Any Skybus updates?

[LeslieG]

I'm getting nervous about waiting for Skybus to open dates past 12/15. Seats on SW are getting booked pretty quickly. Anybody perhaps from the Columbus area have any news?

 

[Lewisc]

What airports are you flying from/to? Skybus doesn't offer connecting flights.

Skybus is one snow storm away from a complete disaster. No phone service. No other commercial flights at some of their airports.

 

[pr surfer]

Such as airports?

Rumors among the airlines are either SFB (Orlando-Sanford) or LAL (Lakeland-Linder Field). LAL is about the same distance from WDW that SFB is, and also holds the ability to be marketed as "Orlando-Tampa."

They start service to St. Augustine (Daytona-Jacksonville according to them) next month.

I flew them last month FLL-CMH then CMH-BUR, and honestly, I wouldn't fly them if I had to pay more than $40 for my seats. With all of the "amenities" they charge for, I'd rather pay less overall on any other carrier.

 

[LeslieG]

Well, actually, we're a family of four flying from Columbus to Burbank or Oakland. The idea of flying RT to California for potentially a hundred dollars for all four of us is very appealing.

 

[pr surfer]

factor in the added cost of having to pay to check bags, their limits on carry-ons, and their charging for everything... it might end up costing you more

 

[Lewisc]

You can keep looking. IF you can grab one of the $10 fares you'll get a good deal. The other fares aren't that much cheaper, particularly when you add on all the extras.

I wouldn't be surprised if the a lot of the $10 fares are quickly grabbed "on spec" from passengers who don't know if they'll be using the ticket but want to grab it before it's gone.

 

[LeslieG]

Well, it might be my only option now. We want to fly a couple days after Christmas, and everything now is very expensive. I guess I should have anticpated it, but SW just opened their fares yesterday, and already all the cheaper seats are gone.

 

[CarolA]

Such as airports?

.

St Augestine comes to mind.

I agree with Lewis on this one. We will see if they survive, but I wouldn't buy stock.

 

[pr surfer]

St Augestine comes to mind.

I agree with Lewis on this one. We will see if they survive, but I wouldn't buy stock.

I think they'll survive. They're filling the market niche here that Ryanair and Easyjet fill in Europe. The Ultra-Low Cost Carrier.

Personally, I don't think I'll fly them again as I have no reasons to go to CMH, and when in Florida, I like to fly out of MCO or TPA, both of which are served by every US Legacy carrier and most Low-Cost carriers imaginable.

 

[CarolA]

I think they'll survive. They're filling the market niche here that Ryanair and Easyjet fill in Europe. The Ultra-Low Cost Carrier.

Personally, I don't think I'll fly them again as I have no reasons to go to CMH, and when in Florida, I like to fly out of MCO or TPA, both of which are served by every US Legacy carrier and most Low-Cost carriers imaginable.

And the second paragraph of your post points out he much bigger issue. Where this one flies to. If I fly to "alternative" airports in Europe, I can generally take public transport to the city. If I fly to St. Augestine in FL there's no alternative transport and rental cars are probably going to be higher. (Smaller fleets)

Some of thier airports are fine, some of the airports Skybus is using are "marginal" at best.

 

[pr surfer]

And the second paragraph of your post points out he much bigger issue. Where this one flies to. If I fly to "alternative" airports in Europe, I can generally take public transport to the city. If I fly to St. Augestine in FL there's no alternative transport and rental cars are probably going to be higher. (Smaller fleets)

Some of thier airports are fine, some of the airports Skybus is using are "marginal" at best.

I actually have a major preference for BUR over LAX, but aside from that airport, there's not any other airport they serve that's more convenient for me.

I can't believe they can market RIC as Washington, DC. To me, that makes as much sense to me as marketing San Diego as LAX.

As for Europe, I still refuse to fly Ryanair and Easyjet. I'll take Air Berlin or Vueling for my LCC's there. In fact, for my August Repo cruise, I'm flying to Paris for a few days beforehand, then taking Vueling to BCN for €66

It's too early to call, but I predict Skybust.

 

[KCMiller]

I hope I haven't made a huge mistake booking Skybus from Columbus to JAX for our trip in September, but we were going to rent a car anyway, and me and my DD17 are flying RT for under $200 (both of us, including taxes and such) - that's half of any other fares I've been able to find.

