In life, there are 4 things you can’t get back…

The stone
 after the throw…
The word 
after it’s said…
The action 
after it’s done…
And, the time after it has passed… 

Let’s face it, time is something we are all running out of, and something that we just can’t seem to buy.  There are only 24 hours in a day, and save for some major shift in the Earth’s rotation, this isn’t likely to change anytime soon.  Thus we are forced to squeeze the most out of every second we have.  While all may feel this time crunch, it is the traveling businessperson that truly falls victim to the clock’s wrath.

Good morning, businessperson! It’s Monday morning, and that means you need to be at the Gerald R.Ford International Airport by 5 AM for a 6 AM flight to New York in order to meet with a client.  After finding the perfect parking spot and assuring yourself you won’t forget where you left your car this time, you are off to wait in line to check your bags.  With ticket in hand, you arrive at the dreaded security checkpoint.  But wait just one second, how many ounces of alcohol-free whitening mouthwash are in that bottle you left in your carry on?  Well you better throw it out, just in case.

Lucky you, you made it through the security check relatively unscathed, except for some slight radiation from the full body scanner, of course. Now it’s on to your departure gate, and finally you board the aircraft.  It’s a short flight to meet a connection in Detroit, which is good because you are sandwiched between what appear to be two former offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears. You deplane in Detroit, make your connection just in time, and eventually make it to your final destination. Feeling exhausted from what has already been quite a busy day, you realize that you haven’t eaten, and you still need to claim your baggage, get a rental car, check into the hotel, and oh yeah, arrive to your meeting on time. Rinse and repeat, because tomorrow is a similar story in a different city.

Sadly, this is the everyday reality for many whom travel in the name of business. Their precious time, which could be better spent with family and friends, or working, is lost to the logistics of air travel. Imagine, however, traveling in style like the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, in your very own private jet.  It departs when you want, it goes where you want, the world at your fingertips, no security lines, and no hassle. Since most of these jets typically seat 6 to 10 people, you can bring 5 to 9 of your closest friends, family, or work associates!

As a corporate pilot and contract charter pilot, I have seen firsthand the unique value that a business jet can provide.  Imagine making it to a meeting in New York, touring a manufacturing facility in rural Tennessee, meeting with a client in Chicago, and being home in time for dinner with the family.  Utilizing the 5,000 general aviation airports scattered throughout the nation, most of which are not serviced by airlines, these savvy business travelers can arrive closer to where they need to be, when they need to be there.  Ground transportation is already arranged and waiting for them when they get there, and they can remain productive in the comfort and privacy of the jet’s quiet cabin.  However, it is not just those of the upper echelon that have tapped into the luxuries of business jets these days. What once may have been nothing but a pipedream for some, has now become big business in the world of general aviation.

Back in 1986, NetJets pioneered a new path to aircraft ownership for the masses using a timeshare model. With the company’s fractional ownership program, several customers, or “owners” are anonymously brought together to purchase a portion of an aircraft and thus receive an agreed upon amount of yearly aircraft usage. These shares can vary from full ownership, providing the owner with approximately 800 occupied flight hours per year, all the way down to 1/32 share at about 25 hours per year. On top of the prorated purchase price, the owner’s pay a monthly maintenance fee and an occupied hourly operating fee. Over the years, more and more business jet operators have used this model, and some are right in our own backyard.

Rapid Air and Northern Jet are based right here in Grand Rapids and offer on-demand air travel service to the general public. The companies offer a variety of different aircraft to meet its customers’ unique mission. Each company also offers different levels of membership, depending on the customer’s yearly travel needs. For the traveler that needs more than 50 hours of yearly usage of an aircraft, or is spending over $100,000 yearly on commercial air travel, Northern Jet suggests joining their fractional ownership program.  For those with lesser needs or those seeking less of a commitment, purchasing a block of flight hours may be more enticing. Customers can also simply choose to schedule and pay per trip, leaving them free of any further commitment. These options and more can all be discussed and tailored to your exact needs by calling Rapid Air or Northern Jet.  So if you are sick and tired of losing your valuable time to the hassle of today’s airlines, maybe its time to consider your options.