This is killing me!!!

Some
bean counter figured this out, and is now intentionally trying to drive
away the little guys.

Or maybe have them pay their fair share...

I'd be interested to see your version of what our "fair share" should be.

Let's see, for Spam Cans we've got...

....wear and tear on the ramp -- none.
....usage of airspace...covered in fuel taxes.
....???

I suppose we flush the toilet when we pee, but I generally buy a pop or
candy bar, which should cover the water expense. And the line guy is paid
whether he's doing anything or not.

What other direct costs are there for a Cherokee parking at an FBO for 90
minutes?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

The line guy is there wether you use him or not. He still gets paid, as
does all the other staff. They have their phone bill.. their light
bill.. their insurance. They have a lease to pay, and sometimes
franchise fees to the local municipality. You are a business owner Jay..
and a service oriented business owner at that..

What would your response be if I came to your hotel, stayed for 90
minutes, and wanted a prorated bill rate cause I didnt stay until the
next morning's checkout (lets say say I just wanted to catch my soap
opera or something outrageous.. in your Memphis Belle Suite. I didn't
mess up any towels, didnt turn down the bed, did't even make a phone
call. What would the cost be to "turn over" that room? Minimal. Your
housekeeper still needs to get paid wether you used her or not for that
room. Would you as a regular practice, prorate such an occurance? I am
inclined to believe no.

It may be an apples to oranges comparison, but I think the spirit of the
argument is similar. The FBO's charge X number of dollars for UP TO an
overnight parking.. You.. as a business owner, have the right to do
that. Even if you were the only hotel in town, you could choose to do
that. On the same token.. they, as a business, can choose to do the
same. You, as the pilot, can choose to use or not use the facilities.. I
don't demonize you for NOT renting your rooms out by the hour...

Just because the spam-can's aren't the bread and butter of a corporate
oriented FBO doesn't mean that the spam can's don't deserve to be
charged for use of the facilities.. Even parking can get pretty pricey
depending on where you are (for CARS...).. and not all parking lots
pro-rate EITHER, depending on demand.

Yer a great guy, Jay... and I respect you for all the hard work you've
done as a pilot and a business owner, so please dont think Im attacking
you personally.. but I think we prolly will disagree on this issue

Dave

Jay Honeck wrote:
Some

bean counter figured this out, and is now intentionally trying to drive
away the little guys.

Or maybe have them pay their fair share...


I'd be interested to see your version of what our "fair share" should be.

Let's see, for Spam Cans we've got...

...wear and tear on the ramp -- none.
...usage of airspace...covered in fuel taxes.
...???

I suppose we flush the toilet when we pee, but I generally buy a pop or
candy bar, which should cover the water expense. And the line guy is paid
whether he's doing anything or not.

What other direct costs are there for a Cherokee parking at an FBO for 90
minutes?

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 16:41:02 GMT, Dave S wrote:

I don't demonize you for NOT renting your rooms out by the hour...

this will open the hotel to a completely new clientel. :-))

#m

--
http://www.terranova.net/content/images/goering.jpg

What would your response be if I came to your hotel, stayed for 90
minutes, and wanted a prorated bill rate cause I didnt stay until the next
morning's checkout (lets say say I just wanted to catch my soap opera or
something outrageous.. in your Memphis Belle Suite.

Not a great analogy. The purpose of an airport is to serve transient
aircraft (and, thus, travelers). These aircraft are on the airport
anywhere from 10 minutes, to permanently. The purpose of an FBO is serve
those pilots who fly those aircraft, by selling them fuel, maintenance,
upgrades, etc.

The purpose of a reputable hotel is to serve overnight guests -- period.
The purpose of a luxury suites hotel like ours is to provide the guest with
a unique, memorable experience. Charging rent for less than a full night
falls into the realm of a fleabag, sleazy motel. (Although I suppose the
experience might still be memorable! :-)

The only income we have is from guests staying overnight. The same cannot
be said for FBOs, which have multiple revenue streams.

Just because the spam-can's aren't the bread and butter of a corporate
oriented FBO doesn't mean that the spam can's don't deserve to be charged
for use of the facilities.. Even parking can get pretty pricey depending
on where you are (for CARS...).. and not all parking lots pro-rate EITHER,
depending on demand.

If FBOs didn't make money on fuel sales, repairs, and charters, you'd have a
point. However, most FBOs understand that Spam Can pilots are tomorrow's
CFIs and charter pilots. They are also the guys who will be paying for the
shop, by having their A&Ps do major and minor maintenance. Embracing them
and making them feel welcome at their facility is an intrinsic part of every
successful FBO's business plan -- UNLESS they are so successful with
charters and fuel sales that they feel they can afford to drive the little
guys away.

It sure sounds like this is what is happening in Reno, and charging $15 to
park for 90 minutes will quickly and efficiently drive all the Spam Can
drivers away.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:


Charging rent for less than a full
night falls into the realm of a fleabag, sleazy motel. (Although I suppose
the
experience might still be memorable! :-)

;^) Depends upon the co-pilot


--
Saville

Replicas of 15th-19th century nautical navigational instruments:

http://home.comcast.net/~saville/backstaffhome.html

Restoration of my 82 year old Herreshoff S-Boat sailboat:

http://home.comcast.net/~saville/SBOATrestore.htm

Steambending FAQ with photos:

http://home.comcast.net/~saville/Steambend.htm

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:cXZKd.37248$eT5.12945@attbi_s51...

What would your response be if I came to your hotel, stayed for 90
minutes, and wanted a prorated bill rate cause I didnt stay until the
next
morning's checkout (lets say say I just wanted to catch my soap opera or
something outrageous.. in your Memphis Belle Suite.

It sure sounds like this is what is happening in Reno, and charging $15 to
park for 90 minutes will quickly and efficiently drive all the Spam Can
drivers away.

Kind of reminds me of the "fire your worst customers" strategy (see
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1423605,00.asp for a sample) that's
been getting out there in the past five years. It sounds good in principle
to quit serving markets that cost you 10% while only delivering 5% of
revenue. Sometimes it may even work. But businesses are like ecosystems- you
cut one part out and things you never thought about break, perhaps years
later.

-cwk.

Jay,

My wife and I just spent three nights at a Hilton in Lake Placid, NY
(boy do I wish I'd flown up but that's a different story). We left a
$10.00 tip for the maids. Is that enough? Do many people leave tips
for your staff? What is an appropriate tip?

I guess I'm more inclined to tip when in doubt. Trying to justify not
tipping seems cheap.

Dave
68 7ECA

My wife and I just spent three nights at a Hilton in Lake Placid, NY
(boy do I wish I'd flown up but that's a different story). We left a

$10.00 tip for the maids. Is that enough? Do many people leave
tips
for your staff? What is an appropriate tip?

That's plenty. Most people still do not tip housekeepers. (The ones
who do tend to tip very well...)

With our full kitchens -- and full-sized refrigerators -- a surprising
number of people leave them beer and wine, however! (For which they
are forever grateful... ;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

We were on a bus trip with our ski club so we had to take the booze for
the ride home

Dave
68 7ECA

Jay Honeck wrote:
My wife and I just spent three nights at a Hilton in Lake Placid, NY
(boy do I wish I'd flown up but that's a different story). We left a


$10.00 tip for the maids. Is that enough? Do many people leave

tips

for your staff? What is an appropriate tip?


That's plenty. Most people still do not tip housekeepers. (The ones
who do tend to tip very well...)

With our full kitchens -- and full-sized refrigerators -- a surprising
number of people leave them beer and wine, however! (For which they
are forever grateful... ;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"