Airport Chair Massage

[Babby Joshua Christomato]

Hi All,I just joined this board and was wondering if anyone here does chair massage at airports?  I recently started doing this, and there are all sorts of restrictions in KY on promoting the business.I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or helpful advice?Thanks, and I look forward to reading all the wonderful posts on this and other topics.Marie

 

[Not I]

Airport Chair Massage

Hi there...I was in an airport in Atlanta and saw a massage retail shop. Out of curiousity, I went in to check it out. The rates they were charging were outrageous but I realize they had to charge that much as I believe the airport was charging them a tremendous rental fee for the shop. They didn't have a whole lot of clientele in there while I was there but that doesn't mean anything. Good luck in your endeavor to set up massage at an airport. Just expect there to be extravagant fees charged to you.Be well,Jen

 

[Pompal 09.]

Airport Chair Massage

Yea, we looked into setting up shop in Hartsfield International last year and the rent was OUTRAGEOUS!!I doubt very seriously, based on our meeting with the powers that be, that Massage in and of itself would do THAT well in That airport. Even with all the people that come thru there.In the end, we decided that it was too much of a hassle to even THINK about getting into a bidding war over the limited space they MAY have had available.Good luck to you where ever you land!

 

[WHY]

Newark Liberty Internati Airport Chair Massage

years ago i read an article in a women's magazine about 3 such businesses.

then i did a google on airport massage.. found this:

http://www.amtamassage.org/journal/massage_bars.html

and this from about.com:

Newark Liberty International Airport d_parture spa offers chair massage, spa pedicures combines with massage, and cuts, color and manicures. d_parture spa has two Newark airport locations: Terminal C at Gate 92 and Terminal B across from the Duty Free shop. In addition, The Terminal B location offers oxygen therapy and has a private room for full-body massages and European facials. http://www.departurespa.com D-Parture Spa has another location in Orlando, Florida.

Also in Newark, The Massage Bar in Terminal A offers 15-minutes of seated massage for $21 or 30 minutes for $39. Ten minutes of foot refexology is $15. A second kiosk location is in Newark's A-3 connector. The Massage Bar also has two locations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a location at Nashville International Airport; and a kiosk on Concourse B at Washington Dulles International Airport. For more infomation go to http://www.massagebar.com

JFK International Airporthas a new full-service branch of the New York-based Oasis Day Spa at JetBlue Airways Terminal 6. Treatments are tailored to travelers, with express options. It has chair massage as well as a 30-minute full-body table massage and facials. Manicures, waxing, and facials are also available. http://www.oasisdayspanyc.com.

Detroit International Airport -- This airport has an underground passage with a trippy light show and New Age music. If you need more, the OraOxygen Spa by Gate A45 gives oxygen treatments, as well as facials, manicures, pedicures,a and massages, including foot massages and a 90-minute hot-stone massage. You can even take showers. OraOxygen also has branches in Alberta's Calgary International Airport and in Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. http://www.oraoxygen.net.

Baltimore-Washington International Airporthas two Destination Relaxations -- one is a chair-massage kiosk on Pier B and the other a full-service store on Pier D that offers table and chair massages, as well as foot and hand rubs. http://www.destination-relax.com.

At Pittsburgh International Airport Polished offers foot, hand, back, neck and shoulder massages, manicures, pedicures, make-up applications and men's grooming services. It's located at the beginning of Concourse A, after security.

Boston's Logan Airport recently got its own branch of Polished, in Terminal C, just before the security checkpoint at Gates 25-36. http://www.polishedonline.com.

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport has the Backrub Hub, offering neck and back massages in Terminal 3 (by the American and Delta gates). Massages also are offered at the full-service health club at the O'Hare Hilton, accessible via pedestrian tunnels from the terminal. http://www.ohare.com.

Denver International Airport is served by two locations of A Massage Inc. You can get a haircut or massage (chair or table) at the location on Concourse B. The other is in the Main Terminal, on Level 6. http://www.flydenver.com

British Columbia's Vancouver International Airport has three locations of Absolute Spa. Services include massage, pedicures, manicures, facials, and oxygen treatments. Absolute is located before the security gates in the International Departures area; past security in the U.S. Departures area; and in the Fairmont Hotel in the International Terminal. http://www.absolutespa.com.

