Hi there ! I'm a Frenchie travelling in California right now and I'm very eager to experience jet hiking ! I was wondering if you guys would have any pointers about that (where to go to meet pilots, where private planes are taking off from..)? Or even better, anybody willing to take me on their plane in the coming two months ? Of course we'll be sharing expenses so if anybody is looking for saving some money on their next trip I'm your gal ! Thanks in advance for your advices and expertise on this project Karen
You might want to check in with Amber (https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/members/jethikinggypsy.11929/) I'd suggest calling it something other than Jet Hiking. Most of us here don't fly jets. I can't help you out much being on the east coast, but if I had an empty seat and you were heading in the same direction I be OK with letting you tag along (assuming you're not creepy). Honestly I don't want your money though as that complicates things and I'm not a high-wing Uber driver.
By the looks of your avatar, you already have a piece of cardboard and a marker. Flip that sign over, write your request and camp outside an airport. I'm sure you'll get some takers just messing with ya Karen, GL!
Not sure where you currently are, Karen, but you could call some of the fixed based operators (FBO) and see if they know of anyone flying in the general direction you are. Or go visit a FBO and see if you can chat with a few pilots that come through to see if they or someone they know is flying your direction. Good luck!
Honestly if you're looking for a ride somewhere in California you'd have to mention more details. I'd help out if I had more details... and if you don't seem like you're gonna auger us into the ground.
Dress up like a monkey. Stuff yourself in an envelope. Get @Sac Arrow to talk to @eman1200 (Sorry, inside joke)
Does any real French person actually refer to self as a "Frenchie?" I'd be happy to help out a real person, but that sounds more like 6PC. FYI, Cali is thousands of miles from San Francisco, in South America. And people who might be taking private aircraft there might not be the best to associate with.
The sign in her avatar says "North San Francisco". I'm not sure if that is where she is now or where she wants to go.
Sorry can't help ,I'm from the east coast,good luck in your endeavors. Keep us advised on your progress.
I wonder if OP has any idea of what her share of expenses would be on a jet flight. Buying an airline ticket would probably be cheaper. Is "jet hiking" something that is common in France?
Bear in mind that if everyone paid their pro-rata share of flight expenses on a fully loaded 747, a Part 91 private pilot could probably actually afford to fly it.
Well... Isn't that kind of how airlines make money? The aggregate number of tickets for a flight cover expenses plus profit?
Well, 6PC, I mean the French chick hasn't checked in since the original post, so are we saying troll yet?
But hot damn the "shared purpose" rule would be a PITA. I estimate our (old) 747 burns about a gallon of jet fuel per second. Currency, and getting the type rating, is gonna be real expensive....
I'm sure you could round up enough Buddhists for a trip to India, but yeah, there is the type rating thing.
Hey ! Sorry I didn't reply earlier, as I'm travelling I don't always have access to Internet I started writing the answer but it takes a little time as I'm trying to respond to each message but you guys are so reactive it's hard to keep up ! I swear my question is super serious and so is my will to plane-hitchike - is that term better? I actually prefer this one but I thought "jet-hiking" had been kind of approved by the community, given that Amber Nolan was using it all the time and I have never seen such debate when she was using it..? Also being french somehow I thought jet and plane were kind of synonyms in English, now I'll know ! Actually this is a key point and I'd like to clarify it: I'm really not about the type of plane and I don't especially want to fly jets, I just want to fly and explore the States. I discovered Amber Nolan and this forum when I was looking for informations about plane hitchiking a few years back, and it got me thinking that the States could be a great place to do that. I've always known I would come to visit the US someday so I decided to try to make PHH (what 'bout that uh? ) a part of my trip the day I would get there. I loved flying everytime I had the chance to experience it (just twice on non-commercial flights (with my grand-father) so we're all clear, but I found it thrilling!) and I would very much like to fly private aircrafts again ! I am in San Francisco right now for a week probably, I still have two months left in the States and I would have a predilection for Arizona, Utah and Colorado if that can help in any way. But I would also very much like to land in Oregon, New Mexico or Wyoming. Or staying in California would also be amazing. In short, I'm pretty flexible on the destination and am more about the people I get to meet thanks to this community I looked for Amber's blog to find out about California but unfortunately her website seems to be down, and so far no answer on Facebook but it has only been a few days so I'm still hoping !
@ircphoenix Thanks a lot for this precious information (and for being the first one to reply, I'm impressed), any precisions about what kind of airport - I'm guessing there's a bunch out there, or even details on the locations by any chance...? ;P I mean I will Google Earth the whole damn San Fran and LA areas if I have to but I thought you competent pilots might have a hint on where to look at
@Brad Z Thanks you so much for your encouragements - I sware I am not creepy haha, just curious and eager to learn ! I am heading pretty much anywhere (with a preference for the South maybe...?) so I really won't be difficult on the direction, the experience will be thrilling anyway so I'm all about the journey and not so much about the destination I've got to say ! To be honest I also hope that's a plus to get a first ride more easily The money part is more about sharing the expenses due to the trip more than paying for the service, like a simple way to even the deal because I believe flying is quite expensive..? It seems normal to me and I'm afraid anyone who'll refuse to split costs will get beer, chocolate or wine as a humble greeting of my gratitude ! If I ever get to the East Coast, can I get in touch with you? I'd love to hear all about that super cute baby on your profile picture !
Lol. That's my little plane and train fanatic. We gave Amber a hard time about the "Jet" in jet hiking too. I know she was somewhat successful in getting around in small aircraft, and I'm sure you will too. Good news is most GA pilots I've talked to are decent folks who love to share their passion of flight with others. While I understand your desire to contribute money, I image more than a few won't bother to take your cash. My suggestion is to offer to pick up the cost of a meal at an airport diner. Even better though is to send them a handwritten thank you note from your next destination. For many, appreciation is more valuable than compensation. Heck we get it, when you're young and you're traveling the country, money is tight...we were all young and broke at one point. Good luck, have fun, and PM me if you're in the DC area. I make frequent trips both north and south.
I have no idea who Amber Nolan is. A quick google search did not reveal much but I take it that her deal was also bumming flights. I've been in aviation for 35 years and I never knew that this was a thing.
Tell you what, I'm out of the rehab program in a few days and they let me out of jail on probation yesterday, and I should have my pilots license back over that reckless incident by next week, after that I'd be more than happy to give you a ride. Let me know.
How does this even work without a plan? I'm not asking to be mean. Just seems to be difficult and expensive to just randomly go somewhere unfamiliar. Lodging, etc. seems like it would be a nightmare.
She's woman, probably has no problem finding shelter for the night. I kid! I actually wanted to do something similar when I returned from Korea. Me and my buddy were gonna buy Harleys thru the BX in Korea, pick up in CA or Vegas, and ride for 30-40 days across the country. He ended up marrying a Korean gal and that ended that. Still wish I'd done it though, even if by myself. Might've picked up a French girl to ride with me!
Never been young? Hostels, Airbnb, couch surfing, and a vast social network are all viable options. Don't expect a Hilton Garden Inn, but generally a place to lay one's head isn't too hard to find if you know where to look.
I've done that in Europe, Japan, and New Zealand. It's not hard in the off season. I even managed to find a cheap hotel in Salzburg during the festival once, after just showing up in the train station. Lots of nice surprises there for a college student, like very cheap cancellation tickets. If you're flexible, it's not hard at all. I even used to do it before cell phones. It has only gotten easier. Now, traveling alone and bumming rides, well that makes one a bit vulnerable to guys like Sac....
Or if you're hot, you will have no problems getting a ride, a place to stay, food, gifts, etc. Most guys get pretty stupid around good looking women.
