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#1
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Jay Honeck wrote:
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. As a former charter pilot, I didn't find your comments insulting or untrue. Maybe that guy spread the cash around, but I can guarantee my employer didn't. As for his thin skin, forget him. The world is a big place. Every town has a greasy spoon you can visit. Life is too short to feel bad just because someone decides to take offense at what was meant to be a joke. That guy needs to go back to flying boxes in the middle of the night. He has no aptitude for meeting the public. -- Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com |
#2
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Thrown out of an FBO...
"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com wrote in message ... Jay Honeck wrote: 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. As a former charter pilot, I didn't find your comments insulting or untrue. Maybe that guy spread the cash around, but I can guarantee my employer didn't. I have to agree. I too flew 135 for years, and quite frankly couldn't afford lunch, let alone gas. I didn't find your comments insulting or untrue. Your comment was simply an expression of your experience. You were not making general statements about charter pilots everywhere, just at your hotel. If he was really offended, maybe the shoe fit? Al G |
#3
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Al G wrote:
I have to agree. I too flew 135 for years, and quite frankly couldn't afford lunch, let alone gas. I didn't find your comments insulting or untrue. Your comment was simply an expression of your experience. You were not making general statements about charter pilots everywhere, just at your hotel. If he was really offended, maybe the shoe fit? One thing I've learned over the years is that the more defensive a person becomes, the guiltier they feel. -- Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com |
#4
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Jay:
My personal observations are that you and Mary are some of the most genteel, warm, and non-threatening people that I have ever met or spoken with. It is not your fault that some bone head old fart is hypersensitive, and you should not take it personally. He is the one with the problem, not you. Of course, it is upsetting, and ruins your day, but you took the higher moral road and did nothing wrong. He is the one who should feel bad for having hurt and insulted a potential customer. It was rude on his part. Flying is a hobby that most of us do for enjoyment- I tell people that if I need to get stressed over something I can always go back to work rather than stay at the airport. On the other hand, maybe you should go back to the FBO in central Iowa that had the beautiful woman behind the counter- what was the identifier again? Good luck. Still checking on the date for the MKE airshow. |
#5
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Thrown out of an FBO...
My personal observations are that you and Mary are some of the most genteel,
warm, and non-threatening people that I have ever met or spoken with. It is not your fault that some bone head old fart is hypersensitive, and you should not take it personally. He is the one with the problem, not you. Thanks. I needed that! On the other hand, maybe you should go back to the FBO in central Iowa that had the beautiful woman behind the counter- what was the identifier again? Centerville, IA. I've got her card on my monitor -- Kathy Bratz is the FBO owner's name. What a wonderful FBO, in a very similar town. (And, incidentally, we both commiserated over our "charter pilots versus courtesy car" woes, and shared a laugh together over it.) Good luck. Still checking on the date for the MKE airshow. We're looking forward to it! -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#6
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Expressing an opinion, a religious view, political stance or sexual
preference are now lightning rods for verbal attacks. I'm sorry you got hit, but you did have a good day for the most part. 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" |
#7
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Thrown out of an FBO...
On Thu, 09 Nov 2006 09:28:02 -0500, Stubby
wrote in : Expressing an opinion, a religious view, political stance or sexual preference are now lightning rods for verbal attacks. "To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." -- Elbert Hubbard |
#8
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Thrown out of an FBO...
I like the quote. --Bill
Larry Dighera wrote: On Thu, 09 Nov 2006 09:28:02 -0500, Stubby wrote in : Expressing an opinion, a religious view, political stance or sexual preference are now lightning rods for verbal attacks. "To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." -- Elbert Hubbard |
#9
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Larry Dighera wrote:
On Thu, 09 Nov 2006 09:28:02 -0500, Stubby wrote in : Expressing an opinion, a religious view, political stance or sexual preference are now lightning rods for verbal attacks. "To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." -- Elbert Hubbard That won't work either. Matt |
#10
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Thrown out of an FBO...
"Stubby" wrote Expressing an opinion, a religious view, political stance or sexual preference are now lightning rods for verbal attacks. I'm sorry you got hit, but you did have a good day for the most part. Welcome to the "United States of the Offended." -- Jim in NC |
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