Alan
Pre-takeoff checklist
A few months ago, I posted a copy of a letter I sent to Triple Diamond Jet Center in Venice, FL. And, while I received a call telling me that "Maybe Sue was a little overzealous" in her security tirade. I asked the FBO manager to call my friend to let him know that he really didn't commit a crime and he said he would. But, alas, he didn't.
From now on I'll be flying on down to Punta Gorda.
The letter I sent:
Dear Sir/Madame:
I had an unfortunate experience at Triple Diamond Jet Center this morning of which I think you should be aware.
I arrived at your town on Friday evening at around 8 PM. Knowing I may be arriving after closing, I emailed a few days earlier to ask where I should park and how to get in/out. I received a timely reply describing where I should park my aircraft (Cessna 421-C, N421DC) and how I could get out of the ramp area. I described to my passenger/friend how we were instructed to open the gate so that the gentleman picking us up could drive on the ramp to load our luggage. Loaded with the aircraft tied down, we left the airport until Tuesday morning without incident.
Upon arrival on Tuesday, the same friend was in the front passenger seat of the car that was delivering us to the plane and volunteered to “open the gate”. This gentleman is not a pilot and has little experience at FBO’s. Since he opened the gate on Friday night for us to depart, he assumed that he should do the same on Tuesday so we could load the plane to leave. When he opened the gate, the counter clerk came out of the door and confronted him for not having her open the gate. My friend apologized to her for not his error, but she continued to berate him. After a few minutes of watching this, I left the car and walked over to see what the problem was. She told me that we had violated airport rules by opening the gate without her permission. I too apologized and she then threatened to call the police. She demanded to know what aircraft I was in and I told her. She continued with her tirade until I volunteered (without sarcasm or bitterness) that we should drive the car back outside the gate and enter as she wished. My friend said he had already offered to do this but she wasn’t interested in this remedy. After informing me that I had to pay for the ramp time, she walked back inside. I have been to Venice many times and have always paid my bill.
I gave the aircraft key to my friend and went inside to pay for the overnights. She then demanded my name and the name of the owner of the aircraft. I answered her questions and paid her with a credit card and left; buying fuel at your self serve because I didn’t want to have to deal with her again.
My friend was embarrassed and upset by her attack. I tried to tell him that it was an innocent mistake, but the actions of your clerk had visibly upset him. This gentleman is businessman and flies general aviation jets as a passenger, but he never has any responsibilities in interaction with the FBO in the office or on the ramp.
I ask that a letter of apology be written to him by you and this clerk. I did not dare ask her name, but she was on duty on Tuesday morning, June 7 at 9 AM.
He may have made an error, but both he and I apologized multiple times to her for his actions. I ask that she be required to do the same.
By the way, I was at your airport in the same aircraft on March 12, 2005 and your lineman (Marty, I think) hit my wingtip against a prop spinner of another aircraft and broke my nav light lens and strobe tube. The repairs required that we delay our departure 3 hours, with 4 men patiently waiting on the ramp. I did not complain and thanked them for dealing fairly with me. I didn’t berate the lineman for his mistake and told him accidents happen. Ask him about it, I’m sure he’ll remember.
My friends name and address is:
John Doe
232 Pleasant Dr.
Somewhere, KY 427**
Thank you for your prompt response to this matter,
From now on I'll be flying on down to Punta Gorda.
The letter I sent:
Dear Sir/Madame:
I had an unfortunate experience at Triple Diamond Jet Center this morning of which I think you should be aware.
I arrived at your town on Friday evening at around 8 PM. Knowing I may be arriving after closing, I emailed a few days earlier to ask where I should park and how to get in/out. I received a timely reply describing where I should park my aircraft (Cessna 421-C, N421DC) and how I could get out of the ramp area. I described to my passenger/friend how we were instructed to open the gate so that the gentleman picking us up could drive on the ramp to load our luggage. Loaded with the aircraft tied down, we left the airport until Tuesday morning without incident.
Upon arrival on Tuesday, the same friend was in the front passenger seat of the car that was delivering us to the plane and volunteered to “open the gate”. This gentleman is not a pilot and has little experience at FBO’s. Since he opened the gate on Friday night for us to depart, he assumed that he should do the same on Tuesday so we could load the plane to leave. When he opened the gate, the counter clerk came out of the door and confronted him for not having her open the gate. My friend apologized to her for not his error, but she continued to berate him. After a few minutes of watching this, I left the car and walked over to see what the problem was. She told me that we had violated airport rules by opening the gate without her permission. I too apologized and she then threatened to call the police. She demanded to know what aircraft I was in and I told her. She continued with her tirade until I volunteered (without sarcasm or bitterness) that we should drive the car back outside the gate and enter as she wished. My friend said he had already offered to do this but she wasn’t interested in this remedy. After informing me that I had to pay for the ramp time, she walked back inside. I have been to Venice many times and have always paid my bill.
I gave the aircraft key to my friend and went inside to pay for the overnights. She then demanded my name and the name of the owner of the aircraft. I answered her questions and paid her with a credit card and left; buying fuel at your self serve because I didn’t want to have to deal with her again.
My friend was embarrassed and upset by her attack. I tried to tell him that it was an innocent mistake, but the actions of your clerk had visibly upset him. This gentleman is businessman and flies general aviation jets as a passenger, but he never has any responsibilities in interaction with the FBO in the office or on the ramp.
I ask that a letter of apology be written to him by you and this clerk. I did not dare ask her name, but she was on duty on Tuesday morning, June 7 at 9 AM.
He may have made an error, but both he and I apologized multiple times to her for his actions. I ask that she be required to do the same.
By the way, I was at your airport in the same aircraft on March 12, 2005 and your lineman (Marty, I think) hit my wingtip against a prop spinner of another aircraft and broke my nav light lens and strobe tube. The repairs required that we delay our departure 3 hours, with 4 men patiently waiting on the ramp. I did not complain and thanked them for dealing fairly with me. I didn’t berate the lineman for his mistake and told him accidents happen. Ask him about it, I’m sure he’ll remember.
My friends name and address is:
John Doe
232 Pleasant Dr.
Somewhere, KY 427**
Thank you for your prompt response to this matter,
