What do you look for in an FBO?
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Join Date: Sep 2008
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What do you look for in an FBO?
Hi all,
have been working on a small project lately, creating the most efficient/perfect virtual FBO possible by receiving input from users like us.
We all pass through them on a day-to-day basis, have to stay there for hours if we're unlucky...
I am not after a comparison between existing ones, just look for first hand experiences and opinions about the FBO as a facility itself.
What do YOU (flightdeck and cabin) find important, what do you look for when visiting an FBO, what don't you see but would love to (please keep it real...), which issues you feel aren't adressed properly, what makes you come back to the same place if you are given the choice?
I'll kick off, please feel free to add your own comments, thanx in advance!
I personally look for/appreciate:
good coffee (Nespresso)
courteous staff
a decent place to WiFi and rest, preferably away from clients
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...........
..........
have been working on a small project lately, creating the most efficient/perfect virtual FBO possible by receiving input from users like us.
We all pass through them on a day-to-day basis, have to stay there for hours if we're unlucky...
I am not after a comparison between existing ones, just look for first hand experiences and opinions about the FBO as a facility itself.
What do YOU (flightdeck and cabin) find important, what do you look for when visiting an FBO, what don't you see but would love to (please keep it real...), which issues you feel aren't adressed properly, what makes you come back to the same place if you are given the choice?
I'll kick off, please feel free to add your own comments, thanx in advance!
I personally look for/appreciate:
good coffee (Nespresso)
courteous staff
a decent place to WiFi and rest, preferably away from clients
..............
...........
..........
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Canada
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An FBO that first of all meets the needs of my pax and has the previously requested things in place upon arrival….and most of them are extremely basic. Do that and I'm likely to go back. You can have all the little niceties in the world for the crew but screw that up and you won’t see me back.
Why that is so hard for some FBO’s to understand is beyond me
Why that is so hard for some FBO’s to understand is beyond me
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Wifi essential, and a DARK and SILENT room with a chaise longue or something alike that could possibly resemble a bed for those days when we have to spend many hours waiting for the passengers would be very much appreciated....
Join Date: May 2002
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Fuel
WI-FI
Planning room (but with good Wi-fi most people carry their own laptop/phone/pad whatever)
Toilet
Coffee, water and some food (please skip over the high sugar for the yo-yo sugar diet some complex carbohydrates will be best and/or some veggies)
Willing to do whatever the client wants (food, rental car, limousine, whatever as long as it is somewhat legal, but if the client wants a cute girl as a translator/guide find one!)
Ice
BIG umbrellas if it COULD rain
Rest area with some TV to burn some time
Rest area QUIET to sleep (bunk beds are nice)
I have seen:
Gym with Jacuzzi, is a nice way to exercise and burn some time!
Meeting rooms
But the most important thing is willingness to do and friendly stuff
AA
PS: Hey Silverware could you tell us the webpage or would you share the end product?
WI-FI
Planning room (but with good Wi-fi most people carry their own laptop/phone/pad whatever)
Toilet
Coffee, water and some food (please skip over the high sugar for the yo-yo sugar diet some complex carbohydrates will be best and/or some veggies)
Willing to do whatever the client wants (food, rental car, limousine, whatever as long as it is somewhat legal, but if the client wants a cute girl as a translator/guide find one!)
Ice
BIG umbrellas if it COULD rain
Rest area with some TV to burn some time
Rest area QUIET to sleep (bunk beds are nice)
I have seen:
Gym with Jacuzzi, is a nice way to exercise and burn some time!
Meeting rooms
But the most important thing is willingness to do and friendly stuff
AA
PS: Hey Silverware could you tell us the webpage or would you share the end product?
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: any town as retired.
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I am involved with start up FBO's
No names no pack drill, but I agree with all the points mentioned.
Please keep the suggestions coming.
Plus:
Large refigerator, to keep enroute food cold.
Microwave for crew meals reheat.
The dark room is essential, as is access to local "resort" type hotel for longer day stops.
Sponsored Hotels to be "inclusive" of breakfast, internet, plus late check out.
glf
Please keep the suggestions coming.
Plus:
Large refigerator, to keep enroute food cold.
Microwave for crew meals reheat.
The dark room is essential, as is access to local "resort" type hotel for longer day stops.
