Slob for a partner??

Threefingeredjack

Threefingeredjack

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Threefingeredjack
Anyone ever have a total slob for a partner? A "friend" is in a 50/50 partnership in a light twin. Seems like every time my friend goes to use the plane the windscreen is dirty, the cabin often has trash in it and oil levels and fuel levels are usually not topped up. Since murder is out, and there seems to be some ethical questions around kneecapping, has anyone else been through this and what tactic, if any, worked to remedy the situation? I am trying to sell out, but the market isn't super right now. :idea: Anyone out there "know a guy who knows a guy" ??
 
What was in the co-owner agreement?

The once or twice a few folks and I discussed the possibility of forming a co-owner group, items such as you describe had a consensus that we should include under the section covering putting the plane to bed after usage.
 
We haven't had this problem in our co-ownership (or if someone can't fuel or whatever, we just cover it with a quick e-mail), but what I've seen useful to fix this is published "standards" and in bad cases, fines.

Tie it to his wallet, he won't leave it messy. Hahaha.
 
denverpilot said:
We haven't had this problem in our co-ownership (or if someone can't fuel or whatever, we just cover it with a quick e-mail), but what I've seen useful to fix this is published "standards" and in bad cases, fines.

Tie it to his wallet, he won't leave it messy. Hahaha.
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Yeah, thought about that, but with only two of us it really tough to get too formal. He's a great guy and always there when anything major needs to happen. Maybe I'm too picky. My wife suggested getting a trash bag and filling it up with the stuff we find as a visual aid. That is in process. Just casting about for ideas. I'm looking to sell out and buy my "last" plane, one that will be a cruiser and I can keep until it is time to hang up the goggles.
 
I fail to see a problem. He pays half the expenses on a light twin, which isn't cheap. And in exchange you have to clean up a little bit before flying, which is no biggie. Shoot, my wife is an absolute slob, but still, the plusses outweigh the minuses.
 
Gerhardt said:
I fail to see a problem. He pays half the expenses on a light twin, which isn't cheap. And in exchange you have to clean up a little bit before flying, which is no biggie. Shoot, my wife is an absolute slob, but still, the plusses outweigh the minuses.
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I suppose I see it as an issue of mutual respect. When my partner opens the hangar he gets a clean windscreen, clean interior and a machine ready to fly. I don't feel it is to much to ask in return. Sure, he pays half of the expenses....but then he has a partner who does the same. :)
 
Threefingeredjack said:
I suppose I see it as an issue of mutual respect. When my partner opens the hangar he gets a clean windscreen, clean interior and a machine ready to fly. I don't feel it is to much to ask in return. Sure, he pays half of the expenses....but then he has a partner who does the same. :)
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  • Absolutely agree. Have him pay 60% or more and you keep it "ready to go".
  • Get a garbage bag and fill it with HIS trash and put it in the pilot's seat for him to remove.
  • Tell him he better start checking the oil before he flies it because you aren't going to do it for him again?
  • If you aren't going to fly it for a while, and he is, go to Taco Bell and get a really nasty burrito and put it in the cockpit to moulder. (Like waaay in the back) A friend of mine did it to me by putting one on top of the transmission of my VW bug way back when. I didn't find it until clutch time a year later, but I sure remember the funny smell. :yikes:
 
Threefingeredjack said:
Anyone ever have a total slob for a partner? A "friend" is in a 50/50 partnership in a light twin. Seems like every time my friend goes to use the plane the windscreen is dirty, the cabin often has trash in it and oil levels and fuel levels are usually not topped up. Since murder is out, and there seems to be some ethical questions around kneecapping, has anyone else been through this and what tactic, if any, worked to remedy the situation? I am trying to sell out, but the market isn't super right now. :idea: Anyone out there "know a guy who knows a guy" ??
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You grow a pair, appoint yourself director of maintenance and make sure it's taken care of.;) What else is there besides a shock collar?

