This administration seems determined that bizjets are a mere convenience. How in the world they can believe this and still operate Air Force One is beyond me.
The truth is that bizjets enable businesses to do things they can’t get done any other way. For example, a bizjet can make it possible for the top boss to spend a day at work in his/her Atlanta office, speak that night at the company sales meeting at Hilton Head, then return to Atlanta for a good night’s sleep. Try that on the airlines. (I saw this myself. Also—for not a dime more—the big boss took his wife along to greet the sales people at the meeting.)
Business aircraft are business tools just as surely as are bulldozers, concrete mixers and delivery trucks. Would any guvmint official expect a contractor to mix concrete with a hoe and a water hose today? Or grade a site using laborers with shovels, rather than a bulldozer? Of course not. Why in the world, then, would the guvmint expect the CEO to make business trips on the schedule of the airlines? Or, maybe they should ride the bus or even hitch hike?
The original Malcolm Forbes had a bizjet for Forbes magazine. He had painted on the nose of that airplane a sign that said, “Capitalist Tool.”
He knew whereof he spoke.
About the Author
Ralph Hood
Certified Speaking Professional
Ralph Hood is a Certified Speaking Professional who has addressed aviation groups throughout North America. A pilot since 1969, he's insured and sold airplanes at retail and distributor levels and taught aviation management for Southern Illinois University.
Ralph Hood is also an award-winning columnist (he writes for several publications), a salesman and sales manager (he sold airplanes, for crying out loud!), a teacher (he taught college-level aviation management) and a professional public speaker who has entertained and enlightened audiences from Hawaii to Spain, and from Fairbanks to Puerto Rico.
- Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), National Speakers Association
- Past member, National Ethics Committee, National Speakers Association
- Past president of Alabama Speakers Association
- Member, Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame
- Past National Marketing Mentor, AOPA Project Pilot