Corporate F/A Dispatch

When you’re planning a long distance trip, you have two options when it comes to air travel – you can travel by commercial airline or you can charter a private jet. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, and this article will help you decide which is best for your travel needs.

Commercial Air Travel

Commercial air travel has been the norm for many years; so much so that many people don’t even consider traveling by charter jet. And indeed, there are many advantages to traveling commercially. Typically, there are more flights traveling to your destination and at all hours of the day. You can easily book a ticket online, and there are also refundable tickets available if you’re unable to travel.

Typically, the tickets are far cheaper for commercial air travel. This can be very beneficial for companies that fly their employees to several different locations during a work week. However, commercial travelers don’t have to be content with cramped coach seats. For travelers that prefer more extensive service, there are also business class fares now available on many flights with amenities that rival first class.

There are disadvantages to flying commercial, however. Navigating the complicated and ever-changing of airport security can be a hassle – it can take up to two hours to get through a security checkpoint. You may have problems with your belongings or carry-on luggage if you didn’t pack correctly. There is also a limit on the amount baggage you can take with you, unless you want to incur certain fees. There’s also the issue of lost luggage that occurs quite frequently on commercial flights.

There are also seating issues on a commercial flight. You never know who will be seated next to you and the seats are usually small. And while there are a few amenities offered on commercial flights, such as beverages, liquors and – on some flights – meals, these are quickly being dropped to save costs. You’ll also find in-flight movies, but the movies aren’t your choices and you may be required to pay for headphones just to hear them.

Finally, on a commercial flight, you may have one flight attendant for fifty passengers and the bathrooms are notorious for being small, cramped, and dirty.

Charter Flights

A charter flight is a private plane that is hired to travel to a specific destination. A medium size plane will usually hold around eight passengers, although there are larger and smaller options as well. This type of plane has many advantages and some disadvantages as well.

When you schedule a charter flight, you won’t have to wait in long security lines at a crowded airport. You won’t be so limited in the number of baggage pieces you can bring with you, and seldom is your luggage lost.

The seats are usually large and comfortable, and you won’t be subjected to the unpredictability of your fellow flight-mates. You’ll usually find that the service is impeccable and the food and drink are of the finest quality. There is usually a selection of movies to choose from and the bathrooms are not nearly as small as on a commercial flight.

There are disadvantages to private charter flights, however. The cost is usually the biggest drawback for most flyers. A charter flight not only requires the flyer to pay for the flight costs, but also the landing fees, international fees, and any overnight fees incurred if the plane remains on location for you. Once all is said and done, these fees can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, though, many of the charter flight services are now lowering prices to try and lure business customers away from commercial flights. As the commercial airline fares continue to rise and service continues to plummet, charter flight services may become a viable alternative for many business travelers.

So, you’ve decided you want to charter a private jet. But where do you go from here? Fortunately, if you schedule your trip with the help of a private jet charter agency, you won’t have to do too much work. The agency will handle all of the details, while you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the flight.

First of all, you’ll need to determine your destination. Many charter services only operate in a specific region, so this will narrow down your choices of charter companies.

Next, you’ll want to have an idea of when you plan to travel before you begin contacting charter jet agencies. You don’t have to have specific dates. In fact, if you’re flexible with your travel dates, you may be able to find a cheaper rate. As with commercial airfare, it’s usually cheaper to fly during the week than the weekend.

Most people learn about charter jet agencies by checking the phonebook, searching online or gathering recommendations from friends and relatives. Research all of the possible charter agencies you’re thinking about using before you contact them. You can search online for the companies’ websites and also look for review sites. Pay attention to the comments about customer service and the condition of the airplanes. From your list, choose two or three services that look like the best fit for you.

Call each service and ask questions about what services they offer. You should also ask about safety procedures and what you can expect for service. Also ask about any additional fees, such as landing fees, international fees, and overnight fees. Find out if the chartered plane will remain at your destination or return home, as you may be expected to cover the costs associated with this.

