Lowdown on Skybus (Portsmouth: weddings, buying, contractors)

[kelleybell00]

Well DH and I returned from Portsmouth on Sunday. We left Thursday from Punta Gorda and returned Sunday. I have to say that I was very satisfied. The seats are leather and felt roomier to me...not to mention that the plane wasn't full there or back so on the trip up we had an empty seat next to us. I told DH it was because he was the one in the middle seat and no one wanted to sit next to him cuz he's big and scary looking He thought the seats were still cramped but he's 6'2 and 240+ pounds so other than the 1 time we flew first class, he's never been comfortable in an airplane seat. The departing flight was about 20-30 mins late which meant that boarding was further delayed so we actually departed about an hour late, but they got a new more direct route from faa or whomever and we arrived in Portsmouth about 30 mins late. The flight crew and pilots really hustled to get everyone off and on quickly to get us back on track. I was nervous after they cancelled 2 flights after Christmas. I talked to one of the deputies in the FL airport and he said that the reason for the cancellations were pretty minor glitches with the airplane and he really respected the airline for grounding the planes until they were repaired because he's seen many airlines say "just run the route and we'll fix it when we get there!!" It was nice going through the small airports...hardly any wait in security(although Pease was considerably longer compared to FL). Word to the wise, make sure you keep your boarding passes and ID in hand when walking through the metal detectors, and don't just put the in the tubs with your other stuff. That will warrant a trip to the glass room for a rubber glove pat down when the tsa gaurd came in putting on the gloves I just smiled and told Hubby to bend over It was a pretty smooth trip, even with the delay, seats were comfy, crew was nice, airports were easy to get in and out of (just don't use mapquest for the shortest route. we ended up touring a trailer park filled with illegals!). I will definately jump on the $10 tixs again!! $31 r/t for a direct flight can't be beat!!!

[nicolem]

Thanks for the report. I plan on flying them one of the times I go to Florida to see my parents.



Is it true you cannot bring your own food and water on at all? Do they check your bag?


The reason I ask is I like to bring back food from Florida that I cannot get here. I do not eat it on the plane or take it out of my bag, I just like to have it at home.

Nicole

[kelleybell00]

You won't be able t get through security with any beverage because of the no liquid, gels, aerosol(sp?) rules(except under 3 oz. and combined allowance in a quart size ziploc bag). They do say not to bring your own (unless it's diabetic, infant, etc...because they sell it on the plane, however when we flew there was a woman across the aisle that was eating snacks that she brought. When we came back I had an entire carry-on full of candy and goodies for family and friends back here. They didn't check my bags or even know about it but I'm sure that if I pulled it out to munch on I wouldn't have been approached about it.

[nicolem]

Originally Posted by kelleybell00

You won't be able t get through security with any beverage because of the no liquid, gels, aerosol(sp?) rules(except under 3 oz. and combined allowance in a quart size ziploc bag). They do say not to bring your own (unless it's diabetic, infant, etc...because they sell it on the plane, however when we flew there was a woman across the aisle that was eating snacks that she brought. When we came back I had an entire carry-on full of candy and goodies for family and friends back here. They didn't check my bags or even know about it but I'm sure that if I pulled it out to munch on I wouldn't have been approached about it.

Duh I forgot about the water thing and security. I meant to say snacks as I always bring up some goodies from FL that they don't have here and my bag is pretty full

Thanks,

Nicole

[fishnfool]

I love skybus. I'm originally from Ohio and we've been flying skybus back to columbus a whole bunch. I can make it back for weddings, family, and get togethers that I otherwise would miss. It's a million times better than flying out of boston or even manch, and alot cheaper if you book it right.

Keep buying tickets and keep them in business...PLEASE!

[Tarastomsgirl]

I liked Skybus, I flew out of Ft. Myers and never had a prob with em. My husband on the other hand couldnt get through security naked if he wanted to

[GregW]

Airline security is an exercise in absurdity. If they kept all the people off the airplanes they would not have problems with terrorists. Be safe by avoiding airplanes. And buses and trains and cars Only walking in the woods is safe if you avoid the bears.

[bosox199]

I've been an airline pilot for 11 years and without a doubt I can tell you that I would not put my family on Skybus. They have two employee groups. Pilots and Flight attendants. Their maintence is subcontracted out to a bidder. Most often the lowest bidder. There are several airline crashes in the last couple of years that are blamed on contract maintence. I'm sure its done to the FAA standards, however my family will not be on them.

Thier pilots are just about the lowest paid in the entire industry.
Airline Pilot Central - Skybus | Major-National-LCC

Every major airline is hiring. So why would a pilot go to work for this outfit? Just want everyone to know that there is a lot more to a 10$ ticket than people may think.

Best of luck.

[nicolem]

Originally Posted by bosox199

I've been an airline pilot for 11 years and without a doubt I can tell you that I would not put my family on Skybus. They have two employee groups. Pilots and Flight attendants. Their maintence is subcontracted out to a bidder. Most often the lowest bidder. There are several airline crashes in the last couple of years that are blamed on contract maintence. I'm sure its done to the FAA standards, however my family will not be on them.

Thier pilots are just about the lowest paid in the entire industry.
Airline Pilot Central - Skybus | Major-National-LCC

Every major airline is hiring. So why would a pilot go to work for this outfit? Just want everyone to know that there is a lot more to a 10$ ticket than people may think.
Best of luck.

While I appreciate your opinion-many of the major airlines are now subcontracting their maintenance work out and some of it overseas. I saw a news report where a lot of our planes go to China and elsewhere to be serviced. They even found people on the terror watch list who were working for these subcontractors.