FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette

Windchill · February 25th, 2005, 17:15

I'm about to start going to town with cross-countries to get my hours up to start my instrument training Part 61. I still may opt to go Part 141, but if I do it'll be a local FBO-esqe school.

When arriving at other airports. What's the proper etiquette for using a courtesy car? Time frame, reasons to use it, etc?

Is it only appropriate to run and grab a quick bite, or pick someone up/drop off ... or is it okay to use it and check out the local scenery for a bit?

jknight8907 · February 25th, 2005, 17:37

The longest I've used one for is a couple of hours. Most of the time we just use it to go get someone or something. When returning it, put some gas in it, more than it had when you got it.

Unless there are people fighting over who is going to take the car, it should be fine for you to take it for a while.

B757plt2B · February 25th, 2005, 17:56

How considerate of you to inquire about this. I'm sure people will have several opinions on this.
Personally, I think it depends on the type of airport you are flying into. If it is a relatively quiet airport with very little traffic, I don't see why you couldn't use the courtesy car to sight-see, etc. As long as you let them know what your intentions are and they seem alright with that, I'd say you can do whatever. At the airport I fly out of, we prefer that it be used by pilots to grab a bite to eat, but we occasionally let people take it overnight if they are leaving early in the a.m. since there isn't a whole lot of demand for it.
Remember, it is a courtesy car, so it would be courteous of you to put some gas in it after you use it. Airports don't make anything off the car and gas is expensive. I'm sure they would appreciate it, as well as the next person who uses it.
Of course, if the employees are rude and disrespectful, take it and drive the crap out of it!

Hope this helps and to anyone else, feel free to plug in the holes I missed or to correct me!

Looking4Lower · February 25th, 2005, 18:25

I consider myself the Crew Car king

...

...and it DOES depend on the FBO. Big and/or busy FBOs will have time limits (i.e 1-hour to grab lunch or run an errand). Smaller FBOs are pretty liberal with what you can do and how long you can stay out. Best thing to do is call ahead and let them know what you want to do; they might "reserve" it for special occasions, otherwise it will be first-come, first-serve of course. It also helps to call and see if a car is available at all (some places refuse to have crew cars because of insurance/liability nowadays, and some places may have their car in the shop when you want to use it). Been to a couple mostly-unattended places that leave the keys in the car 24-7 and post a sign in the FBO that explains to transient pilots that they can just grab the car and go...And some places will let you take it overnite if you bring it back early (as has been said).

Regardless, a crew car/courtesy car is a COURTESY and if you have the time/money, top it off for the next guy when you use it, and get some 100LL to help out the FBO, too (even if you don't really need to top off the plane, it's a good courtesy). If it's a busy place and others are likely to drop in and use the car, you may wanna think twice about keeping the car out for a long time.

AND...don't abuse the car or wreck it, either (your insurance may not cover a "borrowed" car, and some places don't insure their crew cars properly, as I found out the hard day one day when I backed a crew car into a tree by accident).

BTW, the worst crew car ever is located in BFR (Bedford, IN). I've driven that piece of crap a number of times over the past few years, and I wasn't surprised when AOPA did and article on crew cars last year and the BFR car made the list of worst crew cars.

It's a tan Chevette, 50 percent rusted away. Barely starts, barely gets you to town, barely gets you back, sounds like he11, etc. etc.

Mr_Creepy · February 25th, 2005, 18:26

[ QUOTE ]
I'm about to start going to town with cross-countries to get my hours up to start my instrument training Part 61. I still may opt to go Part 141, but if I do it'll be a local FBO-esqe school.

When arriving at other airports. What's the proper etiquette for using a courtesy car? Time frame, reasons to use it, etc?

Is it only appropriate to run and grab a quick bite, or pick someone up/drop off ... or is it okay to use it and check out the local scenery for a bit?

[/ QUOTE ]

Most FBOs have a 1 hr time limit.

btw, it's also considered a nice idea to put some gas in it.

Mr_Creepy · February 25th, 2005, 18:28

One other thing. Remember that courtesy cars are meant for professional pilots that are stuck at the FBO! Business people, pilot/owners on business and the like are expected to take taxis or rent cars.

Student pilots or pilots-in-training are a slightly gray area. Most FBOs will let you take the car, but be courteous and ask around the pilot lounge if anyone else wants to go to lunch. Not a bad networking opportunity there either.

jknight8907 · February 25th, 2005, 18:50

Really? Every time I've needed to use one, there's been zero conflict about me not being a 'professional pilot'. It's my opinion that they're there for pilots who need a car to take a quick trip to town.

