Last edit by: elitetraveler
JetSmarter is a membership program that allows members to fly on empty legs of private jets (JetDeals) and seats on scheduled private jet shuttles (JetShuttle).
JetSmarter - discussion and experiences
#781
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 17
I'm already a Founderscard member, but haven't signed up yet. I'm waiting to try it out a little closer to when my schedule is less hectic (after the holidays).
#782
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 716
As a side note: The Founderscard application/membership process took a couple of days, but they were really pleasant to work with. Having spoken with the JS member acquisition team several times before, the contrast couldn't have been more apparent. FC staff were very polished.
#783
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 469
I just did. It's legit and once you click through, the 3 month trial is activated instantly.
As a side note: The Founderscard application/membership process took a couple of days, but they were really pleasant to work with. Having spoken with the JS member acquisition team several times before, the contrast couldn't have been more apparent. FC staff were very polished.
As a side note: The Founderscard application/membership process took a couple of days, but they were really pleasant to work with. Having spoken with the JS member acquisition team several times before, the contrast couldn't have been more apparent. FC staff were very polished.
#784
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 594
I think you get 1 seat on deals (empties) only. Shuttles you'd buy at normal pricing; no access to them as part of this deal. It's I guess a low cost way to get access (1 seat only mind you) on an empty, for 3 months.
#785
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Greenwich, CT
Posts: 2
FBO security
Hello everyone, I am interested in joining JS and have been in contact with JS and it's sales team. I have flown PJs frequently and often for personal and business. After reading the forum comments; my question is from a members standpoint, can you walk me through the time you get to the FBO to the plane. I have two young children and my wife's concern is the security checkpoint (since there will be strangers sharing the flight). The reason I ask on the forum, I have asked two different salesperson and received two different answers. Is it TSA providing the service? Are you walking through metal detectors? Is your carry on going through X-ray machine? Are there bomb sniffing dogs. Are you seeing different security protocol at various hubs? As we all know, are concern is our health and safety. But traveling with my family, I'd like some additional light shined on this. Thanks in advance.
#786
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
For empty legs, there is typically no screening at all.
For smaller shuttle flights like the King Air 350 used on the west coast, there is also no screening at all.
Transcon flights departing from HPN have a brief screening by a contracted security person and a dog, but the TSA itself is not performing any screening.
Public charters like what JetSmarter arranges have been around for years, and to my knowledge there has not been a single incident related to a passenger trying to do harm to other passengers, although my knowledge is not exhaustive. Plus, I personally don't believe that the TSA is effective at screening passengers for commercial flights anyway. It's definitely not something I'm worried about when I'm flying private.
For smaller shuttle flights like the King Air 350 used on the west coast, there is also no screening at all.
Transcon flights departing from HPN have a brief screening by a contracted security person and a dog, but the TSA itself is not performing any screening.
Public charters like what JetSmarter arranges have been around for years, and to my knowledge there has not been a single incident related to a passenger trying to do harm to other passengers, although my knowledge is not exhaustive. Plus, I personally don't believe that the TSA is effective at screening passengers for commercial flights anyway. It's definitely not something I'm worried about when I'm flying private.
#787
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
Huh? I find it hard to believe that you've really "flown PJ's frequently and often" and don't know about security, or rather lack thereof, for private flights at FBOs.
#788
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
My assumption is that they know that there is no security when they fly private, but they also know everyone else on board so they're not worried about it. I think it's reasonable to ask if JS implements additional security measures when they put strangers together ... and on some flights there is indeed additional screening.
#789
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Greenwich, CT
Posts: 2
The majority of flying that I have done was and has been on family friends personal planes. Where we pull up to the plane and take off. And by frequently/often I mean 10-15 times a year.
I am on here to gain knowledge for the safety of my family traveling with me. THAT'S ALL. Thank you.
I am on here to gain knowledge for the safety of my family traveling with me. THAT'S ALL. Thank you.
#790
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
My assumption is that they know that there is no security when they fly private, but they also know everyone else on board so they're not worried about it. I think it's reasonable to ask if JS implements additional security measures when they put strangers together ... and on some flights there is indeed additional screening.
#791
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 594
Hello everyone, I am interested in joining JS and have been in contact with JS and it's sales team. I have flown PJs frequently and often for personal and business. After reading the forum comments; my question is from a members standpoint, can you walk me through the time you get to the FBO to the plane. I have two young children and my wife's concern is the security checkpoint (since there will be strangers sharing the flight). The reason I ask on the forum, I have asked two different salesperson and received two different answers. Is it TSA providing the service? Are you walking through metal detectors? Is your carry on going through X-ray machine? Are there bomb sniffing dogs. Are you seeing different security protocol at various hubs? As we all know, are concern is our health and safety. But traveling with my family, I'd like some additional light shined on this. Thanks in advance.
#792
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA Plat, UA Club, Marriott/SPG Gold, Fairmont Premier, Amex Plat
Posts: 62
The majority of flying that I have done was and has been on family friends personal planes. Where we pull up to the plane and take off. And by frequently/often I mean 10-15 times a year.
I am on here to gain knowledge for the safety of my family traveling with me. THAT'S ALL. Thank you.
I am on here to gain knowledge for the safety of my family traveling with me. THAT'S ALL. Thank you.
Talking to JS salespeople as well, I can see how you might not have clear answers to your questions! I've also not flown JS, but have kicked the tires and flown some other similar services.
Have you ever been through a private FBO? From parking lot to plane? It's going to be similar, listen to what the actual members are saying. Have you seen metal detectors/security in a private US FBO? There is virtually no formal security (this in fact is a perk). I feel like someone so experienced flying private would understand the infrastructure just a little better, in all but the most strict circumstances. But, again perhaps your an edge case.
Otherwise curious, if you're flying on a private jet once a month, what you're using the service for? transcons/shuttles? You're going to need an account for each family member unless you're just grabbing empties. From a pure business perspective I see the service as very useful for the single road warrior, maybe a couple with great flexibility and an adventurous streak. I've never seen JS as something a full family with multiple might fly. Any other member in a similar situation?
#793
. From a pure business perspective I see the service as very useful for the single road warrior, maybe a couple with great flexibility and an adventurous streak. I've never seen JS as something a full family with multiple might fly. Any other member in a similar situation?
#795
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Wheels Up, Inspirato Pass, Marriott Titanium Elt, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Pres, Ntl P
Posts: 248
I've met persons on shuttles that have their families as members. Initial members were allowed a spouse to be included in their membership as well.