Skybus

[SweetPeasMom2]

Not sure where to post this exactly but FYI, Skybus has closed it's doors.

http://www.skybus.com/

I know people on here have used them in the past and might have future trips booked.

 

[_queenie_]

I can't believe it! That's too bad, we live very close to the airport that they went out of near Boston, and were really hoping that it would take off because of Skybus.

 

[my2princessgirls]

My parents were supposed to fly out here to see us on Tuesday, and woke up to the email that they closed. They are now on their way driving.

 

[Kimberly Hill]

I already shared on another board but one of my best friends' husband is... well, WAS a pilot for Skybus. Now they have no benefits, no job, a mortgage, and a lease for his apt in Columbus until they could join him. I'm so worried about them.

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

Kimberly - That really sucks!

 

[design_mom]

That stinks, Kimberly. I will be hoping for the best for them.

My sister is stuck in Florida with useless Skybus tickets. Although apparently Skybus was not required to give any notice, I think it really stinks for their passengers and their employees. This couldn't have been a last minute decision. They could have given people a few days notice so they could at least book other tix.

(My sister got decent priced replacement tickets on Southwest because she was willing to extend her trip a few days. There's a big difference between 7-day advance purchase pricing and less than 7 days.)

 

[Kimberly Hill]

Thanks, ladies. I'll pass your good wishes along to them.

They didn't tell their pilots early either. There was a "rumor" the night before it was announced on their website but that's it.

 

[springandmac]

I bought 6 r/t tickets from them for my June family vacation. Now I'm not sure what to do. Because the prices were so cheap I allowed my kids to bring friends and I paid for their tickets. But at $150 a ticket I can't afford to do that and pay for my own family. The thought of going to the parents and telling them this is keeping me up at night.

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

I bought 6 r/t tickets from them for my June family vacation. Now I'm not sure what to do. Because the prices were so cheap I allowed my kids to bring friends and I paid for their tickets. But at $150 a ticket I can't afford to do that and pay for my own family. The thought of going to the parents and telling them this is keeping me up at night.

I'm sure that has got you sick to your stomach. I hope something will work out. Do you think the parents can split it with you? Maybe what you've paid already and then some?

 

[TheDizMom]

I bought 6 r/t tickets from them for my June family vacation. Now I'm not sure what to do. Because the prices were so cheap I allowed my kids to bring friends and I paid for their tickets. But at $150 a ticket I can't afford to do that and pay for my own family. The thought of going to the parents and telling them this is keeping me up at night.

That's a bummer, but I would think they would have to understand. I can't imagine why they wouldn't help you with the difference. I would go back to your travel agent if you used one because sometimes there are other airlines willing to honor their tickets or give you a deal. I remember when I was flying for Northwest and Pan Am went out of business they did a lot to help out their passengers. It's worth checking out, but since you were booked for June that may be to far out for any other airline to be helpful.

At this point, since 4 airlines ceased operations this week alone, I would advise everyone to be prepared for more of these. If you can get travel insurance, I would, so you can hopefully be protected if your airline goes under too. I would not be surprised if more of this happens with the current cost of jet fuel.

 

[_queenie_]

I feel so bad about how their employees have basically been laid off so suddenly.

I just found out that my MIL's friend flew to Florida last Monday on Skybus and is now just trying to find a flight home. I had a bad "gut" feeling about this airline.

 

[design_mom]

At this point, since 4 airlines ceased operations this week alone, I would advise everyone to be prepared for more of these. If you can get travel insurance, I would, so you can hopefully be protected if your airline goes under too. I would not be surprised if more of this happens with the current cost of jet fuel.

You'd want to check the terms of the travel insurance, because even if you buy the insurance, if your airline goes out of business you might be stuck anyway. There was an article in our newspaper today that said that most travel insurance (including what Skybus offered) included provisions for if your flight was cancelled or delayed due to weather, etc. However, it did not cover "default." The airline going under is considered default.

ETA: If you pay by credit card, you should be able to file a dispute to get the ticket price refunded... but the article said, when an airline defaults, the travel insurance doesn't cover the cost of finding a new way home or extra expenses incurred because of the shutdown (food, hotel, etc). Basically...you're out of luck.

 

[gracefor5]

Some Credit cards offer insurance if you used their card to purchase..I wonder if this is true with airfare if they go under?

Kim

 

[springandmac]

I'm sure that has got you sick to your stomach. I hope something will work out. Do you think the parents can split it with you? Maybe what you've paid already and then some?

That's a bummer, but I would think they would have to understand. I can't imagine why they wouldn't help you with the difference.

I feel bad asking the parent's because they're already helping with half. The deal was that I would pay for transportation and lodging and their parents would pay for 2 day park hoppers and 5 days on the DDP.

We're thinking about driving now but the thought of riding in a car for 15 hours with 4 teenagers doesn't really appeal to me. Plus, it would cost the same to drive as it would to fly 4 of us and we'd loose 2 days of vacation in the process. DH suggested telling the parents what happened and seeing if they could pay half ($75).

What a mess.