Able to route to commercial terminal to get passen

[Newguy]

I need to pick someone up at a reasonable sized class C airport. Was planning to fly in. There are no services short of a taxi to get someone from the commercial side of things to the GA side of the airport.  Does anyone know if its possible to fly in, sit out somewhere out of the way near the arrival gate and get my passenger?  Or taxi over once they land and pick up? Seems like this would be an impossible scenario but wondered if anyone has done this. Thanks.

[1964-M20E]

It might cost you a landing and handling fee but if you go to the GA FBO they should go and pick up your passenger and bring him back to the FBO.  This is probably the easiest route.  I did that one time at MSY Class B airport in the reverse order.  I dropped a passenger off to go get his car the FBO gave him a ride to the terminal $40 handling fee.  He flew out commercial and flew back with us.

I do not know about your experience by mine has been the larger the airport the more likely they are to charge you ramp fees etc. just for stopping by and saying hi but they have overhead and business costs to be there.  Excluding picking up or dropping someone off I generally try to find the smaller non-towered airports since they are generally less expensive on fees and fuel.

[lahso]

At my Class Charlie airport, you can't taxi to the Commercial side or wait inside that area of the airport. You go the FBO on the field, and your passenger can walk/car-taxi over to the FBO. What airport is it?

[mooneygirl]

I have picked up passengers and dropped off for Sacramento International.  I went to the GA FBO. They have a bus that comes and takes you to the commericial terminal. There is no charge for parking if you purchase ANY fuel, so that is what I do.  It was a seemless process. I do allow extra time because the bus comes every 15 minutes or so.

[WardHolbrook]

Quote: Newguy

I need to pick someone up at a reasonable sized class C airport. Was planning to fly in. There are no services short of a taxi to get someone from the commercial side of things to the GA side of the airport.  Does anyone know if its possible to fly in, sit out somewhere out of the way near the arrival gate and get my passenger?  Or taxi over once they land and pick up? Seems like this would be an impossible scenario but wondered if anyone has done this. Thanks.

[Piloto]

I guess it depends also on the physical distance between the main terminal and the FBO. At Key West it is just a 3 minute walk (on the sidewalk) from the main terminal to the FBO. But they would not allow passengers walking across the ramp to the FBO ramp.

José  

[Hank]

If it's too far to walk, the FBO may have a courtesy car. I have done both--walked at a small field with part-time tower [during tower operation], it was only a hundred yards or so. At a larger field, take either a shuttle van or courtesy car from the FBO. Use of their vehicle should be rewarded if there is no charge. Fuel purchase may negate any fee at all, but be prepared to pay an extra $1.50 per gallon minimum over what you are used to.

[Newguy]

Thanks everyone for the info. Walking is out of the question, as even though its on the other side of the field, There is no direct route. Neither of us mind a walk but this is not a safe nor semi short walk. I kind of figured this would not be real possible. The airport in question is SYR.  FBO ramp fee is 40.00 as I recall, waived if I purchase 20 gallons I think it was at  > 7.00/gal.

[Newguy]

Just called the FBO on the field and spoke to a different person. 25.00 landing fee, if you stay less than 30 minutes no charge! Cant beat that deal. avgas 7.19 gallon. Fee waived with 7.00 gallons.

[Hank]

That's what I would call incentive to be as quick on the ground as you are in the air. Shut down, unload, walk into FBO, arrange passenger a ride across the field, and taxi back out ASAP. $7 avgas is just not friendly . . . Plenty of time for farewells on the flight down.