Scheduled an instructional flight in the Lake Amphibian by phone over a month ago. Checked it was still set before heading out to Vegas. Was excited to fly an 'amphib' -- I have my FAA sea-plane rating but that was years ago and all in float planes. Got there a few minutes early on a quiet Friday morning.
One student in the office, who didn't speak much English. The lady behind the desk has gone to the bank, he said. 15 minutes. Well I waited. And waited. I called the phone number, only to hear it ring unanswered in the empty office. I settled in and read some Flying magazines on the desk. The whole place was sad and decrepit.
About 40 minutes past my scheduled time an elderly gentleman who worked for Sheble came in and asked who I was waiting for. He checked their schedule and saw my name on the Lake aircraft, correct phone number, date and time. But told me the Lake wasn't even in the State. Wasn't due back for a month. Oh.
Well how about another plane then I asked. We don't have any instructors today, he said. "They" screwed up, he said. He did not seem surprised. He did not apologise or offer any ideas.
Total waste of my time and the rental car fee. They coudn't bother to call me last week? Or yesterday? Or this morning? Or at least tell me when I turned up, on time?
Don't waste your time and money. Run away from this dying school. I've had loads of great experiences at the North Vegas airport renting cool planes with other companies, and I hope you do too.