By Cheryl A. Roberts on Friday, May 12, 2000 - 9:22 pm: |
Friday, May 12th
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By Mickey McCarthy on Friday, May 12, 2000 - 10:13 pm: |
Getting to Bonaire is going to become harder and harder. Michael said a few months ago that the government was going to cut back funds even more in June, I think.
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By Lorraine Meadows on Friday, May 12, 2000 - 10:21 pm: |
Cheryl,Welcome Home!
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By Cheryl A. Roberts on Saturday, May 13, 2000 - 9:09 am: |
I have 2 words for future travels to Bonaire....
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By thomas brossard on Saturday, May 13, 2000 - 1:00 pm: |
Well, I understand and sympathize with the ALM situation and hope it can be resolved somehow, but I caution you not to praise "other" airlines for their competence, as I can tell you an American/American Eagle story (of ours) in which they showed no care, help or concern for us in a situation THEY created...
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By Lorraine Meadows on Saturday, May 13, 2000 - 4:10 pm: |
It's always worth the hassel in the end, but wouldn't it be great if more major airlines would committ themselves to direct flights from US hubs.
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By Kitty Lee on Sunday, May 14, 2000 - 6:56 am: |
Cheryl,
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By Irene Belliveau on Sunday, May 14, 2000 - 10:55 am: |
Have to tell our trip with ALM was acceptable. We left from Miami May 6, yes it was 2 hrs late, and had a direct flight from there. Check in, luggage claim, all without a hitch. We even had a great meal(hot)on board. Because of being late, we all got a free cocktail. Leaving same scenerio, but exactly on time.
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By Clay Lansdown on Sunday, May 14, 2000 - 11:08 am: |
Although I am not particularly a fan of ALM, I have to say that we just got back from our 4th Bonaire visit last night at 11:30pm via ALM and United and the only delay was about an hour in Curacao on the trip out. The only luggage lost among the people staying at the Carib Inn was one of two bags for a guy flying Air Jamaica. Note that since Air Jamaica only comes in on Saturday, any delayed luggage seems to be at least a week late.
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By Cheryl A. Roberts on Sunday, May 14, 2000 - 11:28 am: |
Kitty,
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By Robert Deal on Monday, May 15, 2000 - 6:10 pm: |
Cheryl:
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By Cheryl A. Roberts on Monday, May 15, 2000 - 7:04 pm: |
Just a quick note: American Express is going to dispute my airfare charges with ALM. I really don't know if that will do any good, but we can see.
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By Clint Hough on Tuesday, May 16, 2000 - 9:30 am: |
Bonaire Chamber of Commerce needs to get involved before it is to late! On my way to Bonaire last week, I traveled American to Curacao and ALM to Bonaire. I had purchased and paid for my tickets with American 4 mths. earlier. When we got to Curacao and checked in for our afternoon flight to Bonaire on ALM, we were informed by ALM that because American had not picked our seats on ALM, we had been droped from the flight and they didn't know what day they could get us to Bonaire. A couple from Canada, on our same flight, had heard about this problem and had booked direct with ALM and paid ALM direct and had no problems. The American Airline Manager in Curacao said my experience is an ongoing problem that occurs every day! (GO FIGURE?) I can't believe someone powerful in Bonaire can't do something about this! I finally got to Bonaire that evening, 2 flights later, because and only because I am 6'4" and weigh 225 lbs. and stayed in the American managers face for 2 1/2 hours and he was so sick of me I think he would have bought the seats himself to get rid of me and my friends. Travelers BEWARE!
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By Peggy Bowen on Tuesday, May 16, 2000 - 11:24 am: |
American and ALM have been going ring around a rosy for years. The original problem was luggage. The little planes couldn't take it all from Bonaire to Curacao when you were leaving. American would then have to deliver your luggage to your house - because it would miss all the connections and get stuck in customs. And that cost wasn't paid by ALM. In those early years, you took your luggage to the airport early and hoped it got on a flight before the one you were on. And you picked it up in Curucao and walked it to American to check it in.
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By michael gaynor on Wednesday, May 17, 2000 - 7:52 am: |
It is also American's policy not to accept luggage that is transferred from another carrier on international flights from airlines that do not have as strict a contraband detection system, therefore, one must persoally recheck luggage withe AA on the return flight. It is also just petty politcs as well and gross inefficentcy.
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By Mary Lou French on Wednesday, May 17, 2000 - 8:13 am: |
Michael, about transferring luggage, when you fly from Bonaire into Miami on ALM then switch to AA do you have to pick up your luggage from ALM and recheck it with AA? We are coming to Bonaire in July and flying ALM and AA. Thanks for any info.
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By michael gaynor on Wednesday, May 17, 2000 - 5:52 pm: |
You can check it through to your final destination, however, since Miami is your first port of entry in the USA, you do have to pick it up to clear customs. Once you are throgh customs, AA has a counter outside the arrivals hall where they will take your luggage.
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By Katherine Miller on Sunday, May 21, 2000 - 9:16 am: |
the Air Jamaica flights are models of efficiency. they fly passengers in from the gateway cities (NY, Newark, Phildelphia, Baltimore, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and LA) to Montego Bay. then from there direct to Bonaire. they tag the luggage and it makes it even with a tight connection. The reverse is true on the way home. The layover time in Montego Bay is minimal. It costs a bit more than ALM. It is the best connection we've found from Phila (leave at 8:30 in the am and arrive in Bonaire at 2:30 or 3:30 pm) All ALM flights take at least 12 hours becuse there re 2 or 3 stops.
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By Clay Lansdown on Sunday, May 21, 2000 - 10:24 am: |
I am glad to see an alternative to ALM, but Air Janmaica (like any airline) isn't perfect. Two weeks ago,one of the people staying at the resort we were at came in on Air Jamaica and had one of two pieces of luggage missing. Since they only have Saturday flights right now, his bag was not going to arrive before he left.
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By Linda Richter - NetTech on Monday, May 22, 2000 - 3:52 pm: |
After arriving in Miami on our way to Bonaire, we always go to the ALM counter and check-in. We already have checked our bags through to Bonaire from Boston but we still check-in again directly with ALM. This is also the best place to check for delays.
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