Skybus to FL?

[debster812]

Why is it every time the name Skybus comes up, the same couple of people jump on the thread (LewisC, for example) continually pound their point home that Skybus is bad idea. I don't mind stating your case, but that is never enough. Do a search under 'Skybus' and count the responses the same people will have under a single thread. It's as if it is their job to drive people away.

I have flown Skybus twice now, drove both times from Cleveland to Columbus to fly to St Augustine. Rented from Hertz each time. Had $10 flights once and $30 the other time. It was too cheap not to do it. I will do it again of I get that kind of deal again.

Be aware, while problems happen with all airlines, the options are really limited if something goes wrong. I would advise that you have some flexibility, especially coming home, in case something goes wrong. We were fogged in one night coming home and the flight was cancelled. Couldn't leave until the next day, so we drove back to WDW (which is a solid 2 hours, by the way, without traffic). Now, that could have happened at any airport, but, again, the options were limited to getting the car back and finding a hotel.

I can expand upon the experiences, if anyone desires.

OK--I'll bite. I may not be as vocal as some others, but I probably would NEVER consider Skybus for my family to get to WDW.

For one, we're in SE Mass, so we'd have to drive to Pease Air Force Base in NH. Then, once we landed in St Augustine, another longish drive to get to WDW.

Secondly, we predominantly go to FL in February. During Feb School Vacation. One of the busier travel times out of the NE to almost ANYWHERE. The past 2 years we have had significant weather delays. The first time, we were on a mainline legacy carrier, out of a 'semi' hub location, and it STILL took us 3 days to get out. This year, we were delayed almost 6 hours waiting for our plane to get out of the snowy northeast.

My point is, on this other carrier, we did have other options. They were offering to rebook at no charge, on other flights, on other days. On Skybus, there is generally one flight, per day, to and from my airports of choice. That does NOT leave a lot of options if flights are cancelled due to weather, or mechanical for that matter.

If you are a 'go with the flow' kind of traveller, and can potentially afford an extra day or two at either end of your trip, I agree the prices seem too good to pass up. For us, at least right now, it's not the right airline for me and my family.

 

[OhioGrumpyGirl]

We just flew Skybus from Columbus OH to Chatanooga TN in Feb. I loved it. We're going to fly with them again in April (5 round trip tickets from Columbus to St Augustine for a total of $181.00) The carry-ons to TN looked like the same small black suitcases that everyone uses for carry-ons on every airline, so how are the Skybus carry-on rules any different? The only thing I noticed different about carry-ons was that Skybus asked that you not bring any drinks on board. And while it does take us 2 hours to drive to Columbus, then 2 hours from St Augustine to Orlando, it is still shorter (and cheaper) than the 16+ hours to drive from Ohio to Florida!

 

[sorul82?]

I got a Ding today for $41 from Raleigh to MCO for our May trip!!

We will, however, fly Skybus from Greensboro to St. Aug in Aug (that sounded funny) if we can get the $10 fare.

 

[Lewisc]

The carry-ons to TN looked like the same small black suitcases that everyone uses for carry-ons on every airline, so how are the Skybus carry-on rules any different?

Carry on rule for Skybus:

Carry-on bags must be no larger than 9 inches by 16 inches by 19 inches, and must weigh no more than 22 pounds each.

Carry on rule for Southwest:

Southwest Airlines limits carryon bag dimensions to 10x16x24 inches

Carry on rule for US Airways:

US Airways: Up to 51 inches/129 cm (11x14x26 inches or 28x35x66 cm)

No guarantee Skybus is enforcing their carry on rule at every airport/every flight but their pricing model assumes revenue from checked bags. I wouldn't plan on Skybus letting larger (or heavier) carry on bags slide.

Skybus sizes is OK unless your trying to max out your carryon baggage in order to avoid paying to check bags.

 

[UConnJack]

I haven't flown Skybus yet. It flys out of Westover near BDL, but doesn't go direct to FL (yet), so I likely won't fly them anytime soon (unless its for a trip to GSM Nat. Park)

However, for those in NC or OH, I think it would be a great option. Of course there are valid potential issues that people absolutely need to be aware of as Lewisc and other point out (although they do seem to be overly negative about Skybus). However, considering how good of a deal you can often get, sometimes saving hundreds of dollars (including car rental), it can be worth the risk for many. Plus flying in/out of such small airports can be very refreshing.

