I got mugged in Nice!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Poland
Age: 69
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got mugged in Nice!
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Nice Airport, – a cautionary tale!
Our three day layover was no different from the norm with visits to the usual Irish, British and Indian drinking and eating establishments. A 2pm check out on Sunday meant that we arrived at the airport as a bright eyed and bushy tailed crew, fully alert for the trip home - or so I thought. A quick coffee and check for emails in the handler’s lounge, and then it happened.
Within the space of time it takes to say “Dick Turpin,” and without even noticing, 1,200 euros disappeared from my wallet.
I eventually figured it all out when filling my expenses claim two weeks later, and here’s where it went:
Handling Fees (not including landing or parking) Euro 645.00
One tray of sliced fruit for two pax (no coffee or hot water) Euro 136.00
Aircraft Towing (because it’s compulsory in Nice) Euro 140.00
Crew Transport to hotel (note - inflated over normal taxi fares) Euro 80.00
Administration Fee (for what, ripping me off already?) Euro 32.51
VAT @ 19% Euro 202.71
How can any handling agent justify a charge of more than Euro 100 for a few trips back and forth to an airplane, and printing off a few pages of weather and notams?
I’m in Cannes now instead of Nice, and have the freedom of choice NOT to use compulsory handling! I haven’t yet found a good Indian, but the Irish bar is buzzing tonight, and when I leave on Sunday my passengers won’t notice that we didn’t use a handling agent, and I bet they also won’t notice that their sliced fruit cost Euros 100 less!!
I know its been going on for years, but are we not now in a recession, and are not many of our colleagues out of work with aircraft laid up or otherwise sold? If so why do we put up with this, and why don’t we collectively make a stand against the arrogance of such blatant overcharging?
Our three day layover was no different from the norm with visits to the usual Irish, British and Indian drinking and eating establishments. A 2pm check out on Sunday meant that we arrived at the airport as a bright eyed and bushy tailed crew, fully alert for the trip home - or so I thought. A quick coffee and check for emails in the handler’s lounge, and then it happened.
Within the space of time it takes to say “Dick Turpin,” and without even noticing, 1,200 euros disappeared from my wallet.
I eventually figured it all out when filling my expenses claim two weeks later, and here’s where it went:
Handling Fees (not including landing or parking) Euro 645.00
One tray of sliced fruit for two pax (no coffee or hot water) Euro 136.00
Aircraft Towing (because it’s compulsory in Nice) Euro 140.00
Crew Transport to hotel (note - inflated over normal taxi fares) Euro 80.00
Administration Fee (for what, ripping me off already?) Euro 32.51
VAT @ 19% Euro 202.71
How can any handling agent justify a charge of more than Euro 100 for a few trips back and forth to an airplane, and printing off a few pages of weather and notams?
I’m in Cannes now instead of Nice, and have the freedom of choice NOT to use compulsory handling! I haven’t yet found a good Indian, but the Irish bar is buzzing tonight, and when I leave on Sunday my passengers won’t notice that we didn’t use a handling agent, and I bet they also won’t notice that their sliced fruit cost Euros 100 less!!
I know its been going on for years, but are we not now in a recession, and are not many of our colleagues out of work with aircraft laid up or otherwise sold? If so why do we put up with this, and why don’t we collectively make a stand against the arrogance of such blatant overcharging?
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: EGGD KFXE EGBJ
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This thread has no place on a RUMOUR network.
Being overcharged and ripped off in Nice is a fact of life and has been been for many years !!!
You didnt mention waiting 3 hours for the fuel truck, must have been a slow day.
Being overcharged and ripped off in Nice is a fact of life and has been been for many years !!!
You didnt mention waiting 3 hours for the fuel truck, must have been a slow day.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cantab
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have any of you guys tried the arrange credit terms, rape as required then go bust approach? It really cuts down on the handling costs.
Certainly saved my last employer a fortune (sorry NCE, and X, and X, and X, and X, and X, and X, etc etc)
I guess that it's practices like this that have contributed to the extra "0" on the end of the NCE bills, especially in today's economic climate.
Certainly saved my last employer a fortune (sorry NCE, and X, and X, and X, and X, and X, and X, etc etc)
I guess that it's practices like this that have contributed to the extra "0" on the end of the NCE bills, especially in today's economic climate.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Poland
Age: 69
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Martin, long time no see. At least we have something in common - we both post in our own names, and further, in retrospect, you're right to point out that it is no rumour - but I couldn't find the FACT forum.
Yes, I too have been flying there for years, but for years I didn't really pay too much attention to the bills because they were not gonna hit my personal credit card.
