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#1
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Am I missing something here?
Mr. Honeck only purchases mogas. Untrue. Mogas is only available for sale at airports that are run by enlightened FBO owners -- and they (and mogas) are few and far between. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#2
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Jay Honeck wrote: Am I missing something here? Mr. Honeck only purchases mogas. Untrue. Mogas is only available for sale at airports that are run by enlightened FBO owners -- and they (and mogas) are few and far between. I have the feeling that if you make enquiries on that particular aitfield you may find that the FBO attendant has a history of that behaviour. Stop kicking yourself Jay you had the bad luck to run into a pillock |
#3
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Stop kicking yourself Jay you had the bad luck to run into a pillock
It's not every day that I have to refer to my dictionary to decipher a post on Usenet, but you sent me to my Oxford for that one. "Pillock" is not a word I had ever heard, before, but I like the ring of it. Best of all, you can sling it at someone (at least in Midwestern America) with confidence that they won't know that they've been called a stupid idiot, or worse... :-) -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#4
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Thrown out of an FBO...
"Larry Dighera" wrote in message ... Am I missing something here? Mr. Honeck only purchases mogas. HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?! HOW JOHN KERRYESQUE OF YOU. GET OUT, YOU ASSUMER. *throws a fit* -c |
#5
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Thrown out of an FBO...
On the other hand, weekend 100$ burger shoppers often bring zero$ but
benefit from courtesy cars just the same. I fill 'em up too but most of them have disappeared from around here. Gas is part of the exchange it just goes the other way. Am I missing something here? We have designed our hotel to be a destination for private pilots. As such, our suites have aviation themes, private jacuzzis, full kitchens, a delivered breakfast, full kitchens, free internet, a massage therapist, workout room, pool, etc... All of these niceties result in a private pilot who brings his gal to the inn for a weekend getaway, and will drop between $150 and $400 for the weekend. In exchange, we are more than happy to provide them with free pick-up/drop-off service, and free use of our full-sized Ford Econoline conversion van. All we ask is that they put a little gas in it. Charter pilots, on the other hand, often ask for "day" rates (which we won't offer), and arrive/depart at unpredictable times, making pick-up/drop-off service difficult. Despite this, we bend ourselves into a pretzel for them, because we love ALL pilots, and know the plight these (usually) young guys are facing. They are quite literally making NO money, their life-style sucks, and half the time they don't even know what city they're in when they wake up in the morning. They *always* ask for the cheapest possible rooms -- and are always thrilled when they discover that they get to use our $35K van for free, and that we deliver breakfast to their suite in the morning -- even though they're staying in our cheapest suite. Every last one of them leaves our place grateful and thankful -- but every last one of them never, ever, EVER puts a drop of gas in the courtesy van. Perhaps it's because of the phenomenon you've described, Bill -- they are so used to being the guys who get a "free ride" at the FBO because their company bought 700 gallons of Jet-A, that they simply can't get their minds around an airport business like ours (which is rarer than hen's teeth, for sure!) where they are NOT the big honchos at the ranch? -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#6
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Well Jay, I definitely get all that. You are definitely in a different
situation than an FBO. It's always seems like it's a matter of perspective. I hope we make it out your way sometime soon. We'd love to see your hotel. Thanks for the post as usual! MauleDriver Jay Honeck wrote: On the other hand, weekend 100$ burger shoppers often bring zero$ but benefit from courtesy cars just the same. I fill 'em up too but most of them have disappeared from around here. Gas is part of the exchange it just goes the other way. Am I missing something here? We have designed our hotel to be a destination for private pilots. As such, our suites have aviation themes, private jacuzzis, full kitchens, a delivered breakfast, full kitchens, free internet, a massage therapist, workout room, pool, etc... All of these niceties result in a private pilot who brings his gal to the inn for a weekend getaway, and will drop between $150 and $400 for the weekend. In exchange, we are more than happy to provide them with free pick-up/drop-off service, and free use of our full-sized Ford Econoline conversion van. All we ask is that they put a little gas in it. Charter pilots, on the other hand, often ask for "day" rates (which we won't offer), and arrive/depart at unpredictable times, making pick-up/drop-off service difficult. Despite this, we bend ourselves into a pretzel for them, because we love ALL pilots, and know the plight these (usually) young guys are facing. They are quite literally making NO money, their life-style sucks, and half the time they don't even know what city they're in when they wake up in the morning. They *always* ask for the cheapest possible rooms -- and are always thrilled when they discover that they get to use our $35K van for free, and that we deliver breakfast to their suite in the morning -- even though they're staying in our cheapest suite. Every last one of them leaves our place grateful and thankful -- but every last one of them never, ever, EVER puts a drop of gas in the courtesy van. Perhaps it's because of the phenomenon you've described, Bill -- they are so used to being the guys who get a "free ride" at the FBO because their company bought 700 gallons of Jet-A, that they simply can't get their minds around an airport business like ours (which is rarer than hen's teeth, for sure!) where they are NOT the big honchos at the ranch? -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#7
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Thrown out of an FBO...