I think the drive from St. Augustine to WDW is a non-issue, however. As long as you confirm there are no car rental hours issues, in a small airport, you can often debark, get your luggage, get your car, and be on you way in a fraction of the time it would take in a larger airport like MCO. Even if it takes you 3 hours door to door (debarking plane to the resort) that is still pretty equivalent to what it often takes at MCO between debarking the plane, going to the DME counter, loading the bus, driving to WDW, and getting dropped of at your resort (especially if you are the 2nd or 3rd resort to be dropped off). Both times we used DME this whole process took 2-2.5 hours. Plus, you then have the added benefit of having a car available the whole week. And if you are staying off-site, I think it’s a no-brainer.

 

[WendyinNC]

I got a Ding today for $41 from Raleigh to MCO for our May trip!!

We will, however, fly Skybus from Greensboro to St. Aug in Aug (that sounded funny) if we can get the $10 fare.

Allegiant Air is currently offering fares at $29 each way from Greensboro to Orlando(Sanford) in August.

 

[pr surfer]

Regarding the drive from St. Augustine to WDW, when I lived in Orlando, I regularly went to St. Augustine, since it's my favorite beach in Florida.

Anyway, I had the drive down to just under 2 hours sticking to 70mph on the freeway, and if I had a major desire to speed, I could've likely done the drive in less time.

 

[4MCMICKEY]

We will be using skybus from OH to St Augustine in May. For 5 roundtrip tickets was $180. We are renting a van for $150. My sister flew from Fl-(Punta Gorda) to OH in Feb and she loved them especially for $40 roundtrip tickets.

Although we stay on site we always rent a car as we visit relatives a few days during vacation. For us a 2 hour drive is nothing. Major shopping centers, airports are all 1 1/2 hrs away from where we live.

We are morning people and are taking first flight out at 6 in the morning and be in florida by 8 am. We are planning on going to the beach for a couple of hours and then maybe hitting the disney outlet before heading towards Orlando. We will be flying home out of Punta Gorda. We chose this location specifically so we can visit friends for a few hours on our last day before our flight leaves.

I also do not mind paying for luggage or drinks with skybus. It is still by far cheaper than what I would have paid in the past to fly.

 

[Darcy03231]

We've used Skybus to fly from NH to TN (DH's parents live 1.5 hours from the airport) and NH to NC (DD is in school in Raliegh, an hour away) and have had good luck with them. Since we were going to visit family it really didn't matter if the flight was cancelled or delayed. Both DH and I could easily rearrange our work schedules.

I did check them out for my trip this fall to WDW and decided against booking with them. First, as of right now they only offer one flight a day to St. Augustine leaving NH at 6 pm. Second, as of now, they only offer one flight back to NH leaving at 8 am. For me this means two extra nights in a hotel to get 5 full days at WDW (Southwest has flights that leave from NH at 6:00 am and get to MCO at 9 am and leave MCO at 9 pm and get to NH at 11 pm). Third, I have to rent a car and drive 2 hours to WDW and 2 hours back. By the time I add in the rental car, gas, two extra nights in a hotel and the extra food, its just not worth it for 2 people. I'd spend more by booking $10 each way tickets on Skybus than I would by just flying into MCO on Southwest and using Disney transportation. Of couse if you're staying off-site and have to rent a car anyway it might work out to be less expensive. I also don't want to take a chance on having my flight cancelled and not being able to change my plans with WDW.

 

[BigTigger]

We took Skybus from NH/Pease to St. A for a golf weekend. The flight times are OK with the outbound flight leaving in the early evening and the return flight bringing you home by 11 am. I paid $10 extra to board in the first group to get the exit row. If you're tall you'll need the space. Also had to pay a luggage fee for the clubs. All in, the tickets were $77 each way and we were golfing at the World Golf Village area in St. A, so we didn't have the Disney drive to do. With JB now flying from Boston to Jacksonville once a day non-stop, I can't say whether I'd fly them again for golf, but I have nothing bad to say about Skybus.

