ski-air travel stories

[jamesdeluxe]

I think some of your problem is flying low-cost US airline that start with cheap fare, then try to add-on as much as they can

I've never paid to check in luggage and I don't fly low-cost airlines that nickel and dime passengers -- like charging for carry-on bags (and for the record, JetBlue doesn't do that) -- so I'm not sure about having a problem. I flew JetBlue on my return from SLC because I'm trying to use up my remaining AA miles that are about to expire and they're an AA partner carrier that offered nonstops.

The only thing unique about this flight was that they weighed both of my ski bags and combined the total, which is what they're supposed to do!

 

[Tony Crocker]

James overall does a good job with the airlines. He seems able to use FF awards more often than I do even though I surely have a bigger stockpile from credit card spending. But I still think he needs to stop playing roulette with his boots. I say Jet Blue did him a favor by making him carry them on.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

James overall does a good job with the airlines. He seems able to use FF awards more often than I do even though I surely have a bigger stockpile from credit card spending.

A good job? I'd say I do an EXCEPTIONAL job with comparatively limited resources.

I still think he needs to stop playing roulette with his boots. I say Jet Blue did him a favor by making him carry them on.

That is certainly one way of looking at it; however, @ChrisC brought up the other viewpoint below -- the one I subscribe to.

But really, what's the worst that can happen? You rent boots that might not be optimum, but adequate. And you go buy some clothes for about $500-600.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I doubt a rented ski boot would be "adequate" at ChrisC's extremely high standard of skiing.

Carrying boots by hand as James did on Jet Blue would be a PITA, but the boot bag backpacks are well designed, leave both hands free and also contain a day's worth of ski clothing.

 

[tseeb]

I've never paid to check in luggage and I don't fly low-cost airlines that nickel and dime passengers -- like charging for carry-on bags (and for the record, JetBlue doesn't do that) -- so I'm not sure about having a problem. I flew JetBlue on my return from SLC because I'm trying to use up my remaining AA miles that are about to expire and they're an AA partner carrier that offered nonstops.

The only thing unique about this flight was that they weighed both of my ski bags and combined the total, which is what they're supposed to do!

I included Jet Blue in my list of problematic low-cost carriers although 9 month old link I found to make sure I did not miss any has them as one of the best budget airlines. Link also includes "Where JetBlue’s Blue Basic more closely resembles other low-cost carriers is in the additional fees for some things legacy airlines include in the fare. For instance, although each passenger is allowed one carry-on and one personal item for free, there is a fee to check any bag, starting at $35. There’s a fee for advance seat selection and Blue Basic passengers are the last to board any flight. Changes to tickets are not allowed; however, if you find a JetBlue flight on another site the same day that you book a ticket, you’ll get a $100 credit to use toward a future trip." Are there any legacy airlines that don't charge to check a bag for those without status?

The Wall Street Journal has JetBlue as worst major airline in 2021, lower than Frontier and Spirit. I'm not likely to fly them unless I want to go to SFO (an hour without traffic and there is almost always traffic) for a $129 non-stop flight to Boston.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

JetBlue’s Blue Basic more closely resembles other low-cost carriers is in the additional fees for some things legacy airlines include in the fare. For instance, although each passenger is allowed one carry-on and one personal item for free, there is a fee to check any bag, starting at $35. There’s a fee for advance seat selection and Blue Basic passengers are the last to board any flight.

Legacy carriers United, American, and Delta all have a "Basic Economy" level with the exact same restrictions as Blue Basic.

Are there any legacy airlines that don't charge to check a bag for those without status?

No. Unless you have status or an affinity credit card, you have to pay to check in luggage on virtually all U.S. airlines other than Southwest. Most had adopted baggage fees by 2008; Jetblue didn't start until 2015.

The Wall Street Journal has JetBlue as worst major airline in 2021, lower than Frontier and Spirit.

You're free to base your choices on statistics or published opinions that favor one airline over another. Should I trust a survey simply because a reporter from the vaunted WSJ or NYT compiled it as opposed to the positive article you posted above from a smaller travel site? Personally, I make choices based on a combination of reputation and anecdotal experience. All of my flights with JetBlue (not a huge sample size but still) have been absolutely fine; perhaps other people have had different experiences. I suppose this is similar to the question about carrying boots onboard for destination ski trips. Should I ignore my 20 years of no delayed bags -- mostly on nonstop flights, which vastly increases that likelihood -- because other people have had bad outcomes?

