Randall Langford:
AOPA’s claim that FBO’s are intentionally denying pilots access via prices is not logical. Do Cadillac dealers deny Cadillac’s to people who can’t afford Cadillac’s?
I think Randy is missing the point. To stick with his analogy, a person that can't afford a Cadillac, has the choice to purchase a less expensive vehicle. He can go down the street and buy a Chevy. The same goes for his friend, he has the choice to not pay the AOPA fee. In the case of greedy FBO's, there is often no other choice.
Take the two airports of Stuart and West Palm Beach, Florida for example. While the FBO's at those two airports provide top notch "red carpet" service, it comes at a high price, (over $250/wk and that assumes you purchase the high priced fuel). They are certainly focused on the needs of their private jet clientel. I don't want that service nor the price that comes with it. If I land at either airport, I have no choice but to accept those services and pay thier rates.
The next closest airport to my destination which lies between those two airports, was recently taken over by Signature. Landing there comes with an even higher price and less services. As pilots choose to land further away from the metroplitan areas in an effort to avoid the high prices, the gouging FBO's are moving in to those airport to take advantage. I now have to drive an extra hour to my final destination if I want to avoid the higher prices. It is as if there is colusion among the FBO's to raise prices in the entire region and eliminate the option to avoid them.
At my base airport in Michigan, there is a considerable amount of corporate jet/turboprop traffic. They have thier choice of FBO's that provide the red carpet services that they are seeking. There are also a dozen or so tie downs on the "municiple ramp" in front of the tower that are free. There you will find the 172's, Mooneys and Pipers that simply want to park for the weekend, bring thier own ropes and carry thier own bag.
Chris