zippinbye

We flew JSX for a couples getaway into California wine country this weekend, using ZED fare. Great experience! All it's cracked up to be (for full-fare customers) on their website, and then some. Paired it with a car from their partner, GoRental. Got to feeling like "somebody" as we exited the jet to see a sign with our name on it, inviting us to our waiting car. I cannot overstate the lack of stress, hussle and bustle and overall turmoil of a "real" airport terminal experience. Security a non-issue (No liquid/gel restriction), relying on explosive swabbing and a sophisticated large walk-through scanner.

Load info not available on Flight Stats sadly, but we checked with a direct phone call to JSX 5 days out - day of travel numbers were pretty much the same .... 60% load factor. As far as I can tell, they don't have a showing of HK type folks. Mind you, we were in a one flight per day market. No waiting around for boarding confirmation; in the door, scanned and issued boarding passes on 2 legs.

If a bargain private jet-ish experience interests you, Google JSX. Concentrated in California, with a sizable KDAL operation also. Not designed for hub and spoke ops, but from my home in LAS, I could reach HPN or MCO (random examples of long range travel) with some inventive schedule planning. FYI there is a non-rev embargo on SNA ops and they are open to XCM for CASS participants. Why am I sharing this info on a seemingly undiscovered bennie? I ask myself the same question, but I know it won't fly under the radar for too long. Our experience was fantastic.

Twr199

This will be a good thread…Out of curiosity have you been following or heard of the ongoing ALPA public charter loop hole saga?

The non-rev embargo at SNA is because that airport has a limit on total pax.

Nick Bradshaw

JSX sounds like a good idea until you realize that the PIC could have a total of 1500 hours and the FO 500 hours, flying a clapped out E145. You get what you pay for.

Gspeed

Thats not the problem in my book. The problem is ALL of the other Part 121 regulations that they don’t have to abide by.

Bainite

Pretty cool that they fly into Lajitas/Terlingua TX. Big Bend National Park is a great place to visit but kind of a PITA to get to. Not on the way to anything and a long drive from pretty much anywhere.

sailingfun

The FAA intends to initiate a rulemaking to amend title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 110 to address these public charter operations that, in light of recent high-volume operations, appear to be offered to the public as essentially indistinguishable from flights conducted by air carriers as supplemental or domestic operations under 14 CFR part 121. Specifically, the size, scope, frequency, and complexity of charter operations conducted as “on-demand” operations under the part 135 operating rules has grown significantly over the past 10 years. While the FAA has adjusted its oversight of these increased operations, the FAA is considering whether a regulatory change may be appropriate to ensure the management of the level of safety necessary for those operations.

The FAA is considering issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking that will seek comment on removing the exceptions for part 380 public charter operators from the definitions in 14 CFR 110.2 and delink FAA's safety regulations from DOT's economic regulations. If the FAA were to remove the exceptions, operators would then conduct public charter flights under the operating part applicable to their operation based on the same criteria that apply to all other non-part 380 operators, including the size and complexity of aircraft they operate and the frequency of flights.

Were FAA to amend its regulatory framework, some operators conducting public charter operations would need to transition from operating under part

SonicFlyer

Are you saying that 1500 hours isn't enough to be PIC and that the requirements need to be raised?


(also - it's highly doubtful that insurance allows a 1500 PIC on a ERJ)

SonicFlyer

Yep, looks like a great product and service for the customers.... which is why the airlines want to use the power of government to outlaw it:

https://reason.com/2023/10/09/airlin...t-of-business/

CBreezy

The airlines want to outlaw it because it's operating as a 121 carrier. They are free to operate under those regulations.

Gspeed

Do you believe the earth is flat too? You strike me as that type.