My $700 hamburger

[rcpilot]

Allow me to explain. I met up with a fellow Zenith owner(Raffael) last year. He was still completing his plane(a Zenith 650) and taking sport pilot lessons(not in his Zenith of course). We met up at the Lakewood, NJ airport(N12) where he was taking lessons and where I had my very first airplane ride 40+ years ago. I took him up in my plane and we made plans to meet again at his home base, Lehigh Valley International(KABE) in Allentown, PA. Between weather, schedules, and Trump TFRs we weren't getting anywhere. This past Sunday I made the trip. A bit windier than I would have liked and it took me a bit to get there getting a 66 mph GS(not to mention I used flight following and they made me fly around the JFK class B so I was up at 7500'). We meet up at his T hanger. He's got his cowl off working on his radio. His hanger neighbor(Tom) who has an RV6 shows up and we decide we'll fly to Sky Manor(N40) for lunch. Raffael and I go in my plane and we follow(in a manner of speaking) the RV6 to Sky Manor. At 50' x 2900' not the biggest runway. We land, have lunch(judging from the crowd the restaurant appeals to non-pilots as well), make plans to meet again at my home base(KHWV) and get ready to leave. Not that I really needed it but the AV gas was $4.50/gal so I figure I'll top off. I'm use to Brookhaven where if I fill up at the self serve they put a $250 hold on your card. At Sky Manor it's $700(hence the $700 hamburger). I fill up, 9 gallons. Of course at the moment it cost me $700 till they settle it. I take off for home and Raffael and Tom fly back to KABE in the RV. The trip home is much quicker with a GS of 110 MPH. All in all a nice outing and my first solo trip to a class C.My $700

[Jim Hardin]

Sounds like a great trip!

Wish you posted a pic or two

[chicagorandy]

They put a 155 gallon hold on your credit card to buy 9 gallons of fuel? Crikey! That seems a wee bit onerous? I sure hope that clears quickly.

[Warmi]

Had the same issue happened to me at Bult Field - got about 15 gallons of Avgas and ended up with a $600 hold on my credit card for about 30 hours or so.
They only charged the amount I owned them and released the hold without any action on my part.

[3Dreaming]

This is common practice, even at self serve gas stations. Only there the amount is only $100 to $150. You can't pump more than that without having to run the card again. The thing to remember is at an airport someone might pull up with a big twin and need 150 gallons. The credit card companies think they need to protect themselves, so they charge for the whole amount that the pumps will allow before shutting off. Also be careful if you use your debit card, be sure your account balance can handle the hold.

[rcpilot]

This was a self serve. In retrospect I probably wouldn't use my debit card again. It wasn't a problem but really don't need to have the money tied up over a weekend.

[3Dreaming]

Sometimes paying a little more for full service, and only being charged for what you get might be worth it. Also some credit cards can only be processed 2 or 3 times in a 24 hour period. If you are flying cross country and have to make several fuel stops in a day that little tidbit could be useful. You wouldn't want to find out the hard way and be stranded.

[TimTaylor]

I never use a debit card for anything, credit card for everything.

[Scooper]

I never use a debit card for anything, credit card for everything.

Me too, and I spent the last 20 years of my working career at Visa International (now Visa, Inc.). Credit card for everything, and pay off the balance every month to avoid interest charges.

[Sling 2 Pilot]

99% of the population is unaware that Debit cards are dangerous. They should only be used to get cash from an ATM, preferably from your financial institution.. They are more subject to fraud than a credit card. Granted, you are covered, but the aggravation is not worth its use beyond using at ATM's. My daughter learned the hard way, even after preaching the evils of their use.

Use a credit card and pay your bills the end of the month. You will be better off in the long run. Just Saying...

[TimTaylor]

Getting off topic here, but my cash budget is $20 per month for me and $20 for my wife. We use credit cards for everything else except a few bank drafts and a monthly check to church. Many months, and my $20 is still in my wallet. Oh yes, I use my bank's free bill pay for most monthly bills. I use an AMEX, VISA, and Master Card, all three cash back and no fees. MC is double cash.

[foresterpoole]

99% of the population is unaware that Debit cards are dangerous. They should only be used to get cash from an ATM, preferably from your financial institution.. They are more subject to fraud than a credit card. Granted, you are covered, but the aggravation is not worth its use beyond using at ATM's. My daughter learned the hard way, even after preaching the evils of their use.

Use a credit card and pay your bills the end of the month. You will be better off in the long run. Just Saying...

That is so true, if you don't believe it watch this. Remember that guy from "catch me if you can" well he is still around, it's long clip, but he reiterates your point, and shares a few pointers on how to impersonate a Pan Am 1st officer!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vsMydMDi3rI

[ShawnM]

Wow, this one went off into the weeds didn't it.

[TimTaylor]

My burgers average $300.

[Wm.Ince]

Wow, this one went off into the weeds didn't it.

Yeah . . . . . . Go figure.