2012 FBO price increases at KBTV

[sixsixX]

Well, Just had to vent.  Last year Burlington KBTV lost Atlantic Aviation FBO.  It was bought out by Heritage FBO a locally owned FBO.  Story sounds good so far right ?,    A locally owned company buys a large chain FBO.  Now the story beigins. For the past 5 years a bunch of local pilots including myself had parked our cars at the former Atlantic FBO there were never charged a (convience fee) and parking was avalible at the large parking lot right in front of the facility. The fee was $365.00 anually to park a car.  All of us agree Atlantic was a great facility and we were all treated great. Heritage FBO was a newer locally owned charter and service facility that branched into a FBO in early 2010 and purchaced Altantic in the first part of 2011.   This summer (although they say in place since 2009)  they began charging a convience fee of $10.00 per visit, waived of course if fuel or service was needed. And they now doubled the parking fee to $780.00.  Also we must now ask to be shuttled to the parking area at the old Atlantic facility a half mile down the road to get to our cars. And ask for a ride back . A big new inconvience!, Because , they closed the old Atlantic facility.  All of us agree it was a lot to see increased in such little time, so we sent a letter asking them to rethink the pricing and sent over 50 pilot and friends, wives  names on a signed attachment.   We just recieved a reply that told us there prices we inline with many FBOs and they said the increases and service fee was fair.  A few points to make, Atlantic never had a service fee, and the parking area is a good size and not over crowded.  Now that only one FBO exsists at the airport i guess its ok to increase at will.   I know, as well as many of us that costs will increase. But the speed and of this FBO to impose so fast the increases has left many of us not willing to visit the airport.  Are any of you seeing convience fees if you dont take service?   And how is automobile parking at airports for general aviation being charged?