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#1
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Thrown out of an FBO...
"Morgans" wrote in message ... Welcome to the "United States of the Offended." What? We're France now? *dives for the bunker* -c |
#2
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Geez Jay,,, are you sure the jokes were not not about flip flops and
cut offs and this guy wasn't Steven P McNicolls??? Jay Honeck wrote: Decades ago, in my younger days (okay, waaaay younger), I was asked to leave a drinking establishment or two, and I've had a few women show me the door, over time...but I never thought I'd ever be asked to leave an FBO. To our amazement, it happened to Mary and me today. It all started pleasantly enough, with a brunch flight to a small town airport in North Central Iowa. The weather today was absolutely gorgeous, with temperatures in the 70s and smooth, calm air above a low haze layer. We called ahead to make sure the FBO had a courtesy car available, and within an hour we were on the ramp chatting with the line guy. Sadly, our favorite restaurant (we visit this little town a couple of times per year) had gone belly up after over 100 years of continuous operation, so we asked the FBO owner if he had any recommendations. A large man, our conversation made it clear that he had enjoyed the culinary delights from most (if not all) of the restaurants in his small town, and we made mental note of the ones he most recommended. He then jovially sent us on our merry way. After finding the recommended locally-owned greasy spoon restaurant (always our target!), we were soon enjoying a tasty, affordable lunch accompanied by rapid-fire repartee' from our blue-haired veteran waitress. We had a great time with her caustic, slightly off-color humor, and finished off with two pieces of her home-made coconut cream pie. We were soon waddling our way back to the courtesy van. As always, we made a bee-line for the nearest gas station, and topped off the tank. In my opinion, folks who use courtesy cars and don't add a little gas are abusing a very nice system, and we always want to do our part to make sure that the traditional "airport car" lives on. Minutes later we were back inside the FBO, fat, dumb, and looking forward to another great flight home. Walking through the lobby area, I called out to the owner (who was sitting at his desk behind the counter) and thanked him for a wonderful recommendation. He stood up and walked over to the counter to bid us farewell, we chatted about the restaurant we had visited, and I mentioned to him that we had "topped off the tank" for him in his van. He replied that we "Didn't have to do that...", but Mary remarked that we ALWAYS tried to fill the tanks, in thanks for the use of their car. I then mentioned that we, too, had a courtesy van at our hotel in Iowa City, and that I hadn't had to fill the tank in three years, thanks to the generosity of our pilot guests. He laughed and said that he "Had to fill the tank more often than that!", to which I laughingly replied "Yeah, the only time the tanks don't get filled at our place is when charter pilots use our van -- those guys are the cheapest SOBs around!" His face suddenly flushed red, and his tone abruptly changed. "Well, I'm a charter pilot, and I believe you're insulting me, now..." he growled in a quiet but somehow menacing voice. Still laughing, not sure if he was joking, too, but somewhat alarmed at his sudden change of tone, I replied in a conspiratorial way "Well, we all know *why* they don't fill the tanks -- they're not making diddly squat, and those kids can't afford to shell out too much cash..." This placated him not at all. He went on to tell me how he's got "Six charter pilots working for him, and they all make a good wage, and you shouldn't be making blanket statements insulting 'em that way..." Just like *that* the atmosphere in the office changed, and I was starting to get flustered at his sudden change of personality. Mary piped up and said that this was all "Just our observation of the way some charter pilots behaved...", and I replied that I was "Just joking around..." -- to which he snarled "Okay, 'John Kerry' -- maybe you folks shouldn't be coming around here and borrowing my car anymore..." I was dumb-founded -- he was kicking us out, and asking us not to come back! Mary (for the first time in a very long time) was speechless. I simply didn't know how to handle a situation that had gone from friendly to adversarial in the span of three sentences. My surprise quickly passed, though, and I was well on my way from flustered to incredulous, bordering on the angry. I just stared at him in disbelief, but Mary quickly filled the gap, stating in her best "Mom voice" that "Avoiding this place shouldn't be too hard." He asked me if the keys were in the van, to which I replied in the affirmative. He then turned on his heel and walked away, leaving us shaking our heads. Our day ruined, it was a quiet flight home, as we pondered what could make a guy snap like that over such inconsequential banter. The only thing we could think of us was that he was having a very, very bad day -- perhaps something had gone wrong with one of his charter pilots, or a charter job had fallen through? -- and our jokes tipped him over the edge. We'll never know -- and we'll never be back. It's a shame -- with all the problems facing GA, small-town airports simply can't afford to have FBOs driving off what little business they have (we were the only plane there) -- but for us there are literally hundreds of other airports to visit, so it won't matter much. But this day will always bother me, nonetheless. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#3
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Geez Jay,,, are you sure the jokes were not not about flip flops and
cut offs and this guy wasn't Steven P McNicolls??? I can almost guarantee that Steven would NOT be rude in any way, just on reading his posts for all these years. Although his debate tactics drive me crazy, he *is* a perfect gentleman, most of the time. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#4
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Thrown out of an FBO...
