Saturday, July 28, 2007


Jul. 28, 2007 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport is one of the nation's busiest, with an average of 950 arrivals daily and an equal number of departures. The airport also has a general aviation terminal that handles about 21 arrivals a day of business jets and other light aircraft.

Those planes are usually picking up or dropping off passengers who are making airline connections or have business in the area and want quick access to their plane. The terminal's gate attendants provide all the assistance the pilots and passengers need.

Upon a plane's arrival, attendants guide it to a parking spot on the ramp, chock the wheels and greet the pilots. Fueling trucks are ordered; any catering that was arranged is delivered; and lots of coffee is made since every departing flight needs that and ice onboard.

None of this comes cheap, however.

Landing fees have increased for private planes just as they have for airlines.

The charge is $4.59 per 1,000 pounds of plane weight for permitted aircraft, with a minimum of $25. An additional facility charge starts at $65 per landing. A touch-and-go costs at least $90.

Add to that a little fuel, which was recently going for $4.10 a gallon, and catering for high-end patrons, and the bill can quickly ring up into four or five figures.

The attendants realize that for most clients, the convenience far outweighs the costs.

Their highest priority is getting passengers in and out quickly. So they may help with bags, get a rental car or open the security gate so vehicles can park on the tarmac next to the planes for boarding.

The terminal has no hangar space, although aircraft can be parked on the tarmac overnight for an additional fee.

But most private planes only spend a few hours on the ground at D/FW, because time is money to most of the passengers who use the general aviation terminal.

Story and photos by RALPH LAUER

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 rlauer@star-telegram.com

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