 

[ConfusedArmyChick]

Thanks for the links.  I know chair massage works much better where there is a lot of traffic, like at a major airport or hub.  Unfortunately, in Kentucky, we are hidden in a corner and there are limits to advertising regulated by the Airport Authority.  People who are used to the service seem surprised that we are not busier,  yet the locals are saying "gee, what a good idea" ... yet they want it for free... LOLAnyway ... I'll keep plugging away.  Is there anyone out there that actually does it successfully?Thanks, Marie

 

[Calmdelirium]

Airport Chair Massage

It all depends on what you call succesful.Airport chair businesses have a great number of obstacles to overcome1) Airports usually charge a very high rent due to the captive nature of the clientele. Look at McD's airport prices, they have to pay the rent. For some reason, too many of the chair operations charge $1/minute while every other business in the concourse is gouging.2) The business is open 7 days a week, more than 12 hours a day which means you have to be there a lot and3) You have to have a couple of managers you can trust, which means fixed costs4) You have to find employees you can trust. this business is ripe for cash paying customers, for which there is not a record. Ask a bar owner how much cash his bartenders get for drinks, you will be amazed at how much never makes it to the till

 

[What ever...]

Airport Chair Massage

Was considering offering this on a limited basis but seems to be more trouble than it's worth. Thanks for all the great feedback.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Airport Chair Massage

Was considering offering this on a limited basis but seems to be more trouble than it's worth. Thanks for all the great feedback.

CHO is too small a market and the flights are at odd times -- primarily early AM and late PM to connect to hubs.

 

[FireFop]

Airport Chair Massage

I've got an interview with Massage Bar at Cleveland Hopkins airport tomorrow. Anything you folks would like me to ask them while I've got the opportunity?

Kat

 

[smilez]

Airport Chair Massage

I've got an interview with Massage Bar at Cleveland Hopkins airport tomorrow. Anything you folks would like me to ask them while I've got the opportunity?

Kat

Nothing to ask... but, please let the readers know how it went and what they can expect.

It should be very informative, as you always come up with thoughtful posts.

 

[mellodramatic911]

Airport Chair Massage

Thanks for the links.  I know chair massage works much better where there is a lot of traffic, like at a major airport or hub.  Unfortunately, in Kentucky, we are hidden in a corner and there are limits to advertising regulated by the Airport Authority.  People who are used to the service seem surprised that we are not busier,  yet the locals are saying "gee, what a good idea" ... yet they want it for free... LOLAnyway ... I'll keep plugging away.  Is there anyone out there that actually does it successfully?Thanks, Marie

With the limits on advertising and people expecting it for free, why not promote it on the internet. Facebook, Twitter etc seem to be the way to go and offer coupons or some other incentive to get them interested. Are you allowed to partner with other businesses in the airport and swap coupons? For example, buy a coffee at one store and get a voucher for you. Or get a massage from you and get a free coffee elsewhere.

Once they're on the seat and feel how relaxing it is, they will no doubt be willing to pay for more, a longer massage or foot, hand etc that is, not anything dirty lol

 

[Ot paype]

Airport Chair Massage

Nothing to ask... but, please let the readers know how it went and what they can expect.

When I went to interview with Massage Bar at our local airport, I met the manager and assistant manager in the ticketing area, since I wasn't approved to go through security. We sat down, and the manager asked me several questions about what I hoped to get out of working there, etc. I gave a 5 minute sample massage to the assistant manager right there. She seemed to be looking for pretty firm pressure, but I don't know if that was a business decision or personal preference. They explained how their business works, which is as follows:

-Massage therapists are employees, but are paid by the massage.
-The pay is $5 per 15 minute massage.
-Shifts are 6 hours, and employees work between 1 and 4 days each week.
-Therapists are guaranteed $50 per 6 hour shift. So if you do 2 massages in six hours, you get paid $50. 7 massages, $50. But if you do 11 massages, you make $55, $60 for 12 massages, etc.
-You are responsible for inviting people to come get a massage, doing a brief intake, and handling payment, so three 15 minute massages in one hour is really the maximum possible, in an ideal world.
-Massage Bar is open 365 days a year. If you work holidays, you get paid time and a half, but if you want the day off, you need to find someone to cover your shift. There is no "vacation" time.
-Parking isn't free at any airport that I know of. If you can take public transportation, you'll save yourself a bundle.
-The uniform is black pants, shoes, and socks, with a company polo shirt.

Once they decided to offer me the job, they explained that I would have to come and get fingerprinted at the airport. I was happy to hear that I wouldn't need to pay for it myself. They mentioned that airport background checks often take over a month to process, and they would not guarantee any particular shift until after it had been totally completed.

They offered me the position, but I decided not to take it. While I enjoy chair massage, I didn't feel like it was the best fit for my goals and schedule.

Hope this was helpful!

Kat

 

[virginia ramirez]

Airport Chair Massage

You should put that on your blog.

Very insightful!