living the dream

One irresistable feature of many FBO’s we go to are the copious amounts of cookies usaully located near the front counter or in some snack room. For those not familiar with general aviation the FBO or Fixed Base Operator is to a corporate pilot what the airline terminal is to the commercial airline passenger and crew. The FBO provides the parking, fuel, some supplies like ice, coffee, newspapers, and of course all the Otis Spunkmeyer cookies you can eat. I think my personal record is 4 or 5 while sitting around MDW. Or actually I may have had more in CRQ - Carlsbad, CA. There’s something about free cookies that I just can’t resist. Add to that the various forms of free coffee (auto machine version or normal brewed coffee) and I’m all set.

So while I’m thinking about food another benefit of flying corporate is the leftover catering. Some passengers have catering delivered to the FBO for the flight and often times they eat little or none of the food. I’ve taken home a full tray of shrimp, cold cuts, and bottle of wine from a single flight. Usually there is just a left over fruit tray and maybe some pastries and bagels but that actually beats out the cookies and coffee because at least you feel like you’re eating healthy.

So despite the low initial pay, absolutely no schedule, and days sitting in an airport hotel waiting for passengers to be ready to go back home the life of a corporate/charter pilot actually has a few benefits.