Categorically, we see the business expanding across the board." Executive Jet Management CEO and President Al Pod's observation succinctly summed up the state of the business aircraft charter industry at the close of 2006. Universally -- among both large and small charter providers -- the business appears to be up 20 to 25 percent over the same period a year ago.

It's 5:30 a.m., and you're taxiing to the assigned runway at a moderate-size regional airport you've navigated a dozen times before. There's been construction on the field since the last time you were here, through, and the taxiway layout has been temporarily altered.

So-called "flight departments" run as an afterthought by the boss's secretary and, in one case, a flight attendant. Jet-powered heavy iron flown exclusively by part-time pilots and temps retained as-needed on a per-flight basis. Revolving doors for "chief pilots" and "maintenance supervisors" and, thus, no operational continuity. A total absence of operations manuals or any form of written SOPs setting out safe and consistent operating policies and, therefore, virtually no adherence to standards. Little or no accountability and neglected or falsified maintenance.