SkyBus rules of flying

[T-Bird76]

Oh man you have to read this crap...jetBlue has a bill of rights for its customers, SkyBus has a list of...well not sure what you would call this. This is total crap.. YOU CAN'T BRING FOOD WITH YOU??? What if your diabetic and need to eat? What about babies? They need to have some exceptions, I hope. This is a real **** show airline.. No gate agents, 10 bucks to board first, can't bring your own food and a punishment..They use the word punishment, holy freaking hell what kind of company is this? I just want to know if you do sneak food on board what do they do take it from you? Oh yeah I'd love to see that exchange. lol


The Skybus Rules of Flying
(A.K.A. How we keep our tickets so darn cheap.)

1. Don’t pay for everyone else’s baggage.
On Skybus, you pay only for what you check. The first two bags are 5 bucks apiece. After that, it’s $50 a bag (yeah, so pack smartly). Less baggage means faster turnaround and cheaper tickets. Fair deal?

2. Hungry? Thirsty? Bring cash.
Most people love our full cocktail bar and food menu, but if you’re not into that, it won’t cost you a penny. Why should your ticket cost include your neighbor’s dinner? That also goes for blankets and pillows–which, by the way, you get to keep if you buy. Oh, and don’t sneak food onboard unless you brought enough for the whole plane.

3. Bring a book.
We’re not big fans of fancy in-flight entertainment systems. So grab that best seller at the airport, or buy a Sudoku puzzle onboard if you’re feeling brainy. You’ll touch down before you know it.

4. Don’t call us.
We don’t have a phone number. Seriously. We’d love to chat, but those phone banks are expensive. And a good website like skybus.com is even more convenient.

5. Don't be late. We won't wait.
Please arrive no later than 30 minutes before takeoff, or we’ll leave without you. Really. By that time, there won’t even be anyone to check your bag. It’s nothing against you–we just have to keep our flights on time, or things get expensive in a hurry.

6. Don’t expect an army of gate agents.
You probably won’t see any agents at the gate until boarding time. Remain calm! Just print your boarding pass at skybus.com and relish in the savings.

7. Yeah, we’ve got preferred seats. Sort of.
There are no fancy reclining beds onboard, but you can pay 10 bucks extra to board our brand-new A319 airplanes before anyone else.

8. Tickets are nonrefundable.
Refunding a ticket costs everyone, so we don’t allow it. Of course, our tickets are so cheap it wouldn’t have been much of a refund anyway. If you need to change a ticket, your punishment for breaking a date with us is $40.

9. Bigger is not better.
Big airports can be a big pain. We choose less crowded and more convenient secondary airports for better punctuality and, of course, lower prices.

10. No spontaneous dancing in the aisle.
We realize you might be excited about paying a ridiculously low fare, but please refrain from any unbridled dancing onboard. This includes jumping for joy, disruptive cheering, and celebratory break dancing.

[Matt Molnar]

No phones! Brilliant!

[lijk604]

...well...at least you can't say they didn't warn you. If you buy a ticket on them you know what to expect. Doesn't sound like the airline I want to fly on, but, there is a market for everyone, so I'm sure there will be folks who pay their $10, shut-up, and get to their destination.

[cancidas]

6. Don’t expect an army of gate agents.
You probably won’t see any agents at the gate until boarding time. Remain calm! Just print your boarding pass at skybus.com and relish in the savings.



i'd love to watch a wx night at check-in...

[mirrodie]

YOU CAN'T BRING FOOD WITH YOU??? What if your diabetic and need to eat? What about babies? They need to have some exceptions, I hope.

This is a real **** show airline..

They use the word punishment.


Just a singular comment. Pretty ironic comments coming for the devout WN flyer. 8)

Seems that before Skybus, there were Legacy Carriers and Low Cost Carriers which is analygous to to Upper and middle class.

With Skybus, there's now Upper, lower and Ghetto class ;)

[T-Bird76]

YOU CAN'T BRING FOOD WITH YOU??? What if your diabetic and need to eat? What about babies? They need to have some exceptions, I hope.

This is a real **** show airline..

They use the word punishment.


Just a singular comment. Pretty ironic comments coming for the devout WN flyer. 8)

Seems that before Skybus, there were Legacy Carriers and Low Cost Carriers which is analygous to to Upper and middle class.

