I am so PUMPED! I just got off the phone with Eric Brunner who is ferrying our Waco home to us from El Paso where it has been languishing since April 5th while being repaired!
Eric expects to be here about 11:00 a.m. in the morning. I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep much tonight...
Eventually, after the airplane is finally here, I'd like to tell the story of what happened to it.
But for now I want to tell you that I have heard many horror stories about aviation insurance companies trying not to pay claims. In fact I am watching that happen to the estate of a friend who died in a crash this summer. And maybe it might have happened in my case too. But not with Alejandro Galioto as my aviation insurance agent. I know that without his knowledge, experience, wisdom, judgement, tenacity and relationships that we would have had a much different experience.
And, to top it all off, I have been trying to find a qualified ferry pilot to get the plane home. Friday afternoon at 4:30 I learned that Eric could do it. But, of course, we needed to arrange for insurance approval. So, I emailed, pm'd and called Alejandro for help. When he called back he was at Costco with his kids. It was obviously after business hours on Friday night. He told me that it was 8:30 on Friday night where the underwriter was. So, obviously for 999 out of 1,000 insurance agents it would have been the end of the story until Monday.
My problem was Eric could bring the plane this weekend or in another 4 weeks. I heard from Alejandro a couple hours later that he had gotten the underwriter's approval! I don't know how he did it but I can tell you that it's very very unusual and speaks volumes to me about his relationships. I have always believed (of course) that the agent makes the difference. This is proof.
As it happened I was hosting a number of my partners at dinner while pheasant hunting in South Dakota. I am in the insurance agency business (but even though I have a couple of agencies that sell aviation insurance - I am a committed customer of Alejandro and I hope it's obvious why). I told the assembled group that I wished I could say that our agencies deliver this level of service. It really is, frankly, in my lengthy experience, incredible. His dedication to taking care of his customers is something I hope all of my partners and employees can aspire to.
So, as excited as I am to finally be getting my plane home I am just as excited about Alejandro!
Anyway, photos will be forthcoming...
- there's no need!
