View Full Version : There has GOT to be a cheaper way to Abaco...
Beer Baron
08-08-2008, 02:35 PM
Anybody got the inside scoop on cheap airfare from FLL to TCB? YAT looks like about 850 for the R/T fare. Anyone know of any smaller local airlines running specials?
Looking to head down around the end of October if the price is right.
Shelby
08-08-2008, 03:08 PM
I just went to www.continental.com (http://www.continental.com), and searched FLL to TCB and put in October 15-29 as travel dates (just picked those dates out of the air), and came up with a rate of $379.
Or, you could fly from FLL to Nassau - again with the same dates, flights for as low as $150, according to Continental.com, and then take Bahamasair from NAS to TCB. I think the Bahamasair leg is $200-300 or so round trip. Still, combined, brings you in well below the $800+.
And just so you know, though many folks seem to look down their noses at Bahamasair, I can only tell you my experience. In no fewer than 5 trips between NAS and TCB over the past few years, we've had NO major problems or delays. It has been a pleasure to fly with them.
If you do go with the latter route, you may want to check Bahamasair's schedule from NAS to TCB and back FIRST, and coordinate your other flights to that, since they only fly to TCB from NAS on certain days of the week, I believe.
Good luck -- wish we were going in October!!
Amanda
abacobob
08-08-2008, 03:30 PM
I just checked Yellow Air for Oct 18th returning the 25th and it was $390 RT including all taxes and fees.
Beer Baron
08-08-2008, 04:05 PM
I'm pretty sure the wife would kill me if I tried to leave without her, so yes - 2 people.
It was a total of 841 for 2 people from FLL to TCB travelling on 29Oct & 2Nov
I looked at continental before, and though the prices were better, I was hoping to avoid a 16 hour layover in Newark, NJ
sail pending
08-08-2008, 04:10 PM
If you don't think Abaco is paradise spend 16 hours in Newark and then go.
Beer Baron
08-08-2008, 04:13 PM
LOL - I guess that'll make me appreciate it that much more
Floridacargocat
08-08-2008, 04:47 PM
Look into alternatives of flying into Freeport/Bahamas and continuation on one of the smaller Bahamian air carriers (if deemed acceptable). My forecast: Prices will not change drastically, as even the small carriers do realize that they have to charge sustainable rates or face the consequences. And for the payment method: CREDIT CARD only for obvious reasons.
Shelby
08-08-2008, 05:50 PM
Oh, for two people. Then your $850's not looking quite so bad!
SamFamAustin
08-08-2008, 06:18 PM
Somehow I don't think I'm getting the whole story here. My dad has said for the last 3-4 years that one-way per person was about $379 on "their" airline, the cheapest. As flight costs go up all over the world, you're saying that flights to March Harbour are now half-price? How strange. It would be good if it lasted!
Beer Baron
08-10-2008, 11:14 AM
Best price I've found for R/T travel from PHL to TCB was 1,500 for 2. Just can't make it work for now. Looks like we're back to looking at 2009 again.
HALF-A-HAMIAN
08-10-2008, 02:10 PM
Airtran was showing $280 R/T, MCI to PBI for flights before Oct. 01, for two people, Mama said not yet. :-(
BahamaAngie
08-10-2008, 04:36 PM
Beer Baron, I have NOT checked the prices or flights but once I found that Spirit flew out of Atlantic City into Nassau and then you could go through Bahama Air BUT again, I have no idea on prices. I priced Newark into MHH the other day for 2/09 and it was about $703 pp rt . This past Feb. it was about $468 pp rt. Maybe it will come down again as gas prices have started to come down IF they continue and they are not playing with us.
gummy67
08-10-2008, 04:49 PM
Twin Air
SamFamAustin
08-11-2008, 01:33 PM
Florida Cargo Cat might know better, but right after Labor Day (US) the major airlines are going to make massive cuts to the numbers of planes and numbers of [smaller] cities being served - it should be interesting. The entire idea behind this strategy is to ... hate to say this ... drive up the prices and eliminate non-profitable lines. Not sure of any implications for passenger service to the Bahamas. Any speculation out there?
My thinking is that any good deals you find are teasers to test the market - and see which routes will be eliminated! Perhaps I'm reading too much into this, tho'.
DrRalph
08-11-2008, 02:29 PM
You know, I was going to ask the membership again if anyone was interested in pooling our money and buying Guana Seaside Village, but maybe we should buy a plane???
