Helicopter over Grand Canyon - which company wont kill me ?
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I live in the area and know many of the pilots that work for different tour companies here. I have heard nothing but good things about Maverick. First of all it is THE operator that all the tour pilots want to work for. They pay and treat their people well and have little turnover. They run EC130's only. They are an excellent company and you shouldn't have any worries or problems.
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Sundance
A big up to Sundance, my missus and her pals, had to re book their trip due to a tech problem. They looked after them tremendously well and made it a very memorable trip. So thank you Sundance.
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Today, I took the family to the Grand Canyon. "Let's have a look at helicopter rides shall we?" I said as we passed the Bedrock attraction! Ok, so we didn't have anything booked so it was all rather, 'if we can we will, if not then never mind'.
Having read this thread previously, Maverick were the first people we spoke to and to say the customer service needs addressing is an understatement. (Then again I suppose we weren't customers so there's the get out, it may have been a one off and I won't go deeper).
Undeterred we then popped into Papillon. Despite the same problem with spaces and times, the welcoming 'front of house' staff suggested GC Airlines.
In a nutshell ... 2 crewed large windowed twin otter, half the price, discount for UK Mil Veteran, twice the height, greater view, plenty of room, good prerecorded commentary, efficient friendly service.
Finally, to 'T & M' on the 14:00 flight 21 Aug, thanks for a good flight and what a smooth landing in the passing downpour. Thanks also to the ground staff for bringing out the umbrellas
Having read this thread previously, Maverick were the first people we spoke to and to say the customer service needs addressing is an understatement. (Then again I suppose we weren't customers so there's the get out, it may have been a one off and I won't go deeper).
Undeterred we then popped into Papillon. Despite the same problem with spaces and times, the welcoming 'front of house' staff suggested GC Airlines.
In a nutshell ... 2 crewed large windowed twin otter, half the price, discount for UK Mil Veteran, twice the height, greater view, plenty of room, good prerecorded commentary, efficient friendly service.
Finally, to 'T & M' on the 14:00 flight 21 Aug, thanks for a good flight and what a smooth landing in the passing downpour. Thanks also to the ground staff for bringing out the umbrellas
twice the height, greater view,
good prerecorded commentary
Undeterred we then popped into Papillon. Despite the same problem with spaces and times, the welcoming 'front of house' staff suggested GC Airlines.
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
If you want to analyse this Gordy;
A. Why so keen on 'personal', if you're sharing the cabin with strangers?
B. I don't fancy getting too up close and personal with the trees or any other part if the scenery thank you. I thought the point of flying over the Canyon was to see it from a different perspective, not just a little higher than the ground observation points!
C. I would rather the single pilot concentrated on the flying not the commentary, especially if it's the n'th tour of the day and with all had other ac lifting in front of and behind at 20 second intervals.
From my experience today, and don't forget my choices were limited by time not money, I strongly disagree with your statement that 'the amount of money you are willing to spend will determine the type of tour you get.' Imho I had a better tour by fixed wing than I may have had by rotary, it just so happens it didn't cost as much.
Please remember this is my opinion based on my experience today. You may well disagree with me, but that's your opinion.
A. Why so keen on 'personal', if you're sharing the cabin with strangers?
B. I don't fancy getting too up close and personal with the trees or any other part if the scenery thank you. I thought the point of flying over the Canyon was to see it from a different perspective, not just a little higher than the ground observation points!
C. I would rather the single pilot concentrated on the flying not the commentary, especially if it's the n'th tour of the day and with all had other ac lifting in front of and behind at 20 second intervals.
From my experience today, and don't forget my choices were limited by time not money, I strongly disagree with your statement that 'the amount of money you are willing to spend will determine the type of tour you get.' Imho I had a better tour by fixed wing than I may have had by rotary, it just so happens it didn't cost as much.
Please remember this is my opinion based on my experience today. You may well disagree with me, but that's your opinion.
Fixed or rotary? It's an Apples and Oranges comparison.
If only one option is on offer, I'd say that adventure seekers, kids and teenagers should do the heli flight to the Canyon floor.
I took the family on the package of both fixed wing and helicopter with the bonus of a short ride on the river.
We plan to return for a three or five day raft trip.
Mickjoebill
If only one option is on offer, I'd say that adventure seekers, kids and teenagers should do the heli flight to the Canyon floor.
I took the family on the package of both fixed wing and helicopter with the bonus of a short ride on the river.
We plan to return for a three or five day raft trip.
Mickjoebill
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Sundance Tour
Just back from a family holiday to the States, taking in Vegas, so went for the Grand Canyon trip with Sundance. Couldn't have faulted them, looked after us well, well organised and safe trip. The pilot had a cracking sense of humour when he wasn't giving us the commentary, cheers Mike.
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Any Las Vegas/Grand Canyon pilots?
If there are any of you using this forum don't suppose you fancy dropping me a private message? Me and a couple of fellow UK air traffic controllers are visiting later this month and are keen to arrange and discuss options for a tour and thought a bit of inside information could help!
