Courtesy Car Etiquette

[22 others]

I've been touring some of the local airports around my corner of Arkansas, and I sometimes borrow the courtesy car to go searching for some food and to visit the town.

 

I'm curious what's Mooneyspace thinks...

[carusoam]

Leave it like you got it. Neat and clean...

Always put more gas in it than you used...

And if you don't know, ask...before you leave.

Renting a car is a $50 value. There is plenty you can do to give back some of the $50...

Is that what you meant?

Best regards,

-a-

[MB65E]

They are getting hard to find! I don't ever want to be the guy that causes a place to can the courtesy car. I always try to top off either the airplane or the car. Just depends on what's needed. However, Courtesy cars are kinda funny... Whenever you get in on, it's always on 1/4 tank!

-Matt

[bonal]

The only one we have used the FBO requests that we do not add fuel. But I always buy good bit of LL from them when we go to town there prices are lower than home so it's a win win.

[Hank]

I put in more gas than I used. Anything beyond that depends. I've filled up when traveling, and run out for lunch. If they charge me for visiting the ramp (while eating; I'm cool with overnight charges), I'm much less likely to do anything else.

Going to Sun n Fun with widespread IMC, we ran to town, had lunch, and lounged in the FBO waiting for the airshow to end so we could land there (we had fog at home and left late). On the way back, we didn't use the car as they were grilling free burgers, so we gassed up and bought shirts and stuff.

When 4 planes went for lunch and discovered a $15 ramp fee (each). They drove us to the restaurant we could no longer taxi to outside the fence, and brought us back. No one bought anything, but we did tip the driver who brought us back.

So, "it depends."

[BigTex]

I try to always top it off and if possible run the car through the car wash.

[carusoam]

There are so many forms of giving back!

Best regards,

-a-

[Amelia]

If I borrow the airport car, I always pick up the trash the last guys left behind, top off the Mooney tanks, and often write an appreciative note on AvWeb if the service was good. I try to avoid places that are too proud of their ramp. If the words "Jet Center" or "executive" are in the name, I am pretty sure they're not looking for my patronage, anyway. I've often found the best service and lowest gas prices at little country airports. There's no mauve carpet, no bevy of front desk beauties, the ladies room might have grease remover on the basin rather than fresh terrycloth towels and complimentary mouthwash, but I can deal with that. And I am as happy with the runout Crown Vic with the cop insignia peeling off the door, or the mechanic's dusty stick shift pick-up truck as I am with the latest shiny upscale model at ExecuJetCentre. It's just goin' down the road a mile to the BBQ joint, anyway. Probably not even passing a gas station. But if we've used it longer than an hour, or gone more than a few miles, I will add gas.

[chrisk]

I usually fill up the plane if I use the courtesy car.  And if I go more then just a few miles, I add gas to the courtesy car.  However there have been a few exceptions.   I went to one FBO, used the courtesy car, and left instructions for the plane to be filled up.   Two hours later, I came back and they had not yet filled my plane and were busy.  I left with out filling the Mooney.  I did however add gas to the courtesy car that day, so I didn't feel too guilty.

[John Pleisse]

I usually slip the FBO guy 60 bucks when I need to be on the road for a few hours only, avoiding a full 24 hour rental. Most people are cool with it.

[Piloto]

I found that the best time to have a courtesy car available is by arriving in the morning. Most travelers arrive after lunch and take the cars away. At some FBOs the courtesy car is full of marketing stuff (real state, hotels, tourist attractions and others). I think the car is used for marketing also.

 

José  

[Alan Fox]

I don't care if you drive it a block or use for the whole day , you add more fuel than it started with.....if not don't use it....

