In recent years more people are taking a second look at private charters or more accurately described as non-scheduled, on-demand air charter companies. Typically when you think of a private charter you think rock star or life style of the rich and famous, yet there are a number of smaller private charter services that, when weighed against the pros and cons of the larger carriers, actually compare in price.

When considering a private charter you need to ask yourself what can a private charter offer that the larger airline can't. The single biggest difference is convenience and when you have worked all year for your week's vacation you know the meaning of "time is money." With a private charter you set the schedule. If you can't leave until Tuesday at 10:00 am, then you tell your pilot that is the time you will be leaving. Remember you rent the whole plane and pilot when private chartering. As well, many private charters fly out of smaller more convenient airports and you may be saving time and money getting to the plane, and parking your car. Along with this freedom to choose your schedule comes the responsibility and understanding that any deviations from a predetermined schedule can become costly and that there are factors, like weather, that can change your plans on a moment's notice. Clear communications between you and your pilot/charter service is very important. Be sure once you have arrived that you communicate with your service during your trip to confirm departure times.

Many times the best island getaway destinations are only accessible by boat or small plane, so you not only pick the time of departure but you may be able to pick your actual destination. This is assuming the plane can legally and safely land. The standards are set by the Operation Specifications, approved by the FAA. These limitation and specifications have to be respected. It is the simple law of physics and too often we forget or ignore these laws for convenience sake. A good pilot and charter service will not allow this to happen and will inform you of the plane's limitations beforehand to avoid an embarrassing situation at the time of departure and not to have to leave items or people behind.

• Chartering an Aircraft: A Consumer Guide

There has also been an increase in the number of smaller commuter airlines making regular scheduled flights to more popular and geographically close out-islands such as Great Abaco and Exuma. Vintage Props and Jets out of New Smyrna Beach, Florida has daily flights into Marsh Harbor and Treasure Cay in the Abacos. If your destination is one of the carrier's scheduled destinations then you can save a great deal in your fare. However, should you need to charter, often these same small regional carriers are equipped to arrange them for you. Chuck Pressley with Vintage Props and Jets reminds people when considering private charters, " Expect to spend 1.5 - 1.7 % more for a seat fare." Remember, when inquiring into chartering your own flight, you need to ask about all costs involved. There are landing fees, departure taxes and gratuities you may not have accounted for. Some airports have overtime fees on the weekends. Be sure to get an itemized list of all expenses that will be incurred before leaving. The last thing you want are any surprises when all you have in your mind is a cold one on a quiet beach.

With five of us in our family, we find that when all else is considered, chartering does make sense for us. I appreciate the personal service you receive chartering as well the convenience. It is nice to be able to pull right up to the plane to unload our gear and park the vehicle close by and then take off. No gates, no lines, no lost luggage, no hassles. We called the air charter service hangar the morning of our departure to ask if we had time to grab a bagel and coffee before we left. The response was, "You hired the plane. You leave when you want to." So we did.

We asked what the latest hour was when we could return from a small island airport that closes at sundown and we were told that as long as the sun is up anytime. When we left our island vacation we still had sand in our hair and water in our ears and the smell of sunscreen on our skin. I have to say it was a nice feeling to walk through a waiting area past the others waiting for their planes that was late or missing and walk straight to the plane, load and leave. It was the perfect end to a perfect vacation. Again, we knew going onto this arrangement that should South Florida be experiencing bad weather then we might be looking at another night in the islands. Not always a bad idea but when you are watching your budget this could present problems. One charter pilot shared an experience he had on one charter flight. The pilot was on time yet his party was late. In fact, they were still out fishing. Well, time went by (at the client's expense) and by the time the client arrived it was too late for the pilot to fly. The airport had closed. Now the client had to not only pay additional hourly rates for the pilot, but also pay for the pilot's overnight expenses. Clear communication is essential.

• Air Charter Bahamas
  866-FLY-ISLANDS
• National Air Transport
  561-483-5070
• Sapphire Aviation
  561-687-7967
• Trans Caribbean Air
  888-239-2929
• Vintage Props and Jets
  800-852-0275