In less time than it takes to arrive an hour early to the airport, go through security lines, wait 45 minutes for a flight and then board a plane — if it’s not delayed or canceled — Ron McCord can book his own flight at Wiley Post Airport and be in Colorado Springs.
McCord, chairman of First Mortgage Company in Oklahoma, has learned in 38 years of business that booking a private flight saves not only valuable time, but in some cases, money.
“If I need to be in Colorado Springs by 8 a.m., I can book a private flight and make that happen,” he says. “If I have to take a commercial flight, then I need to be at the airport by 6 for a 7:15 a.m. flight, land in Denver, then have to rent a car to drive an hour or so to Colorado Springs. It’ll be 10:30 before I can get there.”
For those who choose to pay a little extra for private flights, not having to deal with removing footwear or waiting in lines are perks, as is the flexibility of departure times.
Wiley Post has several private airlines where customers, usually business travelers, can drive right up to the hangar to board a plane, sometimes at a moment’s notice. And as the economy climbs out of recession, private airline owners are beginning to see business pick back up.
“The economy is a little better, and we’re starting to see more people book flights,” says Jim Hensley, president of American Jet Charter at Wiley Post. “Last year was hard. February, March and April of this year has been a lot better.”
The private flight business took a dive in late 2008 — as did most industries — as the recession hit. According to Hensley, his business experienced a 30% fourth-quarter downturn in 2008 that continued throughout 2009. But this spring, business increased by 10%.
HASSLE VS. COST
Private airlines may see more business due to dissatisfaction with commercial flying. A J.D. Powers and Associates study showed that customer satisfaction with commercial airlines declined in 2009 for the third year in a row. In-flight services, flight crew and costs and fees were cited as sources of low points.
On the flip side, wait time decreased in 2009, by an average of eight minutes. On-time arrivals improved to 78%, up 5 points from 2008.
“Having a private charter is a big convenience for those who choose it,” says Hensley. “You don’t have to park in a giant lot, you can pull your car right up to the hangar, and you don’t have to go through all the detectors. Our security is pretty tight, but it’s not like at the airports, where you have to take off your belt or shoes.”
McCord has flown privately with American Jet Charter for 20 years. For him, the convenience of setting his own schedule outweighs any added cost.
“In some cases, if I have several employees with me, it’s actually a less expensive trip,” he says. “Being able to depart on my schedule is the best thing about it.”
In addition, McCord says he doesn’t have to worry about checking baggage, and in most cases, a rental car is waiting at his destination when he lands.
“I can get to multiple locations and back in one day,” he says. “I can put in a full day of work and get back that evening. I’ll admit it: It’ll spoil you.”
McCord anticipates a boom for in-state private charters.
“I’m traveling more today on private planes than I ever have in 38 years of business,” he says. “It’ll continue to increase, and I think it has a lot to do with commercial airlines and the cost to fly commercially.” —Heide Brandes | Photos by Shannon Cornman
Jim Hensley, president of American Jet Charter