TaterSalad · February 25th, 2005, 19:27

[ QUOTE ]
Really? Every time I've needed to use one, there's been zero conflict about me not being a 'professional pilot'. It's my opinion that they're there for pilots who need a car to take a quick trip to town.

[/ QUOTE ]

You and John are most likely talking about 2 entirely different type of FBO's/Airports though. The larger FBO's, where corporate pilots spend a large percentage of their time, most likely view their crew cars more the way he's referring. The 2600' runway, taxi 'er over to the grass type FBO's, more along your line of thinking.

Ralgha · February 25th, 2005, 19:44

[ QUOTE ]

Most FBOs have a 1 hr time limit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not in my experience. My FBO had no limit. Every other one I went to was cool with however long if I told them when I'd expect to have it back. Flightcraft at PDX has a 4 hour limit, but they waived that for me when I got stranded one night.

P.S. They also never batted an eye at the fact that I wasn't a corporate pilot.

Mr_Creepy · February 25th, 2005, 19:51

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Most FBOs have a 1 hr time limit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Flightcraft at PDX has a 4 hour limit, but they waived that for me when I got stranded one night.

P.S. They also never batted an eye at the fact that I wasn't a corporate pilot.

[/ QUOTE ]

Night time has different rules of course. But during the lunch rush most of the Florida FBOs want you to keep it to an hour.

Ralgha · February 25th, 2005, 21:05

The only thing I have to add is that they've never cared that I wasn't a corprate pilot any time I've used one of their cars, not just the night I was stuck.

Mr_Creepy · February 26th, 2005, 07:28

[ QUOTE ]
The only thing I have to add is that they've never cared that I wasn't a corprate pilot any time I've used one of their cars, not just the night I was stuck.

[/ QUOTE ]

When I was a CFI I never noticed it. But later on, when I was sitting in the crew lounge with the rest of the "captive" pilots, I would hear comments like "some dumb CFI took the crew car for two hours, so we get no lunch." Being a CFI myself I jumped to the defense, but it didn't take long for me to remember taking a crew car for more than an hour a few times.

The people at the desk have never asked "Are you a corporate pilot at work or just a CFI on training?" However, I saw an incident at TLH Flightline one day, when an ATA CFI and student brought the car back late and received a little bit of a lecture from Brian at the front desk. He informed them that many other people were stuck here and had no way to get anything to eat, and to "please be considerate of those for whom the cars are intended."

Kristie · February 26th, 2005, 12:39

you can borrow a car at any small airport to go tool around/grab a rental/grab food and then fly right outta there? geez, I always wondered how you all got around when flying from airport to airport!!

That's awesome!! Doug - we need to go flying around now that we know there are cars we might be able to use.

is this common at most small airports like in Sedona or what not? I think it'd be so much fun to take a flight and go for dinner somewhere and then come back. But I was always thinking "well, how do you get from the airport to your dinner spot and back if they don't have any rental car companies there?"

kellwolf · February 26th, 2005, 12:42

Whether you're a "dumb CFI" or a corporate hotshot in a G-V, you're a customer of the FBO, and you should be treated accordingly. If the rules of the courtesy car are abused, then that should be addressed. However, I don't think a person should get chewed out because they are a "dumb CFI" and the corporate pilots wanted to go get lunch. It's a really pet peeve of mine when there's discriminatory customer service going on.

Mr_Creepy · February 26th, 2005, 13:36

[ QUOTE ]
Whether you're a "dumb CFI" or a corporate hotshot in a G-V, you're a customer of the FBO, and you should be treated accordingly. If the rules of the courtesy car are abused, then that should be addressed. However, I don't think a person should get chewed out because they are a "dumb CFI" and the corporate pilots wanted to go get lunch. It's a really pet peeve of mine when there's discriminatory customer service going on.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with you - to a point! My pet peeve is parking the jets up front and making the single engines park way in the back, a long way from the FBO (yes this means YOU Sheltair!)

But back to the topic. People who are in control of their own schedule - i.e. CFIs, should be considerate of those who are stuck at that airport waiting on someone else.

As I said, I defended that actions of the so-called "dumb CFI" to the obnoxious corporate pilot, but I could see his side as well. I was stuck there with no lunch as my passengers were due back at 2pm, and both crew cars were gone until 1:30.

