Comments on: Could Mesa Bankruptcy Revive Aloha Airlines? http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/ Travel Deals, Tips, Culture and Analysis Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:13:11 +0000 hourly 1 By: Colleen http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5233 Colleen Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:48:50 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5233 Lance - yes - it is a BUMMER for anyone who prefers their own gear - you are forced to pay more for fees or rent someone elses - I think that is unfair. You might check where you are staying and see if they would accept and hold your gear safely if you shipped it ahead of time. I have heard of folks doing that. And it is harder when the kids are smaller - as far as carrying their gear too. Time flies - they will soon be carrying their own :0) I think of skiers having to pay through the nose to take their gear - our sons are having that problem now and have decided to drive for that reason. So, the airlines lost out of 5 airfares due to baggage fees. Lance – yes – it is a BUMMER for anyone who prefers their own gear – you are forced to pay more for fees or rent someone elses – I think that is unfair. You might check where you are staying and see if they would accept and hold your gear safely if you shipped it ahead of time. I have heard of folks doing that. And it is harder when the kids are smaller – as far as carrying their gear too. Time flies – they will soon be carrying their own :0) I think of skiers having to pay through the nose to take their gear – our sons are having that problem now and have decided to drive for that reason. So, the airlines lost out of 5 airfares due to baggage fees.

]]> By: Lance http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5231 Lance Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:09:08 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5231 We will most likely only check one bag, if anything at all. I just don't like the fact that they have conflicting information on their web site. Since our kids are only 3 and 5 we will be doing all the carrying... I miss the trips to Kauai when I'd bring a bag of scuba gear, and backpack for clothes. Now I'll be more likely to rent. I would like to bring my freediving fins, but they are simply too big. We will most likely only check one bag, if anything at all. I just don’t like the fact that they have conflicting information on their web site. Since our kids are only 3 and 5 we will be doing all the carrying…

I miss the trips to Kauai when I’d bring a bag of scuba gear, and backpack for clothes. Now I’ll be more likely to rent. I would like to bring my freediving fins, but they are simply too big.

]]> By: Colleen http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5230 Colleen Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:04:12 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5230 Soozzie - great tips. I agree wholeheartedly. We have traveled for years with just a carry on (acceptable size - check your airline web site). We never allowed our kids to carry anything that would not fit into a back pack (not overstuffed either). Shame on anyone who tries to bypass the system and make it difficult for others. It isn't hard to play by the rules - especially going to/from Hawaii. Think casual - think light and have a great trip. Also, it is easy to mail your gifts home now - we just picked up boxes at the Post Office and even sent our toiletries home via USPS instead of having to screen them on the way home. Just think small for gifts too :0) Soozzie – great tips. I agree wholeheartedly. We have traveled for years with just a carry on (acceptable size – check your airline web site). We never allowed our kids to carry anything that would not fit into a back pack (not overstuffed either). Shame on anyone who tries to bypass the system and make it difficult for others. It isn’t hard to play by the rules – especially going to/from Hawaii. Think casual – think light and have a great trip. Also, it is easy to mail your gifts home now – we just picked up boxes at the Post Office and even sent our toiletries home via USPS instead of having to screen them on the way home. Just think small for gifts too :0)