Once you’ve chosen the private jet charter agency you wish to use, determine your exact travel dates. If you have some flexibility, consider asking the reservation agent if some days are less expensive than others. This can save you a lot of money in the long run.

If you’re planning to travel internationally, ask if your charter jet agency will handle all of the required permits to enter another country. A good agency should, so that you don’t have to worry about all the associated paperwork. If you’re planning to leave the country, be sure your passport and the passports of those traveling with you are current well in advance. Passport turn around times may be as long as three months, and you certainly don’t want these delays to interrupt your travel plans!

Determine which amenities you will require on your trip. With most agencies, catering services are almost always available on a chartered jet, as are in-flight movies, although these services are usually optional. If you’re looking to reduce your costs, ask if you can decline in-flight catering and pack your own snacks for the trip. Whatever your request, be sure to get a breakdown of the exact charges you’ll incur to avoid any hidden fees later on.

Once you’ve completed your itinerary and outlined the amenities you’d like, ask for a completed quote before you pay for the service. You should also ask if travel insurance is available and purchase it if possible. This will allow for a refund – or at least a partial refund – if you’re suddenly unable to travel. It will also protect you if the company can’t complete their end of the contract as well.

A week or so before your departure, call the company again and confirm your reservation. Be sure to go over your itinerary again, and your desired amenities. This should eliminate any chance of errors. Now, pack your bags and get ready for a terrific time aboard a private, chartered jet!

If you’re looking to fly overseas, there are a few things you can do to find the best available air fare deals. Planning and patience are two of the best qualities to finding a great international fare, and timing is everything – don’t take the first deal you find, but don’t wait so long that you are no longer able to find a decent fare.

Search the Internet

Travel websites are some of the most popular sites online today. These sites – like Travelocity.com and Expedia.com are great for finding deals on last minute travel as well.

Book a Travel Package

Package deals that include air fare, hotel, and some attraction tickets are often much less expensive than purchasing each separately. Just be sure that you’re actually planning to use any of the extras included in your package. Don’t pay extra for a Paris package that includes bicycle tours if you plan to spend all day in the museums.

Consider a Charter Service

Travel charter companies are services that book a group of tickets for certain destinations. They receive a discount on these fares and are able to pass the savings along to you. If the charter company doesn’t sell all of the tickets, you may be able to get a greatly reduced fare.

Fly on a Weekday

Fares are often much cheaper during the week – especially on Tuesday and Wednesday – than they are on the weekend. You can also save a lot of money if you book your fares on these days, since many airlines release their reserved, unpaid fares on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Consider a Red Eye Flight

Some fares may be as much as forty percent less if you’re flying after 8:00 pm or before 6:00 am. Since most people prefer to travel during the day, airlines have more trouble selling these seats and may offer cheaper fares just to fill the seats.

Forgo the Non-Stop Flight

You may find a cheaper fare if you can handle a couple of stops along the way. You may also find a better fare if you spend the night at one of your layover stops before continuing on your journey.

Fly on a Bargain Airline

Many of the smaller airlines – like JetBlue – are offering terrific deals on international flights. Of course, you may find that there are fewer amenities – such as in flight movies or meals – but the resulting savings can be extensive.

Fly on a Holiday

If you fly on a holiday, you’re likely to find cheaper fares and fewer lines at the airport. Airlines are usually much busier in the few days leading up to and following a major holiday.

Check the Extra Fees

Many airlines have started charging extra fees for everything from checked baggage to snacks. Be sure you know the policies regarding baggage before you arrive at the airport and take steps to avoid them by making sure your luggage fits within the airline’s size and weight limitations and packing snacks to carry with you onboard.

Fly During the Off-Season

Most popular travel destinations have peak travel seasons set off by slower periods. If you’re able to plan your visit for any time of your choosing, you can save a lot of money by visiting during an off-peak season.

