Why can't it be easier to find out FBO fees?

Bonchie

Bonchie

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Bonchie
It seems like no one wants to put them on their website. There's no source like airnav that keeps track of this stuff.

Calling 10 FBOs just trying to find out tie down information is dumb. It should be easier than this in 2016.

What's the big deal with putting this information on your freaking website?
 
You assume they even have a navigable website (let alone a website) to begin with, haha! Seriously, with websites like barnstormers still as they are (probably the worst website interface I've ever seen), I'm not surprised. I definitely agree with you...
 
Not only that they do not publish the information but when you land they say different number than the guy whom you called earlier
 
blueskyMD said:
Not only that they do not publish the information but when you land they say different number than the guy whom you called earlier
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Getting sticker shock by landing there in the blind is one thing, but being bait n switched is another thing entirely. The latter is a legitimate reason to put them in the feces-list if they don't honor the rate quoted on the phone.
 
Bonchie said:
Calling 10 FBOs just trying to find out tie down information is dumb. It should be easier than this in 2016.
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It's kind of dumb, sure. But it's not a whole lot worse than downloading ten spreadsheets, each formatted differently, and figuring out which rows and columns are applicable to your aircraft type.
 
NoHeat said:
Ten FBOs? I've never been anyplace like that. Where are there ten FBOs?
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You've never been to a major city with a bunch of airports around it? In this case, it's Houston and I can either fly into one of the many airports surrounding it or fly into one of several airports in SE Texas, where I used to live and have friends/family who'll take me to Houston. It's not just an one night thing, so tie down rates matter.
 
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blueskyMD said:
Not only that they do not publish the information but when you land they say different number than the guy whom you called earlier
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That's why we always get the name of the person that gave us the quote, and also try to get the fees faxed to us before taking off.
 
"Signature nomatterwhere, how can I help?"
"Yes, I'm flying to justthere tomorrow and am looking to park my bugsmasher for the night, what are your ramp fees?"
"Our ramp fee is $42 for an overnight parking, and it can be waived with a 15 gallon purchase"
"Ok, thank you, see you tomorrow"

*** flight happens ***

tomorrow +1:

"Hi, I'm about to depart and I just bought 15 gallons of fuel, can I pay for my fuel?"
"Yes, your total is $194.50"
"Hmm, your AVGAS is $8.90 per gallon, 15 gallons should be $133.50?"
"Yes, but there is a Security Fee of $15, your Facility Fee of $30, and your used-the-coffee-maker fee of $16".

This is way too common with the big brand FBOs. (ed. note. I use Atlantic, because they have always been upfront about them with me).
 
If they have a ramp fee it isn't in their best interest to tell you, because you may use that to simply not visit. Ever notice how the places with no ramp fees are happy to advertise that fact?
 
mtuomi said:
"Signature nomatterwhere, how can I help?"
"Yes, I'm flying to justthere tomorrow and am looking to park my bugsmasher for the night, what are your ramp fees?"
"Our ramp fee is $42 for an overnight parking, and it can be waived with a 15 gallon purchase"
"Ok, thank you, see you tomorrow"

*** flight happens ***

tomorrow +1:

"Hi, I'm about to depart and I just bought 15 gallons of fuel, can I pay for my fuel?"
"Yes, your total is $194.50"
"Hmm, your AVGAS is $8.90 per gallon, 15 gallons should be $133.50?"
"Yes, but there is a Security Fee of $15, your Facility Fee of $30, and your used-the-coffee-maker fee of $16".

This is way too common with the big brand FBOs. (ed. note. I use Atlantic, because they have always been upfront about them with me).
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Don't forget the peanut M&M charge. Seems all the Signatures are getting them now.

My favorite Signature charge was the $80 they charged me in Boston to pay the TSA guy to screen my family's bags.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Don't forget the peanut M&M charge. Seems all the Signatures are getting them now.

My favorite Signature charge was the $80 they charged me in Boston to pay the TSA guy to screen my family's bags.
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Before you put the bags in YOUR airplane? :confused:o_O
 
GRG55 said:
Before you put the bags in YOUR airplane? :confused:o_O
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Yes. But the funniest part is that they didn't screen me because I was the crew. Just my wife and kids. And then we walked out to the plane together. Completely absurd. But that is what happens when Massport gets involved.
 
Tarheelpilot said:
It makes it harder to avoid paying them if they are hidden
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That.

I've noticed in the work plane we always get hit for the fees, however when I'm flying into somewhere in my own plane more time than not they waive the fees for me :dunno:
 
Every time that I am scheduled to go somewhere, I figure out which airport and FBO that I am going to use, typically based upon which Contract Fuel Program they accept. I almost always shoot for a CAA airport and FBO. Then, I get on the phone and ask the person at the desk of the FBO that I am planning to use what other fees I can expect. As mentioned previously, I get a name and write down the information. I find that FBOs are relatively reasonable about the other fees if you talk to them up front. On occasion, I need to have a manager call me back to get relief on fees that are excessive.

I used to use Signature a lot because I like the facilities and they have very professional staff. However, for about the past year or so, I have found them to be noncompetitive with regard to their additional fees and fuel prices. When I discuss it with the management, they are inflexible. So, I have been using their competition and have been very pleased with the service and the prices.

