West Palm Flight Connection Questions

[AbacoKB]

Ok, we have some newbies joining us in March that have booked their flights with some pretty tight connections and with Bahamasair. Strictly from personal experience over the last 8 years, I suggested at least a 2 hour layover in WPB and to not fly with Bahamasair (again strictly based on my experience, I know others that have flown with them without incident). Now to my question, not knowing the WPB airport (I usually fly through FLL) will and hour and a half be enough time for them to make their Bahamasair connection from a Delta flight? Also, does anyone know if Delta will check their bags all the way to MHH from their original destination?

Thanks in advance for your help and opinions! :D

-KB

[trubahamian]

I doon know if Delta will check their bags thru...but PBI is a great airport and much easier to get around in them FLL.BTW/Although embarrassed to say so,Continental is da way to go from both PBI n' FLL.Our national airline just doesn't seem to get it.

[AbacoKB]

Thanks I certainly appreciate the info!

-KB

[cantwait]

Last summer we came to Palm Beach on Delta and then on to Marsh Harbor on Bahamasair. Based on my experience, 1.5 hours should be plenty of time between flights. The airport is small by US standards. We had to retrieve our baggage and re-check on Bahamasair.

[nansea]

I know you've all heard the stories about bahamas air. I've gone from WPB with them many times without incident, prehaps too many. My number came up -on the flights we took last week. The experience and delay and apathy and horrible trip we had was impossible to believe traveling to Marsh. But guess what? The trip back to WPB was worse! On the departure, they UNLOADED half the luggage as they decided at the last minute that the only way to fit boxes of something and lawn mowers was to unload half the passengers baggage... to be sent some other day ... to be determined by them. Can you imagine 6 days in the abacos without your bags for 2 or 3 of them? And since we can no longer bring toiletries carry-on... lets just say that buying toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant, sunblock, after-sun lotion and living in the same clothes for 2 days without swimwear can really put a damper on a very expensive vacation and make it even more expensive and less enjoyable. And to add insult to injury they just don't care or even attempt to help. The only way your friends will make the connection is if BA is running late... and they usually do. On the way back they were so late and they knew we were running for our connection... they were just into " ho hum" until I made so much noise in the customs line that the pilot [also in line] finally asked the other passengers if we could please go to the head of the line. He never thought to offer that in the first place, even after I asked if he would call ahead to our jet blue flight to say we we are in the airport. He said they didn't answer their phone - but I know he was just too apathetic and never made that phone call. Then we had to go to their ticket counter to ask for more help and a rep said she'd escort us through all the lines to our gate... but she took us to the wrong end of the airport. Like the place is so small how can on airline rep not know where jet blue is? More time wasted- on escort. If the people at jet blue weren't so **** wonderful when we pulled into the finish line, all 4 of us ready for a heart attack from running the length of the airport -TWICE, we would have been stuck in Palm Bch for the night. We had less than 2 minutes to closing the jetway. Usually I savor the trip and the joyful experience of visiting the abacos. I've been home for 3 days and still can't get over what a nightmare it was flying BA. If its not too late your friends should not use BA. There are so many choices and all cost about the same. Better to wait and have lunch in a very user-friendly airport and take the next whatever-airline. If people stop using them they might catch on .... then again, they don't seem to catch on to much. Its the reason why so many other companies offer the same flight- anyone can do it better.

By the way, when going from one country to another [thats right folks, the Abacos is not part of Florida] one must always reclaim bags and start all over again with security and customs etc

And make sure your friends weigh and measure every carry-on potential liquid and gel. The TSA has new power and authority these days and they just love grabbing toothpaste and bullying people who might try to commit crimes against the public by brushing after eating while flying. When they say 3 OZ., they mean it. If you have 3.1 OZ, it goes.

[Island Daze]

If the Abacos were so easy to get to it wouldn't be as special cause then everyone would want to come.

[chestnc]

Wow Nansea, that is about the worst experence that I have ever heard.Sorry your trip had such a rough start and and end. Hope you did enjoy your stay in Abaco though.I have had some drama on a few of the trips that I have gone on to the Abacos and one was with Bahamasair and just as you say they are less than helpful. I have been to Abaco 8 times in the last 14 months and this last time it was AA who on the flight from Miami to Marsh Harbour we were 3/4 of the way there and the pilot said that they were having mechanical problems and had to turn the plane around and land in Miami. After we(the passenegers )finished having our mini heart attacks we were greatful to land and have the problem rectified and then be on our way.Hope you will try the Abacos again but not on BahamasAir. I have no interest in going anywhere with them.

[Yellow Hanna]

short hard summary: avoid Bahamas Air and avoid going through Nassau

[AbacoKB]

I appreciate everyone's input and have the same opinion and past negative experience with Bahamasair. I've tried but not sure that I'll be able to convince them to change their flights and their options are very limited with how they've booked their other flights. Have been through a couple of trips (while I was still learning the smart ways to get to Abaco) with lost luggage or losing an entire day (or two) of vacation. I already suggested they not even risk it and spend a night somewhere in FL, as I usually do....to at least make sure their bags make it. I've offered to help many times but they wanted to book flights on their own, so I figure it will be an expensive lesson, they lose a day or two of vacation, or they won't have any luggage. Most of which I think can be totally preventable with a little extra planning.

Thanks again.....you guys ROCK!!!! :D
-KB

[TurtleDreams]

AbacoKB, you can just hope it is one of Bahamas Air's good days. I for one have had good luck with them although I've only flown with them 2Xs and West Palm is definately the best airport for the experience. We just plan on the fact that some luggage won't make it with tight connections no matter what the airline. Just be sure they have the essentials; shorts, a t-shirt, sandals, sunhat & glasses and a bathing suit in their carryons (perscriptions too). Maybe you can have some spare toothpaste, shampoo etc with you in case that's still limited. Anytime we have missing luggage it's usually there in a day or 2. Don't worry, be happy!

[Abaco_Doug]

Hi, we just got back from the Abacos and used BahamasAir again and the flight was excellent and on time as usual for us. Delta checked our bags right through to Marsh Harbour from Boston with no hassle. I've had numerous problems flying the smaller airlines and Continental was usually reliable but often late! I will continue to fly BahamasAir for now. SO I guess it's jsut how your luck runs. We had a little less than a 2 hour layover in West Palm and it gave us time for some lunch before we got to the Abacos. We are headed back in March and will be using BahamasAir again.

Good Luck and Enjoy
Doug & Karol Dream Keeper, Great Guana Cay

[sandy shaw]

Just for the record, the 'offending' airline in Nansea's saga was UP - Bahamasair, referred to as "BA" by Nansea (BA is the code for British Airways).