Skybus and Greensboro

[travelin' tigger]

OK, I did something kind-of crazy, but hoping my DIS friends can offer me some help. And having NEVER flown with Skybus, I'm looking for a little insight...

Here's the scenario: I was looking for cheap airfare from NE to FL for late Feb. and came across Skybus. Now the flights that worked for me (direct -Portsmouth, NH to St. Augustine, FL) were $161 RT. BUT when I looked into breaking it into 2 legs thru Greensboro I got $88.60 RT - awesome, right? Well, here's the catch: On the flight down, I leave Portsmouth at 7:57AM and arrive in Greensboro at 9:59AM. The next "leg" of my flight departs Greensboro at 10:24AM. Yes, I know I'm cutting it close but here's my thoughts:
The flight from Portsmouth SHOULD be the 1st flight for the plane so we SHOULD leave right on-time (if the weather cooperates) and will HOPEFULLY land on-time or even EARLY??? I'm also assuming that the Skybus gates are located right near each other in Greensboro?? And maybe that might even be the same plane going on to St. Augustine??? I purchased Priority Boarding for the 1st "leg" so I can sit right down front and get off quickly and will be only traveling with a carry-on. Also my BPs will be pre-printed at the 24-hour mark so I should be all set to board the St. Augustine plane as soon as I land. AND, if worst comes to worst and I miss the 2nd leg, I'll just rent a car and drive the last 8.5 hours.

So (ready to be flamed!!) what are your thoughts?? And anyone familiar with the layout/operations of Greensboro airport, is this doable?

 

[NCRedding]

The Greensboro airport (PTI for Piedmont Triad International) is absolutely tiny. I haven't flown from there since Skybus arrived, but there are only two wings to the entire airport, and can be walked one from another in about 3 minutes. It is not a busy airport; even if you have to go from one wing to another, and go thru security again, you'll be OK if your flight in is on-time.

 

[Lewisc]

Skybus doesn't book connecting flights. If you don't get to the gate 10 minutes prior to departure your reservation could be cancelled and your seat given to a standby passenger.

I'd grab the $161 R/T.

 

[BigTigger]

Skybus only has two active gates in Greensboro, so I don't think you'll have an issue there. The bigger issue is New England weather in February causing delays, and you can't do much about that.

 

[dburg30]

Email Skybus and just ask them. You should be fine so long as you can just hop on the plane, and you could be right, it very well could be the exact same plane, they do turn flights in less then 30 minutes.. If that's the case, you cant be late .

 

[Waseller77]

I had considered this as well. My hestitation was having to check in for the second flight. Where do you get your boarding pass? Do you need to go to the check-in counter once you get to Greensboro to get your 2nd boarding pass?

Edited: Just noticed that you'd have your boarding pass printed. I wish you the best luck! Hopefully the weather coorperates!

 

[bstnsprts]

You'll never make it. Remember these are not connecting flights, they are two seperate flights. Skybus will not transfer your luggage. You'll need to retrieve your luggage from the first flight, then check your luggage for the second flight, and go back through security. We're doing the same thing from MA. for Febuary school vacation with Skybus. Got the $10 tickets on both flights, but we are going to stay over in Greensboro both ways. Good luck.

 

[dburg30]

the OP isnt claiming baggage though.. Simply get off one plane, and on the next.. No security... Still, if it's not the same plane, and the first is late at all, they could easily miss

 

[bstnsprts]

the OP isnt claiming baggage though.. Simply get off one plane, and on the next.. No security... Still, if it's not the same plane, and the first is late at all, they could easily miss

Sorry, missed the "just carry on" part. Still cutting it way to close for me. The OP has to remember that Skybus will do nothing for them if they miss the second flight. I know it's been said already, but it can't be stressed enough that these are not connecting flights, rather two seperate flights.

 

[dburg30]

True but knowing the way skybus does their flights, I'd have to look at the schedule, the timing 'looks' about right that it could be the same plane.. IF that's the case, there would be NO problem As it can leave til it gets there.. But unless you knew for sure.. ehhhh... kinda scary .. But I have relatives in GSO so it wouldnt bug me if I missed it

 

[Lewisc]

Airlines will sometimes swap planes if there is a delay. A different plane will go to St. Augustine and the plane the OP is on will wind up going wherever the other plane was going to go.

An interesting question would be if the first flight wa delayed 20 minutes. The OP would not be able to check in 10 minutes before his scheduled flight time and his reservation could be given to a standy customer.

Chances are it would work by Skybus would do nothing to help you if it didn't work.

Skybus could even have a very minor schedule change, and use the first aircraft on a different route.

 

[dburg30]

You have to have a plane to swap Lewis. There COULD be 2 planes arriving close to the same time, so they COULD us the other, but Skybus really doesnt have planes just sitting around or coming in to cover. Also, there really isnt checking in on skybus. If you are there and the doors are open, you give them your boarding pass and get on..