Abram Finkelstein
N48KY
 
mtuomi said:
"Signature nomatterwhere, how can I help?"
"Yes, I'm flying to justthere tomorrow and am looking to park my bugsmasher for the night, what are your ramp fees?"
"Our ramp fee is $42 for an overnight parking, and it can be waived with a 15 gallon purchase"
"Ok, thank you, see you tomorrow"

*** flight happens ***

tomorrow +1:

"Hi, I'm about to depart and I just bought 15 gallons of fuel, can I pay for my fuel?"
"Yes, your total is $194.50"
"Hmm, your AVGAS is $8.90 per gallon, 15 gallons should be $133.50?"
"Yes, but there is a Security Fee of $15, your Facility Fee of $30, and your used-the-coffee-maker fee of $16".

This is way too common with the big brand FBOs. (ed. note. I use Atlantic, because they have always been upfront about them with me).
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oh yeah, gotta love all the extra fees that "can't be waived." :rolleyes:
 
Lolz, security fee!

Will your FBO be responsible for any theft or criminal activity which damages my aircraft?

No

so you're not really providing security, at least any worth anything, for my aircraft, you just want money, like a bum asking for a handout?
 
mtuomi said:
..."Hi, I'm about to depart and I just bought 15 gallons of fuel, can I pay for my fuel?"
"Yes, your total is $194.50"
"Hmm, your AVGAS is $8.90 per gallon, 15 gallons should be $133.50?"
"Yes, but there is a Security Fee of $15, your Facility Fee of $30, and your used-the-coffee-maker fee of $16".

This is way too common with the big brand FBOs. (ed. note. I use Atlantic, because they have always been upfront about them with me).
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I wonder if a class action lawsuit would be an effective tool for getting such practices stopped. I wonder if concealing the terms of an agreement for service until after the agreement has been entered into would be sufficient grounds for such a suit.
 
GRG55 said:
Before you put the bags in YOUR airplane? :confused:o_O
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Why weren't they "your" bags? Do you only permit your crew one bag? I would have told TSA that it's my airline, and my pilot (me) is allowed unlimited baggage for free, and those are all my bags. Passengers aren't allowed any bags. Problem solved.
 
Fearless Tower said:
My favorite Signature charge was the $80 they charged me in Boston to pay the TSA guy to screen my family's bags.
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How is requiring your family to have their bags screened to fly on your own plane not some kind of 5th amendment violation? I am not an expert in this area of law, but something strikes me as problematic about that.

Edit: Correction-- Fourth Amendment violation. (Told you I wasn't an expert in this area of the law.)
 
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PPC1052 said:
How is requiring your family to have their bags screened to fly on your own plane not some kind of 5th amendment violation? I am not an expert in this area of law. but something strikes me as problematic about that.
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This was Massachusetts. Constitutional freedoms are not high on the priority list there.
 
PPC1052 said:
How is requiring your family to have their bags screened to fly on your own plane not some kind of 5th amendment violation? I am not an expert in this area of law, but something strikes me as problematic about that.

Edit: Correction-- Fourth Amendment violation. (Told you I wasn't an expert in this area of the law.)
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Also what's the point?

When I fly my plane out to the boonies, I'll often bring my rifle for a little plinking around, nothing illegal about me brining my rifle, or a knife, or a chit ton of liquids, I don't see how the TSA even remotely made sense for a typical pt91 flight
 
Does anyone use transient parking at the airports they visit? So far every where I've been has had transient parking for me to use and self serve fuel? I think the most I've ever paid is like $5 a night.


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James331 said:
Also what's the point?

When I fly my plane out to the boonies, I'll often bring my rifle for a little plinking around, nothing illegal about me brining my rifle, or a knife, or a chit ton of liquids, I don't see how the TSA even remotely made sense for a typical pt91 flight
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Well, there is that, too. With common carriers and the legal prohibition on carrying weapons, I can at least see the argument for screening. But your point for a part 91 flight is definitely a good one.
 
I have firearms in MA. Next?


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Before I go anywhere, I call the FBO and say "I'm flying in today/tomorrow and want to know of any local knowledge and fees or something that may not be on the web or in the NOTAMs." I get one of two responses, either the person on the other end is helpful and gives me what I need straight away or the person can't spell NOTAM and I'm left no better off than before. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground.
 
gsengle said:
I have firearms in MA. Next?


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Just like in NY and CA right lol

As a law abiding citizen, if I came to your state with a 15round mag, I'd be treated as a criminal and they would try to steal my freedom and rights.

You also have freedom of speech in china and north korea, so long as you don't say anything prohibited.
 
gsengle said:
You're an idiot. I doubt you've read it. Give me an example brave patriot? How do you feel about equal protection for instance?

At this rate New England will be the last place that really protects the constitution.

Glib nonsense like that doesn't belong here.


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Actually I swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. You better believe I've read it.

But thanks for the personal attack nonetheless. Have a nice holiday!
 
Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've never had an issue with FBOs providing accurate fee information over the phone (or via email) when I call prior to a flight. I don't bother checking if it's a smaller airport, but I do when going into a bigger place where I'd expect high fees.
 
PPC1052 said:
How is requiring your family to have their bags screened to fly on your own plane not some kind of 5th amendment violation? I am not an expert in this area of law, but something strikes me as problematic about that.

Edit: Correction-- Fourth Amendment violation. (Told you I wasn't an expert in this area of the law.)
Click to expand...
I doubt they care about what is going into your airplane, only what is going out onto the ramp. Pretty sure the area outside Signature is considered a secure area at Boston.
 
Anyways.... fees are one thing. I find it difficult to even find out what FBOs are at an airport. Have to do that before I need to call them to ask about fees.
 
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