I Love Airports

The following is a post by Fleet’s Director of Sales, Jennifer Forde, who is helping many learn how to enjoy airports again.

Dirty little secret… I LOVE AIRPORTS! I know that sounds strange, as most people see them as a morass of long lines, delays, lost luggage and irate travelers.  Of course, all these plagues are legitimate problems and they are becoming terminal, I’m afraid.  Yet, regardless of the frustrations I often encounter when flying, as I arrive at the airport I am filled with a sense of excitement and wonder.

When I was a small child, my father traveled extensively for his international finance job, and my mother and I either accompanied him or hopped aboard a plane to meet him in some exotic locale. By age three, my passport had more stamps than many will collect in a lifetime.

Perhaps it was that every time we arrived at the airport my mother treated each trip as a new adventure. Maybe it was that I was simply a child excited that we were going to meet daddy. Collecting a shiny set of wings for each trip was a pretty big deal for me back then, too. Whatever the reason, when we would pull up to the curb and they came to check our bags, I could feel the energy in the air.  Why were so many people heading in so many different directions all at once? I was small, but I recognized then that I was part of a much bigger world, full of possibility and promise. These great big planes were my chariots in the sky. I could go anywhere! I could do anything!

Of course, the day came when evil turned something wondrous into a vessel of destruction, not only altering the skyline of our city, but the way we took to the sky, as well.  I traveled internationally shortly after 9-11, and while the excited hum was still present in the air, it was a fearful energy.  It was no longer a feeling that the airport could grant access to the world, but that it could let the rest of the world in as well, for better and for worse.

The security measures and restrictions have understandably increased exponentially since that September. Every adjustment brings longer lines, reduced amenities and increased fees and surcharges.  We have irritated passengers paying for bags, standing around barefoot and beltless, while they wait to be x-rayed before their overbooked flights are inevitably delayed. Sure, this adds hours to the trips we take. Yes, it’s nauseating to smell the feet of the man in front of you. Yet, I still feel the excitement. It’s imprinted on my child-brain, I suppose. I understand that security is there to try to safeguard us and that delays are now somehow the norm on commercial flights. I remember trips with Mom and try to see it all as part of the adventure.  However, I know I am the exception to the rule.

This is why I am thrilled to work with Fleet Aviation, where I can offer a safe, personal and hassle-free flight experience for our clients, without draining their wallets.  I love that when you charter a smaller private plane with us that you get all of the excitement of the airport and none of the frustration. Working for Fleet has allowed me to revisit the airports I remember from my childhood.

I cannot help but smile when I see the familiar wonder in the eyes of our clients’ kids when they climb aboard their very own aircraft, heading off on an adventure of their own with Mom or Dad in tow.  Even Mom and Dad have that same gleam in their eye when they charter a plane for a business trip! The wonder of taking to the sky hasn’t diminished one bit; it’s just a whole lot easier to recognize it – when you remove all the lines and fees and bare feet.

Working for Fleet Aviation has enabled me to share what air travel should be and what I know it can be - safe, efficient and affordable flights with all the excitement and none of the hassle. I hope that everyone has a chance to experience what Fleet has to offer and I invite you to call or email me so I can help you plan your next trip in the Northeast.

Gifts for the Friend On-the-Go

Trying to figure out what gifts to give your loved ones is not always easy – especially if you are trying to find something perfect for the person whose accessories are usually limited to a suitcase and one small carry-on item!

Every traveler’s one over-whelming lament is lack of space. To that end, if you have family that is flying to visit you this holiday, it’s a sure bet that you don’t want to send them home with something that won’t fit into their luggage. This year, we have a few suggestions to help you play Santa for the loved one who is always on the move.

Electronic readers

Whether it’s an Amazon Kindle or a Sony Reader, these devices are fabulous to give the gift of literature without the weight of a library. Every traveler will love the chance to dive into a new release without having to lug around the hard-cover version.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Compressors

These are perfect stocking stuffers for the traveler. They may not seem like the fanciest gift, but anyone who has ever tried sitting on a suitcase to get it zipped can rejoice at these air compressor bags that reduce bulky sweaters to little more than an inch of space.

Power Mat

Almost every traveler has arrived at a destination only to realize that they have forgotten the charger to their cell phone, i-Pod or their child’s portable Nintendo. Help eliminate this agony by giving them the Power Mat wireless charging station. Capable of recharging many different devices wirelessly, this small but powerful gizmo should become a staple in the traveler’s carry-on very quickly.