As far as getting to the Disney area, I'd fly Southwest to MCO or TPA (very close compared to St. A) as their fares are in the same ballpark and they have many more flights to fall back on if the weather causes issues.

 

[MiniMooMoo]

Thanks, everyone, for the opinions!

I like the idea of the money savings, but I also like the flexibility of going with an airline that has more options in a "what if" scenario.

 

[travelin' tigger]

OK, I see we have a heated debate going here about Skybus and driving times so here's my experience...
A few months ago I posted a thread about going from Portsmouth, NH to St. Augustine via Greensboro for $10 each leg (2 down, 2 back). Was concerned about landing in Greensboro and leaving again 25 minutes later on the next flight. Well, all went well and no rental car was involved (meaning not having to drive 850 miles to FL in a rental).

Thursday (2/28) I left early from Millis to drive to Portsmouth - arrived and got thru security just as my plane was landing. Immediately got into the priority 1 line and boarded. Since the plane arrived early, we were able to take off 10 minutes early. Smooth flight, landed in Greensboro a few minutes early. Got off the plane, headed into the gate area and got back into line (priority 1) for the flight to St. Aug - same plane and flight crew. Again we took off early and landed about 10 minutes early. Once off the plane, went to the Avis desk in the terminal and quickly got a car. Avis shuttled us up to the front on the airport (500 ft.?) to our cars. Took off and managed to get to WDW in a little over 2 hours (noon-2ish).

Yesterday was a longer day for me since I had 5 hours between flights in Greensboro. Anyway, left the BWV at 8:30am and took 417 to I-4 to beat the Orlando traffic. Again, did the trip in a little over 2 hours. Dropped the car at the Avis rental return and was shuttled back to the terminal. Got thru security and boarded on time (12:10pm). It was very windy as a front was approaching, but didn't have too much turbulance as we were kept to 27,000 ft. Landed on time and started my 5 hour wait. Time passed quickly, but the weather was going downhill fast by the time my last leg started. Delta was trying to get flights into Atlanta which had shut down for 1.5 hours due to severe weather. But back to Skybus...we took off a few minutes late, had a little tubulance, but landed pretty much on time.

All in all, I'd do it again in heartbeat. HTH!!!

 

[riggins]

Hi travelin' tiger-
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have a question you might be able to help with. Did you notice if both Hertz and Enterprise also had a shuttle to get the rental cars at St. Aug? I'm flying down in April alone with my kids and I'm booked with Avis. I dread taking a shuttle with 2 kids, carseats, stroller, and luggage in tow. I'm thinking if I can just walk out to one of the other rental car companies, it might be worth spending a little more to change my reservation.

Thanks
Leslie

 

[travelin' tigger]

Did you notice if both Hertz and Enterprise also had a shuttle to get the rental cars at St. Aug? I'm flying down in April alone with my kids and I'm booked with Avis. I dread taking a shuttle with 2 kids, carseats, stroller, and luggage in tow. I'm thinking if I can just walk out to one of the other rental car companies, it might be worth spending a little more to change my reservation.

The 3 counters are right beside each other in the terminal (tiny) and it's literally 500 ft. to the parking lot where ALL 3 rental companies have their cars so it really doesn't make a difference who you rent though - Avis was fine and if they are the cheapest, then stick with them!

 

[NCRedding]

Travelling tigger: what on earth did you do with 5 hours in the Greensboro airport. That is my home airport (although I fly mostly from RDU) and there is NOTHING there! My flight was once delayed 45 minutes and I thought I would go crazy.

 

[travelin' tigger]

Travelling tigger: what on earth did you do with 5 hours in the Greensboro airport. That is my home airport (although I fly mostly from RDU) and there is NOTHING there! My flight was once delayed 45 minutes and I thought I would go crazy.

My DB was in town on business and was also flying out that afternoon. His flight was scheduled for Atlanta @ 3:25p, but they were shut down for 1.5 hours due to weather, so he was stuck there with me until almost 6pm - we had alot of fun catching up, just the 2 of us!