With Skybus, there's now Upper, lower and Ghetto class ;)

Mario you seem to have a total misconception of WN.. I really don't understand where your coming from?

[nwafan20]

WN doesn't care if you bring food with you....

I read this on A.net. I suppose that some will be willing to suffer through this service for a flight for $10.

Place your bets on when Skybus will be gone from America!

I say end of operations: March 2008

[mirrodie]

YOU CAN'T BRING FOOD WITH YOU??? What if your diabetic and need to eat? What about babies? They need to have some exceptions, I hope.

This is a real **** show airline..

They use the word punishment.


Just a singular comment. Pretty ironic comments coming for the devout WN flyer. 8)

Seems that before Skybus, there were Legacy Carriers and Low Cost Carriers which is analygous to to Upper and middle class.

With Skybus, there's now Upper, lower and Ghetto class ;)

Mario you seem to have a total misconception of WN.. I really don't understand where your coming from?



Nah, I know their product and have flown them. To date, they are seen as an no frills, LCC. Some have perceived them as Greyhound in the sky (cough cough, Nik, cough cough)

So now that there is an apparent, ultra low cost no frills competitor by the name of Skybus, don't you see the irony?

[T-Bird76]

YOU CAN'T BRING FOOD WITH YOU??? What if your diabetic and need to eat? What about babies? They need to have some exceptions, I hope.

This is a real **** show airline..

They use the word punishment.


Just a singular comment. Pretty ironic comments coming for the devout WN flyer. 8)

Seems that before Skybus, there were Legacy Carriers and Low Cost Carriers which is analygous to to Upper and middle class.

With Skybus, there's now Upper, lower and Ghetto class ;)

Mario you seem to have a total misconception of WN.. I really don't understand where your coming from?



Nah, I know their product and have flown them. To date, they are seen as an no frills, LCC. Some have perceived them as Greyhound in the sky (cough cough, Nik, cough cough)

So now that there is an apparent, ultra low cost no frills competitor by the name of Skybus, don't you see the irony?

Well the term low cost is one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry. The term low cost really refers to the carrier’s operational costs and not ticket prices as many "LCCs" offer the same prices as the "legacies." SkyBus however is a new animal all together. I just don't understand their model as of yet. You can't book through tickets; you have to purchase each segment as a new ticket. So does that also mean no baggage checked to your final destination? I don't see America responding well to their product.

[mirrodie]

So does that also mean no baggage checked to your final destination? I don't see America responding well to their product.


Baggage? Think nick will respond well to them? ;)

[hiss srq]

The CEO's address is [email protected]. I have met him, he is areal prick too. He is from Texas as well so that is two strikes on him. I checked him in about 3 months ago to CMH on us and saw his card on the bag and I tryed to pick his brain. He gave me his e mail.

[ATAIndy]

Are they really serious about no food? That's lame. Also, their entire list of rules is written in a childish immature way, making it very annoying to read. Is it even worth ten bucks? I picture in my head a plane full of rednecks, crying babies (because they can't eat their food), little kids, and God only knows what else. Not very appealing...

[kc2aqg]

I have to agree with Tommy on this one, this is total crap. The one thing that bugs me more than anything is being treated like a child/idiot. Establishing "stupid" non-safety related rules like this and the tone in which they are written I find to be condescending and a nuisance. They won't be getting any business from me in the near future. It seems so far that their whole operation has been thrown together using a website and some gum! I'll be very curious as to how the flying public reacts, and how they can make an operating profit (advertising revenue not included) from this. I always wish well to the airline industry, but this carrier seems like they're making a mockery of the whole thing.

On a side note, anyone know where Skybus will be carrying out their maintenance?

[USAF Pilot 07]

Ehh I'll go against the grain here and say that I think they are offering a very marketable product to a specific (and growing) clientele.

They've laid everything out, up front. Don't expect anything from Skybus except for them to get you from point A to point B.

Don't sneak food on? I don't know how well that is, or can be enforced.

What it will ultimately come down to is reliability and customer service. If customers get from point A to point B on time (or close to there) and haven't been immensely pissed off by the airline staff, then it's a good product. In a perfect world, SkyBus would thrive. This isn't a perfect world, and what their test will ultimately be is how well they perform, and how they treat customers during "crisis" times (snowstorms, thunderstorms, aircraft problems etc...).

