Is My "Flying Friends" E-mail List Crossing the Ride Sharing Line?

VWGhiaBob

VWGhiaBob

Line Up and Wait
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VWGhiaBob
I just want to make sure I'm not crossing any lines, so opinions appreciated.

I view myself as an ambassador of aviation. Every weekend and sometimes during the week, I take someone up...friends, family, co-workers, adults, kids, even dogs!

Along the way, I assembled an e-mail list which I call "Captain* Bob's Flying Friends." When I go up, I simply broadcast to my friends, and they can go free, first come first served. I never accept money. It's not a club and there are no dues. I don't give rides to destinations. We share a common purpose of having fun. It's simply an e-mail list that lets about 25 people know when I'm going up.

I have takers for almost every single flight, and sometimes a waiting list.

So...does this sound clean under the policy? Maybe it's dumb to ask this, but then I was surprised by the FAA's ruling on ride sharing.

Thanks, members!

* - I always disclaim the word "Captain" in my e-mails to make sure folks know I'm simply a private pilot who cannot accept money and who is not an airline captain.
 
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VWGhiaBob said:
When I go up, I simply broadcast to my friends, and they can go free first come first served. I never accept money.
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That's the key -- "free". No money, no problem. It's not prohibited "ride sharing" (as you call it -- the FAA talks about sharing expenses, not rides, because it's the money which first triggers the problems) if you're not sharing the cost. Or as a former President might have said, "It's the money, stupid!" If there's no money involved (either cash now or promises of future gain), there's no problem.
 
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VWGhiaBob said:
I just want to make sure I'm not crossing any lines, so opinions appreciated.
words words words I never accept money. words words words
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If you're not accepting money (or any other compensation) for the flights, then there's no problem.
 
I send a mass text when I fly. "Free plane ride this evening for anyone interested"
 
OK...so what if my companions buy me a hamburger at a lunch spot? Is that starting to become a grey line?
 
Why would anyone know who paid for the lunch.if you are not charging a fee for the flight,why sweat the small stuff?
 
VWGhiaBob said:
I just want to make sure I'm not crossing any lines, so opinions appreciated.

I view myself as an ambassador of aviation. Every weekend and sometimes during the week, I take someone up...friends, family, co-workers, adults, kids, even dogs!
Click to expand...

Discounting the word "Free" which is a get out of jail for free card, and not wanting to wade through that other 15+ page thread, my reading of the ruling would make it appear to me you are good either way.... free or even if you took pro-ratio expenses.

The operative word I'm seeing in the letter is "hold out to the public" and as your list is neither public nor strangers and what you are doing is a "common purpose (you pick the destination) I see no issue.
 
What if during the meal your friend choked and died.

Then during the reading of the will it was discovered he left $100 to you and stated it was specifically "for your upcoming plane ride"?

I think in my will, I am going to leave $100 to everyone that has let me ride in their planes.

You're all goin down! :)
 
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