My stomach was making interesting noises on the flight back

kellwolf · February 26th, 2005, 14:57

Pizza Hut doesn't deliver to FBOs?

EatSleepFly · February 26th, 2005, 15:03

[ QUOTE ]
BTW, the worst crew car ever is located in BFR (Bedford, IN).

[/ QUOTE ]

I nominate the crew car at McAlester, OK (KMLC). What a pile that thing is.

Windchill · February 26th, 2005, 22:48

Apparently Warrenton, VA (W66) has a relatively new Cadilac for a courtesy car. Airnav Member Comments for W66

Looking4Lower · February 27th, 2005, 00:01

[ QUOTE ]
Apparently Warrenton, VA (W66) has a relatively new Cadilac for a courtesy car. Airnav Member Comments for W66

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice - a new car and revamped runway. Stopped in there last summer and they had no car (line guy took us into town and dropped us off for lunch, picked us up when we were done). They had the runway cut down to about 2100' or so at the time because of construction, too.

mtsu_av8er · February 27th, 2005, 00:29

[ QUOTE ]
One other thing. Remember that courtesy cars are meant for professional pilots that are stuck at the FBO!

[/ QUOTE ]

I work longer hours and longer days than alot of "professional pilots" (as you like to call them). I deserve to eat just as much as the next guy. . .

Ophir · February 27th, 2005, 01:17

The best crew car i have ever used was in Tupelo, MS. It was a gold lincoln continental. Sweet!! We drove it to the barbeque place for hushpuppies.

Mr_Creepy · February 27th, 2005, 08:12

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
One other thing. Remember that courtesy cars are meant for professional pilots that are stuck at the FBO!

[/ QUOTE ]

I work longer hours and longer days than alot of "professional pilots" (as you like to call them). I deserve to eat just as much as the next guy. . .

[/ QUOTE ]

No argument from me about that Lloyd! CFI is MUCH harder work than corporate flying.

It wasn't my point, though - the corporate guys are stuck there on someone else's schedule. They can't just say to their student, "OK Let's go over to the next airport."

Perhaps the word "professional" should be changed to "corporate."

Looking4Lower · February 27th, 2005, 10:01

Although some classier FBOs definitely cater to corporate crews, I don't think that a corporate crew is any more entitled to a car than a 172 renter pilot. Anybody can be on a tight schedule, and like Lloyd said, everybody deserves to eat.

When I was flying aerial photography, if the WX was good we would fly about 4 hrs in the morning, land and do a quick lunch, then back up for 4 more hours (then maybe a third afternoon flight during long days). I can't remember how many times I was short on time and very hungry at some FBO when the person behind the desk said "Oh, the King Air/Citation/Lear crew has the car right now...they've had it for a couple hours now...should have had it back by now...I guess you can wait if you want, they 'should' be back any time...." I would imagine that busy CFIs don't always have the time to hop around to other airports to find a car, either.

In my opinion, everybody deserves to use the car within the specified time limits. On the flip side, anybody (corporate and charter crews, CFIs, average joe renter pilot, etc.) can potentially abuse the privilege, piss off everybody else, and make themselves look bad when they keep the car too long.

Looking4Lower · February 27th, 2005, 10:05

[ QUOTE ]
The best crew car i have ever used was in Tupelo, MS. It was a gold lincoln continental. Sweet!! We drove it to the barbeque place for hushpuppies.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dude, I drove that car too! I think they let us have it overnight, if I remember right (came in real late, left early).

The most fun crew cars are the big, heavy steel All-American land-boats of the 60's-70's.

"Rollin' in my Six-Fo'..."

EDUC8-or · February 27th, 2005, 10:43

I stopped in an FBO in Gainesville, TX after hours. There was a note to just sign in and leave your name and phone number plus the ETA the next morning if you needed the car overnight. Cool stuff.

Isn't there a place in New Orleans with Jaguar crew cars?

A "good" FBO at a busy airport will know when there will be jet airplanes arriving with a crew and they can usually look at a schedule to see if the crew cars will be available. If there's no crew car around sometimes you can find someone to give you a ride, I've given lots of people rides into town or to the beach because there were no cars available. We have no time limit on our crew car. When we get real busy and there are multiple crews and no cars available or no one to give rides, pilots don't whine about it, they just order out.