Floridacargocat
08-11-2008, 03:33 PM
Fuel prices and fixed overhead are the driving factors in this game. Under today's conditions (economic and financial), any air carrier will have a very factual discussion on profit margins and marginal contribution as well as "How many flights a week (month) do we really need at which yield?"
Even small and very small carriers (charters) will have to take a decision, and if the margin is insufficient, then the owner (and/or investors) will be forced to take a decision.
Another aspect are legal requirements for commuters and legacy carriers re how far they can cut back flights and still maintain their authority to offer these flights. Political aspects might come into play on both sides of the Gulfstream.
However if a company continues to operate unprofitable flights, who is going to pay in the end? Guess who?
Yes, air carriers will and do cut flights in order to increase load factors and yields; they have no other choice. Bahamasair is not profitable, the American legacy carriers are either slightly profitable or nicely in the red; the newer low-cost air carriers have been badly bitten by the oil price bug, and slowly but surely other provisions have to be made (pension etc) like for the legacy air carriers. The most profitable low-cost air carrier (SWA) is not flying internationally (even their latest connection into Canada is done by a Canadian air carrier, not SWA); they know why they do domestic transportation only.
These short flights to The Bahamas (on jets or turboprop) eat into engine time before the mandatory overhaul. Piston aircraft are not affected by this engine cycle time aspect, but they also have fixed times between overhaul (as well as propeller).
Legacy carriers push these shorter flights to regional air carriers with a less expensive cost structure. Smaller and real small carriers can do what in this scenario? Offer a service and charge a sustainable rate or remove themselves from this market and find a different niche.
Once Cuba opens up (and this is on the horizon if you like it or not), then the entire flight and tourism scenario in South Florida will change. Capacity will be thrown into this market, and prices will be adjusted until the cycle completes itself. Less capacity might then be needed for The Bahamas, thus favouring smaller and small aircraft.
You know, I was going to ask the membership again if anyone was interested in pooling our money and buying Guana Seaside Village, but maybe we should buy a plane???
Guana Seaside is no longer named "Guana Seaside. DLC changed the name. The old place just isn't the same anymore. One day I will ride down and get some pictures. :(
SamFamAustin
08-11-2008, 08:17 PM
Guana Seaside is no longer named "Guana Seaside. DLC changed the name. The old place just isn't the same anymore. One day I will ride down and get some pictures. :(
Aw, wasn't that our dream deal for about 3-5 million with some rooms, a central area, a housekeeper unit, and a perfect place to gather and listen to ridiculous stories and songs? Abaco Forum Timeshares?
Abacouple
08-11-2008, 09:17 PM
Far be it from me to "Stop the Carnival."
Patti Puzo
08-11-2008, 09:50 PM
Guana Seaside is no longer named "Guana Seaside. DLC changed the name. The old place just isn't the same anymore. One day I will ride down and get some pictures. :(
I think I mentioned it last year. Mark and I took our cart in and we IMMEDIATELY turned around and went back. Lots of people seemed to be living there, dorm style. The building and ground is in disrepair.
It is a very sad sight, indeed.
DrRalph
08-12-2008, 05:17 PM
Aw, wasn't that our dream deal for about 3-5 million with some rooms, a central area, a housekeeper unit, and a perfect place to gather and listen to ridiculous stories and songs? Abaco Forum Timeshares?
Happier days at Guana Seaside.
Shelby
08-12-2008, 05:47 PM
Somehow I don't think I'm getting the whole story here. My dad has said for the last 3-4 years that one-way per person was about $379 on "their" airline, the cheapest. As flight costs go up all over the world, you're saying that flights to March Harbour are now half-price? How strange. It would be good if it lasted!
Sam, were you referring to my note above? I went to www.continental.com (http://www.continental.com), keyed in FLL to TCB and picked two dates in October, and the RT fare was $379. I wasn't 100% sure it was RT, so I just did it again - now it's showing $356 round trip. FYI, the date range I picked was October 15-29.
I didn't check the FLL to MH rates, but I can't see how they'd vary too much...
Amanda
Boy, that brings back some really good memories. Sidney and I had just gotten married that year. I believe that was 2004? It still seems sad to see Glenn at Grabbers instead of behind the bar at Seaside.
