KOAK and a quick turn

[arnoha]

So, I've flown to KOAK, but never actually parked. I'd like to drop in this Friday very briefly to grab a passenger and then head right back out again. Then repeat the process when the flight is done. I know a few of you have experience with the airport: what is the cheapest way to pull that off? I know I need to stop at either Kaiser or Signature. Will they tolerate a quick turn without charging me anything? I won't need fuel, but I'm willing to take some on if it's the best value.

 

[John221us]

I used to use Business Jet Center, but it doesn't look like they survived. Too bad, they were great.

 

[Ryan F.]

Yes, I used to use Business Jet Center, too. That would have been my first choice. I've used Kaiser too -- they're okay. Facility is a bit weak.

I've been to OAK many times. I don't think it's likely you'll sneak in and out without paying anything. Give Kaiser Air a call and see what they charge. They're probably the cheapest.

 

[mtuomi]

~30USD for a quick turn in SEP.

 

[MAKG1]

Hmm, picking up a passenger is different from what I've done. Kaiser has let me park for an hour to visit the museum, and let passengers use the bathroom, for free, but a pickup is different.

Both FBOs are behind a security fence. You can't just walk in off the street.

BJC has been gone for at least 5 years. Surf Air is now using their ramp.

Why not use Hayward? North Field is NOT easier to get to, and it's a hell of a long walk from the airline terminal. Or at least call the FBOs. They will tell you.

 

[rsleeds]

Will they tolerate a quick turn without charging me anything?

Why shouldn't there be a charge for you and your passenger using their facility? They pay rent, utilities, staff, overhead, etc. to be there to facilitate your needs. Shouldn't they get paid for that?

 

[arnoha]

Why shouldn't there be a charge for you and your passenger using their facility? They pay rent, utilities, staff, overhead, etc. to be there to facilitate your needs. Shouldn't they get paid for that?

I made no comment on should or shouldn't. I merely asked what was most economical. Don't read what isn't there.

 

[arnoha]

Hmm, picking up a passenger is different from what I've done. Kaiser has let me park for an hour to visit the museum, and let passengers use the bathroom, for free, but a pickup is different.

Both FBOs are behind a security fence. You can't just walk in off the street.

BJC has been gone for at least 5 years. Surf Air is now using their ramp.

Why not use Hayward? North Field is NOT easier to get to, and it's a hell of a long walk from the airline terminal. Or at least call the FBOs. They will tell you.

My passenger is taking BART from SF, and it saves 20-30 minutes of public transit time to use OAK. But, if what you say about trying to get from the terminal to the FBO is that difficult, HWD might actually make more sense. I've done pickups there before, without issue. I will definitely call the FBOs, but it's always nice to be armed with a little foreknowledge. Any of my phone calls have tended to result in book prices, not necessarily what is actually practiced or tolerated. Goes both ways: sometimes, small uses are ignored and it's actually cheaper than quoted. And sometimes there's magic fees (Oakland's $5 security fee) that may or may not be mentioned. I've watched PoA be a great resource for this sort of thing!

 

[nauga]

My passenger is taking BART from SF, and it saves 20-30 minutes of public transit time to use OAK. But, if what you say about trying to get from the terminal to the FBO is that difficult, HWD might actually make more sense.

Yeah, BART is super convenient to the main terminals but the GA ramp is on the other side of the airport and not easy to get to from BART or the main terminals. HWD is much easier to deal with if you can get to/from there - ISTR Uber and/or Lyft won't do pickups at HWD, you have to walk across the street from the FBOs.

Nauga,
everywhere at once

 

[MAKG1]

Yeah, BART is super convenient to the main terminals but the GA ramp is on the other side of the airport and not easy to get to from BART or the main terminals. HWD is much easier to deal with if you can get to/from there - ISTR Uber and/or Lyft won't do pickups at HWD, you have to walk across the street from the FBOs.

Nauga,
everywhere at once

By the time you use Uber, from San Francisco, just go to San Carlos. Two good restaurants on or next to the field, a first rate air museum, plus a nice terminal with free day-use transient parking. A nice side effect is that you can flip the bird at Larry Ellison on takeoff from 30. It does get busy with 135 traffic at push times. Lots of Pilati.

Uber WILL drop off pretty much anywhere at OAK (BTDT for airplane ferries), but isn't likely to drive into the FBO parking lots because of the security gates.

A not very good (but better than nothing) trick to getting around OAK is to walk from the rental car building. That's at least at the North Field, though it's still a sizeable walk to the FBOs, especially with luggage.

 

[Shawn]

I have dropped at Kaiser before and they waived all but the security fee and gave my PAX a ride to the terminal...think I topped off for something like 12 gallons. Fuel was more expensive than at home but a few bucks x12 gallons was well worth the convince.

