on the radio and the tower didn't tell us about them. This was at 3:30 in the morning if that has any factor
3) We were already going 40ish knots and they were a good 2000 feet down still. I was a 20ish hour student pilot, instructor said jump, I jumped. Whatever. Would I do that now? If there was enough room to continue the take off, but not stop, yes. Otherwise no.
4) Don't know for sure I guess. The tower told us they were probably trying to collect their landing fee.
5) A little bit 14R is INSANE long as I'm sure you know. You could do at least 17 touch and gos in a cessna on that thing before reaching the end I bet. "Airport police SUDDENLY pulling out half way out down the runway" just makes it a normal length runway for most planes. Could have just been an airport ops guy. They have red and blue lights sometimes.

 

[Tommay85]

OT, If the plane does try to leave. SMASH!

 

[fholbert]

I had the airport police at O'hare try to block my instructor and I from taking off when we went there to do touch and go's. They wanted landing fees. We put on our cool faces and took off over them. They didn't even call the tower, they just pulled out half way down 14R(if you're familiar this is like 7000 feet down) while we were rolling.

I'm sorry, this story just doesn't add up.

The FBO had the power to dispatch the airport police?

If an airport vehicle did pull onto an active runway, in front of a departing aircraft no less, there would be heck to pay for several people. Cop in vehicle, Police department, local controller, ground controller.

 

[jafra98]

I had the airport police at O'hare try to block my instructor and I from taking off when we went there to do touch and go's. They wanted landing fees. We put on our cool faces and took off over them. They didn't even call the tower, they just pulled out half way down 14R(if you're familiar this is like 7000 feet down) while we were rolling. Uh, cherokee 140s with two skinny dudes can rotate in like 2 feet there guys!

Is not that a runway incursion????

 

[fholbert]

Is not that a runway incursion????

In 2009 Chino KCNO had 3 runway incursions and the FAA forced the airport to implement a program to train everyone holding an access card. It was annual face to face training with the county. This year it was moved to on line training.

My personal favorite was a pilot used his badge to let a delivery truck in the north gate. The truck was making a delivery to the south side of the airport. It went something like this...

 

[Tommay85]

I'm sorry, this story just doesn't add up.

The FBO had the power to dispatch the airport police?

If an airport vehicle did pull onto an active runway, in front of a departing aircraft no less, there would be heck to pay for several people. Cop in vehicle, Police department, local controller, ground controller.

Where did I say the FBO dispatched the police? Landing fees are an airport thing. The FBO charges them yes, but the money goes to the airport authority. Like I said, in a previous reply, could have been an airport authority vehicle as they also have red and blue lights sometimes.

There is the 3000 foot spacing rule thing with small planes departing, but I don't know if that applies to vehicles on the ground, so maybe not an incursion issue. The ONLY thing I heard from the tower regarding this was: "probably trying to get a landing fee out of you". This was back in 2002, was a low time student pilot and didn't exactly soak in every single detail. Sheesh, gimme a break.

What I do remember was, after we touched down and started our roll to leave again and we saw flashing red and blue lights come out onto the runway a good long ways in front of us. We took off and left. I don't remember everything I heard on the radio. "they were probably trying to get a landing fee out of you" in a joking tone is one thing I remember. Got billed awhile later for the landing fee. It's not unheard of for the airport authority to come out and escort an airplane to a GA ramp to pay a landing fee there...

 

[GX]

Bite your tongue, junior....

You are not worthy to grace the cockpit of a Saberliner or Jetstar series of business jets.

Mmmmmm.... JetStar. Discount's was the most pristine example I'd ever seen. Know anything about a JetStar out of SDL with a long HF antenna behind it?

 

[cmill]

I left without paying for gas before. The FBO shut down at 10pm. I told the CSR that my guys would be there at 1015, and we would happily pay a fee to keep it open. She said they couldn't do that and kicked me out. I didnt say anything about the 75gal. of gas we hadn't paid for yet. I figured if they didnt want 100 bucks for keeping the doors fifteen minutes, they didnt want their gas money.

 

[Stomp16]

I left without paying for gas before. The FBO shut down at 10pm. I told the CSR that my guys would be there at 1015, and we would happily pay a fee to keep it open. She said they couldn't do that and kicked me out. I didnt say anything about the 75gal. of gas we hadn't paid for yet. I figured if they didnt want 100 bucks for keeping the doors fifteen minutes, they didnt want their gas money.

$1.33 for 100LL????? How long ago was this?!?!

 

[Cessnaflyer]

$1.33 for 100LL????? How long ago was this?!?!

The hundred dollars is the after hours charge.

 

[Roger Roger]

Why exactly is this news? I bet there are hundreds of airplanes across the country with prop locks, construction equipment, etc keeping them from moving due to unpaid ramp/tiedown/fuel bills.

 

[BCTAv8r]

Why exactly is this news? I bet there are hundreds of airplanes across the country with prop locks, construction equipment, etc keeping them from moving due to unpaid ramp/tiedown/fuel bills.

Exactly. As a former line guy, I've been told by management at least twice to park a fuel truck in front of an airplane and not move it until told to do so.

 

[saxman]

$125 per month seems like a bargain for a jet to park on the ramp.

 

[Stomp16]

The hundred dollars is the after hours charge.

That makes more sense. ;-}