Today marks day 74 since my son Scott J. Beigel was shot and killed senselessly at the Parkland massacre. I have waited all this time in hopes that the owner of Talon Air, Inc.. would show some compassion, but as you read on you will see that unfortunately he has not.
On February 14th, at approximately 2:30pm, after hearing that a geography teacher and cross- country coach had been shot at Margory Stoneman Douglas HS in Parkland, FL., my husband, my brother (Mark Peters), an...d I were frantically trying to find the next commercial flight down to Florida ~ that teacher and coach was my son and I had to find out what hospital he was in because I had to be with him. We took to our computers searching every airline that could get us to Florida from Islip, LaGuardia, JFK or Newark. Long story short, due to school having winter break and a major PGA golf tournament taking place in Florida, there were no available flights to be had. Without taking an extra second we got on the phone and proceeded to call charter plane companies pretty much begging to get us on a flight down to Ft. Lauderdale, the closest airport to the command center. We explained our circumstances to Talon Air, Inc. and they said they could have a plane ready to go in 90 minutes.
We were out the door within 15 minutes, headed straight to Farmingdale where we signed the necessary forms, handed them a credit card and were on our way. The pilots were more than accommodating and truly seemed to understand our “as best as could be held together hysteria”. We landed, got into a rental car and were at the Marriott command center by 9:40pm. The rest of the story is history or, as I refer to it, my living nightmare.
Soon thereafter we received the bill from Talon Air, Inc.. Even though I had never chartered a plane before, I knew it was going to be super expensive. It didn’t matter what the cost ~ I had to get to my son! Talon Air, Inc. not only charged us $18,229.57 one way ~ they charged us another $18229.56 to bring the plane back to Farmingdale because they did not have anyone wanting to charter the plane back from Ft. Lauderdale. REALLY???
Now anyone who knows me knows that I have never taken to social media to write a negative
review about a company. This being said ---
We called and emailed Talon Air, Inc. and explained and re-explained our circumstances. From the $36,459.13 bill they offered us a $1000.00 discount or a $2000.00 donation to the charity of our choice. After much back and forth, they agreed to reduce our $36,459.13 charge to $34,459.13. I ask, “Are you kidding me?”
I have no problem accepting that I have to pay for one way, even the fuel charge for the return flight… but $18,229.56 for the return of the plane? Where is the compassion from Talon Air, Inc.??? After February 14th JetBlue offered 30 days for any flights to and from Florida at no cost to the victims’ families. They even gave us a special # to call so that they could help make our flight arrangements. JetBlue could not have been more accommodating and understanding.
I ask anyone reading this post to not even consider chartering a plane from Talon Air, Inc.. There are many more charter companies available and I would bet way more compassionate and understanding.