February 25th, 2005, 17:15	#1
Windchill Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-Atlantic, KMRB Posts: 1,925	FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette I'm about to start going to town with cross-countries to get my hours up to start my instrument training Part 61. I still may opt to go Part 141, but if I do it'll be a local FBO-esqe school. When arriving at other airports. What's the proper etiquette for using a courtesy car? Time frame, reasons to use it, etc? Is it only appropriate to run and grab a quick bite, or pick someone up/drop off ... or is it okay to use it and check out the local scenery for a bit?

February 25th, 2005, 17:37	#2
jknight8907 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 265	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette The longest I've used one for is a couple of hours. Most of the time we just use it to go get someone or something. When returning it, put some gas in it, more than it had when you got it. Unless there are people fighting over who is going to take the car, it should be fine for you to take it for a while.

February 25th, 2005, 17:56	#3
B757plt2B Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 80	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette How considerate of you to inquire about this. I'm sure people will have several opinions on this. Personally, I think it depends on the type of airport you are flying into. If it is a relatively quiet airport with very little traffic, I don't see why you couldn't use the courtesy car to sight-see, etc. As long as you let them know what your intentions are and they seem alright with that, I'd say you can do whatever. At the airport I fly out of, we prefer that it be used by pilots to grab a bite to eat, but we occasionally let people take it overnight if they are leaving early in the a.m. since there isn't a whole lot of demand for it. Remember, it is a courtesy car, so it would be courteous of you to put some gas in it after you use it. Airports don't make anything off the car and gas is expensive. I'm sure they would appreciate it, as well as the next person who uses it. Of course, if the employees are rude and disrespectful, take it and drive the crap out of it! Hope this helps and to anyone else, feel free to plug in the holes I missed or to correct me!

February 25th, 2005, 18:25	#4
Looking4Lower Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On your TCAS Posts: 539	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette I consider myself the Crew Car king ... ...and it DOES depend on the FBO. Big and/or busy FBOs will have time limits (i.e 1-hour to grab lunch or run an errand). Smaller FBOs are pretty liberal with what you can do and how long you can stay out. Best thing to do is call ahead and let them know what you want to do; they might "reserve" it for special occasions, otherwise it will be first-come, first-serve of course. It also helps to call and see if a car is available at all (some places refuse to have crew cars because of insurance/liability nowadays, and some places may have their car in the shop when you want to use it). Been to a couple mostly-unattended places that leave the keys in the car 24-7 and post a sign in the FBO that explains to transient pilots that they can just grab the car and go...And some places will let you take it overnite if you bring it back early (as has been said). Regardless, a crew car/courtesy car is a COURTESY and if you have the time/money, top it off for the next guy when you use it, and get some 100LL to help out the FBO, too (even if you don't really need to top off the plane, it's a good courtesy). If it's a busy place and others are likely to drop in and use the car, you may wanna think twice about keeping the car out for a long time. AND...don't abuse the car or wreck it, either (your insurance may not cover a "borrowed" car, and some places don't insure their crew cars properly, as I found out the hard day one day when I backed a crew car into a tree by accident). BTW, the worst crew car ever is located in BFR (Bedford, IN). I've driven that piece of crap a number of times over the past few years, and I wasn't surprised when AOPA did and article on crew cars last year and the BFR car made the list of worst crew cars. It's a tan Chevette, 50 percent rusted away. Barely starts, barely gets you to town, barely gets you back, sounds like he11, etc. etc.

February 25th, 2005, 18:26	#5
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] I'm about to start going to town with cross-countries to get my hours up to start my instrument training Part 61. I still may opt to go Part 141, but if I do it'll be a local FBO-esqe school. When arriving at other airports. What's the proper etiquette for using a courtesy car? Time frame, reasons to use it, etc? Is it only appropriate to run and grab a quick bite, or pick someone up/drop off ... or is it okay to use it and check out the local scenery for a bit? [/ QUOTE ] Most FBOs have a 1 hr time limit. btw, it's also considered a nice idea to put some gas in it.

February 25th, 2005, 18:28	#6
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette One other thing. Remember that courtesy cars are meant for professional pilots that are stuck at the FBO! Business people, pilot/owners on business and the like are expected to take taxis or rent cars. Student pilots or pilots-in-training are a slightly gray area. Most FBOs will let you take the car, but be courteous and ask around the pilot lounge if anyone else wants to go to lunch. Not a bad networking opportunity there either.

February 25th, 2005, 18:50	#7
jknight8907 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 265	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette Really? Every time I've needed to use one, there's been zero conflict about me not being a 'professional pilot'. It's my opinion that they're there for pilots who need a car to take a quick trip to town.