That guy has issues. You must have struck a nerve.
But the shoe fits. He just wanted to shoot the messenger. Sure there are exceptions but generally you are right. Many will not tip while away. They add up all the money spent tipping and a year and say to themselves, "Hey, it's better in my pocket than theirs." It is purely a business decision. I have been exposed to them. As for the car, I think things have gotten better now, I wouldn't know. But you do because you are there on the front lines every day. The thinking was they are buying enough fuel, or will on a subsequent trip. It's just part of the workday routine, like saving paperclips in an office. ?? Forget him. If he is really a charter pilot, what is he doing on the ground? He should apologize to you and your wife. He obviously is used to having a hair spring temper and getting away with it. Is his fbo the only one there? Or can you park at a terminal area? Fueling area? I even tip the cabbies when I was away. John Jay Honeck wrote: Decades ago, in my younger days (okay, waaaay younger), I was asked to leave a drinking establishment or two, and I've had a few women show me the door, over time...but I never thought I'd ever be asked to leave an FBO. To our amazement, it happened to Mary and me today. It all started pleasantly enough, with a brunch flight to a small town airport in North Central Iowa. The weather today was absolutely gorgeous, with temperatures in the 70s and smooth, calm air above a low haze layer. We called ahead to make sure the FBO had a courtesy car available, and within an hour we were on the ramp chatting with the line guy. Sadly, our favorite restaurant (we visit this little town a couple of times per year) had gone belly up after over 100 years of continuous operation, so we asked the FBO owner if he had any recommendations. A large man, our conversation made it clear that he had enjoyed the culinary delights from most (if not all) of the restaurants in his small town, and we made mental note of the ones he most recommended. He then jovially sent us on our merry way. After finding the recommended locally-owned greasy spoon restaurant (always our target!), we were soon enjoying a tasty, affordable lunch accompanied by rapid-fire repartee' from our blue-haired veteran waitress. We had a great time with her caustic, slightly off-color humor, and finished off with two pieces of her home-made coconut cream pie. We were soon waddling our way back to the courtesy van. As always, we made a bee-line for the nearest gas station, and topped off the tank. In my opinion, folks who use courtesy cars and don't add a little gas are abusing a very nice system, and we always want to do our part to make sure that the traditional "airport car" lives on. Minutes later we were back inside the FBO, fat, dumb, and looking forward to another great flight home. Walking through the lobby area, I called out to the owner (who was sitting at his desk behind the counter) and thanked him for a wonderful recommendation. He stood up and walked over to the counter to bid us farewell, we chatted about the restaurant we had visited, and I mentioned to him that we had "topped off the tank" for him in his van. He replied that we "Didn't have to do that...", but Mary remarked that we ALWAYS tried to fill the tanks, in thanks for the use of their car. I then mentioned that we, too, had a courtesy van at our hotel in Iowa City, and that I hadn't had to fill the tank in three years, thanks to the generosity of our pilot guests. He laughed and said that he "Had to fill the tank more often than that!", to which I laughingly replied "Yeah, the only time the tanks don't get filled at our place is when charter pilots use our van -- those guys are the cheapest SOBs around!" His face suddenly flushed red, and his tone abruptly changed. "Well, I'm a charter pilot, and I believe you're insulting me, now..." he growled in a quiet but somehow menacing voice. Still laughing, not sure if he was joking, too, but somewhat alarmed at his sudden change of tone, I replied in a conspiratorial way "Well, we all know *why* they don't fill the tanks -- they're not making diddly squat, and those kids can't afford to shell out too much cash..." This placated him not at all. He went on to tell me how he's got "Six charter pilots working for him, and they all make a good wage, and you shouldn't be making blanket statements insulting 'em that way..." Just like *that* the atmosphere in the office changed, and I was starting to get flustered at his sudden change of personality. Mary piped up and said that this was all "Just our observation of the way some charter pilots behaved...", and I replied that I was "Just joking around..." -- to which he snarled "Okay, 'John Kerry' -- maybe you folks shouldn't be coming around here and borrowing my car anymore..." I was dumb-founded -- he was kicking us out, and asking us not to come back! Mary (for the first time in a very long time) was speechless. I simply didn't know how to handle a situation that had gone from friendly to adversarial in the span of three sentences. My surprise quickly passed, though, and I was well on my way from flustered to incredulous, bordering on the angry. I just stared at him in disbelief, but Mary quickly filled the gap, stating in her best "Mom voice" that "Avoiding this place shouldn't be too hard." He asked me if the keys were in the van, to which I replied in the affirmative. He then turned on his heel and walked away, leaving us shaking our heads. Our day ruined, it was a quiet flight home, as we pondered what could make a guy snap like that over such inconsequential banter. The only thing we could think of us was that he was having a very, very bad day -- perhaps something had gone wrong with one of his charter pilots, or a charter job had fallen through? -- and our jokes tipped him over the edge. We'll never know -- and we'll never be back. It's a shame -- with all the problems facing GA, small-town airports simply can't afford to have FBOs driving off what little business they have (we were the only plane there) -- but for us there are literally hundreds of other airports to visit, so it won't matter much. But this day will always bother me, nonetheless. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#5
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Send the FBO a card with a message saying that sometimes things dont
work out the way they were intended and sorry to offend and no offense taken. If the guy wont be ok with that, then there isnt anything else you can do. |
#6
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Thrown out of an FBO...
