JetSmarter Class Action Arbitration Settlement could be scuttled

JetSmarter

A petition to vacate the proposed class arbitration awards in the case of JetSmarter could lead to more filings, say several lawyers

“It’s never over till it’s over,” said the late Yankees’ Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra. And, the city so nice they named it twice is at the center of one former JetSmarter member’s effort to vacate the current class action arbitration against the jet-sharing company that is currently moving through the system in Florida.

Former JetSmarter member Derek Milosavljevic is seeking to put a stop to the proposed Class Action Arbitration settlement currently taking place in Florida.

A petition filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York is seeking to scuttle a proposed class action arbitration settlement that is due to be approved as soon as early July.

JetSmarter agrees to settle Class Action Arbitration filing

JetSmarter

The jet sharing broker remains the subject of individual lawsuits, however, up to 12,000 members may be eligible for cash and credits under a proposed Class Arbitration settlement

We take an in-depth look at the value of the proposed settlement

Anyone who was a member of JetSmarter from September 5, 2014 until June 19, 2018 should be receiving a Notice of Settlement (Arbitration Matter No. 01-18-0003-3338) as part of a Class Action filed via arbitration last September. It’s estimated as many as 12,000 former and current members of the private jet plane sharing membership program could be eligible.

The proposed settlement offers members of the Class a net distribution of $2,975,000 plus potentially tens of millions of dollars in free membership extensions and flight credits.

The action was filed by Solowsky & Allen, P.L., a Miami law firm, which also apparently negotiated the settlement with JetSmarter. Requests for comment were not returned from either Solowsky & Allen or a second law firm listed on the settlement notice.

BlackBird just raised $10 million to be the Uber of private flying…Here’s what I learned from reading the fine print with an aviation attorney

Fly BlackBird affordable private flights

Blackbird promises to “defy gravity” with inexpensive private flights on private jets, turboprops and piston aircraft. Takeoff with the knowledge that this isn’t a traditional air charter

“We bring you the freedom of flight…No matter who you are, no matter what you do, we all face challenges, obstacles, rules, limitations and frustrations—this daily struggle is gravity that pulls us down and tries to keep us from reaching our potential. Together we will defy gravity.” – BlackBird website

I leased a private aircraft and hired a pilot in less than 10 minutes. Was it legal?

On March 12, 2019, I received a press release from BlackBird CEO and founder Rudd Davis. It was titled, “We just raised $10 million to bring you more freedom.”

It read, “We started BlackBird to make personal aviation as accessible and affordable as driving.  Today, I’m excited to announce, we’ve taken another huge step toward making this a reality with the close of a $10 million Series A.”

CNBC reports on outraged customers, losses and safety concerns at JetSmarter

As JetSmarter tries to pivot to its new business focus of paid seats, crowdsourcing flights and on-demand charter, CNBC has released a scathing profile highlighting the sharing economy private jet service’s troubles previously documented here on Private Jet Card Comparisons

 

A high tech fraud, shell game and bait-and-switch combined with high-pressure sales, ever-changing contract terms, revenue shortfalls, safety issues plus strong-armed tactics with the media, former customers and employees, a profile of a Unicorn gone bad, is the essence of a scathing report by CNBC about JetSmarter.

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