Traveling is an important aspect of a working entertainer’s life as their presence is solicited for performances and appearances all over the United States and abroad. This constant jet-setting raises logistical and financial challenges, which are further compounded by the size of the entertainer’s traveling party while on the road. In actuality, as their level of sophistication increases, so does the nature of their requests and the cost associated with them. After all, living in the lap of luxury at home obviously translates to the same needs while away from home: from how to get there, what to be driven in once they get there and where to stay while there. The challenge lies in returning home with their wallets intact.
An active entertainer has several transportation options ranging from a charter bus to commercial air travel and even the holly grail of travel, private aircraft. The chartered bus option is well suited for touring musicians as it allows flexibility in scheduling, especially for those overnight drives to the next city. A top of the line bus provides a rolling palace for the artist and his/her entourage from one city to the next. Dollar for dollar, the bus option is the most affordable for a traveling group. The cost of fuel, the driver and the bus rental can come up to at least $2000 per trip.
Flying commercial (First class, of course) works well for specific trips domestically and internationally. The entourage can follow in coach if needs be. This is the most common option, but it lacks privacy and offers very little in terms of flexibility: one is constrained by the airlines’ schedules. This option tends to be costly when there is a lack of planning as a same day purchase usually doubles the price of a ticket. For example, a regular first class seat from NYC to LA may cost $700 in advance and jump up to $1800 for a same day purchase. In an industry where last minute decisions are common, I am sad to admit that the same day option is typical. If there is a situation where a business trip requires the same day purchase, one can dismiss the extra money spent as a cost of business. However, when it comes to the entourage or the groupies, such largesse can become deadly over time.
Speaking of deadly, the private jet option fits the bill as only deep pocketed entertainers or athletes should consider this option. We all know of sports teams chartering or owning big jets as they tend to travel extensively and with a big group. Unfortunately, a few individuals use that option for personal purposes. In that case, a single trip from Miami to NYC in a 10-seat Gulfstream IV can come up to over $20,000 each way, as one has to pay the hourly fees for the leg of the trip when the plane is empty (either while flying to meet the client, or returning to its original destination after the trip). Less expensive options are available with smaller jets, but from my experience the Gulfstream is the aircraft of choice.
An active entertainer has several transportation options ranging from a charter bus to commercial air travel and even the holly grail of travel, private aircraft. The chartered bus option is well suited for touring musicians as it allows flexibility in scheduling, especially for those overnight drives to the next city. A top of the line bus provides a rolling palace for the artist and his/her entourage from one city to the next. Dollar for dollar, the bus option is the most affordable for a traveling group. The cost of fuel, the driver and the bus rental can come up to at least $2000 per trip.
Flying commercial (First class, of course) works well for specific trips domestically and internationally. The entourage can follow in coach if needs be. This is the most common option, but it lacks privacy and offers very little in terms of flexibility: one is constrained by the airlines’ schedules. This option tends to be costly when there is a lack of planning as a same day purchase usually doubles the price of a ticket. For example, a regular first class seat from NYC to LA may cost $700 in advance and jump up to $1800 for a same day purchase. In an industry where last minute decisions are common, I am sad to admit that the same day option is typical. If there is a situation where a business trip requires the same day purchase, one can dismiss the extra money spent as a cost of business. However, when it comes to the entourage or the groupies, such largesse can become deadly over time.
Speaking of deadly, the private jet option fits the bill as only deep pocketed entertainers or athletes should consider this option. We all know of sports teams chartering or owning big jets as they tend to travel extensively and with a big group. Unfortunately, a few individuals use that option for personal purposes. In that case, a single trip from Miami to NYC in a 10-seat Gulfstream IV can come up to over $20,000 each way, as one has to pay the hourly fees for the leg of the trip when the plane is empty (either while flying to meet the client, or returning to its original destination after the trip). Less expensive options are available with smaller jets, but from my experience the Gulfstream is the aircraft of choice.
to be continued...
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