 

[BigTigger]

Skybus has only 5 planes right now and will have 7 by mid-month. For them to have two at any airport at one time is about the most you'd see and even that is rare except first thing in the morning at GSO or CMH. As you can see in this GSO map, their check-in station and gates are pretty close together.

http://www.flyfrompti.com/map_upper.asp

 

[travelin' tigger]

Airlines will sometimes swap planes if there is a delay. A different plane will go to St. Augustine and the plane the OP is on will wind up going wherever the other plane was going to go.

An interesting question would be if the first flight wa delayed 20 minutes. The OP would not be able to check in 10 minutes before his scheduled flight time and his reservation could be given to a standy customer.

Chances are it would work by Skybus would do nothing to help you if it didn't work.

Skybus could even have a very minor schedule change, and use the first aircraft on a different route.

I realize the chance I'm taking has ALOT of factors (weather, delays, mechanics, etc.), but it's the chance I'm willing to take. As I posted, if it falls apart and I either miss the 10 minute window or the flight entirely, there's always rental cars to fall back on. And IF that's what happens, it'd still be about the same cost as the $161 RT.

I'm always game for an adventure and this could surely turn into one!! But judging from some replies about Greensboro and the amount of planes Skybus has, I'd say this is the plane going onto St. Augustine.

Email Skybus and just ask them. You should be fine so long as you can just hop on the plane, and you could be right, it very well could be the exact same plane, they do turn flights in less then 30 minutes.. If that's the case, you cant be late .

I did and got this:
Thank you for contacting Skybus.
Please be advised that, currently, Skybus does not offer any connecting flights (for example, from Los Angeles through Columbus/Greensboro to Boston). And we don’t offer flights between our destination cities (for example, between Los Angeles and San Francisco).
Please note that it’s possible to create your own multi-point Trip through our Columbus/Greensboro hub, but we don’t recommend it. Our flight schedules are very tight, and you may miss your connection. If you do create your own multi-point Trip, please keep the following in mind:
-Skybus is not responsible for any missed connections.
-You must move your own baggage between flights. If you create your own multi-point Trip, you must collect your own baggage at each stop and re-check it yourself – Skybus does not move your bags automatically. For more information, see our Help Center section on baggage.
-You must leave enough time between flights. If you book a multi-point Trip, we recommend that you allow at least two hours between flights. This will help ensure that you have enough time to retrieve and re-check your bags, and be at your gate in time. All of our check in and gate deadlines still apply if you purchase multiple flights.
We hope this information has been helpful and look forward to serving you in the future.
Gail
Skybus

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Remember: Skybus is a "self service" airline - to bring you great low fares we don't operate a call center or have an 800 number to call. However, help and information is available 24 hours a day on our website. Just look for the purple tab labeled "Help Center" at the top right of each page on skybus.com. You'll find answers to the most often-asked questions and lots of additional helpful information. Visit our Help Center now.

Not surprised since they have to cover their butts...

Thanks for all your answers and support. I wanted to get everyone input - good and bad!!

 

[Lewisc]

You have to be 100% sure you won't be forced to gate check your luggage. Double check the dimension and make sure you board early enough to ensure overhead space is available, unless your bag is small enough to stow under a seat.

Your plan won't work if Skybus makes you check a bag.

I don't know if Skybus swaps planes but if you're flight was delayed 30-60 minutes (weather related) Skybus could swap the plane scheduled for the next flight out of NC.

You have a viable plan B so go for it.

 

[travelin' tigger]

You have to be 100% sure you won't be forced to gate check your luggage. Double check the dimension and make sure you board early enough to ensure overhead space is available, unless your bag is small enough to stow under a seat.

Your plan won't work if Skybus makes you check a bag.

Believe me - I'm going to be sure I'm within ALL specs (they're sizes are smaller than SW). I'm used to traveling solo and going down with just carryons - in fact, this upcoming trip will be the 1st time in a LONG time that I'm actually checking a bag!

 

[dburg30]

While their specs are smaller then SW, I saw LOTS of people with pretty darn big carry ons and none of them got questioned.. I mean, of course it's better to be safe then sorry, but if you are close, I wouldnt sweat it..

 

[Lewisc]

While their specs are smaller then SW, I saw LOTS of people with pretty darn big carry ons and none of them got questioned.. I mean, of course it's better to be safe then sorry, but if you are close, I wouldnt sweat it..

Normally the "down side" is having to gate check the bag and pay $5 (or is it $10)? In this case the downside is having to retrieve the bag at NC and then check it for the flight to FL. This can't be done so the downside is having to rent a car and drive from NC to WDW.I think the OP should make sure his carryon isn't over sized or over weight.

At least one poster said Skybus has sizing templates and scales and is making passengers pay to check bags that don't qualify as carryon.

 

[dburg30]

I said it's better safe then sorry, so they should make sure it is in spec.

I'm telling you what I saw when I flew.. Yes there is a template there, I never saw ONE PERSON put their carry on on it. I never saw ONE PERSON have to gate check their bag. I saw LOTS of people with pretty good size roll around 'carry on' that stowed them above the seats with never a 2nd glance.

I'm simply reporting WHAT I SAW, and also that so long as it was within an inch or so, I wouldnt sweat it..

 

[dburg30]

And they've already stated that their bags are in spec as skybus has smaller dimensions.. So here again, they've got it covered.