I know a guy named Gambino whose mom's maiden was Genovese.;)
 
Keep up with the oil, just to keep this "great guy" from running the sumps dry. Otherwise you stop cleaning, too. It can't go on - no sense cutting off your nose to spite your own face - but try it for a couple of months and see if there's a reaction.
 
Gather up all the trash and put it in a box. Leave it on the left seat for him with a note that says "you forgot this in the plane :) ". The smiley face lightens it up but still gets the message across.
 
so clean it before you take the plane out, leaving the trash by the tie down or hangar. You get back put the trash back in, leave a dirty wind screen.
Personally, I would not make a big deal about it while I was working my way to my "last" plane.
 
Short any previous agreements if his standard of cleanliness is lower then yours expect to tidy up when you fly. You don't have the moral high ground, just different standards. Clean it to your standard and don't let it bother you.
 
How about just talking to the dude about it?

Another reason to not have partner(s)
 
Threefingeredjack said:
I suppose I see it as an issue of mutual respect. When my partner opens the hangar he gets a clean windscreen, clean interior and a machine ready to fly. I don't feel it is to much to ask in return. Sure, he pays half of the expenses....but then he has a partner who does the same. :)
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Have you spoken to your partner about it or are you just assuming he should automatically have the same neatness standards that you have? Maybe he doesn't even notice what you consider a mess. Also, if you are equal partners with equal authority, in the absence of a mutual agreement, there wouldn't seem to be much you can do about it. He might be saying, "My partner is a nitpicker..."
 
Did Felix and Oscar co-own a plane or is this deja vu all over again?
Everskyward said:
Have you spoken to your partner about it or are you just assuming he should automatically have the same neatness standards that you have? Maybe he doesn't even notice what you consider a mess. Also, if you are equal partners with equal authority, in the absence of a mutual agreement, there wouldn't seem to be much you can do about it. He might be saying, "My partner is a nitpicker..."
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I could probably live with the trash. Him not topping off the fuel is a different story.
 
Funkeruski said:
I could probably live with the trash. Him not topping off the fuel is a different story.
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Top the tanks but have the bill sent to him each time:D

If he can't figure it out after that you need a man to man talk to discuss both of your expectations. Heck he may be thinking why in the hell are these tanks full every time I fly:)
 
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Maybe he flies with lots of stuff and would be over with full tanks.
 
Handling of trash:

Option 1. Bag each deposit and attach a date tag. Store them in order on the hangar floor.

Option 2. Buy a small wastebasket and bags. Place the wastebasket on the pilot seat.

Option 3. Get a 10' piece of line and some clothes-pins. Make a "clothesline" inside the cabin and attach each piece of trash with a pin.

For the windshield.

1. Place the cleaner and cloth on the glareshield when you leave the plane for him.

For the fuel problem.

1. Buy locking caps. Don't give him a key.
 
A lot of interesting ideas here, but first you have to just complain about it.
Might only work once, but it should be Step 1, if you ask me. Never been a partner, but I've been a renter and club member, and I've never failed to ***** about such things in those situations. I'm not keen on paying to clean up someone else's mess, or top off fuel or oil before I fly. Hard to say, in such cases, if it does any good (too many possible offenders), but my self-respect demands it.

And if complaining has no effect, I suggest leaving the collected trash in your partner's car, if possible. :devil:
 
Lots of interesting reaction. I have resigned myself to the collection of "artifacts" but am getting concerned about the oil issue. I do not clean the windscreen unless it is obviously dirty, but when the bug splatters look like a Jackson Pollock work I think anyone would notice. Maybe I am too picky. It could be worse I guess.
 
First, I agree that step one is to talk with him about it. Something like "I feel that the plane isn't getting all the respect it deserves. I try to ..., but when I arrive I find .... I'd appreciate it if you would ..."

Second, I always check and fill the oil before starting, not after landing, so it has a chance to settle and I don't burn my hand removing the cap(s). Do you do differently?
 
If I had a partner, I would not want him to top off the fuel due to potential W&B issues. However, I wouldn't like finding my plane with trash in it.
 
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