]]> By: Soozzie http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5227 Soozzie Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:27:20 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5227 Last week I watched a family of six get nailed by a Hawaiian Air gate agent in Kahului because their carry-ons were too large. He required that they check eight of their bags (it should have been ten, but what the heck). But because he caught them at the gate, it appeared that they did not pay for the checked bags, a tactic that I have seen others recommend in blogs. I also noticed this time, for the first time, that Hawaiian prominently displayed its box into which carry-ons must fit, and the personal bag size is the dimension of a large briefcase, not the ubiquitous backpack or beach bag that many of us carry. I also noticed that the family with the large bags were the only passengers to be stopped; it may have been because they almost jumped the agent demanding preboarding since they were traveling with a child -- a child of about 10 who was toting a roller bag as big as he was as well as a very large backpack. No wonder they felt he needed extra time. As for my tricks, my husband and I travel from Maui to Europe for two or three months at a time with two bags of carry-on size between us, plus a small computer backpack and my purse. That includes books, medications, and gifts. Every trip keep notes about what we used and didn't use. I also check the airline restrictions early, and take literally a week to gather what I need and think about being more efficient. As for what we tell our Hawaii visitors to bring -- two sets of shorts, two T shirts, a swimsuit and hat, with appropriate underwear and toiletries. A single backpack, easy, even if you feel you must include that fancy pant suit or muumuu for a special evening. If you need more, help the local economy and buy something here! Last week I watched a family of six get nailed by a Hawaiian Air gate agent in Kahului because their carry-ons were too large. He required that they check eight of their bags (it should have been ten, but what the heck). But because he caught them at the gate, it appeared that they did not pay for the checked bags, a tactic that I have seen others recommend in blogs. I also noticed this time, for the first time, that Hawaiian prominently displayed its box into which carry-ons must fit, and the personal bag size is the dimension of a large briefcase, not the ubiquitous backpack or beach bag that many of us carry. I also noticed that the family with the large bags were the only passengers to be stopped; it may have been because they almost jumped the agent demanding preboarding since they were traveling with a child — a child of about 10 who was toting a roller bag as big as he was as well as a very large backpack. No wonder they felt he needed extra time.

As for my tricks, my husband and I travel from Maui to Europe for two or three months at a time with two bags of carry-on size between us, plus a small computer backpack and my purse. That includes books, medications, and gifts. Every trip keep notes about what we used and didn’t use. I also check the airline restrictions early, and take literally a week to gather what I need and think about being more efficient.

As for what we tell our Hawaii visitors to bring — two sets of shorts, two T shirts, a swimsuit and hat, with appropriate underwear and toiletries. A single backpack, easy, even if you feel you must include that fancy pant suit or muumuu for a special evening. If you need more, help the local economy and buy something here!

]]> By: BEAT OF HAWAII AND BEYOND » How To Avoid Checked Bag Fees To Hawaii http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5224 BEAT OF HAWAII AND BEYOND » How To Avoid Checked Bag Fees To Hawaii Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:20:16 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5224 [...] Two recent comments, from Lance and Colleen, got me thinking about checked bag fees and what I’m doing to avoid them. [...] [...] Two recent comments, from Lance and Colleen, got me thinking about checked bag fees and what I’m doing to avoid them. [...]

]]> By: Colleen http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5223 Colleen Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:54:43 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5223 Lance - try VERY HARD to make it with just carry on - Hawaii is so casual - we have done it FOUR times. Just lay out the carry on bag and start packing. What doesn't fit doesn't go - it's that easy. IF you are taking snorkel gear, etc. that might make a difference - but, we manage to get enough in our carry on to last a week and I even take a dress and skirt for special nights. It can be done - we just will not pay for extra bags. Shame on the airlines. Lance – try VERY HARD to make it with just carry on – Hawaii is so casual – we have done it FOUR times. Just lay out the carry on bag and start packing. What doesn’t fit doesn’t go – it’s that easy. IF you are taking snorkel gear, etc. that might make a difference – but, we manage to get enough in our carry on to last a week and I even take a dress and skirt for special nights. It can be done – we just will not pay for extra bags. Shame on the airlines.

]]> By: Lance http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5221 Lance Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:21:57 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5221 I'd be happy to have a direct flight to Kauai after getting off the phone with a Hawaiian Airlines representative with questions about their baggage policies. Their FAQ lists: \ What are your restrictions for Checked baggage? Free Baggage Allowance: There is a charge for those pieces which are considered \excess\ baggage. \ I then check the Free Baggage Allowance, Rule 220 of thier Contract of Carriage http://www.hawaiianair.com/AboutUs/Pages/CarriageRuleItem.aspx?cr=220 It states: \For travel between points within the Continental USA or between the Continental USA and Hawaii, Where tickets are issued on/after May 10, 2008: A maximum of one (1) piece of baggage will be accepted provided that it does not exceed linear dimension of 62” or weight of 50 lbs. Items in excess of the single piece allowance and/or that exceed the dimensions allowed (over-sized) and/or exceed the normal weight allowance (overweight) will be subject to the charges provided in Rule 225. \ I called to confirm this and was told that thier website was incorrect (the same one I used to purchase the tickets), and there is no longer a free baggage allowance. I will be charged $20 per bag (first they said $35 per bag because I stop in Honolulu on my way to Kauai). Because we are a family of four travelling I'd rather check 4 smaller bags, but it looks like I'm going to bringing one big one! //rant off -Lance I’d be happy to have a direct flight to Kauai after getting off the phone with a Hawaiian Airlines representative with questions about their baggage policies.

