What kind of services make a good FBO?

SGTCIV · October 5th, 2006, 17:09

Just wondering what some of the good and bad experiences everyone has had at different FBO's... What might you like to see as far as services offered at an FBO?

Tim · October 5th, 2006, 17:23

If an FBO wants to be a cut above then to me the customer service needs to be top notch and be consistently at that rate. You have to have gas and will pay what the prices are no matter what because you need it but the customer services skills are to me what sets a good FBO from a great one.

desertdog71 · October 5th, 2006, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGTCIV

Just wondering what some of the good and bad experiences everyone has had at different FBO's... What might you like to see as far as services offered at an FBO?

An FBO that greets the customers at the plane is important. I hate pulling up and being ignored. That is the number one thing for me, everything else is secondary.

Tim · October 5th, 2006, 17:28

I may not be buying 150 gallons of JET A but my 172 is just as important. My gas bill helps pay there salaries

JDE · October 5th, 2006, 18:56

All the employees should be friendly and knowledgeable...and that means everyone...line personel, CSR's, managers, mechanics, etc. On the knowledgeable part, I do realize people are new and some not familiar with aviation. In that case, it's the FBO's responsibility to TRAIN their people. It's incredibly frustrating when the CSR asks us if our plane "takes gas" and then asks if our Conquest is single-point. On a side note, line guys/gals need to pay attention. The Falcon 10 does not have a fuel cap on the SPR...and ours even says that...but we still get people telling us our asking us about our fuel cap...hello!

Communication is key also. There is one particular FBO at EUG which we fly to a few times a year. We call on the phone before arriving, we call on the unicom frequency while enroute and we still seem to have to make our requests multiple times and everyone asks us the same questions (how much fuel, how long are you staying, need a baggage cart? - I've already told someone at least twice!!! Communicate with each other!!) . We don't get on the phone and radio just to talk for the fun of it (at least I dont).

Nice facilities are also a HUGE plus. We frequent some VERY CRAPPY FBO's. Not every FBO needs to look like a Million Air or Signature, but it would at least be nice to have a chair with some padding or maybe a pilot's lounge that isn't so small that when you recline the recliner, your feet stick out into the hallway. Internet access is GREAT and so is a weather computer. Some FBO's already have the internet available to their employees, but not the customers...doesn't make sense to me.

Last, but not least, people greeting the plane is nice. At some FBO's it's very difficult to see the person parking the airplane and they don't use the proper hand signals. However, for some reason it is much easier to find the females when they're parking planes.

I'm not trying to sound like an @$$ here, but we frequent many different types of FBO's everyday, so I am lucky (or unlucky) enough to see pretty much the whole spectrum when it comes to services. Oh yeah, crew cars are good too!

Tim · October 5th, 2006, 19:41

Personally the one of the best FBO's I have flown into was Flightline @ TLH.
Galaxy @ PBI has some of the nicest looking women working the counter and the free brunch on Sunday's was a big winner for guys in flight school on a budget....at least it use to be free....

deserteaglle · October 5th, 2006, 20:38

Crew cars, leather recliners, big screen t.v.'s, internet, and free coffee rocks my socks off...so do hot chicks behind the counter.

Kingairer · October 5th, 2006, 21:19

Agree with above. You must have some hot chicks who are easy on the eyes to kill time with.

Bandit_Driver · October 5th, 2006, 21:45

My Top 10 items for Quality FBO

Excellent Customer Service regardless of aircraft type
Well trained employees (rampies that know how to marshall aircraft)
Pilot Lounge with comfortable Chairs
SAT or Cable TV
Seperate Snooze Room for those of us who want to catch some ZZZ
Flight Planning room with WSI or other weather product
Wi-Fi Internet and/or public computers
Crew Car
A FBO that doesn't treat cargo pilots like 3rd class citizens.
ANY FBO THAT ISN'T SIGNATURE

greaper007 · October 5th, 2006, 21:48

An fbo that doesn't charge a 50.00 landing fee for a twin....

Bandit_Driver · October 5th, 2006, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by greaper007

An fbo that doesn't charge a 50.00 landing fee for a twin....

Landing Fees are set by the airport and just collected by the FBO. Now don't get me started on Ramp Fees...

SIUav8er · October 6th, 2006, 03:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGTCIV

Just wondering what some of the good and bad experiences everyone has had at different FBO's... What might you like to see as far as services offered at an FBO?

I like free food, cheap avgas, and a crew car. other than that, im not picky

October 5th, 2006, 17:09	#1
SGTCIV Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kissimmee, FL Posts: 27	What kind of services make a good FBO? Just wondering what some of the good and bad experiences everyone has had at different FBO's... What might you like to see as far as services offered at an FBO?

