Ridiculous prices
I did post, "SARCASM". We have gone to great lengths to identify savings and act on same. In the US, we buy fuel where it's cheaper or where we can waive landing parking fees. Many FBOs don't charge for small items like ice or coffee when buying fuel, either. We let the lead pax know if a different FBO will save him money for fuel or services. Accounting looks at bills DAILY for "errors" or shenanigans. I'm NOT advocating throwing money away, BUT I'm not telling the Boss his catering is too expensive or no ice because the handler charges $50 for it, no matter how ridiculous it sounds. Once you look at the total cost of operating a corporate jet, the crew can only effect maybe 10% of the total cost. If you reduce it by HALF, you've saved maybe 5% of the bill. Not chump change but optimistic.
If you really want to save, start with fuel planning like the airlines, don't fly at max cruise, but LRC.
GF
If you really want to save, start with fuel planning like the airlines, don't fly at max cruise, but LRC.
GF
At one the locales I visit, the local fuel guy sits at the airport all weekend, and charges a "callout fee" of 150$ for our 5 flights a day. He also charges between 4pm-8am, I depart at 830 but won't call him until 8:01 Needless to say I tanker fuel when able. sAnother station gives us free coffee, and Ice Cream. They also offered me a job chucking bags.
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Something I never learned to do was get the boss used to the big bills like others have. A few nightmare over hauls and inspections, these guys start looking at bigger planes.
Seems I went the other way, roundly beating the NBAA numbers, discounted fuel, deli sandwiches from down the block, landing at airports where the fuel was a buck less then big FBOs. Everyone is tickled, no reason to buy a bigger plane...why should they...packing all seats in a Citation, beating the airlines at their own game.
So you got kids that screw it all up, can't manage to buy a box of peanuts right, getting types in GIVs and Galaxys, where some of the old salts are stuck in Turprops and little jets because the boss is just so happy that we make the little planes ultra efficient.
Seems I went the other way, roundly beating the NBAA numbers, discounted fuel, deli sandwiches from down the block, landing at airports where the fuel was a buck less then big FBOs. Everyone is tickled, no reason to buy a bigger plane...why should they...packing all seats in a Citation, beating the airlines at their own game.
So you got kids that screw it all up, can't manage to buy a box of peanuts right, getting types in GIVs and Galaxys, where some of the old salts are stuck in Turprops and little jets because the boss is just so happy that we make the little planes ultra efficient.
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BUT I'm not telling the Boss his catering is too expensive or no ice because the handler charges $50 for it, no matter how ridiculous it sounds
Works wonders for me.
Had the assistant of the CFO come up to me about the raised cost ex certain destinations and could tell em: boss decided AFTER being told the prices to have a friggin cold meal at 75 quid each plus 300 pounds delivery.
Ever since there is a refreshing silence on that front. And those little items aren't questionend any more as well....
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Some years ago I was involved in despatching some "hazardous" material (similar to superglue) all suitably packed in inert packaging, along with the main product onto a corporate jet which which had flown over from Nova Scotia specifically to collect the consignment. The company concerned took no chances of not having the right people on board, even to the point of having brought their own import/export agent with them. At the UK end, the lady at the information desk apologised to to the pilot for having to charge him an extra $30 for something or other. He just waved his agreement to pay what ever the cost was.
What the airport, (South Humberside as it was then called) didn't know that the lack of this product was costing the company around $30k per day! Hence the apparent lack of interest of the pilot in an extra $30 charge. So I suspect that many handling agents "try it on" as other pressures may be affecting decisions as they were on our flight.
What the airport, (South Humberside as it was then called) didn't know that the lack of this product was costing the company around $30k per day! Hence the apparent lack of interest of the pilot in an extra $30 charge. So I suspect that many handling agents "try it on" as other pressures may be affecting decisions as they were on our flight.
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Watch out at Olbia (LIEO) when operating from outside Schengen Area. Waste Bag removal 80 euro per bag! Mandatory...
Make sure you have only one to remove...
Make sure you have only one to remove...
Last edited by LearjetGA; 2nd Jan 2013 at 10:05.
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Thanks Glider.
I don't need to. I know that if we go high when heavy we slow down putting another 20 mins on a 4 hour flight. That is enough for me to stay only high 30's and get there fast. Besides, my owner cares not a jot about fuel but will argue about a tyre change!
BTW. I'm not getting much change out of £4k for a LTN visit. 3 pages of this's and that's on the bill. Then if you are a screened flight... OMG!
KH
I don't need to. I know that if we go high when heavy we slow down putting another 20 mins on a 4 hour flight. That is enough for me to stay only high 30's and get there fast. Besides, my owner cares not a jot about fuel but will argue about a tyre change!
BTW. I'm not getting much change out of £4k for a LTN visit. 3 pages of this's and that's on the bill. Then if you are a screened flight... OMG!
KH
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On types I have flown, we would always be able to accelerate to cruise Mach at any altitude, (provided we are not above the ceiling for the weight), so I usually go as high as the book says we can (unless we can ride a jetstream up the chuff lower down).
It leads to a huge fuel saving (agreed, no-one seems to care about that), the TAS is the same as lower down in the stratosphere, its smoother, and on the legs we do, it sometimes makes the difference between a fuel stop and not (which everyone cares about).
But if I'm right in thinking you are on the Hawker, I do believe that struggles well before its ceiling?
It leads to a huge fuel saving (agreed, no-one seems to care about that), the TAS is the same as lower down in the stratosphere, its smoother, and on the legs we do, it sometimes makes the difference between a fuel stop and not (which everyone cares about).
But if I'm right in thinking you are on the Hawker, I do believe that struggles well before its ceiling?
Last edited by Joe le Taxi; 2nd Jan 2013 at 10:54.
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I believe that every private jet owner cares about costs. Who wouldn't? Just because one has a jet all to himself doesn't mean he wants to do away with all his money for silly requirements.
While choosing your operator it is imperative that certain rules are laid down. Telling them of the drawbacks of your earlier operator (if you had one or if you have been told of by your friends/colleagues). Nobody wants to give away their money for something that doesn't even make sense. I mean come on, to throw away trash? or a box of tissues for 80 USD? What do they think private jet owners eat? Gold bars?
While choosing your operator it is imperative that certain rules are laid down. Telling them of the drawbacks of your earlier operator (if you had one or if you have been told of by your friends/colleagues). Nobody wants to give away their money for something that doesn't even make sense. I mean come on, to throw away trash? or a box of tissues for 80 USD? What do they think private jet owners eat? Gold bars?
