IMO, "things" are getting testy here because there is a wide variance of definition of "overcharging". In some cases, fairly small "landing" or "handling" fees are charged and waived with reasonable amounts of fuel purchased. On the other hand, there are a few truly egregious examples of gouging.

The real problem is that circumstances exist where the gouging can occur. If it can, sooner or later, it will. If the $400 charge to the Citation that purchased fuel is correct, nothing more needs to be said to validate the problem.

This is a legitimate issue that needs to be addressed and corrected with some degree of reasonableness and uniformity. Being flippant about it and pretending that everyone is over reacting is nothing more than posing for attention.

Jgreen

Without taking one side or the other, I think the frustration stems from the fact that many FBOs - like Signature (as an example only) have a monopoly at any given airport (although not all).

Those of us who own and operate light twins or singles would like the option of landing and walking to the parking lot and taking no services.

Nobody likes being forced to pay for something that they do not want.

If you are simply taking up space on asphalt or concrete, there is merit to the argument that we collectively have already paid for that - the aviation trust fund which paves these places.

All airports take federal money to maintain their hard surfaces (unless they are privately owned and operated and even then they sometimes do through the Airport Improvement Program).

For my part, I have nothing negative to say about Landmark, Signature, Free Innis and the like.

They all generally provide above-par service - whether I want it or not.

Still, I do share the feeling that at some level, I am being charged twice for the same thing.

I try to make up for it by eating and drinking hundreds of dollars of Signature cookies and coffee each year.

Not sure that is a good answer, though.

If you didn't call ahead and ask about fees you have no-one to blame but yourself.

Absolutely agree, Jason. No argument.

I was merely suggesting that whatever the fee structure is, as consumers of airport services, we may not necessarily be privy to what makes up that fee and whether or not we are effectively paying for the same thing(s) twice.

Moreover, anybody who pays just a little bit of attention can tell you that there is often an unholy alliance between local governments and parties to "sole-source contracts" to the peril of the consumer(s), that is to say, us.

Competition can, but does not always, disrupt that alliance.

Monopoly breeds it.

The issue that I see is pilots who get upset and posts messages like these about the FBO. It is misdirected anger; the issue you have is with the AIRPORT (they don't have a place that you can park for free), not the FBO.

If you want to post a message and say Albany, NY airport is a criminal enterprise because they don't have an option of free parking, fine. But please don't drag the FBO (monopoly or not) into it.

I agree 100%. But many of these airports don't have the traffic to support 1 FBO much less 2. I have to fly into Mobile often..... what a rip off that place is BUT.... at least I have a place to fly in too.

I call ahead. I get them to email me their fees. The morons working there don't know a Pilatus from a Piper. They always mail the fees for a Piper and I hold them to.... "that's not what you told me on the phone".

Monopoly also breeds "poor service" and incompetence. Capitalize on it. I'm a hell raiser.

Seems like they would have plenty of traffic to support at least two FBOs.

Seems like they would have plenty of traffic to support at least two FBOs.

Best post of this, and the Signature thread, in my opinion.

I am all for, and agree with, ramp space and even tie downs that can be used when no FBO support is required but that is up to the airport authority to provide, not an FBO.

There are 2 airports there. Mobile Downtown and Mobile. Both run by Signature. I'm always the only plane on the ramp. The staff is completely clueless. I think they just get ZERO traffic and don't have the exposure to train the staff.

I still fondly remember when Million Air was in Mobile. They had a Jag for a crew car. Had an alternator issue once, and they fixed it there for me. Gave me a crew car and had a nice hotel discount deal. Boy, did that change. But, I have no insight as to why the change occurred.

It could be free and it wouldn't help. Theres nothing in Mobile.

People moved to big cities in the last 10 years.

Sure there is.

The Chinese own an aircraft engine manufacturing company there...

So you go?

I've been to Mobile 4 times in my life: twice to the BeechTalk - Continental fly-in, and twice to fly a friend there to see her sick mother.

...can't think of any other reason to go...