Sponsored Hotels to be "inclusive" of breakfast, internet, plus late check out.
glf
Join Date: May 2002
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Agree with all of the above.
I would like to add punctuality is important to me. If a crew calls in on the VHF and estimates chocks in 30 Min's and fuel and various other services are required on arrival, make sure they are there! If there is any anticipated delay, inform the crew! If they have a VHF freq and advertise that fact, answer the damned thing when called.
I would like to add punctuality is important to me. If a crew calls in on the VHF and estimates chocks in 30 Min's and fuel and various other services are required on arrival, make sure they are there! If there is any anticipated delay, inform the crew! If they have a VHF freq and advertise that fact, answer the damned thing when called.
Join Date: Jul 2009
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From the cabin .....
* Free internet facilities
* Computer printer
* Comfy seats in quiet area (incase of a day stop without a hotel room).
* Large refridgerator
* Good communications
* Dishwasher (with a quick wash program)
* Small offering of hot & cold drinks other than just Expresso!
Always impressed with a handling agent who offers/helps to carry our crew luggage/catering to and from the a/c without being asked.
* Computer printer
* Comfy seats in quiet area (incase of a day stop without a hotel room).
* Large refridgerator
* Good communications
* Dishwasher (with a quick wash program)
* Small offering of hot & cold drinks other than just Expresso!
Always impressed with a handling agent who offers/helps to carry our crew luggage/catering to and from the a/c without being asked.
Last edited by glamourjetgirl; 25th Mar 2011 at 08:12.
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A fuel bowser on arrival as the door comes down and the chock are thrown under the wheels with a fuel guy who's all smiles - like a faithful old dog greeting you back home - not a half hour wait for some miserble git in filthy overalls who has had a personality bypass - no names
Join Date: Sep 2006
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GlamourJetGirl
What about washing machine, for table linens, and small iron, I agree re dishwasher, good idea.
How many times have you been told, catering is going to collect your clear ins, but will be an hour.
glf
How many times have you been told, catering is going to collect your clear ins, but will be an hour.
glf
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: schermoney and left front seat
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Mostly the last half hour is what really sucks, cause there is (usually) not real place to wait - either one runs around like a tiger in cage or the like. So a sofa or two with an undisturbed view towards the driveway would be a good thing.
Join Date: Jul 2009
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*Would prefer to send expensive table linens to professional cleaning company (usually this is done back at base). Some a/c's I have worked on have actually carried their own travel iron in the cabin.
* Re: Washing up, had this very situation only the other week, catering company had to come and collect washing up and this was done after we had left the a/c as they took so long to arrive. The handling agent very kindly waited with my washing up until catering company arrived to collect it.
* I have found most operators do not allow/or like the washing up to go off to be washed by a catering company due to breakages and the cost factor.
Hope this info helps.
* Re: Washing up, had this very situation only the other week, catering company had to come and collect washing up and this was done after we had left the a/c as they took so long to arrive. The handling agent very kindly waited with my washing up until catering company arrived to collect it.
* I have found most operators do not allow/or like the washing up to go off to be washed by a catering company due to breakages and the cost factor.
Hope this info helps.
Join Date: May 2001
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Suprised clean toilets that are stocked hasn't come up.
One or two places I can think of the front is very comfy and nice.
Go through to the toilets and you find some third world disaster zone which you would need a cold chiesel and lump hammer to shift some of the skid marks.
One or two places I can think of the front is very comfy and nice.
Go through to the toilets and you find some third world disaster zone which you would need a cold chiesel and lump hammer to shift some of the skid marks.
Clean toilets
Changing rooms
kitchen facilities for crew to do own pax food preaparation and washing up
Fridge to store own pax catering
Ability to walk back and forth to the aircraft when you want
loan Hoovers and cleaning materials for crew to use on a/c
Free use of ground power units
Tall steps so crew can deice the tail themselves if needed
Whilst I would prefer to sleep, I seem to have spent most of my time at FBOs cleaning and preping the a/c!
Changing rooms
kitchen facilities for crew to do own pax food preaparation and washing up
Fridge to store own pax catering
Ability to walk back and forth to the aircraft when you want
loan Hoovers and cleaning materials for crew to use on a/c
Free use of ground power units
Tall steps so crew can deice the tail themselves if needed
Whilst I would prefer to sleep, I seem to have spent most of my time at FBOs cleaning and preping the a/c!
