Trust Us: No Hidden Fees

With news breaking this morning that many big US banks plan to start charging for using debit cards, the hub bub on the social media networks has been largely negative. It was similar to the outrage felt when the major airlines started charging extra fees for everything from food to pillows to baggage. While some people like to feel empowered to choose what they spend on via a la carte pricing, many others feel stuck and taken advantage of when the “extras” aren’t perceived as premium or luxury items. Just as folks felt it was obvious that if you were to travel, you would take a bag with you and therefore did not want to be charged for it, banking clients now feel they were issued a debit card for the purpose of purchasing things with it and they don’t see it as an “extra” service to actually use it.

Another issue that comes to mind in situations like this is the feeling of lack of control and fear of the unknown. Both banks and airlines don’t seem to have a published time(s) of year to announce changes like this. Even if one is understanding about the new fee presented, most people feel suspicious and wary about what the next fee might be. Who’s to say they won’t add something else in 2-3 weeks? Or how often will they change the fee rates? The lack of transparency can be unnerving. It erodes trust and builds an us-versus-them culture.

The Fleet Aviation Difference

Here at Fleet Aviation, we do our best to always maintain full transparency about what goes into the pricing of your flight. We are one of the very few charter companies who publish their rates to the public and fully disclose all fees. Here is what you can always count on when flying Fleet:

• A complete, itemized quote.
• A human being to talk with at any time to explain the quote and answer all questions.
• The price you are quoted is the price you pay — unless you choose to expand your itinerary.
• No hidden fees. Ever.
• Free concierge services to arrange ground transportation for you.
• No Federal Excise Tax on flights in our Baron and Cirrus aircraft. (They are below the weight threshold)
• Flying rates that are revised only once a year – on May 1st.
• Full refund if we need to cancel a flight due to weather.

Building and maintaining your trust is our top priority. Trust in our levels of safety. Trust in our professionalism. Trust that we are never looking for an opportunity to take advantage of you. Trust that you will have an excellent flying experience – from booking to arriving back home.

Call or request a quote online today and experience it for yourself.

Relaxing Spa Getaways

With autumn upon us, most people are buckling down at work or heading back to school. But you can still carry forward the relaxing, stress-free attitude of the summer months.

How Fleet Relaxes

Fleet Aviation may be a 24/7/365 business, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to have fun. We asked our employees what they like to do to unwind:

“I like to sit on the porch and read as much as possible.”
– Stephen Cohen, Director of Operations

“I go to the family-friendly beaches of Ocean City, NJ, even in the winter. Nothing relaxes me like sea air and boardwalk fare.”
- Jennifer Forde, Director of Sales

“My wife and I both love to cook — cooking relaxes me and allows me to spend time with my family (my wife and new puppy) at home.  We also love exploring what gems our neighborhood and New York City have to offer.”
– Karl Liang, Chief Pilot

“The upcoming season is a good time for me to relax a little more since the summer was very busy for the Fleet Team. I’ll have more chance to meet with friends and interesting people, and to revitalize my daily exercise routine with my wife.”
– Andreas Bruemmer, Pilot

“I like trying out new recipes. After working with my brain all day, nothing relaxes me more than to put all thoughts aside and immerse all 5 senses in the preparation (and eating) of a fun new meal.”
– Ellen Sluder, Director of Marketing

Kick back for Kickoff

The leaves are starting to change here in the Northeast.  There is a brisk fresh breeze, blowing out the steamy dog days of summer and leaving us with a new, clean slate. For many of us, the fall welcomes the most wonderful time of the year… Football season!  Whether you are a fan of the college game, the NFL or both, the changing of the season holds a promise unlike any other.

At 0-0-0, every team is equal.  For a moment, hope springs eternal and any fan of any team can revel in the most beautiful aspect of autumn… possibility.  More than that, for many, the tradition of Sundays spent tailgating and attending games with friends (and sometimes foes) is an opportunity to blow off steam, relax and feel like a kid again.

Where some look to a spa or a beach for relaxation, for  fanatics, there is no stress release that can compare with the experience of game day.  Whether it’s the joyous camaraderie of a shared victory or even the “misery loves company” approach to a defeat, passing the day cheering, eating and imbibing is a great way to spend an afternoon.

While the collegiate teams took the field last week, the National Football League opens the 2011 season this weekend.  We are blessed here in the Northeast to have so many games take place nearby. A Fleet flight is the perfect way to get to the game without creating the stress of a five or six hour car ride.
Although we haven’t figured out how to taxi our aircraft directly to the tailgate party, Fleet’s customer service team is happy to help set up your travel arrangements from airfield to playing field.  We can’t guarantee your team a victory of course, but with Fleet you’ll certainly be a winner at the travel game.

Here are some great NFL match ups in Fleet’s flight radius:
•    10/02/11, 8:20pm:   New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens
•    10/09/11, 1:00pm: 
  Philadelphia Eagles @ Buffalo Bills
•    10/30/11, 4:15pm:   
New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers
•    11/06/11, 4:15pm
:    New York Giants @ New England Patriots
•    11/20/11, 1:00pm
:   Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins

We are also happy to fly to many other sporting events in the Northeast. Give us a call and Fleet’s resident sports geek will help you get to your game of choice.