I won't put any money on how I think SkyBus will do. On one hand I can see them doing really well... They are the American version of EasyJet and RyanAir. But, at the same time, a few snafus could have them singing the blues....

[mirrodie]

In all seriousness, in today's completey unpredictable climate, it's a very tough call.

Lots of companies have begun with perfectly sound business plans that garnered approval from investors and banks and went trumps.

SO you never know what can happen.

[PhilDernerJr]

There are some operational detials of their's that I want to learn, but if it's cheap, people will go for it. If people save over $100 or even more ona ticket, they will have no problem checking in their bags again for the second legand following their silly rules.

[Winglets747]

Well, I sure am looking forward to flying with them in a month. :twisted:

There are definitely some strange things--childish talk in their "rules" (jetBlue's lightness is appropriate; this is too much), no connecting flights.

I think when they expand more they'll do connecting flights (B6, WN, and easyJet amongst other LCCs do).

Regarding the food, that "rule" will either be unenforced or make them infamous. I'll bet the former.

Did anyone else read their wider aisles bit as meaning narrower seats? Seriously, a narrow aisle is a narrow aisle whether or not you add a few inches.

There are some fares that are just $10 o/w to BUR. Even if other fares are upwards of $50, you could combine a CMH-BUR trip with a cheap NYC-CMH fare and come out with an uber cheap fare.

Anyone know if they plan on entering the NYC market? They could definitely shake things up if fares stay this low.

[Iberia A340-600]

Anyone know if they plan on entering the NYC market? They could definitely shake things up if fares stay this low.

I have not been able to confirm this at all successfully but I remember reading a while back in either Airliners magazine or Airways or Airliners World or even somewhere on the web that Skybus was interested in serving the Hudson Valley which I assume is either SWF or HPN.

[LGA777]

Did anyone else read their wider aisles bit as meaning narrower seats? Seriously, a narrow aisle is a narrow aisle whether or not you add a few inches.

They are touting the fact that their 319's are full size aircraft vs an RJ so yes a 319 does have a wider aisle than a CRJ. With the exception of the West coast many of their markets from CMH are served by competitors either direct or connection via regional aircraft. Even DL's CMH-Florida non-stops are RJ's
Hope that helps ?

Cheers

LGA777

[Deltafan2006]

This a mega crap, an airline will not do that at all!!!!

[VikHathi]

I wonder if we have to chip in for jet fuel.

But, seriously this is an ad driven airline, I think even the wings have advertisements on them. It would be interesting as to the ad clients they would get, perhaps ones that cater to a lower, price-sensitive demographics. However, associating with a no-frills airline could be catastrophic for the outside firm if the airline runs into major customer service issues or goes belly up.

I think the best business model for an airline would be the following: cheap seats and onboard gaming.

-Vik

[T-Bird76]

I wonder if we have to chip in for jet fuel.

But, seriously this is an ad driven airline, I think even the wings have advertisements on them. It would be interesting as to the ad clients they would get, perhaps ones that cater to a lower, price-sensitive demographics. However, associating with a no-frills airline could be catastrophic for the outside firm if the airline runs into major customer service issues or goes belly up.

I think the best business model for an airline would be the following: cheap seats and bod gaming.

-Vik

You can also mention if they crash, god forbid. The burned wreckage of the Hilton logo won't bod well for them.

[Matt Molnar]

Hilton? I think EconoLodge would be a more likely advertiser... along with ads for Mickey's Malt Liquor and Fruit of the Loom wifebeaters,

[Midnight Mike]

Oh man you have to read this crap...jetBlue has a bill of rights for its customers, SkyBus has a list of...well not sure what you would call this. This is total crap.. YOU CAN'T BRING FOOD WITH YOU??? What if your diabetic and need to eat? What about babies? They need to have some exceptions, I hope. This is a real **** show airline.. No gate agents, 10 bucks to board first, can't bring your own food and a punishment..They use the word punishment, holy freaking hell what kind of company is this? I just want to know if you do sneak food on board what do they do take it from you? Oh yeah I'd love to see that exchange. lol

[/quote]

If you have a diabetic dietary requirement don't fly Skybus, my goodness, did you see their fares? They are just about as rockbottom as you can get, the airline is going to have to make some money through fees.