"Doug" wrote in message oups.com... Send the FBO a card with a message saying that sometimes things dont work out the way they were intended and sorry to offend and no offense taken. If the guy wont be ok with that, then there isnt anything else you can do. Who are you, Jesus? That's WAY too civilized. -c (and a fine idea, nonetheless.) |
#7
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Don't sweat it Jay. Getting the same level of friendly service and
conversation that you and Mary provide at the Inn is very hard to come by. Even if you hadn't planned on buying fuel (for Atlas), I would have gave him a happy "No problem, thanks for letting us use the van, we'll tell all our friends that you don't expect them to fill it with gas and by the way, let your fuel guy know that we cancelled our fuel request." Then simply left, letting him wonder how much you might have purchased. The charter pilots that rub me raw are the ones that act like little tin gods pretending that "they" have the sole decision making ability whether to fly into a particular airport and or refuel at that airport. Most that I've watched have had to call in and report the fuel price to someone who actually gives them the approval. I doubt if that person gives a crap whether the FBO has a courtesy car, a vending machine, or a bush to **** behind, but the pilots put on an air that the FBO owes them special courtesy because their company "might" buy some fuel. In my mind, these pilots earn less of an FBO's appreciation than GA pilots. GA pilots usually have the decision making ability and can choose to take their business elsewhere. I understand that in cities or areas with multiple airports or at airports with multiple FBO's, this might not be the case. Another observation that I've made is that the most arrogant attitudes seem to be expressed by the younger charter pilots. I've seen some older charter pilots literally bend over backwards for their customers, play chauffer with the rental car for them, offer extra food, soda, and even beer to the local airport bumbs, even offer tours of their front offices. I've never seen any of these actions exhibited by the young guns. Again, this is just my observation and I'm sure it isn't the case everywhere. Jim |
#8
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Thrown out of an FBO...
"JH" == Jay Honeck writes:
JH He laughed and said that he "Had to fill the tank more often JH than that!", to which I laughingly replied "Yeah, the only JH time the tanks don't get filled at our place is when hotel JH owners use our van -- those guys are the cheapest SOBs JH around!" I changed two words in the "quote" above. How does it feel? Others have already said it better than I. I'll just add that it sounds like the guy is both a charter pilot and runs a business of charter pilots, and you accidently insulted his entire professional life. What to you was an overreaction to him might have been considerable restraint. -- A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything real on real issues. Theodore Roosevelt |
#9
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Thrown out of an FBO...
"Bob Fry" wrote in message
... Others have already said it better than I. I'll just add that it sounds like the guy is both a charter pilot and runs a business of charter pilots, and you accidently insulted his entire professional life. What to you was an overreaction to him might have been considerable restraint. I wonder if he turned down a charter because he had a 'customer' who had called ahead to make sure there was a courtesy car available? Did the 'customer' buy anything, or was he just 'borrowing the car'? |
#10
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Bob Fry wrote:
I changed two words in the "quote" above. How does it feel? Others have already said it better than I. I'll just add that it sounds like the guy is both a charter pilot and runs a business of charter pilots, and you accidently insulted his entire professional life. What to you was an overreaction to him might have been considerable restraint. How politically correct of you to say so. -- Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com |
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