Times have changed somewhat recently, and even though its still not my credit card I'm somewhat more sensitive to how my principal's credit card might be handling the economic climate. If his don't bend too much, neither will my job prospects.
The point I'm trying to make is that handling agents do little (in my opinion) other than take us back and forth from the airplane, and further they (mostly) charge like Dick Turpin for the priveledge.
For those who may fly to Europe from US or elsewhere, it may be helpful to point out that handling is NOT compulsory at all European airports. If you want to pay for their services, I would STRONGLY suggest you ask them in advance of your trip what their charges are, and exactly what they give you that is not free at the airport anyway.
At Nice - a few tips:
Never accept the free crew taxi vouchers - you will pay more.
Never let the handling agent pay your landing and parking fees - thay add a minimum of 7% + VAT on top of what they think should be your charges, PLUS another 19% VAT. (the office to pay fees is 20 metres from all of the handling agents).
Fruit trays may be bought in the terminal - cost 5.50 Euos per pax (saving approx Euro 50 per pax)
Ice and Hot Water may also be bought upstarirs in the terminal. (if you ask politely it's free of charge).
PS. Re the fuel delays - not for a while since Landmark started selling it - if you are happy to pay a premium! At Nice prices though, we woulkd tanker fuel everytime, so no problem!
Yes, I too have been flying there for years, but for years I didn't really pay too much attention to the bills because they were not gonna hit my personal credit card.
Times have changed somewhat recently, and even though its still not my credit card I'm somewhat more sensitive to how my principal's credit card might be handling the economic climate. If his don't bend too much, neither will my job prospects.
The point I'm trying to make is that handling agents do little (in my opinion) other than take us back and forth from the airplane, and further they (mostly) charge like Dick Turpin for the priveledge.
For those who may fly to Europe from US or elsewhere, it may be helpful to point out that handling is NOT compulsory at all European airports. If you want to pay for their services, I would STRONGLY suggest you ask them in advance of your trip what their charges are, and exactly what they give you that is not free at the airport anyway.
At Nice - a few tips:
Never accept the free crew taxi vouchers - you will pay more.
Never let the handling agent pay your landing and parking fees - thay add a minimum of 7% + VAT on top of what they think should be your charges, PLUS another 19% VAT. (the office to pay fees is 20 metres from all of the handling agents).
Fruit trays may be bought in the terminal - cost 5.50 Euos per pax (saving approx Euro 50 per pax)
Ice and Hot Water may also be bought upstarirs in the terminal. (if you ask politely it's free of charge).
PS. Re the fuel delays - not for a while since Landmark started selling it - if you are happy to pay a premium! At Nice prices though, we woulkd tanker fuel everytime, so no problem!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whatever the GPS says
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On landing in Channi, India. I was asked by one member of the army of officials who decended on the airplane to turn the master on so he could check the fuel guages.
After a breief bout of mental arithmatic, he anounced that we owed him nearly $1000 US, for 'Importing' fuel to the country. Insult to injury, it took 3 hours to go through the bureaucratic process getting out passports stamped.....AND THAT WAS WITH AN AGENT
Without one, I can only assume we would still be there now......
After a breief bout of mental arithmatic, he anounced that we owed him nearly $1000 US, for 'Importing' fuel to the country. Insult to injury, it took 3 hours to go through the bureaucratic process getting out passports stamped.....AND THAT WAS WITH AN AGENT
Without one, I can only assume we would still be there now......
Hey, in Boston recently, I was tabbed $1000 for "handling" on a passenger pickup from the airline side. I was on the ramp for an hour, the "handler" did nothing save drive me across the ramp. Nothing even to print.
GF
GF
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Germany
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not in the same league as you gentlement, I fly myself in a SE Cessna to many parts of europe and with the exception of most of France find the compulsory handling OUTRAGEOUS. Especially here in the UK it is unnecessary and a complete rip off and for me totally without need.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Normandy
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding the fuel delays issue in Nice :
I once was told by the Handling agent, to expect a 3 hrs delay for my fuel
There was virtually no activity on the airport, neither on the GA side nor on the Airline one.
After 20 mins, I searched the phone number of the various fuel companies in NCE, and was able to speak directly to them . "No prob, will be here in 15 mins"
The bowser came in 10 mins, in front of a very pale looking handling agent, who tried to word some excuses ...
If Fuel delays are a reality in NCE in Summer, in the busy days, I would start to be suspicious for any announced delays in winter times, up to May.