February 25th, 2005, 19:27	#8
TaterSalad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 342	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] Really? Every time I've needed to use one, there's been zero conflict about me not being a 'professional pilot'. It's my opinion that they're there for pilots who need a car to take a quick trip to town. [/ QUOTE ] You and John are most likely talking about 2 entirely different type of FBO's/Airports though. The larger FBO's, where corporate pilots spend a large percentage of their time, most likely view their crew cars more the way he's referring. The 2600' runway, taxi 'er over to the grass type FBO's, more along your line of thinking.

February 25th, 2005, 19:44	#9
Ralgha Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 912	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] Most FBOs have a 1 hr time limit. [/ QUOTE ] Not in my experience. My FBO had no limit. Every other one I went to was cool with however long if I told them when I'd expect to have it back. Flightcraft at PDX has a 4 hour limit, but they waived that for me when I got stranded one night. P.S. They also never batted an eye at the fact that I wasn't a corporate pilot.

February 25th, 2005, 19:51	#10
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Most FBOs have a 1 hr time limit. [/ QUOTE ] Flightcraft at PDX has a 4 hour limit, but they waived that for me when I got stranded one night. P.S. They also never batted an eye at the fact that I wasn't a corporate pilot. [/ QUOTE ] Night time has different rules of course. But during the lunch rush most of the Florida FBOs want you to keep it to an hour.

February 25th, 2005, 21:05	#11
Ralgha Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 912	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette The only thing I have to add is that they've never cared that I wasn't a corprate pilot any time I've used one of their cars, not just the night I was stuck.

February 26th, 2005, 07:28	#12
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] The only thing I have to add is that they've never cared that I wasn't a corprate pilot any time I've used one of their cars, not just the night I was stuck. [/ QUOTE ] When I was a CFI I never noticed it. But later on, when I was sitting in the crew lounge with the rest of the "captive" pilots, I would hear comments like "some dumb CFI took the crew car for two hours, so we get no lunch." Being a CFI myself I jumped to the defense, but it didn't take long for me to remember taking a crew car for more than an hour a few times. The people at the desk have never asked "Are you a corporate pilot at work or just a CFI on training?" However, I saw an incident at TLH Flightline one day, when an ATA CFI and student brought the car back late and received a little bit of a lecture from Brian at the front desk. He informed them that many other people were stuck here and had no way to get anything to eat, and to "please be considerate of those for whom the cars are intended."

February 26th, 2005, 12:39	#13
Kristie Big Chief's Woman Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 18,089 Blog Entries: 3	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette you can borrow a car at any small airport to go tool around/grab a rental/grab food and then fly right outta there? geez, I always wondered how you all got around when flying from airport to airport!! That's awesome!! Doug - we need to go flying around now that we know there are cars we might be able to use. is this common at most small airports like in Sedona or what not? I think it'd be so much fun to take a flight and go for dinner somewhere and then come back. But I was always thinking "well, how do you get from the airport to your dinner spot and back if they don't have any rental car companies there?"

February 26th, 2005, 12:42	#14
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,634	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette Whether you're a "dumb CFI" or a corporate hotshot in a G-V, you're a customer of the FBO, and you should be treated accordingly. If the rules of the courtesy car are abused, then that should be addressed. However, I don't think a person should get chewed out because they are a "dumb CFI" and the corporate pilots wanted to go get lunch. It's a really pet peeve of mine when there's discriminatory customer service going on.

February 26th, 2005, 13:36	#15
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] Whether you're a "dumb CFI" or a corporate hotshot in a G-V, you're a customer of the FBO, and you should be treated accordingly. If the rules of the courtesy car are abused, then that should be addressed. However, I don't think a person should get chewed out because they are a "dumb CFI" and the corporate pilots wanted to go get lunch. It's a really pet peeve of mine when there's discriminatory customer service going on. [/ QUOTE ] I agree with you - to a point! My pet peeve is parking the jets up front and making the single engines park way in the back, a long way from the FBO (yes this means YOU Sheltair!) But back to the topic. People who are in control of their own schedule - i.e. CFIs, should be considerate of those who are stuck at that airport waiting on someone else. As I said, I defended that actions of the so-called "dumb CFI" to the obnoxious corporate pilot, but I could see his side as well. I was stuck there with no lunch as my passengers were due back at 2pm, and both crew cars were gone until 1:30. My stomach was making interesting noises on the flight back

February 26th, 2005, 14:57	#16
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,634	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette Pizza Hut doesn't deliver to FBOs?

