In fact, I’m home today with a cold that I probably picked up at one airport or another while traveling to and from Albany, NY. Albany “International” Airport, a travel gateway in New York’s capital city that basically has no direct service from anywhere. I don’t mind getting on a puddle-jumper from Maui to Kaua’i, but at least I’m actually jumping a puddle (or a channel, as the case may be) instead of the midwest or the Mason-Dixon.

And it was during my expedition to the tri-state area that had me vowing that one day, some how, some way, I’m going to get there without all the bruhaha and ballyhoo that plagues us every time we visit. Come hell or high rent, one of these days I’m going to take a private plane.

No, Patsy Cline, I’m not going to take some fly-by-night gas can piloted by my Uncle Earl. If I’m going to splurge as much as someone like me can splurge, I’m going to take a luxury charter service, the likes of which are offered by companies like NetJets or Sentient. It’s part of an air travel movement called fractional jet ownership, and strikes the fancy of those who like to fly in privacy and luxury, but without all the hassle of actually owning and maintaining a jet and crew. Think of it as a time share with wings.

And for those who already bit the bullet and bought, but who want to rent out their equipment to people like me and the other Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous wannabes, there’s reverse fractional jet ownership, by JetSuite.Yes, fractional jet ownership is, in a word, expensive. But a gal can dream, can’t she? That’s why I’ve got my eye on the ball that we’ll for now call “fractional ownership lite,” wherein a broker finds a seat or two on a small jet that happens to be going where you are. I wonder: if I hitch a ride that’s flying over Albany, will they pack me a parachute? I’ll keep you posted. (I hope.)

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Plano_Light

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler