What if you had enough money to do whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted? If price was no concern when it comes to getting the things to help you get more time to do the things you really want to do. All this month we've taken a look at the cost of convenience. We've explored topics like hiring a lawn service, or changing your own oil. They are the little things we pay more for to save some time. In our last reports, we are switching things up bit. What if the dollars spent weren't the biggest factor in getting more convenience? What if you actually had enough money to buy yourself time? In this report we are going big time, private jets, chartered yachts, and a limo service. What would it cost you?
If you are looking at getting more time, and you travel for either business or leisure, a private jet maybe the answer. To find out more about the services offered, I spent some time with Roy Nichols, who is the president of Air Services Incorporated. The plane provider operates out of Cherry Capitol Airport in Traverse City. If you're like me you probably imagine that it's primarily the mega wealthy, or the super famous that come to Air Services Inc. for all their travel needs.
In reality, Mr. Nichols explained many of their clients are actually businessmen who have work obligations closer to home, but too far to drive to. Regardless of the reason for travel, almost every first time flier leaves the plane according to Mr. Nichols with the same reaction, "I think they love everything about it. When they come back they often say they don't ever want to fly on the airlines again even though that may not be practical."
And who could really blame them? Flying on a private jet certainly is convenient. Mr. Nichols says if your flight is work driven, it's hard to beat. As he explains, "Its typical you might fly out in the morning, work all day and be back that night for dinner with your family."
And if you have the business need or the luxurious desire to rent a private plane in Northern Michigan, Air Services Incorporated can offer you a dozen choices from the more practical plane to the downright opulent. Whatever you choose, as the only passengers, you call the shots by letting them know what time you need to be somewhere and they take care of the rest.
From a passenger's standpoint, you simply show up 15 minute prior to take off, get out of your car, walk straight to the plane, and you are airborne. No waiting at security, or at the gate, or worse in the plane on the tarmac. That saves you time. But Mr. Nichols points out that the biggest time savings maybe the fact that you can fly non stop to almost anywhere in the United States without making connections with layovers. He says "There are 5000 airports in the United States available to us versus about 500 for the commercial airlines. Literally we can go to any small town in America or very close to it."
That time savings will cost you. About $500 an hour of flight time for the smallest turbo prop, up to $3500 an hour for a luxury jet. You can fly far and fast, (like Florida in two hours) and unlike commercial flights, when you fly private, you get catered food service, so Mr. Nichols points out, "no food jokes and we don't loose your luggage."
Of course not all trips require jet fuel. Most of the time we spend moving is probably in a car. So if you had a pile of cash, and wanted more free time, what could you do to make your driving around a town a little more convenient? How about a limo?
Doug Dornbus with Grand Traverse Limousine admits that there is certain cool factor to having someone else drive your around in a long stretch Lincoln. He says his clients often expect a few simple things, "they want timely service, good service and reliable service." And how convenient would it be to have someone else drive you around while you are running errands. They stay behind the wheel, while you stretch out in the leather seats in the back, surrounding by all the conveniences of home. Mr. Dornbus says "you can listen to music, watch DVDs, you can enjoy the time with your friends, relax. You don't have to worry. Some people sleep. You can really just enjoy yourself."
A limo is not as a pricy as a private jet, but it still get you the same thing, personalized service and stress free time. Mr. Dornbus explains "People do relax. They are hurried, busy. They get a chance to ride and have a couple of moments of peace to themselves."
So what does that peace cost? According to Mr. Dornbus, "Our minimum charge is $270, so if somebody wanted to have us at least once a day for a week it would be $270 times 7, so $1600 or $1700 but that would only be for 3 hours a day." It would cost you more if you want around the clock service, but Mr. Dornbus points out that the curiosity factor is still free. He says "Everybody always wants to know who is in the limo."
So you can get around more conveniently with planes and cars, but how about a boat? Is there a way to have a more convenient vacation on the water? Dave and Kristen Conrad operate Bay Breeze Charters on West Grand Traverse Bay. They have a fleet of boats ready to be chartered. So you could have the boating experience without having to trailer, maintain, or even steer.
Mr. Conrad explains "We have a staff of licensed captains and a whole fleet of boats so people can choose the size of the boat and the amenities and a licensed professional will take them around the area, anywhere from a day to a week."
While they have smaller boats, after a limo and private jet, I wanted to see the real high end yachts. They have a couple of 40+ footers nicely appointed. Dave says "the boats are always impressive. They are loaded with amenities, heating, air conditioning, flat screens pretty much anything you want at home you can find on a boat."
So if you want a boating vacation, and you want it to be convenient, Bay Breeze can take care of you at almost every price point, but if you want big luxury, it will cost you. Mr. Conrad says "the boats with a captain for a day rate could be about $1000, for a week rate it could be about $5500, that's a pretty high end boat."
But for that price, Mr. Conrad points out "you don't have to anything. All you have to do is show up and maybe know how to work a blender but otherwise the captain will take care of everything else."
What if you had all the money you needed? What conveniences would you pay for? Dream a little, and share your thoughts below.