 

[Jeff Oslick]

It can also take seemingly forever to get the from the terminal to the rental car area at KOAK using the airport shuttle.

My suggestion would be to figure out which FBO will give your friend a ride or let you borrow a car to pick them up from the terminal in exchange for buying a few gallons of gas.

FWIW, I've been happy with Kaiser the few times I've used them. One catch is if they have a big charter flight coming in, the TSA security nonsense starts in full swing there, so you need to work with the folks at the counter to end-run a security line to get back to your plane.

 

[Shawn]

I am also not very versed in BART, but doesn't BART to KOAK require a transfer to the BART extension line to the airport for the PAX?...I will take higher cost for convenience any day but you may wanna check that out and see if an Uber to HWD from the BART station closest to there or taking BART all the way to CCR makes more sense than all the hops in between needed for both you and PAX to meet up...or San Carlos as MAKG1 suggested.

Uber WILL drop off pretty much anywhere at OAK (BTDT for airplane ferries), but isn't likely to drive into the FBO parking lots because of the security gates.

While you will not get on the tarmac, you can get right to the front door of the FBO via Uber. Most Biz Jet FBOs have drive up access and are not behind restricted areas...at least for the lobby access anyway.

 

[MAKG1]

While you will not get on the tarmac, you can get right to the front door of the FBO via Uber. Most Biz Jet FBOs have drive up access and are not behind restricted areas...at least for the lobby access anyway.

Not at OAK. Have you tried to drive to Kaiser? Security gate is right by the roadside. It's not restricted by the airport, but it is by the FBO. Might look scary enough to prevent an Uber driver from going through.

 

[Jeff Oslick]

Not at OAK. Have you tried to drive to Kaiser? Security gate is right by the roadside. It's not restricted by the airport, but it is by the FBO. Might look scary enough to prevent an Uber driver from going through.

Don't know why, you just push the call button and tell them you're meeting an airplane that flew in there, and they'll buzz you in.

Are Uber drivers afraid of gated communities too?

 

[rsleeds]

I made no comment on should or shouldn't. I merely asked what was most economical. Don't read what isn't there.

You're right, you just hope they'll tolerate your operation without charging you. Certainly that way many places.

 

[Sam D]

You're right, you just hope they'll tolerate your operation without charging you. Certainly that way many places.

Absolutely. There's an FBO in San Luis Obispo that I've flown into a number of times to drop off or pick up kids from college. And they never charge me. I've also bought a ton of fuel there on other trips. ACI Jet Center. I highly recommend them. Great people. There's also an FBO in Santa Rosa with the same welcoming attitude -- Sonoma Jet Center. I've parked there a number of times to take FAA written or practical exams next door. I've also provided them quite a bit of business. Both organizations are quite successful. Perhaps that says something...

BTW - These recommendations are free of charge.

 

[arnoha]

Made the decision to go to HWD this time. The mess of getting to the FBO coupled with the potential cost makes HWD more attractive despite the longer commute time. SQL is also an option, but there's a 20 minute walk at the end if you take CalTrain and it's not any less time as a result. Uber/Lyft not an option...college student without many extra funds around. I'd fund, but she's not taking the money.

 

[MAKG1]

You're right, you just hope they'll tolerate your operation without charging you. Certainly that way many places.

They might. It's close to the stuff I've done there without charge.

But I still think it would be easier just to go to San Carlos. There is some unique food around OAK, but it's a walk from the FBO (ever had a halal pizza?).

Sam, things are different at a busy Class C.

 

[mscard88]

I had a quick turn at the airline terminal at KOAK.

 

[MAKG1]

Made the decision to go to HWD this time. The mess of getting to the FBO coupled with the potential cost makes HWD more attractive despite the longer commute time. SQL is also an option, but there's a 20 minute walk at the end if you take CalTrain and it's not any less time as a result. Uber/Lyft not an option...college student without many extra funds around. I'd fund, but she's not taking the money.

Dude, PRICE Uber before you discount it. It's competitive with BART.

From Mountain View, my last Uber trip to Oakland was $14 and took 40 minutes. CalTrain/BART would have been about the same and taken 2.5 hours if I could make the express CalTrain. And they dropped me right in front of the door at CAP (just down the road from Kaiser).

 

[arnoha]

Dude, PRICE Uber before you discount it. It's competitive with BART.

From Mountain View, my last Uber trip to Oakland was $14 and took 40 minutes. CalTrain/BART would have been about the same and taken 2.5 hours if I could make the express CalTrain. And they dropped me right in front of the door at CAP (just down the road from Kaiser).

I know, but I'm leaving surface transport to her decisions. I mostly don't care where I pick her up, so I'll let her figure it out and make her own mistakes. I just didn't want a surprise $100 bill to save her $5.

 

[noahfong]

She can take the 83 or 85 bus from Hayward Bart. It will get her within a block of HWD. $2.10.