Just out of curiosity, I've noticed significant disparity between how FBOs treat pilots wanting to access their airplanes, especially on airports that have part 121 operations. I've had receptionists at some FBOs be downright rude to me when I've wanted to go out to my airplane to the point of where I've felt held hostage or that they're playing politics with me. Other locations will just open the door and let me out to the ramp. This doesn't seem to be correlated to the proximity of where my airplane is parked to the FBO door, the proximity of the FBO to the 121 passenger terminal or anything similar -- it seems to just be whether or not a receptionist wants to be a cunt.

Is there a regulation that the FBO is misinterpreting to where I'm not supposed to be allowed to access my plane without a badged airport employee present; are they violating something by allowing me out to my plane unsupervised; or is it due to the strictness of local regulators? Are pilots with T-hangars at airports that offer 121 service required to have a badge to get to their hangar?

Each airport seems to be different like that. Passenger terminals are the same way, both at the gates and TSA checkpoints.



I just plan for the worst and hope for the best.

I have jumped fences

The key is to walk through the gate like you belong there

I've never had an issue. If it's not a SIDA area I'd tell the counter girl to open the door. If she refuses then stick you thumb and pointer finger between gap on the sliding doors and twist your hand. The doors will open.

I've never really had a problem.   Every now and then they ask for a tail number which is not unreasonable in my opinion.  You have that whole jobs creation game pretending to be security at Logan which is a PITA.   If someone was hindering me from doing my job I would get loud, quick.  I would also call the FBO manager and involve him/her.

I go and talk with everyone that is on or crossing my ramp, whether they have a badge or not. I have a lot of traffic at my fbo some are transients some are local to the area stopping at our restaurant for breakfast or a burger. As an owner would you feel the fbo is responsible for your plane on their ramp? I bet you would. And you would probably be pissed if some nose picker that didn't belong was sniffing around your plane. Yall probably shouldn't be snippy with someone who is just trying to keep control of access doors to people's assets. your plane is out there but who else's is? And unbadged personnel at airports with security are supposed to be escorted, guess who will be in the hot seat for that, probably not you when you point to the door you accessed the ramp from.

Edit
yes private owners and operators are badged, it is in the airport operations manual, part 139 I believe

Move your plane.

My old field SUA had no fences and just drove my car out on the ramp to my plane anytime I liked.
Post 911  they have fences and badges.

Still a lot of uncontrolled fields that have no fences or restricted access.

At the local FBO, you just drive up to your hangar and do whatever you like.  No gates or fences.  I love it.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-investigation-plane-crash-new-smyrna-beach-20150114-story.html

Stolen plane crashed. From a small unsecured private airport. This selfish bitch flew over my house during her misadventure. It was not a good night to be out flying even if you knew what you were doing, lots of sea fog. she had the keys for the plane that was not in a hanger some how though.

I can remember back in the 90's during bike week on occasion a few bikes would smoke past our hanger and run wide open down the runway and get back out on US1 and blend in with the other bikes, tall perimeter fences were put up about 10 years ago.

http://www.wthr.com/story/3128410/two-die-in-plane-crash-on-purdue-university-campus

If I remember correctly, they were very drunk and the weather was hard IMC. Can't remember in the guy was even VFR rated. They stole the aircraft from the local FBO.

Yes, I wouldn't think of leaving my plane unsecured at an FBO without at least a fence/gate, but I've yet to have a problem with anything inside a locked hangar.  Helps that there's about a dozen 150s/172s tied up outside if someone wants to steal something.  :)

This isn't at my home field; I just walk right through the gate there and it's no issue. There's also a big difference between talking to people and making sure they're supposed to be there and being a front desk employee who knows jack shit about aviation questioning the people your corporate FBO is in the business of fleecing. One of the reasons that I have a hangar is I clearly remember seeing a flyer with a picture of a Bonanza with crushed ruddervators offering a reward for information as to who did it.