For the record, I'm not a JetBlue homie even though they're headquartered in our greater metro region. I'd only flown them maybe a half dozen times over the past decade to visit family in Florida when the United fare wasn't competitive. After they severely reduced their hub at EWR earlier this year (United chased them out, similar to Southwest and Frontier previously), it's unlikely that I'll use them frequently moving forward.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Legacy carriers United, American, and Delta all have a "Basic Economy" level with the exact same restrictions as Blue Basic.

Yes. I generally think Basic Economy is a bit much on the restrictions and not worth the modest saving vs. "Regular Economy" or whatever they call it. I think Basic Economy in some cases doesn't award mileage credit either.

Should I ignore my 20 years of no delayed bags -- mostly on nonstop flights, which vastly increases that likelihood -- because other people have had bad outcomes?

Yes, it's still a small sample size. Why have I never lost a bag flying to Asia/Pacific or South America despite my horrendous record flying to Europe? It's random luck in both cases. Through 2017 I had experienced 45% of normal snowfall over 112 scheduled ski days in Utah. Was that predictive? No, it's been 139% over the past 5 years.

The bootbag backpacks are easy to use; I don't see the downside. Plus there's some risk of airlines in this day and age questioning boot+ski bag being one item and obvious risk of them measuring combined weight.

 

[ChrisC]

JetBlue is a great airline! Free movies, Satellite TV, Internet … and the best legroom for coach. Too bad they did not get to buy Virgin America. Alaska really killed that quickly.

Spirit is horrible. Frontier and Spirit really deserve each other …. Too bad that hellish merger did not work out.

I fly JetBlue if I can! Transcontinental, Caribbean, Florida to Northeast and out to Martha’s Vineyard/Hyannis.

For rankings:

Ranked: The Best Airlines In America In 2022, According To J.D. Power Report

A coveted report has ranked the best airlines to fly in the U.S. in 2022.

www.forbes.com

Drilling down on the numbers, JetBlue won the first/business segment with a score of 878. Alaska Airlines came in second with a score of 876, while Delta Air Lines was third with a score of 862. In the premium economy segment, JetBlue Airways also ranked first, earning a customer satisfaction score of 851, which put it on top. In second place was Delta Air Lines (837), then Alaska Airlines (825) ranking third.

For economy/basic economy, Southwest Airlines came out on top with a score of 849. JetBlue Airways (828) ranked second and Delta Air Lines (813) ranked third.

JD Powers ranks the best U.S. airlines based on passenger satisfaction in eight metrics, including aircraft, baggage, boarding, check-in; cost and fees, flight crew, in-flight services and reservation.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

JetBlue is a great airline! Free movies, Satellite TV, Internet … and the best legroom for coach.

That's ^^ been my experience as well; I didn't understand the negative perception in the comment above.

In addition to recently-added routes to LHR and Gatwick, I saw signs at JFK that they'll start flying this summer to CDG. A shame that they disassembled their Newark hub as I only fly through JFK when emptying FF award accounts!

The bootbag backpacks are easy to use; I don't see the downside.

Similar to how we respectfully disagree on choosing ski areas on destination trips, I'll continue my longtime SOP and only carry boots onboard when changing planes and the layover is short (or when I'm busted at check-in with overweight bags!).

 

[jasoncapecod]

We have a trip planned to Cape Town in March..Non stop from EWR , in the back of the bus...This will be interesting..

 

[jamesdeluxe]

We have a trip planned to Cape Town in March..Non stop from EWR , in the back of the bus...This will be interesting..

14.5 hours flight time, zoinks! Oh well, better than changing planes at LHR, which is what I did a few years back.

 

[ChrisC]

My ski bag is some Dakine monstrosity they no longer make…..

Easily 2 skis, and 3 big pockets for ski clothes and street clothes. It’s always 50lbs. +/- a few lbs.

I don’t dare try to add my overstuffed boot backpack to the mix with its Boot pocket and Large clothing/gear pocket.

Likely both weigh 80-90lbs combined.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I don’t dare try to add my overstuffed boot backpack to the mix with its Boot pocket and Large clothing/gear pocket.

Can you post a pic of the boot pack? I want to see how it compares to mine. Good grief, that Dakine thing is huge.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

For economy/basic economy, Southwest Airlines came out on top with a score of 849.