Spa Services

Anyone who travels frequently will tell you that being able to salvage a few quiet hours of relaxation can make the difference between getting there and getting there without pulling out your hair. During the holidays, a great spa to visit is the Chocolate Spa at Hotel Hershey. Their decadent themed treatments are the perfect gift to find under the tree. Fleet can fly there in an hour and your loved one will be pampered all afternoon and home by dinner.

Private Air Travel

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that giving the gift of a private Fleet Aviation charter flight is always well-received! For anyone who has struggled with endless commercial airline delays, over-crowded airports and security lines that go for miles, the gift of their own private aircraft for a day is a dream come true.

Call or visit us online today and we can help you purchase a trip guaranteed to delight the frequent traveler in your life.

Happy Trails to You…

The holidays aren’t the only exciting events on the horizon. Many of Fleet’s clients are already beginning to plan their winter snow getaways.

Whether it’s skiing or snowboarding, zip lines or snowmobiles, snow-tubing or simply hitting the spa, the Northeast has some of the best winter wonderland destinations in the country.

While the Northeast certainly boasts some of the greatest winter resorts, most are located more than four hours from Manhattan. Why spend a major part of your weekend crammed in a car, when Fleet could have you relaxing at the lodge in a mere 45 minutes?

Fleet Aviation can fly you to your favorite snow village for an action-packed family vacation or for a cozy, romantic weekend getaway in a fraction of the time it would take by car.

Here are some great snow destinations for you to consider, along with some nearby lodging recommendations to help get your winter vacation plans under way!

Whiteface Mountain – Wilmington, NY
The Whiteface Lodge
5 1/2 hours by automobile
Fleet flight time – 1 hour, 10 minutes

Bretton Woods – Bretton Woods, NH
Mount Washington Resort
6 hours by automobile
Fleet flight time – 1 hour, 15 minutes

Stowe Mountain – Stowe, VT
Top Notch Resort & Spa
6 hours by automobile
Fleet flight time – 1 hour, 15 minutes

Sugarloaf – Carrabassett, ME
Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel
8 hours by automobile
Fleet flight time – 1 hour, 33 minutes

Mystic Mountain – Farmington, PA
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa
6 1/2 hours by automobile
Fleet flight time – 2 hours
(Bring the family dog too, as Nemacolin is a “Pet Proud” resort!)

Call us or visit our website to book your winter getaway today!

Canines In Flight

As more and more of Fleet’s customers are bringing their dogs along for the flight, we thought it best to consult an expert to get some tips for traveling with man’s best friend.

Diane Podolsky, CPDT-KA, CTC, is the founder of The Cultured Canine, LLC, bringing expert dog training to client’s homes in Westchester, NYC and Greenwich, CT. She has graciously provided us with a few pointers to make sure that all travelers, especially those with paws, have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Be your dog’s travel agent
Pick pet-friendly hotels and find out whether your dog will be welcome in rental cars or public transportation. Get vaccinations up-to-date and make sure you carry those documents, as some lodging or travel companies require proof. Also check on hotel rules for when you must leave your dog in the room – some require crating, some do not.

Polish your dog’s manners
Everyone loves a well-mannered dog. Essentials for travel include impeccable housetraining, loose leash walking, the ability to relax quietly in a new place, response to commands like “sit” or “down,” comfort in getting in and out of transportation vehicles and the ability to enjoy meeting new people and other dogs.

Prepare for medical emergencies
Pack all medications (if any). Keep a basic pet first aid kit in your briefcase or purse. Locate the nearest 24-hour vet clinic to your destination. Look out for any pet hazards when you arrive at your lodging. (wires, small objects, houseplants, chocolates on the bed, etc.)

Bring your dog’s comfort items
Dogs rely on scent for comfort more than we humans do, so even bringing a towel that your dog slept on at home can help your dog settle into a new place. Bringing his or her bed from home is positively dreamy!

Keep the cuisine simple
Pack your dog’s usual food and bring some water from home too, so your dog can transition to the local supply. Vacation is no time to change your dog’s diet. You may enjoy sampling the local cuisine, but your dog’s digestion will prefer to eat and drink the “same old things.” Bring extra in case your travel plans change.

When you have made all these preparations once, create a “doggie vacation checklist” and it will be easier to get it all done next time. There will be a next time, because once you have vacationed with your dog, you won’t want to leave him or her at home again!

Charter your dog-friendly Fleet flight today to visit some of these great dog-friendly destinations!

Hotel at Turf Valley, Ellicott City, MD

Parker House Inn & Bistro, Quechee, VT

The Country Inn at Camden/Rockport, Rockport, ME

Book your trip today!