Their FAQ lists:

\ What are your restrictions for Checked baggage?

Free Baggage Allowance: There is a charge for those pieces which are considered \excess\ baggage. \

I then check the Free Baggage Allowance, Rule 220 of thier Contract of Carriage http://www.hawaiianair.com/AboutUs/Pages/CarriageRuleItem.aspx?cr=220

It states:
\For travel between points within the Continental USA or between the Continental USA and Hawaii,

Where tickets are issued on/after May 10, 2008:

A maximum of one (1) piece of baggage will be accepted provided that it does not exceed linear dimension of 62” or weight of 50 lbs. Items in excess of the single piece allowance and/or that exceed the dimensions allowed (over-sized) and/or exceed the normal weight allowance (overweight) will be subject to the charges provided in Rule 225. \

I called to confirm this and was told that thier website was incorrect (the same one I used to purchase the tickets), and there is no longer a free baggage allowance. I will be charged $20 per bag (first they said $35 per bag because I stop in Honolulu on my way to Kauai).

Because we are a family of four travelling I’d rather check 4 smaller bags, but it looks like I’m going to bringing one big one!

//rant off

-Lance

]]> By: Colleen http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5218 Colleen Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:40:03 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5218 I know that not everyone appreciated Aloha Airlines - but, we certainly did - and we had a great flight with them from Santa Ana to Kona in 2005. For one thing, I hope Aloha or whoever gets to use the name again has as hospitable a crew as we enjoyed during our flight. I can still smell the chocolate chip cookies baking - it was a pleasant gesture and just really made our trip. We also liked being able to fly SWA to Santa Ana and then grab a flight from there. So, I hope this option reappears soon. I know that not everyone appreciated Aloha Airlines – but, we certainly did – and we had a great flight with them from Santa Ana to Kona in 2005.

For one thing, I hope Aloha or whoever gets to use the name again has as hospitable a crew as we enjoyed during our flight. I can still smell the chocolate chip cookies baking – it was a pleasant gesture and just really made our trip. We also liked being able to fly SWA to Santa Ana and then grab a flight from there. So, I hope this option reappears soon.

]]> By: Bruce Johnson http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5214 Bruce Johnson Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:45:16 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5214 Well, actually no, except to tell you how I enjoy getting my daily 'fix' of your website info....especially like this last week when it's only seen a 'high' of 15... Have been to your lovely islands only once two years ago, but wife and I are still planning on coming back someday....drat, this economy is holding us all captives. Thanks for all the info and especially the pics....gives us some hope that there is still a sun somewhere. Regards, BBJohnson Well, actually no, except to tell you how I enjoy getting my daily ‘fix’ of your website info….especially like this last week when it’s only seen a ‘high’ of 15…

Have been to your lovely islands only once two years ago, but wife and I are still planning on coming back someday….drat, this economy is holding us all captives.

Thanks for all the info and especially the pics….gives us some hope that there is still a sun somewhere.

Regards,

BBJohnson

]]> By: Lulu http://beatofhawaii.com/could-mesa-bankruptcy-revive-aloha-airlines/comment-page-1/#comment-5209 Lulu Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:20:50 +0000 http://beatofhawaii.com/?p=9792#comment-5209 My hubby and I never cease to miss Aloha Airlines which was always our first choice when flying between Oakland and the islands. I'd love to see them revived. My hubby and I never cease to miss Aloha Airlines which was always our first choice when flying between Oakland and the islands. I’d love to see them revived.

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