What a mess: amongst the many issues cited in this article (not necessarily related to the Xmas storm), maintenance crews aren't provided with the proper tools and they need to "modernize operations"? That doesn't inspire confidence; it sounds like the Russian military! Apparently, free checked-in bags actually do come at a price.

Good thing that my 84-year-old mother flew here from Denver two days ago on United -- without incident in a new 787.

Massive Southwest Airlines disruption leaves customers stranded and call centers swamped

Last week's winter weather travel mess is lingering like a vicious hangover into this week -- and the headaches are migraine-proportioned for Southwest Airlines, its CEO Bob Jordan and most of all its frustrated passengers on Monday.

www.cnn.com

 

[tseeb]

Not sure if he was flying Alaska or Southwest or other, but the only one of 8 friends who lives out of the area that my son flew to Vietnam with late last night took the train (over 18 hrs without any delays) from Portland, OR when his pre-Christmas flight was canceled. Besides missing Christmas with his family in San Jose, he couldn't re-book in time to make flight departing SFO. Portland and Seattle both had to close runways before Christmas due to ice. https://www.kxly.com/alaska-airlines-flights-departing-from-seattle-and-portland-canceled/

More on why Southwest accounted for more than half of canceled flights yesterday including labor and staffing issues and software. https://simpleflying.com/southwest-airlines-christmas-meltdown-2022/ Edit to add the CNN is reporting that Southwest is accounting for 90% of flight cancellations today.

Six things to know before flying Spirit at https://www.businessinsider.com/spi...lets-wifi-entertainment-drinks-snacks-2022-12 includes $4 for water.

 

[ChrisC]

Can you post a pic of the boot pack? I want to see how it compares to mine

Don’t have a photo of it, but here are similar….. had this setup for 10+ years.

The Boot locker used to have backpack straps. See other photos. I have to take my helmet out for it to fit in the overhead. Like the separate boot container.

I got the large ski bag when airlines started charging, so it’s my one checked bag. Holds everything - skis, clothing, etc. I put my avy backpack in there too - since policies differ on shovels, probes, etc. Sapporo, Japan and Bozeman, MT airports don’t allow carry on probes/shovels.

The bag also has rips do to ski breaks - they are duct - taped up.

 

[ChrisC]

Good story about delayed and lost luggage.

Why You Should Always Take a Photo of Your Luggage Before Checking It

Having photo proof of what your luggage looks like may help with compensation in case it is lost or damaged.

www.travelandleisure.com

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Good story about delayed and lost luggage.

Noted, thanks.

And this letter from Denver indicating awful labor relations (a sickout):

https://twitter.com/x/status/1606543397996855296

 

[tseeb]

Noted, thanks.

And this letter from Denver indicating awful labor relations (a sickout):

https://twitter.com/x/status/1606543397996855296

Memo to DEN ramp agents was in link I posted a few hours before you posted it and the reason I included "labor and staffing issues" as part of "why Southwest accounted for more than half of canceled flights".

Southwest did not do much better yesterday. As of 6 AM (Wed PT) they accounted for the following:
SFO 42 flights canceled (20 departures, 22 arrivals), 38 are Southwest
SJC 147 flights canceled (74 departures, 73 arrivals), all are Southwest
OAK 124 flights canceled (61 departures, 63 arrivals), all are Southwest
Numbers are from https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/transportation/southwest-airlines-bay-area/3115133/ which also said "Across the U.S., a total of 4,330 flights were canceled as of 6 a.m. PT, and more than 2,507 of them were Southwest."

In other online forums, I've seen people unable to reach Park City, Snowmass and Steamboat were offering their most likely non-cancelable reservations at a discount.

 

[EMSC]

Add to the sick out some very, very antiquated systems and software in use by Southwest. I guess SW thought that 'it's always been good enough before'... I heard that all flight crews (pilots and cabin crew) still use a phone based system to get scheduled and updates to schedules... When the whole flight schedule is toast, literally all EE's are trying to call in at once and the corporate level schedulers have no idea where anyone is or if they are available. Huge oops.

All the other major airlines long ago switched over to modern internet based systems that can handle huge volumes of connections and updates simultaneously. Thus why the weather impacted them too for sure, but nearly (not quite 100%) all of their planes and people are back in place and trying to catch back up within a day or two (eg AA, Delta, United, etc..).