[WardHolbrook]

We normally get rental cars out on the road, but we do use courtesy cars on occasion. As to how I handle it depends upon what kind of ramp fees, if any, we are charged. Inour company's working airplanes (Falcon 900Bs) we are normally charged up to $500 just for the privilege of parking on the FBO ramp, even if we're only there long enough to drop off or pick up a customer. Those fees (all or part) are usually waived with a fuel purchase of a few hundred gallons. For us, it's simply a matter of working the math - if the difference in fuel cost exceeds the ramp fees, we'll pay the fees and simply fuel through. If we can negotiate a cheaper fuel price then we will up load how ever much makes sense. Either way, I figure that we've paid for the use of a courtesy car. Now, for those rare occasions where there are no ramp fees, then yes, we will top off the courtesy car every time. Fifteen to twenty years ago, before ramp fees were common, we ALWAYS bought at least 100 gallons of "courtesy fuel" if we ever used a FBO courtesy car. When it comes to courtesy cars and light aircraft then I think there's an obligation to put gas in the car. The profit on a 30 or 40 gallon 100LL purchase is barely enough to cover FBO overhead, let alone take care of a crew car.

[Bill Dunn]

I was curious on this subject. Our new owners are planning on getting a courtesy car eventually. I was wondering how much the pilots would appreciate that.

[DonMuncy]

Having a courtesy car available is really a godsend when you need to go do a bit of business or get something to eat. I never really cared much about how nice it was. Anything reasonably reliable would do.

I used to go to an FBO that had a Cadillac courtesy car, and it always tugged at my mind that I might be having to pay for it some way.

[schule]

A local airport uses a fully functioning police car and they have the best gas price most of the time.

[N601RX]

The jet center in Pensacola has a couple of restored 1969 GTO's for courtesy cars

[flyboy0681]

Leave it like you got it. Neat and clean...

 

 

You're assuming that we received it neat and clean.

[flyboy0681]

A few times a year I fly into Marco Island on Florida's gulf coast (just below Naples). They have a courtesy car but it's hit and miss whether it's available upon arrival. The last time I flew in the car was out but the airport manager gave me the county pickup truck to use, rotating yellow light and all.

[N7186V]

I was curious on this subject. Our new owners are planning on getting a courtesy car eventually. I was wondering how much the pilots would appreciate that.

It would be greatly appreciated. Especially in a hot day and the local $100 hamburger is a mile or 2 away!

[carusoam]

FB,

No assumptions made...

If I tell my kids this way, it gets done without the argument...

Never leave the door open for an argument with a teenager.

It takes way too much time to end up in the same place.

Substitute C driver or P driver in place of teenager...

Yes, you might have to clean up after a teenager when you borrow the car. At least there is a car to borrow.

Best regards,

-a-

[Amelia]

I was curious on this subject. Our new owners are planning on getting a courtesy car eventually. I was wondering how much the pilots would appreciate that.

Oh, it's a lovely thing to provide, along with a local map, a list of the top five restaurants within a few miles, and whatever propaganda your local CVB has to offer. Our town owns the airport, and so finding a spare car hasn't been a problem. For years it was a beat up cop car with the electric windows stuck and the front seat permanently set at Very Tall Guy. I had to wedge my purse behind me to reach the accelerator. But now we have a respectable car the city engineer outgrew, or something. They added the town's and the airport's name to the doors, so that locals are reminded what a nice place we have.  It's a municipal castoff, but clean, and our business customers, especially, really appreciate it.

The thing about the crew car is that it makes it easy for well-heeled visitors to learn a little something about your part of the world, a bit of hospitality that sets your airport apart, and whether or not you make a profit on the gas, it's just good business.

[Alan Fox]

Bill the courtesy car can make the decision on where to land.....I think with the new owners taking over , and trying to bring Penn back to its former glory , the courtesy car would be a great way to meet people and show them your business and work in progress...could be a great selling tool......

[Bill Dunn]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Our new owners goal is to cater to the pilot not the plane. We are building a very nice pilot lounge and he wants to get the car.

There is sooooo much to do in West Chester! Many, many, many nice restaurants and other attractions!

We are definitely aiming high!

[carusoam]

Don't forget the Coffee and a clean restroom...

They go well together.

Best regards,

-a-