When you’re considering hiring a charter flight service, the first question that probably comes to mind is “How much does it cost?” While it’s definitely not as inexpensive as a regular commercial flight, it also isn’t as expensive as you might think.

The cost of hiring a private charter jet can vary greatly, as many factors will figure in to the final price. Typically, the price is a combination of the flight time and the expenses associated with flying the jet. There are many ways that flight time is calculated, and can be as complex as figuring out the aircraft speed, wind resistance, and usual routing by air traffic control.

In addition, much of the fee depends upon the type of aircraft you’ll be flying on. There are three common classes of jets and their specific fees are based upon the cabin dimensions. There are small, medium, and full size jets. Normally, you’ll find small jets cost about $2500/flight hour, medium size jets run about $3200/flight hour, and the full size jets are about $4500/flight hour.

Whoever charters the flight is also responsible for a multitude of other charges. These can include – but are not limited to – landing fees, international fees, overnight charges and catering.

Flying a jet is expensive, so it’s common for a plane to wait at the destination until the passengers are ready to return. This is where the overnight charges come into play. Aircraft parking is something you might not normally consider, but it can add up quickly. The expenses of the flight crew are also paid by whoever charters the plane, and usually run about $600 a night.

Operating an airport is expensive and one way to offset these expenses is by charging a landing fee to every plane that uses the runway. There are always at least two landing fees for each round trip. When you hire a charter jet for your flight, you can expect to pay a separate charge for landing at your destination and for returning to your initial departure airport.

There are also fees for traveling internationally. There are permits and paperwork required for the airline and for the passengers. Customs and Immigration will require permits to enter the destination company, and also to leave the departure country. These permits will be required for the crew, passengers, and even the plane. Again, these fees are usually paid by the person who charters the flight.

Finally, you may be required to pay for catering fees. These can include everything from a full bar and snacks, to a gourmet meal including champagne and caviar, depending on the service you fly with. In addition, you may find other amenities on your jet – such as an in flight phone – which will charge additional fees per minute of use.

As you can see, the total cost of your chartered flight can vary widely, depending on the type of plane, your destination and flight time, landing fees, overnight fees and any other expenses incurred. However, when you think about the convenience of having your own chartered flight and that most planes can accompany at least eight passengers, the pricing may not seem quite as high as you originally thought. If you’re considering chartering a plane for your next major trip, be sure to get quotes from several companies to secure the best possible deal for your next trip.

Are you tired of long lines, crowded airports, and late flights? If you hire a charter or private jet, you can travel to your destination in style and comfort. Here are some tips for chartering a jet for your next vacation.

The first step in hiring a private jet is to choose where you want to travel to – your destination will ultimately determine which charter jet services are available to you. This is the fun part – you get to decide which dream vacation will be yours!

Next, you’ll need to pick your travel dates. In some cases, you may be limited by the time you can get away from work, but if you’re flexible on when you can travel, you may find a considerable difference in the pricing. It’s also often cheaper to fly during the week than on the weekend – the cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesday and Wednesday.

With your date and location in mind, it’s time to find a reputable charter jet service. Begin by asking your friends, family members, and co workers for any recommendations. You can also request information from any charter services that offer service to your chosen destination. Many organizations, such as AAA, can offer advice on which charter jet service may be best for you. Finally, you can also search online to find out which services have the highest customer service ratings.

Don’t forget to shop around. Before you sign on the dotted line, contact several services to see which one can offer you best deal. Many times, a charter service will match or beat another service’s best fares. Also contact a travel agency to see what kind of rates they are able to secure on your behalf.

As you’re researching potential charter companies, be sure to ask what types of aircraft are available from each service. You can usually find a listing of the jets in the company’s fleet online. Many jets are perfect for short trips, while other are best for long distances.

You should also ask questions about what measures the company takes to ensure your safety. Ask about the staff onboard and their qualifications, as well as the company’s record of maintenance and safety violations. The company representative should be able to answer your questions, or quickly find someone who can.

