By thomas brossard on Tuesday, August 15, 2000 - 4:52 pm: |
I just got my tickets for our Oct. trip to Bonaire from ALM. I tried to use Air Jamaica but they told me on three different occasions that it wasn't possible to fly from Miami or Ft.L to Bonaire without a layover in Jamaica (on the return trip from Ft.L on both trips from Mia). Is this true? Can anyone enlighten me?
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By Linda Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, August 15, 2000 - 6:16 pm: |
The Air Jamaica flights to Bonaire all involve a connection through Montego Bay, Jamaica.
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, August 15, 2000 - 6:19 pm: |
Actually, what's likely happening is that their computers are telling them that there is only a 15-45 minute connect time in Montego Bay on the return connection, and typically in International connections, at least an hour is recommended. You can ask your travel agent to override this, or even better, have them call Air Jamaica to confirm that such a close connection time is acceptable.
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By michael gaynor on Wednesday, August 16, 2000 - 8:28 am: |
Jake, I second your comments and speak as well from personel experience. Air Jamaica is probabll the best option and next best is American to Curacao.
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Wednesday, August 16, 2000 - 11:37 am: |
Since we're on the topic of Air ALM and our disgust with them, here's an article from today's issue of The Daily Herald:
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By thomas brossard on Wednesday, August 16, 2000 - 6:15 pm: |
Thanks to all...I have changed my reservation from ALM to Air Jamaica, although it cost me a little money but I feel better...Now I have to curb my anxiety over a 20 minute window in MoBay on our way home.
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By Lorraine Meadows on Thursday, August 17, 2000 - 8:27 am: |
Let's hope things improve, I'm always the optomist.I'll try my chances, again.
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By Cheryl A. Roberts on Thursday, August 17, 2000 - 8:35 am: |
After our last experience with ALM, I know we will be looking for alternate ways to get to Bonaire! ALM would never last in the states....their customer service is non-existant and their employees' attitudes are rude and aloof. I hope the government does something about ALM. Our local scuba club won't come to Bonaire if they can't get American Airlines reservations. Let's hope Air Jam does a good job and keeps it up!
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By michael gaynor on Thursday, August 17, 2000 - 10:23 am: |
New developemnts. The President of ALM has been relieved of his post and a new, more experienced, person has been hired to replace him. I know it is kind of late, but this may be the wake up call they needed. Of course, you have to remember that ALM ia oned by government.
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By Ken Baranoski on Thursday, August 17, 2000 - 12:25 pm: |
We just returned from Bonaire (trip report forthcoming) and flew AJ. We had a 20 minute window as well, but as Jake pointed out, our flight (both ways) was delayed ~ 1 hour to wait for other connecting passangers. No problem mon! We had a great flight, no lost luggage, etc. It is a bit hectic at MoBay and the intercom sounds like the teacher in Peanuts cartoons (wa wawa wa), but there was always a saff member repeating (I guess) the announcements. We will use them next time.
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By Adam Pietrala on Friday, August 18, 2000 - 10:47 am: |
Well, it seems like my experience with ALM was not totally unique. After only one full day on the island we were informed that ALM may be going on strike or shutting down totally. So, to error on the side of safety we cut our vacation short. We were supposed to leave on August 17 with ALM. So, my question is: Did a plane to Miami actually leave from Bonaire on the 17th? We continued our vacation in Florida, and left Miami International as we had previously scheduled. We checked the ALM counter, but no one was there. Did they actually shut down?
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By sharyn spray on Monday, August 21, 2000 - 6:00 pm: |
Like Thomas I just booked on Air Jamaica with only a 20 min window (hoping everyone's right about being able to make it!).But the only way I was able to book it was thru Expedia.
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By Jim and Ceil on Monday, August 21, 2000 - 8:16 pm: |
AirJamaica and Caradonna Travel both agreed with Thomas (i.e., flights back to MIA involve layover in Jamaica) -- this does not even agree with the current schedule shown on the AirJ website -- the only conclusion that we could come to was that, at some date in the future, the schedule is changing (Thomas mentioned Oct; we were looking at Feb) -- Sharyn -- are you going MIA-BON-MIA and is your trip soon?
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By sharyn spray on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 7:10 am: |
We are going Balt-Bon-Balt in Oct. You're right the times shown change when you actually book the flight, but Expedia booked it even with only 20 min between connections. Keeping my fingers crossed!
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By thomas brossard on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 8:40 am: |
A big difference here is that I am flying to & from Ft. Lauderdale. I couldn't get back to Mia via AJ...
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By Jim and Ceil on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 8:57 am: |
Neither Miami nor Ft. Lauderdale returns are possible without an overnight (Feb 2001) per Caradonna and AirJ.
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By thomas brossard on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 9:16 am: |
That is correct (officially, per AJ & Caradonna), but I got the tickets through Expedia. I then spoke to a rep from AJ and although they (AJ) wouldn't issue me the tickets he (the rep) seemed very positive that since I had the tickets that my connection would be made...no guarantee, of course, but if the failure to make the flight is AJ's fault, they have to put you up for the evening, meaning they probably "hold flights" for incoming passengers (again, from the AJ rep)...
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By Linda Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 9:43 am: |
The travel day also makes a difference. The new Wednesday Bonaire flights don't have all the US connections that the Saturday flights have. The LA to Montego Bay red eye does not fly on Tuesday night but it does fly on Monday.
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By sharyn spray on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 5:49 pm: |
Does that mean my chances of making the connection are better or worse on Wed?
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By Linda Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 - 8:07 pm: |
I meant that some AirJamaica flights that exist on Saturday, don't exist on Wednesday. As in the AirJamaica flight from Los Angeles to Montego Bay does not fly every day.
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By Stewart Kaslow on Saturday, September 2, 2000 - 10:53 am: |
I have flown Air Aruba, ALM, and Air Jamaica, The worst service I ever received was from Air Jamaica. They lost all my luggage,3 pieces checked and it took 5 days to get it from Montego Bay to Bonaire. The worst part is they did not even respond to the telexs that that the bonaire local rep sent inquiring. Arrived on Saturday luggage came in Wednesday night. I have had a single piece delayed on the others but they always were there no latter then the next day.
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By Anonymous on Saturday, September 2, 2000 - 5:44 pm: |
As far as I remember - you made the same posting about a year ago... did it happend a second time or is it just the old story??? Anyhow - I really think your experience is an exception
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