February 26th, 2005, 15:03	#17
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] BTW, the worst crew car ever is located in BFR (Bedford, IN). [/ QUOTE ] I nominate the crew car at McAlester, OK (KMLC). What a pile that thing is.

February 26th, 2005, 22:48	#18
Windchill Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-Atlantic, KMRB Posts: 1,925	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette Apparently Warrenton, VA (W66) has a relatively new Cadilac for a courtesy car. Airnav Member Comments for W66

February 27th, 2005, 00:01	#19
Looking4Lower Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On your TCAS Posts: 539	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] Apparently Warrenton, VA (W66) has a relatively new Cadilac for a courtesy car. Airnav Member Comments for W66 [/ QUOTE ] Nice - a new car and revamped runway. Stopped in there last summer and they had no car (line guy took us into town and dropped us off for lunch, picked us up when we were done). They had the runway cut down to about 2100' or so at the time because of construction, too.

February 27th, 2005, 00:29	#20
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,477	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] One other thing. Remember that courtesy cars are meant for professional pilots that are stuck at the FBO! [/ QUOTE ] I work longer hours and longer days than alot of "professional pilots" (as you like to call them). I deserve to eat just as much as the next guy. . .

February 27th, 2005, 01:17	#21
Ophir Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: was Ophir, CO, now in SLC! Posts: 1,477	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette The best crew car i have ever used was in Tupelo, MS. It was a gold lincoln continental. Sweet!! We drove it to the barbeque place for hushpuppies.

February 27th, 2005, 08:12	#22
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] One other thing. Remember that courtesy cars are meant for professional pilots that are stuck at the FBO! [/ QUOTE ] I work longer hours and longer days than alot of "professional pilots" (as you like to call them). I deserve to eat just as much as the next guy. . . [/ QUOTE ] No argument from me about that Lloyd! CFI is MUCH harder work than corporate flying. It wasn't my point, though - the corporate guys are stuck there on someone else's schedule. They can't just say to their student, "OK Let's go over to the next airport." Perhaps the word "professional" should be changed to "corporate."

February 27th, 2005, 10:01	#23
Looking4Lower Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On your TCAS Posts: 539	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette Although some classier FBOs definitely cater to corporate crews, I don't think that a corporate crew is any more entitled to a car than a 172 renter pilot. Anybody can be on a tight schedule, and like Lloyd said, everybody deserves to eat. When I was flying aerial photography, if the WX was good we would fly about 4 hrs in the morning, land and do a quick lunch, then back up for 4 more hours (then maybe a third afternoon flight during long days). I can't remember how many times I was short on time and very hungry at some FBO when the person behind the desk said "Oh, the King Air/Citation/Lear crew has the car right now...they've had it for a couple hours now...should have had it back by now...I guess you can wait if you want, they 'should' be back any time...." I would imagine that busy CFIs don't always have the time to hop around to other airports to find a car, either. In my opinion, everybody deserves to use the car within the specified time limits. On the flip side, anybody (corporate and charter crews, CFIs, average joe renter pilot, etc.) can potentially abuse the privilege, piss off everybody else, and make themselves look bad when they keep the car too long.

February 27th, 2005, 10:05	#24
Looking4Lower Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On your TCAS Posts: 539	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette [ QUOTE ] The best crew car i have ever used was in Tupelo, MS. It was a gold lincoln continental. Sweet!! We drove it to the barbeque place for hushpuppies. [/ QUOTE ] Dude, I drove that car too! I think they let us have it overnight, if I remember right (came in real late, left early). The most fun crew cars are the big, heavy steel All-American land-boats of the 60's-70's. "Rollin' in my Six-Fo'..."

February 27th, 2005, 10:43	#25
EDUC8-or Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NC Posts: 2,177	Re: FBO Courtesy Car Etiquette I stopped in an FBO in Gainesville, TX after hours. There was a note to just sign in and leave your name and phone number plus the ETA the next morning if you needed the car overnight. Cool stuff. Isn't there a place in New Orleans with Jaguar crew cars? A "good" FBO at a busy airport will know when there will be jet airplanes arriving with a crew and they can usually look at a schedule to see if the crew cars will be available. If there's no crew car around sometimes you can find someone to give you a ride, I've given lots of people rides into town or to the beach because there were no cars available. We have no time limit on our crew car. When we get real busy and there are multiple crews and no cars available or no one to give rides, pilots don't whine about it, they just order out.

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