I hope we make it out your way sometime soon. We'd love to see your hotel.
Well, there's always OSH '07, if not beforehand? I've even found a Maule flight model for the Kiwi...for your "flying" enjoyment! Thanks for the post as usual! My pleasure. This group serves as an excellent sounding board for all of our flying experiences, as well as (sometimes unwilling) guinea pigs for each chapter of our life's story. As always, I receive far more than I give. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#8
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Thrown out of an FBO...
This person at the FBO displayed an overt intolerance towards a comment
he did not agree with. People get kicked out from establishments for all kinds of reasons, due to political, health and religious choices and some even go as far as racial discrimination. Although I can understand your feelings, you should be glad that you have only encountered this once in your life. Just last month my wife got kicked out of a social club because of her choice not to get vaccinated. There was no logic or reason behind this, what it boils down to is intolerance towards different choices, and looking at everyone as 'with us' or 'against us'. 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" |
#9
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Thrown out of an FBO...
"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message
ups.com... This person at the FBO displayed an overt intolerance towards a comment he did not agree with. Actually, the person at the FBO displayed an overt intolerance towards an ignorant comment that he KNEW TO BE FALSE. [...] what it boils down to is intolerance towards different choices, and looking at everyone as 'with us' or 'against us'. This isn't about a "different choice". If I "choose", in a way different from other people, to call you an asshole, or I tell you that every person named "Andrew" that I've ever met was an idiot, and you react negatively toward that, is it because you are "displaying an overt intolerance"? No, it wouldn't be. It would be because *I* would be displaying an overt prejudice. But you seem to think that I have every right to not only believe something like that, but to tell it to your face, and expect you to NOT react negatively. Absurd. I am amazed at the number of people defending Jay's insulting behavior. I realize it's popular today to call any sort of consideration for other people's feelings "politically correct", but really...you guys seem to be making a sport out of the practice. It doesn't matter how polite or "genteel" a person is, being ignorant and prejudiced is still a bad thing. I've known plenty of well-mannered people who nevertheless didn't have a clue when it came to avoiding insulting stereotypes. Jay is one of them (and this isn't the first time we've seen him proving it). Pete |
#10
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Thrown out of an FBO...
Peter Duniho wrote:
"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message ups.com... This person at the FBO displayed an overt intolerance towards a comment he did not agree with. Actually, the person at the FBO displayed an overt intolerance towards an ignorant comment that he KNEW TO BE FALSE. [...] what it boils down to is intolerance towards different choices, and looking at everyone as 'with us' or 'against us'. This isn't about a "different choice". If I "choose", in a way different from other people, to call you an asshole, or I tell you that every person named "Andrew" that I've ever met was an idiot, and you react negatively toward that, is it because you are "displaying an overt intolerance"? No, it wouldn't be. It would be because *I* would be displaying an overt prejudice. But you seem to think that I have every right to not only believe something like that, but to tell it to your face, and expect you to NOT react negatively. Absurd. I am amazed at the number of people defending Jay's insulting behavior. I realize it's popular today to call any sort of consideration for other people's feelings "politically correct", but really...you guys seem to be making a sport out of the practice. It doesn't matter how polite or "genteel" a person is, being ignorant and prejudiced is still a bad thing. I've known plenty of well-mannered people who nevertheless didn't have a clue when it came to avoiding insulting stereotypes. Jay is one of them (and this isn't the first time we've seen him proving it). Pete What I am saying is that people should be able to express their opinions freely without fearing negative reactions or reprimand from others. Some of these opinions could be wrong (and all of us are wrong one time or another), but if the other person reacts violently, then the person offering his opinion is only going to widthraw and harden his beliefs. Dialog and respect to other's opinion is the only way to overcome misinformation and improve understanding. If we start throwing people out or getting upset at the first sign of disagreement, we will never find a solution to our problems. Based on Jay's description, he made a comment which he thought was funny. He may have been insensitive, but I don't think he walked up to that guy with the intention of insulting him. The right thing for the FBO guy to do would be respond to Jay with common courtersy and straighten his misconceptions about corporate pilots. 'Throwing him out' only serves to harden the negative view Jay may have about corporate pilots. It does nothing to improve relations. |
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