Join Date: Jan 2003
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On a slightly parallel track.
What would you be happy to pay for the services listed. Outside the airport fees, what do you expect to be included in the handling fee, and what would be a reasonable charge for dishwasher - fridge space - drinks etc.
As an operator we are seeing more and more "service" charges for
Calling a taxi
Emptying the rubbish
Washing up
Booking hotel rooms
Etc etc.
Should FBO's have a basic price for marsalling the aircraft and charge for everything else?
What would you be happy to pay for the services listed. Outside the airport fees, what do you expect to be included in the handling fee, and what would be a reasonable charge for dishwasher - fridge space - drinks etc.
As an operator we are seeing more and more "service" charges for
Calling a taxi
Emptying the rubbish
Washing up
Booking hotel rooms
Etc etc.
Should FBO's have a basic price for marsalling the aircraft and charge for everything else?
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Phil, very good question
As we all know, the services provided, INCLUDED are getting smaller and smaller, as the base price must be kept acceptable. The extras make the profit.
I would expect extra charges for anything that "most users" dont need.
These do include lav service, drinking water, washing, etc.
Exclude trash disposal, (unless the local authority charge for this).
Mad Jock: toilets mentioned, but Clean is optional.
H D: A clear view from a comfortable seat to awat pax, good point.. CCTV to cover entrance drive is nice too... advance warning.
I include: dishwasher, soft drinks, coffee, tea. Fridge space, is included, for reasonable quantities.
NO charge for arranging external services, ie a few local phone calls.
We dont get a percentage from taxi companies, or hotels, but do get low cost for own staff taxi use, plus a very nice gesture, free use of local resort hotels facilities, plus a very welcome festrive season staff part, FOC.
Ability to walk to and from aircraft, is a big problem, unless operating crew, (flak jackets a must).!!!!!. Combine with distance, temperature, and native security issues. Free car to from is better, but access is only against a PASS or operating crew.
The ability to answer the RT is certainly an advantage, especially in English.....
CHOCKS......
The base price should include all items that most aircraft need.
Hoover YES, but needs a gen set, for many aircraft.
Tall steps agreed a must, and also small steps, (removal of pitot covers etc), but remember H and Safety concerns.
Whatever the package the listing should be transparent.
Payment by C.C. at aircraft, and not long treck to the airport or handling office, or worse still INVOICE to follow, with no chance to verify, or cash only in local kaputnics.
glf
I would expect extra charges for anything that "most users" dont need.
These do include lav service, drinking water, washing, etc.
Exclude trash disposal, (unless the local authority charge for this).
Mad Jock: toilets mentioned, but Clean is optional.
H D: A clear view from a comfortable seat to awat pax, good point.. CCTV to cover entrance drive is nice too... advance warning.
I include: dishwasher, soft drinks, coffee, tea. Fridge space, is included, for reasonable quantities.
NO charge for arranging external services, ie a few local phone calls.
We dont get a percentage from taxi companies, or hotels, but do get low cost for own staff taxi use, plus a very nice gesture, free use of local resort hotels facilities, plus a very welcome festrive season staff part, FOC.
Ability to walk to and from aircraft, is a big problem, unless operating crew, (flak jackets a must).!!!!!. Combine with distance, temperature, and native security issues. Free car to from is better, but access is only against a PASS or operating crew.
The ability to answer the RT is certainly an advantage, especially in English.....
CHOCKS......
The base price should include all items that most aircraft need.
Hoover YES, but needs a gen set, for many aircraft.
Tall steps agreed a must, and also small steps, (removal of pitot covers etc), but remember H and Safety concerns.
Whatever the package the listing should be transparent.
Payment by C.C. at aircraft, and not long treck to the airport or handling office, or worse still INVOICE to follow, with no chance to verify, or cash only in local kaputnics.
glf
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: schermoney and left front seat
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One thing I forgot:
a shower...some like to exercise (what about an exercise room with some basic equipment...) and then have a shower... (at least I need to have one unless I´m in 'Ogre-mood mode')
a shower...some like to exercise (what about an exercise room with some basic equipment...) and then have a shower... (at least I need to have one unless I´m in 'Ogre-mood mode')