Last winter, my family and I planned what was supposed to be the perfect ski getaway to Telluride, Colorado. The kids were excited, my wife had meticulously packed our gear, and I was looking forward to some much-needed time on the slopes. But what unfolded was anything but perfect. It was a nightmare—one that made me swear off commercial flights for good.
Our journey started in Austin, Texas. We were flying to Telluride, but since there’s no direct commercial flight, we had to connect through Houston. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. We arrived at the airport early, only to find our flight from Austin delayed due to weather. No big deal—or so I thought. That delay caused us to miss our connection in Houston. We were stranded, with three kids, in a crowded terminal for four hours waiting for the next available flight. The kids were restless, hungry, and their iPads were dead (of course, they forgot their chargers). My wife was already stressed, and we hadn’t even left Texas yet.
When we finally boarded our connecting flight to Montrose (the nearest airport to Telluride), we thought the worst was behind us. But when we landed, we discovered that our luggage—including all our ski gear—hadn’t made it. Imagine arriving at a ski resort with no jackets, no boots, and no warm clothes in the middle of winter. We spent the first two days of our trip scrambling to buy new gear, which wasn’t cheap. The kids were freezing and miserable, and honestly, so were we.
To top it off, the 1.5-hour drive from Montrose to Telluride was brutal. The steep, winding roads through the mountains were covered in snow and ice. As someone who doesn’t drive in snow often, I was on edge the entire time. My wife was stressed out, which only enhanced the kids’ fear, and the tension was palpable. What should’ve been a short trip felt like an eternity. By the time we finally settled into our rental, we were exhausted. The vacation I had envisioned—a relaxing time on the slopes with my family—was already off to a disastrous start.
Fast forward to this year, and we decided to try something different and join LIVTs Pilatus Jet Card. A friend recommended LIVT, a provider of private plane memberships, that focuses on regional private jet memberships, where they offer Pilatus Pc12 Jet Card joined with the Citation XLS. LIVT made it easy for me to understand all of the aviation lingo and the also provided a Private Jet Card Comparison, helping me understand how I would spend my money. I was still hesitant as I simply felt like I was misusing my family’s money, yet the memory of last year’s chaos was enough to convince me to give it a try.
We arrived at the airport in Austin at the FBO just 15 minutes before our flight—no security lines, no waiting. Our bags were loaded directly onto the plane, and within minutes, we were airborne. We flew directly into Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), just minutes from the resort. No connecting flights, no lost luggage, no stress. This was a far cry from the typical Austin private jet charter experience I had imagined—it was more personal, efficient, and family-friendly than I ever expected.
When we landed in Telluride, our bags were waiting for us. The entire process was seamless. Within 15 minutes of landing, we were in our rental car, heading to the slopes. The kids were relaxed, my wife was smiling, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like the vacation started the moment we left home.
Yes, flying private is more expensive, and not everyone has the luxury to afford it. But after experiencing both commercial travel and private charter flights Austin travellers now have access to, I can confidently say it’s worth every penny. The time we saved, the stress we avoided, and the quality of the trip made it an easy decision. I’ve worked hard to afford these experiences, and buying back my time and peace of mind is invaluable.
No more missed flight connections. No more lost luggage. No more stressful drives in snowstorms. Just smooth, hassle-free travel that lets me focus on what matters most—spending quality time with my family.
If you’re tired of the commercial airline chaos, do yourself a favor and explore LIVT’s private jet Austin solutions. Whether you’re interested in a flexible Pilatus Jet Card, Citation XLS Jet card or a streamlined Austin private jet service tailored to your lifestyle, this isn’t just about luxury—it’s about reclaiming time, comfort, and control.
Member Testimonial
Dane Charbonnet
Get up to 50% discounts on private flgihts
