Skybus may return again: Some ideas for making a go of it

by Jamie Rhein on

Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, so might Skybus. Yesterday, there were several stories about the possibility of Skybus Airlines’ return. The first story I heard was on the radio. Next came the nightly news. According to the stories, John Weikle, the airline’s founder, said he’s been working out ways to bring it back.

Weikle pointed to Allegiant Air as an indication that no-frills airlines can work. In order for the airline to pull it off, it needs to up the on-time performance and control expansion. Considering that Skybus has the planes, it has the logo, it has people who have probably not found jobs yet, AND there is the space in airports designed specifically for Skybus, it seems to me that the ingredients are there. Even since yesterday, I’ve talked with more people who were either going to buy tickets or who bought tickets all the time in order to visit relatives.

Now, it’s almost impossible to fly anywhere from Columbus without stopping somewhere along the way–often in an opposite direction. For people who are older, changing planes is problem. Why not promote Skybus as the airline that brings family members together. Another thing that I think would help push the smaller airports is to have step by step directions on how to get to the larger cities from the small airport locations. For example, have it spelled out how to get from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, New York to Grand Central Station. I don’t think it’s that hard, but it’s something people need to know in specifics. If the directions are in a format so they could be printed off, even better. How handy, people might think.

Another idea I have for a user-friendly addition is to have a page to click on at each airport location that highlights the things to see in the area. Click on Greensboro, North Carolina and you’ll find out information about what it’s near. I’d really like to know what’s near Greensboro, North Carolina without having to search myself. When I went to Allegiant Air’s Web site, I saw information about Allegiant Air destination towns and photographs. This put me in a traveling mood. Also, Allegiant’s Web site looks like it changes with new highlights. Smart. If Skybus could only get some more investors. An article in the Dispatch today said that those in Columbus shouldn’t hold our breath. I do have my fingers crossed.

Skybus’s bankruptcy affects honeymoon plans 35 years in the making

by Jamie Rhein on

Skybus is still making front page of Columbus’s newspaper. We’re still having the tail end of Skybus drama at my house. Two nights ago, my friend called telling me that he had received the e-mail from Skybus telling him his flight in May was no more and that there weren’t any refunds. My friend is out $300, I would guess, because he paid for the ticket back in September and rebooked it in October. Too bad he doesn’t have the $300 for a flight to Columbus on another airlines because those flights can be found. My husband was able to cancel the charge on our credit card for the cost of the ticket he booked for this August. Our problems are nothing compared to the folks who are out of a job without warning.

There is another Skybus story that really pulls on the old heartstrings. A Columbus couple who had been dating for 35 years and finally got married had planned to fly to California for their honeymoon. The couple are in their 70s. They haven’t flown in years because of the cost, but family bought them the Skybus tickets for a wedding present. This is a couple who decided to get married so he wouldn’t have to drive home at night. The wedding was the day after Skybus’ last flight so their honeymoon bit the dust until the groom’s sister sprung for the flight on United Airlines. The couple is now heading to San Diego next week. I hope they have good weather and a good flight.

The groom’s sister just happens to live in San Diego so they are staying with her. If United Airlines wanted to capitalize on this story, I’d think they could come up with something catchy. At least on a United Airlines flight they can get something to drink and a snack without paying extra–at least not yet.

What strange things have been found on planes?


Read more wedding horror stories from AisleDash:

Depressed in Ohio about Skybus and Jet Blue deprived

by Jamie Rhein on

I found out about Skybus’s demise from Grant when I checked e-mail last night. Grant had found out the news from a comment sent to us from a reader a few hours earlier. While Grant was busy typing up the Skybus calls it quits post, I was out having a drink with a friend, unaware that my summer plans were mucked up,–and my birthday–AND a visit from another friend.

Yesterday afternoon I decided we should fly to New York on Skybus instead of drive after seeing how cheap flights still were in August. Luckily, I hadn’t booked the tickets yet. I wonder how many people booked flights yesterday totally unaware that they’d be contacting their credit card company less than a day later?

My husband just told me an hour ago that he had bought a ticket for my best friend in Massachusetts to come to Columbus for my birthday the end of August. That’s out. The bill has not been paid yet–we haven’t even received it, so I think we may be in luck and not have to pay. Who would come get us to make us pay?

I also just remembered that a friend of mine in Los Angeles was to come to visit in May. He bought his ticket back in September. How does that work since that credit card bill has long been paid? I’m sure there are many many stories like this one all over Columbus. I heard two of them today in a writers group I go to.

Here’s my beef. Jet Blue pulled out of Columbus this year because of Skybus. Even though Jet Blue is offering cheap seats for folks stranded by Skybus, because that airline doesn’t come to Ohio that doesn’t help us in the Buckeye state. The non-stop flight to L.A. on Delta that I took in September isn’t available anymore either. For Ohio, whose economy is a bit in the tank, Skybus was something to feel special about. We were the city with those $10 airfare. People were coming to Columbus as a result. That’s over. I know for sure my friend in L.A. won’t be coming in May. My other friend may still come for my birthday, but with the price of airfare now, I might want to come up with something else.

I sure hope Jet Blue comes back. Please. Pretty please?

Skybus goes bankrupt!

by Grant Martin on

Skybus just announced that they’re ceasing all operations and have declared bankruptcy. According to their website, they’ll continue to close out flights today, but after that all bets are off. Being as it’s 11:30 at the time of writing, I think that it’s safe to say nobody else will be flying Skybus.

According to the new modified website “Passengers holding reservations for Skybus flights scheduled to depart on or after Saturday, April 5, 2008 should contact their credit card companies to arrange to apply for a refund.”

At the fall of ATA earlier this week I know that I was complaining about high oil prices and the competition that pushed the budget carrier of 35 years out of business. But I didn’t expect the woes to be so widespread. I would now speculate about other carriers but don’t want to jinx anyone.

We’ll keep you updated on what happens on this surprising news.

Skybus gets a new CEO. Does this mean the $10 tickets stay or go?

by Jamie Rhein on

In yesterday’s Columbus Dispatch, an article outlined just why it was a good thing that Skybus’s former CEO, Bill Diffenderffer stepped down so Michael Hodge, the old CFO could take over. Diffenderffer wasn’t particularly sad to relinquish the position since this move frees up some time for him to return to writing novels and plays. Helping to start up Skybus was what he liked. Hanging around to make sure that what he started works over the long haul? Not so much.

Hodge is ready to tackle this fledgling airline’s woes. The first flight was in May. Since then, being on time has been a bit of an issue and fuel prices haven’t helped. Lately, the pilots are fussing about not making enough money. They could make more elsewhere and are pondering what to do about that.

I’m wondering if the $10 seats will last with this change. Some say they shouldn’t because, economically, they don’t make sense. Others say, keep them. I second that. Another question is the airline’s non-existent customer call line. Of course the Skybus folks have phones. Customers just can’t call them. I’ve had frustrations over that one myself. I’m rooting for Skybus. I have an urge to fly to upstate New York this year. Skybus’s rates right now are cheaper than driving– if you plan ahead.