hawker750
28th Jan 2013, 11:58
Our net profit for 2012 worked out at just under 5% of turnover. This leaves us little margin for the inevitable extra costs that can occur (divesions, delays etc). However, I'll bet we did better than a lot because I think we invented the minimal overhead operation. However, It irriates me when clients say "knock £1,0000 off the price of a £20,000 charter and we will book it" That means we would do the job for a loss or break even at best. I really do not believe the paying passenger minds paying £19,000 or £20,000. Does the industry not realise that unless we can generate some profit after years of losses then there will soon not be a charter industry in Europe?
My next whinge is that after having screwed you down on price then the passengers do not play fair:
1/ Complaining that the Champagne was not to his liking and wants a £150 bottle
put on board for the return. (happened last week)
2/ Putting taxi charges on your handling bills without notification/authorisation and
then not paying them (happens all the time)
3/ Refusing to pay extra when the trip is subtastantially delayed due to clients' wishes
(happens a lot)
4/ Demanding the Captain's mobile phone number and then phoning him at 3 am
to say he wants a 7 am departure not midday. (happens from time to time)
We used to have a trade organisation called the Air Taxi Operator's Association that looked out for it's member's welfare (notification of bad payers was a good one).
I have left GAMTA because all I ever received from them was a mountain of e-mails about future possible legislation and nothing ever materialised about looking after the members.
Maybe about time to have a simple new Association that just looked after the best interests of it's members and promoted best practices. I am generally very pro the broker industry so I would welcome brokers joining. That way we could go back to feeling that they we are all on the same side.
My next whinge is that after having screwed you down on price then the passengers do not play fair:
1/ Complaining that the Champagne was not to his liking and wants a £150 bottle
put on board for the return. (happened last week)
2/ Putting taxi charges on your handling bills without notification/authorisation and
then not paying them (happens all the time)
3/ Refusing to pay extra when the trip is subtastantially delayed due to clients' wishes
(happens a lot)
4/ Demanding the Captain's mobile phone number and then phoning him at 3 am
to say he wants a 7 am departure not midday. (happens from time to time)
We used to have a trade organisation called the Air Taxi Operator's Association that looked out for it's member's welfare (notification of bad payers was a good one).
I have left GAMTA because all I ever received from them was a mountain of e-mails about future possible legislation and nothing ever materialised about looking after the members.
Maybe about time to have a simple new Association that just looked after the best interests of it's members and promoted best practices. I am generally very pro the broker industry so I would welcome brokers joining. That way we could go back to feeling that they we are all on the same side.