If you’re still concerned about the cost of charter jets, consider an empty leg flight. If you can book a seat on a charter service that’s returning empty from one of its destinations, this can add up to substantial saving for you. Although it is only a one-way trip, you might save between 25-50%, since the company would rather see a body in the seat than to leave it empty.

Finally, be sure to purchase travel insurance to ensure you’ll receive a refund of your fare if the flight is cancelled for any reason, or if you are unable to travel. Charter flights can be a little more unpredictable than commercial airlines, and they may be unable to fly in weather conditions that don’t affect traditional flights. Given the cost of a charter jet flight, it’s better to be safe than sorry!

If you’ve been offered a job as a corporate flight attendant, you’ll likely be required to take and pass a drug screening before you’re able to begin working. Pre-employment drug screenings are commonly used by employers to reduce employee turnover, health insurance claims and theft on the job site. The following is some information on what you can expect if the company that’s offered you a job requires a pre-employment drug screening:

The most commonly used type of pre-employment drug screening is the urine test, primarily because it’s the easiest and most inexpensive form of testing on the market. Since most cities have at least one testing facility, companies can get results in as little as 24-48 hours. In the past, these tests have been considered somewhat unreliable, as several masking agents exist on the market to camouflage any illicit substances in the urine. However, urine testing technology has improved in recent years so that many of these agents can now be detected.

If you’re asked to take this type of test, you’ll need to make a quick visit to one of these facilities where you’ll be asked to sign a release form and urinate into the provided container. Unfortunately, as the potential for falsification exists, you may be required to leave the bathroom door partially open as you provide your sample. However, most testing facilities do make an effort to make the process as comfortable as possible.

Alternatively, the facility you’re working for may require you to complete hair follicle drug screening. In these tests, a small sample of hair is taken from somewhere on the body and subjected to chemical agents that detect the presence of illegal substances. Although these tests are much less invasive for potential employees, they are much more expensive for employers to conduct. However, many employers are willing to put up the extra money, as the tests are much more accurate and can detect drug use as far back as six months ago.

Additional pre-employment drug tests also exist for saliva and sweat samples, although these are used much less frequently. A word of caution, though. If you’re thinking about trying to cheat the system, whether by purchasing “clean” urine from a friend or by shaving your head prior to your screening date, think again. Hair follicles can be extracted from the skin, even if there’s no hair remaining, and increased sensitivity in urine testing makes it much harder to mask the presence of illegal drugs in your system. If you’re afraid you won’t pass a pre-employment drug screening, it may be easier just to seek out alternate employment.

However, it’s also important to understand that sometimes drug tests give false positives and that mistakes do occur in drug testing labs. If you’re notified that you’ve failed a pre-employment drug screening but have never used any illegal substances, most companies and drug testing agencies will give you the chance to appeal and undergo retesting. Be sure to let your potential employer know that you feel the results are in error and that you’re appealing the process to clear your name.

Although it is possible to get a job as a corporate flight attendant based solely on your experience, you’ll likely find that you can command a higher salary or a better position with formal training. The FACTS Corporate Flight Attendant Training program is currently one of only three FAA-approved programs in the country that will teach you the finer points of flight safety and cabin service.

The FACTS program offers two separate training programs: safety and service. The safety program includes both a five-day introductory course and a two-day refresher course, with an optional final day that consists of additional training. In this course, you’ll cover such topics as inflight medical emergencies and defibrillation, inflight fire and smoke procedures, high altitude physiology/decompression, and hazardous materials awareness.

Learning these cabin safety procedures is especially important if you plan to work as a corporate flight attendant, as you may be the only attendant onboard a business flight and it may fall to you to take charge in the event of an emergency. Although FAA regulations don’t require flights with fewer than 20 seats to have a flight attendant trained in safety protocols onboard, having this training may help you feel more confident in any situation that can arise.

