Are we nuts? Honestly!
Why would you fly a passenger for someone else for anything less than what you would normally charge?
You work hard for every penny you get. Why should anyone else earn money for your efforts?
Sky Ride, Thrilliant, Bilateral, Spot Reservations Gadzuk, Any of these names ring a bell?
There are many operators (like me) who have lost thousands of dollars, in fact I would easily believe ten's of thousands on these guys.
Just don't do it. Honestly. When they call me I am full. No room Sorry, The only way they can stay in business is if someone will fly their people. Don't!!!!!!
Fly your people and the prospective passengers will have only one choice. Fly with the people who own and operate the balloon.
Recently on HotAirBalloonist.com we have started to offer Balloon Ride Gift Certificates. We do this because we are selling them at a rate where we can pay the operator who takes the passenger their FULL RATE. That is how we believe it should be done. Yes there is a market for Gift Certificates where the passenger does not know where he or she wants to fly. Yes we need a national ticket seller of some kind. Shouldn't it be one of US? Should it not be a balloon pilot of some kind?
If you are reading this and want to help please become a member of this site. Every dollar helps us take out the middle man and promote the real balloonist's
Thanks