Sorry, I don't see a problem, the airline is telling you everything in advance....

[T-Bird76]

Oh man you have to read this crap...jetBlue has a bill of rights for its customers, SkyBus has a list of...well not sure what you would call this. This is total crap.. YOU CAN'T BRING FOOD WITH YOU??? What if your diabetic and need to eat? What about babies? They need to have some exceptions, I hope. This is a real **** show airline.. No gate agents, 10 bucks to board first, can't bring your own food and a punishment..They use the word punishment, holy freaking hell what kind of company is this? I just want to know if you do sneak food on board what do they do take it from you? Oh yeah I'd love to see that exchange. lol

[/quote:15a85]

If you have a diabetic dietary requirement don't fly Skybus, my goodness, did you see their fares? They are just about as rockbottom as you can get, the airline is going to have to make some money through fees.

Sorry, I don't see a problem, the airline is telling you everything in advance....

What can they do though Mike if you decide to break out a nice foot long sub? Can they really take it away from you?

[Matt Molnar]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. What is the punishment if you start eating something from your carry on?

[moose135]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. What is the punishment if you start eating something from your carry on?

They will make you step outside while you eat it :shock:

[Deltafan2006]

This ruled sucks!!!!! but interesting.........for example dont be late..we will not wait for you.

[Mellyrose]

I just read the rules. What they've accomplished is coming across as totally obnoxious by doing a piss poor job at trying to be witty with their "rules." They're trying to be cute like jetBlue, but they've failed miserably.

If I want to bring my snack of choice on a plane, I'm going to. I'll just bring it on a different airline if Skybus doesn't like it.

[GrummanFan]

I think it would be best to find out the answer to this question first-hand. I want to fly on them for the sole purpose of sneaking food on board, then eating it out in the open to see what happens. And in case they do give me problems, I will bring enough for everyone...bring a few bags of Lays, and everyone can have a chip or two.

[Deltafan2006]

This is another policy of skybus

Pets and other animals
We love pets, but we’re unable to take them. Skybus doesn’t carry live animals. The only exception is service animals (such as Seeing Eye dogs), and they fly in the cabin. There is no charge to fly a service animal, but you’ll need proof that Rover is a working dog.

There are some items you can bring, and some things you can’t
You may bring portable electronic devices with you onto the plane, but note: they must remain off and properly stowed during taxi, takeoff, approach, and landing. Transmitting devices (like cell phones and some PDA devices) may not be used at any time during the flight.
No food or drinks, please. In most cases, Skybus offers these items for sale during your flight.

[Deltafan2006]

That airline will be the next indy air

[PHL Approach]

This is another policy of skybus

Pets and other animals
We love pets, but we’re unable to take them. Skybus doesn’t carry live animals. The only exception is service animals (such as Seeing Eye dogs), and they fly in the cabin. There is no charge to fly a service animal, but you’ll need proof that Rover is a working dog.


This is the case with a few airlines. US is one of them. I see no problem. It's actually something they are doing that is a good thing! Would you want Max to be in the bin with some Dry Ice?

[Nonstop2AUH]

Everything in America is becoming extremely segmented based on economic group, and just as there are investment bankers who fly Eos between NYC and London every week to do deals and collect fees, there are students, recent immigrants, and working poor who need to get from point A to point B as cheaply as possible and who are willing to put up with SkyBus rules if fare is low enough, in fact they'd probably fly in the cargo hold if it lowered the fare by 10%. The days are long gone of a one size fits all approach where some generally acceptable level of service is offered to everyone at a similar price point. I wouldn't fly SkyBus if they paid me, but I'm not their customer. The point is, millions of other people in America just might be.

[Midnight Mike]

What can they do though Mike if you decide to break out a nice foot long sub? Can they really take it away from you?

What can they do? I have no idea, they can always fine the passenger, afterall, they have your credit card on file.. :?:

[Midnight Mike]

If I want to bring my snack of choice on a plane, I'm going to. I'll just bring it on a different airline if Skybus doesn't like it.

Exactly! If you don't want to play by their rules, don't fly Skybus, but those cheap fares are going to attact pleny of passengers......

[stuart schechter]

Quote:
On a side note, anyone know where Skybus will be carrying out their maintenance?