I'm haunting their website to see when the fares later in December and onward open up - I'll go anywhere on vacation for $20 rt (well, almost - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for LA or San Diego, to go back to DL !)

KC

 

[pr surfer]

I hope I haven't made a huge mistake booking Skybus from Columbus to JAX for our trip in September, but we were going to rent a car anyway, and me and my DD17 are flying RT for under $200 (both of us, including taxes and such) - that's half of any other fares I've been able to find.

I'm haunting their website to see when the fares later in December and onward open up - I'll go anywhere on vacation for $20 rt (well, almost - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for LA or San Diego, to go back to DL !)

KC

they're not flying to JAX... they're flying to SGJ (St. Augustine/St. John's County airport)

 

[dburg30]

I hope I haven't made a huge mistake booking Skybus from Columbus to JAX for our trip in September, but we were going to rent a car anyway, and me and my DD17 are flying RT for under $200 (both of us, including taxes and such) - that's half of any other fares I've been able to find.

I'm haunting their website to see when the fares later in December and onward open up - I'll go anywhere on vacation for $20 rt (well, almost - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for LA or San Diego, to go back to DL !)

KC

Yea, you posted in another thread, and you said JAX, as the pp said, it's st augustine, so I dont remember you acknowledging that you realize it's NOT JAX you are flying into. I just hope that you havent made rental car ressies at JAX as you'll be a little disappointed..

 

[KCMiller]

Thanks, and I'm a little worried - the website for the St. Augustine makes it look like they have to shoo chickens off the runway . . .

It'll be an adventure!

KC

 

[CarolA]

If you are flying out of St. Augestine. Give yourself EXTRA time. I have read (but have no confirmaton) that they do not have xray machines for checked luggage. Therefore the TSA does a hand search. Make sure they have time to hand seach so your luggage is not the luggage left for the next flight!

 

[Lewisc]

Some of the airports Skybus is using, not sure which, Skybus is the only scheduled airline with only one or two flights a day. TSA is following the same procedures they follow for a charter flight and bringing screeners just for those flights. I'm sure Carol is right, that will mean hand searching of luggage. The next flight will probably be the next day and I'm it'll be your responsibility to get your luggage.

edited to add the same issues may occur with rental cars. Years ago I had to wait an hour at the Alamo desk. You can believe a rental counter that's only servicing one flight a day isn't likely to have the kind of staff, and possibly even express return, that the agencies have in the major airports. I think some of the rental agencies are shuttling you to a local office. Again, stick with carryon luggage and run to the rental desk. The difference between the first person on line and the last person on line could easily be more then an hour.

Passengers (gamblers) using Skybus might try to make do with carry on luggage.

If you are flying out of St. Augestine. Give yourself EXTRA time. I have read (but have no confirmaton) that they do not have xray machines for checked luggage. Therefore the TSA does a hand search. Make sure they have time to hand seach so your luggage is not the luggage left for the next flight!

 

[chaking]

Well I have to respond to all this talk about Skybus' extra charges. You guys are making it out to be something it isn't -- I just checked Delta's checked baggage rates, and they are almost identical. The most you would pay in difference is 10 dollars (Since skybus charges 5 bucks for the first two checked bags)

Check out Delta's rules:
Allowed: 2 bags 50lbs or less -- Free
*If your bag is over 50lbs, there will be a $25 fee.
**If you bring more than 2, it's $50 for each extra bag.
***If your bag is between 70-100lbs then it will be a $100 charge.
****No bags are allowed over 100lbs.

Essentially the same scheme - But for some reason people seem to think Skybus is bad by pointing to it as some obscurity in the airline industry.

How about snacks on the flight? let's look at what Delta gives you -

Flight equal to or less than 1.5 hours you can choose 1 of the following:
* Parmesan Peppercorn Cheese Spread
* Pepperidge Farm Crackers
* Cran/Golden Raisin Mix
* Walker's Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie
Flight equal to or less than 3.5 hours you can choose 1 of the following:
* Frito Lay Sun Chips
* Quaker® Granola Bars
* Dry roasted peanuts
* Biscoff Cookies
* Lance® Honey Peanut Butter Crackers
Flight that's longer than 3.5 hours you can choose 1 from the 1.5 hour category and 1 from the 3.5 hour category. Which means you can eat Dry Roasted Peanuts AND Pepperidge Farm Crackers!! WOWZORS! That's definitely worth an extra hundred bucks easily! <-sarcasm

As far as entertainment - Let's go on back to Delta. Delta has a new inflight entertainment feature that lets you pick some tv or movie to watch. But it costs 5 bucks each. (wow - I can't believe they are charging for individual services! Who does that?)