Patti Puzo
08-12-2008, 06:02 PM
I thought that was you in pictures 5 and 6 Pat! Is that also Flying Dogs?
Who are the rest of the crew?
DrRalph
08-12-2008, 06:04 PM
Nos. 5, 6, & 7 are indeed from '04, that is the CFBM crew.
Picture number 6
Left to right
Tiina, Jerry Also, Janet, David, PatW, Sidney, Jerry, and Laura
Picture 7
Left to right
Dave (Abacoskippy), DannyB( PattyB's husband), Dr. Ralph, Jerry
SamFamAustin
08-12-2008, 07:00 PM
Good looking crew and I think I'd fit right in if'n they didn't kick my Ess halfway back to Dickie's Cay (love saying that). ;)
And a beautiful pool, Tiki bar, and complex even though it was 14 years ago in its better days. I don't know if I want to see it all run down, PatW.
Unless they're selling it dirt cheap.
Oh on the airline thang, Shelby, I meant MHH to FTL based on what our family has done for years. It sounds like some more direct/through flights have some real deals, which I will save for when it's time for an "Abaco."
-sammie
BahamaAngie
08-12-2008, 07:04 PM
That was Peach drinking a cosmo?????
That was Peach drinking a cosmo?????
That's her!
Good looking crew and I think I'd fit right in if'n they didn't kick my Ess halfway back to Dickie's Cay (love saying that). ;)
And a beautiful pool, Tiki bar, and complex even though it was 14 years ago in its better days. I don't know if I want to see it all run down, PatW.
Unless they're selling it dirt cheap.
Oh on the airline thang, Shelby, I meant MHH to FTL based on what our family has done for years. It sounds like some more direct/through flights have some real deals, which I will save for when it's time for an "Abaco."
-sammie
Yeah, a great pool. Let me tell a story about the time my friends, Maggie and Myrtle, and several other friends were at Seaside for Maggie's 50th birthday. The three of us, me, Maggie and Myrtle, wanted to get in the pool but I noticed some black algae growing in there. I told Glenn and he said he was busy, busy, didn't have time to clean the algae. I told him to find us brushes and WE would brush the pool. The three of us got in and started brushing. For hours we brushed and for hours, Glenn would bring us Pina Colada's, cokes, anything we asked for, for free, as we worked. We would brush, get a float and float around, brush, get a fresh drink, float around, drink, until finally we couldn't float, we couldn't brush let alone walk.! :eek:
Patti Puzo
08-12-2008, 09:45 PM
Yeah, a great pool. Let me tell a story about the time my friends, Maggie and Myrtle, and several other friends were at Seaside for Maggie's 50th birthday. The three of us, me, Maggie and Myrtle, wanted to get in the pool but I noticed some black algae growing in there. I told Glenn and he said he was busy, busy, didn't have time to clean the algae. I told him to find us brushes and WE would brush the pool. The three of us got in and started brushing. For hours we brushed and for hours, Glenn would bring us Pina Colada's, cokes, anything we asked for, for free, as we worked. We would brush, get a float and float around, brush, get a fresh drink, float around, drink, until finally we couldn't float, we couldn't brush let alone walk.! :eek:
That has to be a classic.... come to think of it, most of your stories involving you and Maggie in Abaco are classics!
That has to be a classic.... come to think of it, most of your stories involving you and Maggie in Abaco are classics!
Yeah, I could write a book! :rolleyes:
hank and louise
08-13-2008, 06:47 AM
try this one--on the same trip
hank and louise ;)
Jerry S
08-13-2008, 08:25 AM
Where ya been Hank? Keep the pics coming:)
BahamaAngie
08-13-2008, 08:32 AM
So Pat....did you ever get the pool clean???? What a nice place. I wish I had gotten to visit there. So sad it is no longer available. It seems like you could just stay there the whole time and not have to leave. Did they serve food also? Sorry, but I HATE progress!!!
Abaco Skippy
08-13-2008, 08:53 AM
Here's a group pic of the whole gang...part of the "Closing Ceremonies" of CFBM in Abaco 2004.
Patti Puzo
08-13-2008, 08:59 AM
Here's a group pic of the whole gang...part of the "Closing Ceremonies" of CFBM in Abaco 2004.
So, Pat.... Did Maggie get hurt on this trip?
Who's the guy in the back that looks like he could be related to Johnny?
