“I have an idea for an article,” Jim Hausch of the Greater Milwaukee General Aviation Association wrote to me in a recent email.
“I think Turo is missing an opportunity with GA. It seems like a perfect solution for: 1. Airports that have stopped offering crew cars and 2. Airports without car rental options around.”
First, a little background.
One of the best things about general aviation is the ability to land close to your ultimate destination.
Assuming that destination is not the airport or within walking distance, you are going to need a ride.
For years, many airports and FBOs have offered crew or courtesy cars. Many are “well loved,” shall we say, and interesting to drive.
AirportCourtesyCars.com keeps an updated list of airports with, well, courtesy cars.
Of course, local taxi services are often available, but not always.
The modern version of the taxi is Uber or Lyft. If you have a smartphone and an account and a cell connection, a ride can likely be had.
But Jim was telling me about something different: Turo, a car-sharing website.
If you’ve heard of Airbnb or VRBO, Turo is a car version of those home-sharing/rental services.
Turo, like Airbnb or VRBO, doesn’t own the car. It is merely the marketplace for such transactions.
If no one in a particular area is interested in renting their car or home, there isn’t much Turo or Airbnb can do about it.
As a test, I searched Turo for Aberdeen, Washington, from June 20-23.
One result was returned, offering a 2014 Ford Fusion for $62 a day. The remaining 12 results were more than 35 miles away.
Thanks for the idea Jim. Regardless, Turo is yet another arrow in the quiver.
But your mileage, as they say, may vary.
My favorite method is to bring bike(s) with us. Our 172 easily fits two full sized bikes in the back with the seat removed along with camping gear or whatever else we want to bring along! This is one of the main reasons we bought our own plane and picked the one we did.
I’ve used Turo a few times now with some decent success. It’s not always the best option everywhere, but if you use it right it can be a great service.
You need to be thorough in your search. Don’t always expect a car to be “in-town”, so start expanding your search to a 30-mile or so range of the airport and then see if the host is willing to deliver. The listing will show this, and what delivery fees the host charges.
If you have options, choose a vehicle based on the Host’s ratings and feedback, and how often they “Rent” the vehicle. Also choose a vehicle that has a self-check-in option, in case you’re delayed (or need to leave early).
Message the host right after you reserve. Explain to them that you’re flying in and that this may be your only option for transportation from the airport. This gives you a couple things early; an understanding of how responsive your host is, and sets the expectation with them about the nature of the vehicle’s use and the importance to you. You will also need to set the expectation that you may be delayed due to weather or other reasons. Based on your interaction with the host you should be able to determine if this is a good option or not. If not, or you get an uneasy feeling about the host, you can cancel and look for another vehicle or even another transportation option.
Confirm with the host a few days before, about the same time you’re looking at weather forecasts. Also explain that because you’re flying GA you may be delayed due to weather or other reasons. That’s why looking for a self check-in option is ideal.
Lastly, have a back-up plan. Give the airport manager or FBO a head’s up you’re having a car delivered to the airport for you to use. Also ask them what other options there are in case that falls through, including getting a local taxi number if needed.
The worst thing about ground transport is availability and dependability.
The smaller and more remote the airport, the fewer the options.
The airports with enough volume have the major rental car companies. For me they have been the most reliable.
Courtesy cars from FBO’s – vary a lot but location and usually have limits on time, etc.
Uber, Lyft, taxi service – not available in all locations, especially rural areas.
Turo, I have had poor luck with, usually in a over priced.
Go Rentals focus on the more expensive cars and need a minimum volume.
My new favorite: A few FBO’s have started to have there own fleet of rental cars. Galveston (KGLS) is one of those. About the same price as a major rental car company which they do have access to Enterprise as well. Onsite and simple.
Thanks for putting this out into the world, Ben.
A pre-scheduled Uber (or maybe it was Lyft?) left my wife and I stranded one evening at Bardstown airport a year or so ago. Searches for Turo kept getting “rejected” because the vehicle owners were all in L’ville and did not want to make the drive. Luckily the airport manager was able to give us a ride to our AirBnB.
I tried Turo again for a trip that would have us landing in Bowling Green, OH. We found one, but the car owner would be delivering it to BG from Toledo. Sadly, had to drive on that trip due to weather so Turo not needed.
Maybe someone from Turo, EAA, and/or AOPA will see this and the idea will get the promotion needed for it to hit “critical mass”.
My experience with Turo is spotty due to their cancellation policy. Unless it changed, you can be left at the last minute when the “renter” decides to withdraw the offer. Uber (most everywhere) has been convenient but occasionally crappy cars (and drivers). We joke the most dangerous part of the flight is the Uber to the airport….