Whoa, what maintenance? Oh, we have to pay another $10 to fly a working plane now!

[Nonstop2AUH]

I would guess maintenance will be in El Salvador like with Jetblue, cheapest A320 checks in this part of the world. With $10 fares it's not like they are going to pay US union wages.

[T-Bird76]

If I want to bring my snack of choice on a plane, I'm going to. I'll just bring it on a different airline if Skybus doesn't like it.

Exactly! If you don't want to play by their rules, don't fly Skybus, but those cheap fares are going to attact pleny of passengers......

Here's the thing I don't understand why you can't bring your own food? There just doesn't seem to be a logical reason behind it. Is it because they'll have more trash and more trash cost more? I'm thinking its a move to force you to buy their food.

I just don't see this product working, American's are very picky about service and we complian over everything. This business model just seems to be heading towards a nightly news story, and not in a good way.

[RDU-JFK]

They won't turn you away if you have your own food. They probably want to keep cleaning expenses and turnaround time down. People will always be slobs though, with newspapers and coffee cups and other crap people bring on board with them.

So you can't eat. Big deal. For those who want to fly across the country for 10 dollars, fine. I'll eat beforehand.

[Matt Molnar]

I'm thinking its a move to force you to buy their food.
Hell yeah. The margin on food is a whole lot higher than the (probably negative) margin on their flights.

[Midnight Mike]

Here's the thing I don't understand why you can't bring your own food? There just doesn't seem to be a logical reason behind it. Is it because they'll have more trash and more trash cost more? I'm thinking its a move to force you to buy their food.

I just don't see this product working, American's are very picky about service and we complian over everything. This business model just seems to be heading towards a nightly news story, and not in a good way.

So that they can sell you food on the airplane, same idea as going to the movie theatre, they won't let you bring stuff in so they can sell you overly priced snacks & drinks.

When I flew Easyjet, you should see the crap that people purchase on the airplane.

[G-BOAD]

I see this, kind of like ryanair. To me, that airline is crap, and yet they are successful. I really like to fly, and i think i would pay $60 to fly somewhere for the day, and then come back. (2 one way tickets with priority boarding, so i can get a window). I would much rather go in a nice cabin on a better airline, but that can cost a lot, and i might not end up going at all.

But, at least they chose Airbus, and no offense to the big Boeing fans, but it would be funny if they Skybus didn't go with Airbus.

I want to see how they do in the first couple of months, and then maybe i will make a find out if good, bad or bankrupt.

And also, they should redo they rules. when Jetblue does it, its like your friend. When they do it, its like the teacher who tried to act like your friend, but is really an jerk.

And a poll, how many people will pay $10, just to bring food onboard and see what will happen?

[lijk604]

I have no desire to fly on this airline. Not even for $10. There are enough other carriers out there who will take me where I want to go.

[mirrodie]

[quote="T-Bird76":1cdf3]
Here's the thing I don't understand why you can't bring your own food? There just doesn't seem to be a logical reason behind it. Is it because they'll have more trash and more trash cost more? I'm thinking its a move to force you to buy their food.

I just don't see this product working, American's are very picky about service and we complian over everything. This business model just seems to be heading towards a nightly news story, and not in a good way.

So that they can sell you food on the airplane, same idea as going to the movie theatre, they won't let you bring stuff in so they can sell you overly priced snacks & drinks.

When I flew Easyjet, you should see the crap that people purchase on the airplane.[/quote:1cdf3]




Now that is exactly what I've held in mind for a while now. It's no different than sneaking food into the theater.

They are gearing toward a completely different demographic. Who knows, they might replace Greyhound bus in the long run. Seriously.

[moose135]

They are gearing toward a completely different demographic. Who knows, they might replace Greyhound bus in the long run. Seriously.

Maybe they will change their name to "Phydeaux Air" :wink:

[AndrewM]

I guess I am in the minority here on the site, but I'm going to try them. I just think of it as taking a very fast bus; hence the name SkyBus.

The average person (not including babies and diabetics) can somehow manage not to eat for a few hours! First, if you can’t do that (somethings up with you) and second-- then just buy their food. We're such a fat country anyway maybe it will do people good.

