Why I Push You Off The Ground At 7AM On December 26th

The Conversation Every Client Agrees With
Whenever I bring up the usual ATC delays in the US market on these days, every client agrees they want to adjust their departure time. Then they hear what that actually means, leaving as early as 6:30AM or 7:00AM, and they decide against it.

Then The Delay Pops Up
The day comes, the delay pops up, and the regret starts.

What The Numbers Look Like
This isn't true for everyone, but if you know your client is a morning person, you should be offering it to them. Take Aspen to New York on December 26th. With a 7:00AM departure, your client could be back in New York by 1:00PM, time change included. The same trip leaving at 10:00AM could get a 3 hour ATC hold for traffic and land your client at 7:00PM. The difference can be stark.

Pick Your Moments
This doesn't hold for every peak day, so pick your moments. As a broker, your value shows up in these small decisions you offer your clients.

Six Hours For An Early Alarm 
Nobody loves a 6:30AM wheels-up after a holiday week in the mountains. But one early morning against six hours of your day is a trade most people would take if they could see both sides ahead of time. My job is to show them both sides before the 26th, not to say "I told you so" on the ramp.