Plane Conversations

On a recent podcast interview with Max Flight and the guys who are regulars on the www.airplanegeeks.com pod cast, I made the statement that flying on business or private aircraft is “social.” One of the guys asked me to define what I meant by “social”.

 Honestly speaking, I did not really even think about the definition of social when I made that remark - it just came out.

So here is a definition of social that I like: “marked by or passed in pleasant companionship with one’s friends or associates”.

My off the cuff response was that flying on a private jet is a pleasant and enjoyable experience. It is comfortable and the treatment the passenger receives from the flight crew is good. Compare this with the anti-social experience of riding the airlines.

Why shouldn’t travel by air be social? I mean it used to be when I was a kid. As I wrote on my very first post on this blog site – I remember that first airline flight in 1969 on American Airlines. We put on our best clothes like we were going to church. The flight attendant and pilots made us feel special and even gave us wings!

The one airline that engages in social flying today is Southwest Airlines. One of the last Southwest flights I took was coming out of New York’s LaGuardia Airport.  While waiting for the passengers to finish boarding, the captain entertained us by playing ‘Oh, Susannah!’ on the harmonica.  He jokingly said that he was not going to stop playing until everyone was seated. I love it! Taunting a bunch of New Yorkers with a song from the South on the harmonica. Truth is, even the New Yorkers loved it. Now, that is Social!

I hope Southwest never loses that social culture they have carefully created and nurtured over 30 plus years of operating.

Why can’t all airlines get the culture of making it fun and social. Even if we are crowded into seats a little too small, at least they could make it fun.

Having said all of that what is so ‘social’ about flying on a private jet? 

First and foremost, it is a more personal experience. You are greeted by the pilots who help load your bags as you board the aircraft. They know your name and you will know theirs.  They may tell you about the enroute and destination weather, if that is a factor, and they may ask if you are OK with proceeding. I usually say, “I am good if you are” but some folks would rather wait it out or go another day if the weather is too lousy. Wait a minute. You mean I can call it off?  You bet you can.

Once on board, you get the feel of riding in the limousine instead of the subway. It is easy to ask the pilots a question like “where are we?” or” what is the name of that river?” Or you can just sit back with your friends or business associates and enjoy the ride in comfortable seating. Want to talk business with your travel mates? You don’t have to worry about the guy behind you listening in on the conversation since you already know who he is. When you arrive on the other end you are usually greeted by the smiling face of a person who parks the aircraft at the Fixed Based Operation (private air terminal) at the destination. Most roll out a red carpet even if you are not a rock star!

You then walk to the terminal (FBO) and someone has your rental car keys ready or the hired car is waiting close to the aircraft and you are off to your ultimate destination – the business meeting, dinner or vacation spot. If the business meeting runs a little long, the aircraft will not leave without you. A courtesy call to the pilots or company dispatch will update the crew so they can update the flight plan -emphasis  here on “courtesy” since the pilots do have legal lmitations on their time and need to be rested to be safe to fly you home.

One of the most common feedback points we get from customers is how much they enjoyed flying with crew and frequently they request to fly with that same crew again. Flying is a comfortable experience when you get to know the crew upfront and they get to know you. People like to be treated with respect by the people they do business with.  On a private jet, courteous treatment is the norm, not the exception.

If all of this sounds like an experience “marked by or passed in pleasant companionship with one’s friends or associates,” then it’s social.    

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