Thank you Cleveland!!

[KennyFlys]

I'm reminded of the time I came back from Mexico last November. I hadn't been to Mexico so I had to buy a customs sticker that was only good until the end of the year. I politely groused about it to the customs guy. His reply was: "How much did you pay for gas in that thing"?

Given how pilots are raked over coals but a boat coming in from the Bahamas gets by with only a phone call, I would have been tempted to respond with... "More than your value as a government employee." I'd be tempted but I wouldn't be stupid.

 

[AdamZ]

Ed, I don't think its worth worrying about. I agree with SPIKE ( what a surprise) Seriously I'd bet the city of cleveland dosent even know that you were there on a Angel / life line flight. IMHO this is not a money thing but rather a clerical thing . Some city accounting clerk saw your tail number and sent the bill thats all. To many other things to worry about.

 

[Ken Ibold]

Does this dilemma qualify as golf balls, pebbles or sand?

http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?p=182640#poststop

 

[EdFred]

Does this dilemma qualify as golf balls, pebbles or sand?

http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?p=182640#poststop

It's the JAR!!!!!!!!!

 

[bjohnson]

Did the city/FBO know your flight was a lifeline flight?

I would:
Send in the payment with a polite note
Send a note to lifeline as to why you will not accept any more lifeline flights to Cleveland. Maybe lifeline will make a call to the City.

It’s unfortunate that this City may be unwilling to help people in need. The people in need are the ones who get the short end of the deal on this one

Would you actually not give your services to a Lifeline passenger over a $5 landing fee?

If I felt strong enough on the issue I would not volunteer my services.

 

[Aztec Driver]

I guess I am having a hard time understanding the problem here. You are spending an enormous amount of money in fuel, maintenance, and time, to transport these compassion flights, with the full understanding that you are donating all of the expenses. If it bothers you to pay the landing fee, what about the fuel used? Shouldn't the FBO's also donate that? What about the A&P's servicing your airplane? Shouldn't they also donate their repair time? If you are going to antagonize them for the landing fee, make sure you get everyone involved. Now if you really want a landing, handling fee to scream about, go to Baltimore or New York with a light twin and get socked with a $57-73 "handling charge".

 

[deafsound]

I'm just curious---at which airport did you land ?

 

[hkowalczyk]

If it was at Burke Lakefront, then it was probably automated and they didn't even know you were a charity flight. Although I would doubt it matters, do they waive the toll on the highway if you are on a charity drive?

I'd gladly pay $5 at BKL if it means it will stay open... I'd have paid that and more at Meigs!

-Henri

 

[OH Flier]

What does the AFD say about landing fees at Burke? Changing the destination to Cuyahoga County KCGF 10 miles east would have saved the fee. At 120 mph 20 mile round trip, .15 hrs fly time, $70/hr. That's roughly a ten spot and fuel is $.20 per gallon more expensive.


We take these flighgt ops to help those less fortunate.

 

[mikea]

I'd gladly pay $5 at BKL if it means it will stay open... I'd have paid that and more at Meigs!

"You" did. There was $20(?) landing fee and Signature got a $9 fee to collect the $20. It was a lot higher for twins and jets.

Parking a car a mile away on Michigan Avenue would be $20-$30, too.

 

[bbchien]

EdFred, as the former Chairman of the Board of Lifeline, I gotta tell you that everyone appreciates the donation of a flight.

About three years ago there was an Ohio pilot who was making a "return after funeral" run back for a family to Alpena. The weather was just too much. He landed in southern MI, rented a car, and delivered the family. He drove back. Then he flew back to OH the next AM.

There are all levels of commitment to those in need. Over ten years of involvement my financial contributions to keep the organzation going are into the FIVE figure range. The hours worked on getting the organization to where it is....are not a matter of record. But I've never had a flight I regretted. And the pax always say, "thank you from the bottom of our hearts"....even if the weather was a "penetration flight". It's sweet.

$5.00? Well, whatever. If it really matters (and I know to you it's just an irritation) I'll send you $5.00.