Currently, this course is being taught in the following cities: Fort Lauderdale, FL; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Van Nuys, CA; Olympia, WA; Teterboro, NJ; and San Francisco, CA. During the course, you’ll take part in both classroom activities and lessons onboard a flight simulator. Upon completion of the course, you’ll receive a certificate that demonstrates you’ve passed the training that’s good for one year. For more information on rates and on the specific dates the course will be offered, visit corporateflightattendants.com.

The other training program offered by the FACTS Corporate Flight Attendant Training program focuses more the service you’ll be expected to provide in this position. Unlike commercial flights, in which passengers must be content with whatever microwave meal options are available, served in the most expedient manner possible, business flyers expect more. You’ll be expected to demonstrate impeccable host/hostess skills including everything from meal service to the service of fine wines and caviar.

FACTS offers this service training program in two different formats – a one-day refresher course for flight attendants with some business experience and a more extensive two-day course designed for new employees in the field. According to the FACTS website, the one-day course covers, “Menu planning, storage, plating, proper etiquette and protocols for both new and seasoned flight attendants.” In this course, you’ll cover all the basics necessary to properly serve business travelers and any VIPs onboard your flight.

The two-day course covers all these topics and more. In addition to menu planning and service advice, you’ll also learn about cabin safety – a vital topic for new flight attendants. You’ll also learn more about the duties you’ll be expected to perform upon boarding the flight and before guests arrive. Both of these courses are offered on-site at the same locations as the safety courses at various times throughout the year. For more information on how to schedule your service course, visit the same website: corporateflightattendants.com

Writing your resume and going out on interviews is stressful enough, but the process becomes even more difficult if you’ve been fired in the past. Employers like to see candidates with pristine job histories, but we all know that in the real world, this isn’t always possible. Maybe you were unfairly terminated due to race or gender issues, or perhaps you butted heads with what you considered to be an incompetent boss. Whatever the reason for your firing, you’re going to have to decide how you’ll portray the incident to future employers.

Practice what you’ll say

Job firings are never pleasant experiences – no matter how long ago it happened, you may still find yourself feeling angry, frustrated or anxious about the situation. However, if you let these feelings stew without properly addressing them, you’re likely to be blindsided by their return at the worst-possible moments – such as when you’re sitting down to interview for a new position. To prevent this from happening, talk about the firing with a close friend or family member until you feel more comfortable discussing the issues. Try to find some sort of understanding for your bosses actions, then practice how you’ll discuss the issue when it comes up in future interviews.

Don’t dwell on it

If you’ve been fired in the past, it’s bound to come up at some point in the employment process, whether on an application that asks for your reason for leaving or later on in the interview. The most important thing you can do post-firing is to move on and not dwell on the issue. Even if you feel you were completely wronged in the situation, no hiring manager wants to be caught in the middle of a ten-minute long rant on how your former boss was a total jerk. Instead of being understanding, they may wonder whether or not they’ll wind up having similar issues with you.

Instead, try to explain the reason for the firing as calmly and as succinctly as possible. This could be something as simple as, “My former boss and I disagreed over the best course of action for the company and decided it was best to part ways.” Try to leave your judgments out of it – you’ll come off as far more mature if you’re able to demonstrate empathy for your boss’s position and that you’ve learned and grown from the experience.

Talk to your former employer

If the bridge between you and your former boss hasn’t been completely burned, it might be worth it to try and contact your previous employer to see if you can come to some sort of common ground over your firing. In some cases, your former boss may be willing to concede that, although there were differences in your opinions, your work was good and your job performance acceptable. If things go well, they may even consent to being contacted by potential employers, eliminating a big black mark from your application.

Obviously, this won’t work in all situations. If you’re still too angry or unwilling to concede your own role in the firing, there’s no point in calling up your old employer – you’ll just re-open wounds that are better left alone to heal. If you aren’t able to talk about the situation without getting upset and invoking cuss words that would make a sailor blush, it’s best to just move on and write the job off as a loss. If this is the case, try to accept that no one’s perfect and do your best to move on with your life.