October 5th, 2006, 17:23	#2
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: What kind of services make a good FBO? If an FBO wants to be a cut above then to me the customer service needs to be top notch and be consistently at that rate. You have to have gas and will pay what the prices are no matter what because you need it but the customer services skills are to me what sets a good FBO from a great one. __________________ Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turn skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.----- Leonardo Da Vinci

October 5th, 2006, 17:28	#4
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: What kind of services make a good FBO? I may not be buying 150 gallons of JET A but my 172 is just as important. My gas bill helps pay there salaries __________________ Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turn skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.----- Leonardo Da Vinci

October 5th, 2006, 18:56	#5
JDE Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 1,609	Re: What kind of services make a good FBO? All the employees should be friendly and knowledgeable...and that means everyone...line personel, CSR's, managers, mechanics, etc. On the knowledgeable part, I do realize people are new and some not familiar with aviation. In that case, it's the FBO's responsibility to TRAIN their people. It's incredibly frustrating when the CSR asks us if our plane "takes gas" and then asks if our Conquest is single-point. On a side note, line guys/gals need to pay attention. The Falcon 10 does not have a fuel cap on the SPR...and ours even says that...but we still get people telling us our asking us about our fuel cap...hello! Communication is key also. There is one particular FBO at EUG which we fly to a few times a year. We call on the phone before arriving, we call on the unicom frequency while enroute and we still seem to have to make our requests multiple times and everyone asks us the same questions (how much fuel, how long are you staying, need a baggage cart? - I've already told someone at least twice!!! Communicate with each other!!) . We don't get on the phone and radio just to talk for the fun of it (at least I dont). Nice facilities are also a HUGE plus. We frequent some VERY CRAPPY FBO's. Not every FBO needs to look like a Million Air or Signature, but it would at least be nice to have a chair with some padding or maybe a pilot's lounge that isn't so small that when you recline the recliner, your feet stick out into the hallway. Internet access is GREAT and so is a weather computer. Some FBO's already have the internet available to their employees, but not the customers...doesn't make sense to me. Last, but not least, people greeting the plane is nice. At some FBO's it's very difficult to see the person parking the airplane and they don't use the proper hand signals. However, for some reason it is much easier to find the females when they're parking planes. I'm not trying to sound like an @$$ here, but we frequent many different types of FBO's everyday, so I am lucky (or unlucky) enough to see pretty much the whole spectrum when it comes to services. Oh yeah, crew cars are good too! __________________ Jason

October 5th, 2006, 19:41	#6
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: What kind of services make a good FBO? Personally the one of the best FBO's I have flown into was Flightline @ TLH. Galaxy @ PBI has some of the nicest looking women working the counter and the free brunch on Sunday's was a big winner for guys in flight school on a budget....at least it use to be free.... __________________ Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turn skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.----- Leonardo Da Vinci

October 5th, 2006, 20:38	#7
deserteaglle Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TEXAS! Posts: 690	Re: What kind of services make a good FBO? Crew cars, leather recliners, big screen t.v.'s, internet, and free coffee rocks my socks off...so do hot chicks behind the counter. __________________ Fly the god#@$% plane. People usually ask for advice to have someone to agree with what they've already decided or to have someone to blame when things go wrong.

October 5th, 2006, 21:19	#8
Kingairer Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Nomadic...World Wide Boobie Bungalow Bouncer Posts: 3,215	Re: What kind of services make a good FBO? Agree with above. You must have some hot chicks who are easy on the eyes to kill time with. __________________ "I do not proofread"

October 5th, 2006, 21:45	#9
Bandit_Driver Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DTW Posts: 1,872	Re: What kind of services make a good FBO? My Top 10 items for Quality FBO Excellent Customer Service regardless of aircraft type Well trained employees (rampies that know how to marshall aircraft) Pilot Lounge with comfortable Chairs SAT or Cable TV Seperate Snooze Room for those of us who want to catch some ZZZ Flight Planning room with WSI or other weather product Wi-Fi Internet and/or public computers Crew Car A FBO that doesn't treat cargo pilots like 3rd class citizens. ANY FBO THAT ISN'T SIGNATURE __________________ OOTSK Logbook Pro - Electronic Pilots Logbook

October 5th, 2006, 21:48	#10
greaper007 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: West Hartford, Ct Posts: 1,128	Re: What kind of services make a good FBO? An fbo that doesn't charge a 50.00 landing fee for a twin.... __________________ <<<<<Hunter S. Thompson extends the Gonzo concept to flying.

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