BahamaAngie
08-13-2008, 09:08 AM
What a great memory for you guys! I think a new place is needed to continue making the memories!
So Pat....did you ever get the pool clean???? What a nice place. I wish I had gotten to visit there. So sad it is no longer available. It seems like you could just stay there the whole time and not have to leave. Did they serve food also? Sorry, but I HATE progress!!!
Yes Angie, they served great food. The cook's name was Sandra. Don't know what ever happened to her.
You could just stay there and never have to leave. They had a pool, a dock, a nice little beach, a small sailboat for the guests to use, a paddle boat, a restaurant, a bar and a great bartender, Glenn.
So, Pat.... Did Maggie get hurt on this trip?
Who's the guy in the back that looks like he could be related to Johnny?
You know, I can't remember if Maggie got hurt on that trip. I think it was the trip before that we flipped the golf cart.:eek:
Do you mean the guy with his hand on his face? If so, he was a friend of Tiina and Jerry Also.
I have a copy of that group photo hanging in my den.
I stop and look at it quite often.
Those CFBM get togethers were great! Where ever they took place. That was some crew. Wow.
DannyB
Unfortunately we lost one of that crew, Pam. She really loved those CFBM's. Its too bad that the CFBM's are just a thing of the past.
AbacoPeach
08-13-2008, 02:40 PM
She was special. I will never forget her!!
hank and louise
08-13-2008, 03:48 PM
we are still around, just have not been able to go south :mad:
i keep up with the forum , and you guys
this pic shows how much louise enjoyed Seaside.
hope you and Jerry are well
hank and louise :)
hank and louise
08-13-2008, 04:01 PM
don't know if you remember this one?
i can not remember her name ( i know you know her ) but it was interesting to watch the water taxi driver --look at the throttle ( wide open )
and driving the boat with her feet-playing with the baby--:)
this went on for a long ride.
hank and louise
SamFamAustin
08-13-2008, 06:00 PM
BWB, boating while under the influence of a baby. But feet for steering, why not? Surprised they don't have auto-pilot ... maybe the baby needed some captain-in-training hours for the license? Excellent photo, I can feel the Mojo.
HALF-A-HAMIAN
08-13-2008, 06:03 PM
Aw, that's nothing, everyone grows up standing on the stern thwart, one foot on the tiller and grains or conch hooks or feeding a net overboard at the same time, so having a wheel is "child's play"! ;-)
SamFamAustin
08-13-2008, 06:36 PM
LOL, I used to run lobster pots when I was a kid, and steering while pulling warp line or dumping traps was nothing. Had a Seagull engine back then. Sounds like you did double-time too, Half.
Hey y'all, I've heard so much about this CFBM crowd but I don't even know what that means, or what they're about. It almost sounds like some kind of secret missile system! So, what's the story there?
Jerry S
08-13-2008, 07:03 PM
Looks like we will have to change it to CFFM, central FL forum meeting.:)
don't know if you remember this one?
i can not remember her name ( i know you know her ) but it was interesting to watch the water taxi driver --look at the throttle ( wide open )
and driving the boat with her feet-playing with the baby--:)
this went on for a long ride.
hank and louise
Wow, look at those kids! They are so small!! That would be Miss Beverly at the wheel. Her "baby" is now in school, actually, both her babies are in school.
LOL, I used to run lobster pots when I was a kid, and steering while pulling warp line or dumping traps was nothing. Had a Seagull engine back then. Sounds like you did double-time too, Half.
Hey y'all, I've heard so much about this CFBM crowd but I don't even know what that means, or what they're about. It almost sounds like some kind of secret missile system! So, what's the story there?
CFBM stands for Central Florida Board meeting. We would have a grand old party a couple times a year at a great old motel called Silver Sands. It was in Cocoa Beach. We even had "board members" come from as far as Colorado.
Abakimmy
08-14-2008, 04:06 PM
Here's another good time in another year (earlier) at Guana Seaside. This was an impromptu board meeting that just happened! Love it when that happens!
And by the way... if you seriously want to buy a plane I got one I'll sell ya!
Top row: standing: Carol and Ken Parrott, Jerry Also and Tiina, Denny.
Bottom row: Skippy and Wendy, Jerry and Peach, Abakimmy and Rod.
Jolly Bob took the picture for us!
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c28/abakimmy/AbacoMasterFile608.jpg
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