Seriously though, people will fly them because they want to spend as little money as possible. There is no other reason. Convenience isn't even the reason; just price. And for $40 flights across the country I'm not going to complain.

[T-Bird76]

I'm not going to complain.

You can't complain, they don't have a customer service phone number, LOLOL

[AndrewM]

I'm not going to complain.

You can't complain, they don't have a customer service phone number, LOLOL

well stated

[Mateo]

There was a segment on NPR this afternoon about SkyBus. The conclusion of the analyst who did most of the talking was that people would fly it, but they weren't going to find enough pax in CMH, and even if they did, Southwest would crush them like a bug.

[Deltafan2006]

Is this an bus cheap type air services?"

[Clipper]

They wanted to order their A319'a with a second set of overwing doors, this will allow the aircraft to be certify to fly 168 PAX vs. the current FAA maximum of 144 PAX. Imagine setting in a 27/28" pitch middle seat with bunch rednecks that are hungry :roll: :?

[Winglets747]

Clipper, I've been thinking about the overwing exits for a while. EasyJet has two overwing exit sets on their A319s, which seat 156. SkyBus only has one set yet they say they'll seat up to 156.

Will the early (only 1 set of exits) SkyBus A319s seat only 144 and later (2nd set of exits) models 156?

[NcSchu]

That airline will be the next indy air

Just like G-BOAD said, what if this is the next RyanAir? If that happens, which seems likely given SkyBus's business practices, then there will be a real problem, because look how popular Ryanair is now.

There's just so much wrong with these rules, and what hits me is how they're all geared to make the airline make more money. See they're able to charge low prices for the flight, but they make these rules so that although you don't realize it you still end up paying just as much as other flights but not all at front. These rules make you pay for basically anything. I mean, what's next, making you pay to use the bathrooms on board? The priority boarding policy is a scam, basically because the more people who pay the 10 dollars, the less it is priority boarding. If every passenger pays it, then you're just back at the beginning and have each given the airline ten more dollars for nothing. I won't touch the food part because I never usually eat on board planes anyway so I don't care much about that, although I do think the airline would have to break their own rules for diabetics and such because if they don't they'll just be sued and that'll be the end of that. However about not having a telephone number, what a stupid thing. Companies lacking a telephone number is probably the number one complaint by customers no matter what industry you're in.

But like I said, there is a very good chance of this becoming the next Ryanair and that is the real problem. At least an airline like Virgin America is coming into the industry trying to improve things.

[Clipper]

The 144 PAX is the current FAA type certificate limit for standard A319, Easyjet serial numbers are not included. Skybus is sub leasing some VirginAmerica aircraft to start their operation so they are limited to 144 pax.

I am not sure if Skybus made a decision on the second set of exit doors for their direct order fleet, I told them the $700K option is a bad investment since the aircraft will become baster in the general A319 fleet and aircraft owner will have problems reconfiguring them for subsequent lessees. I do have a FAA letter stating they will rubber stamp the new EASA exit limit for dual overwing exits if an application is made by a 121 carrier.

[nwafan20]

A RyanAir model would not work in the US. US citizens just won't put up with it.

[Matt Molnar]

Agreed. I like to see novel business models succeed, so I hope we're wrong. But this is not Europe...we have a vast network of high quality, high speed roads, a culture that appreciates driving, and fuel is relatively cheap, whereas in Europe Ryanair is a better option even if you're broke.

[JetBlueAirwaysFan]

I wonder if/when this "airline" decides to fly to NYC...what airport will they use? Will they use a smaller airport like ISP, HPN or SWF? Or a major airport like EWR, JFK, or LGA?

[Clipper]

I don't think they can afford to land at any of the NYC airports with their current pricing structure :shock: :lol:

[moose135]

I wonder if/when this "airline" decides to fly to NYC...what airport will they use? Will they use a smaller airport like ISP, HPN or SWF? Or a major airport like EWR, JFK, or LGA?

From their "rules"


9. Bigger is not better.
Big airports can be a big pain. We choose less crowded and more convenient secondary airports for better punctuality and, of course, lower prices.


With the dominance of SWA at ISP, I would think they might use one of the upstate airports, SWF or HPN.

[T-Bird76]

With the dominance of SWA at ISP, I would think they might use one of the upstate airports, SWF or HPN.

Lets not put FLU past them.... lol