So what exactly do the major airlines give you extra? About the only thing I can think of is a loading ramp (you walk on the tarmac for skybus planes). Major airlines also fly into the major airports, skybus does not. This is good and bad. It's bad because most services are located in major airports. It's good because it cuts down flight delays, flight costs, and traffic.

People railing on skybus have yet to give me good reasons not to fly it.

 

[CarolA]

Delta has LOTS of flights into MCO. Skybus has ONE daily flight into St. Augestine. If the Skybus plane breaks you are STUCK. If the Delta plane breaks you will eventually get to MCO.....

That alone is a consideration.

As for major airports vs. smaller ones. As a general rule smaller airports are nice for flight arrival and departure. However, you pay for that on the transportation side.


Delta flies to MCO. Skybus flies to St. Augustine. At MCO you have a choice of DME and/or LOTS of rental cars. At St Augustine you have Enterprise....


If something does happen Delta has a phone line (granted it's not great) that you can call to work on the issue. Let me know when you find the Skybus phone number.

Since the DIS places a HUGE amount of emphasis on assigned seating. Delta has it Skybus has the following:
"We use “open” seating, and board by groups. We don’t assign seats, but you can purchase Priority Boarding if you’d like to be among the first to board. In general, the sooner you check in the more seats you’ll be able to choose from. To learn more about Priority Boarding, click here. "
In other words... Assigned seating $10 a pop.... Not "industry standard", but it may be eventually. (And Skybus doesn't even give you the 24 hour check in SW does. If you have to sit with junior either pay up are arrive EARLY!)


And as for luggage.

Delta gives you TWO FREE pieces under 50 lbs.

Skybus gives you ZERO FREE pieces under 50 lbs.
IMHO that's not "Essentially the same scheme "

Now if you live in Columbus this might still be the way to go (although the limited flights etc would make me nervous.) Howver if you live in Hartford or some other city and are going to MCO remember that you have to claim your luggage and recheck in Columbus. All fees must be paid twice. (Luggage, "priority" boarding) Also, you need to really read the booking info and other info on thier website There is one statement that would REALLY concern me if I was doing a "connection" "If you miss your flight there are no refunds and no credit towards another. " There is also a statement that there is no standby. So if the flight INTO Columbus is delayed and you miss the flight to your destination, you could be vacationing in lovely Columbus Ohio

 

[chaking]

1) As I said in the previous post, 2 bags will cost you 10 dollars with skybus. Most other airlines will allow for 2 free bags. Other than that charge, it IS essentially the same scheme. If you don't have checked baggage its a steal, since you don't have to pay for other people's baggage (as you do on most other airlines).

2) If the Skybus plane breaks (which btw would be LESS likely than most all of the other major airlines since they ordered 65 brand new planes), then they fly another one there and take you late. Yes you will be late, but if a plane breaks down at any airport with any airline, you will be late.

3)Sure, you will probably have to travel further. Check the rental rates etc and see if it makes sense. If you save a lot of money, then it makes sense. If you don't, then don't do it.

4)The no phone service could be problematic. It won't change anything, but it will possibly keep you in the dark until the problem is resolved. And as far as that is concerned, if you have proper private insurance coverage, you shouldn't have a problem getting a room for the night if things don't work out.

5)Seating is either a plus or not depending on which viewpoint you are coming from. If you get a ticket on delta later than most people, you will be stuck with a bad seat. With skybus, you could get a good seat no matter when you book your flight. There's always a good and bad.

6) Vacationing in lovely Columbus is not a bad idea!

All I'm trying to say is that skybus is not as bad as most people make it out to be. The only real concern is the lack of phone service and the trouble of connecting flights. But, if you can find the right price, it's not too bad of a thing. Airlines are notorious for messing with people's plans, lets not act like the major ones are trouble free.