Sometimes, the handling guys just does not give a s..t to you, "stupid-overpaid" pilot, and he won't bother calling the fuel for you . I know them over there, some are nasty.
To finish with a bright note (nothing to deal with the fuel) in NCE :
2 years ago, I had a very short turnaround in NCE. So we prearranged everything the day before "make sure we have, Fuel, Catering, Notams and Wx available as soon as we land" . Obviously, no one had a clue about us when we called on freq .
We managed to get the fuel, but paperwork was long to come.
After a while, I decided I would pick up everything at the desk myself
There was a very good looking handling agent ... but her stupidity was beyond imagination.
I asked a sigwx chart, the 1200 UTC one, since it was 1200 UTC ...
what an overwhelming task for her ...
she printed almost all the METARS, TAFS and NOTAMs for all the planet ... but not my sigwx for 1200 UTC .
So I ask again "could you, please, get me the sigwx chart for 1200 UTC ?"
embarassed-stupid-good-looking-girl :
-Well, I don't understand why but I can't.. . But if you want, I have yesterdays sigwx chart for 1200 UTC ...
I swear it's true
I won't mention which handling agency it was, but in France, we nickname them "Avion par terre " (aircraft grounded)
i
I once was told by the Handling agent, to expect a 3 hrs delay for my fuel
There was virtually no activity on the airport, neither on the GA side nor on the Airline one.
After 20 mins, I searched the phone number of the various fuel companies in NCE, and was able to speak directly to them . "No prob, will be here in 15 mins"
The bowser came in 10 mins, in front of a very pale looking handling agent, who tried to word some excuses ...
If Fuel delays are a reality in NCE in Summer, in the busy days, I would start to be suspicious for any announced delays in winter times, up to May.
Sometimes, the handling guys just does not give a s..t to you, "stupid-overpaid" pilot, and he won't bother calling the fuel for you . I know them over there, some are nasty.
To finish with a bright note (nothing to deal with the fuel) in NCE :
2 years ago, I had a very short turnaround in NCE. So we prearranged everything the day before "make sure we have, Fuel, Catering, Notams and Wx available as soon as we land" . Obviously, no one had a clue about us when we called on freq .
We managed to get the fuel, but paperwork was long to come.
After a while, I decided I would pick up everything at the desk myself
There was a very good looking handling agent ... but her stupidity was beyond imagination.
I asked a sigwx chart, the 1200 UTC one, since it was 1200 UTC ...
what an overwhelming task for her ...
she printed almost all the METARS, TAFS and NOTAMs for all the planet ... but not my sigwx for 1200 UTC .
So I ask again "could you, please, get me the sigwx chart for 1200 UTC ?"
embarassed-stupid-good-looking-girl :
-Well, I don't understand why but I can't.. . But if you want, I have yesterdays sigwx chart for 1200 UTC ...
I swear it's true
I won't mention which handling agency it was, but in France, we nickname them "Avion par terre " (aircraft grounded)
i
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: US
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On my last trip to Nice I was "raped" horribly by S.P. and we were not even treated as a customer!
Canne is approx half the price of Nice. However there are big slot restrictions at Canne last time I was there.
Canne is approx half the price of Nice. However there are big slot restrictions at Canne last time I was there.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Banbury, United Kingdom
Age: 69
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh Gawd we're off to Nice!!
Oh Gawd, we're off to Nice next week for the first time in a year.............!
Who is regarded by you "recent regulars" as the best (of the worst?!) handling agents there?
Any hotel ideas?
Jez
Who is regarded by you "recent regulars" as the best (of the worst?!) handling agents there?
Any hotel ideas?
Jez
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Location: Location:
Age: 53
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why not just go to Hyere and pay for the heli xfer to Grimaud 15 mins or Monaco 30 mins, its about the same price. Whether or not you rate signature - they are siginificantly better than AP or SP at NCE and door to door its quicker. If you route to the west via Marseille its actually faster than doing Vevar/around the bay/NCE or Cannes.
Never parked any further from the heli than 15 metres and there wasn't even a requirement to see any officials very swish - boss loved it
Cannes better than Nice but we all know Cannes was full of BS 3 years ago when I was going there regularly - I assume its not got any better.
The heli xfer is more than covered by the 0.2 less flight time and the fact that you dont get "mugged" at LFTH
Never parked any further from the heli than 15 metres and there wasn't even a requirement to see any officials very swish - boss loved it
Cannes better than Nice but we all know Cannes was full of BS 3 years ago when I was going there regularly - I assume its not got any better.
The heli xfer is more than covered by the 0.2 less flight time and the fact that you dont get "mugged" at LFTH
