25 March 2005

To the Yellow Air Crew:

In the last 20 years, I have flown to the Abacos well over 120 times. As such, I have flown with virtually every airline (aircraft operator) who has ever provided air transport to the Abacos from the Ft. Lauderdale area through Ft. Lauderdale International Airport, the Jet Center and Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport). Last week was my first flight with Yellow Air Taxi.

I wish I had "discovered" your company when you first started flying - perhaps my hair wouldn't be quite so white!

Most of my previous Ft. Lauderdale / Abaco flights have been "acceptable" which unfortunately translates into "endurable". A few flights have been truly scary with serious in-flight equipment failures and poorly qualified, noticeably inexperienced pilots. A few more flights were "experienced" since they were the ONLY transportation option available on a "must fly" day. On more than a few occasions, other airlines' planes just didn't show up at the designated airport -- no explanations, no airline personnel, no notice and definitely no planes.

My Yellow Air flights to and from Treasure Cay (3/18/05 and 3/27/05 respectively) were, without any exception, absolutely perfect. The professionalism of your "just inside the front door" offices in the Fort Lauderdale International Airport's Jet Center (and the courteous, friendly, intelligent and professional Yellow employee who handled our check in and safety-first luggage "weigh in") was as good as it ever gets. Yellow's branded bottles of drinking water offered yet another touch of Yellow's exceptional customer comfort focus. Our pilot was crisp, clean, appropriately dressed, friendly and knowledgeable. His personal 360 degree, walk-around preflight inspection and checkout of the equipment was impressive and very professional.

And then there's the actual aircraft. After we got over the impact of your superbly identified (branded) planes -- obviously not the standard "2-steps-from-the-scrapheap" loaner equipment from an unknown, behind-the-scenes charter company, we were VERY pleasantly by the fact that Yellow's plane had no torn seats, no "spider vein" windows, no peeling vinyl and no "never cleaned" carpeting in the aisle!

Amazing ... an impeccably clean, professionally operated plane (where even the air-conditioning equipment works!!) destined for the Abacos!

Regarding Yellow's Abaco presence, your "look" (customer service counter, signage, employee demeanor, branding and related) is professional, clean, well-organized and extremely customer-focused. The check-in / weigh-in was just as fast, professional, smooth and well-organized as it was stateside. And, as an added bonus, due to your station agents' professionalism and efficiency, the flight actually departed a few minutes BEFORE it's announced departure time.

My wife and I are (unfortunately) accustomed to serious counter area disorganization, uncaring and "clueless" airline employees (who dress as if they were going to a street festival) and, in general, an unacceptably high level of highly visible UNprofessionalism. I expect a certain amount of laid-back,"island style" behavior in the Abacos' restaurants, resorts, vacation rentals and related businesses, but in airline operation and management, I expect a high level of efficiency and professionalism. I can always choose to leave a restaurant or resort if the service is terrible, the food unedible or the accommodations are unacceptable. I obviously don't have an "exit option" with an airline that's apparently operated on the outside of marginal safety standards.

I very sincerely thank you for making my first experience with Yellow Air Taxi into a perfect start and equally perfect finish of an excellent vacation. After firsthand experience with the professionalism and safety-focused operation of Yellow Air, I can't imagine why anyone would voluntarily chose to fly with anyone else! In the future, if Yellow flies anywhere near where my business or leisure travel takes me, you can absolutely count on Yellow Air Taxi being my first choice in air transport.

Very sincerely and appreciatively,

RCG