Upcoming challenges for travel to The Abacos

[Floridacargocat]

After having passed the passport challenge implementation, the next challenge is on the horizon, i.e., check in at least 60 minutes before planned departure so that the air carrier can submit the passenger manifest in compliance with upcoming new regulations. In plain English (if and when the new regulations come into effect), an air carrier has to submit a complete passenger manifest at least 60 minutes prior to departure to the appropriate agency of the US Government.
The objective of this new regulation is to convey a board / not-board decision from DHS/CBP or whoever) to the air carrier (one way or the other). And this applies to outbound and inbound flights.
I have read all the comments on this regulation, and the resounding response of all the responder is, that the US Government is asked to find a more practicable solution (plain English : nobody likes it). When it comes to air traffic between Florida and The Bahamas/Abacos, implementation of this new regulation will add another challenge, so that at the end of the day, traveling needs to be more in a planned fashion; and show time at the check-in desk (of either scheduled or non-scheduled air carrier) at less than 60 minutes will have at least two effects :
- either a delayed departure of the flight (not likely as even non-scheduled carriers have consecutive flights, and need to respect their commitments to their customers)
- or a non-boarding advice and referal to the next flight (seat availability?)
The inofficial earliest implementation date is somewhere from June 2007 to later, considering all the legalities of publication etc.
More to come, once the dust settles on this aspect.

[SamFamAustin]

Oh no problem, we always go to the airport and check in with at least 60 minutes. If it is before noon we drink coffee or tea and in the afternoon well, whatever we want.

The problem, FloridaCargoCat, is when you have any connector flights at all. As we know, the flight arrangements can land you with three hours of "airport layover" ... or you're running to get to the gate because they're calling your name already. So on those flights which are delayed because of some weather somewhere, things will not be pretty. I'm dead serious here. [Wait until a bunch of politicians get caught this way!]

What does this mean for the Abacos? It means that if you have a flight to FTL or somewhere handy, your flight has to show up an hour and 15 mininutes before you can connect to Marsh Harbour or some nice place like that. I have envy for folks living relatively close to airports servicing Marsh Harbour, like FTL. For most of us, it will just plain be more miserable. Why do I always have to be the test monkey?
/Sam

[TurtleDreams]

I'm wondering how this is going to work for people who can't check through to their final destination. I'm assuming that if you can check through to your final destination you presumably only have to be there 60 minutes prior to your originating flight. However we have rgeularly met with problems checking through from Abaco even when flying on the same carrier. This is what happens when the 'computers are down', which seems like 50% of the time. It seems this will be this will be a particular challange for the small commuters like Air Yellow Taxi and Vintage.
Susan

[DrRalph]

Thanks, FCC, for bringing us this info.

[Floridacargocat]

The issue is not for the domestic leg, but for the international leg (outbound and inbound). When you stay with one carrier (or the carrier has an interline agreement), then at the point of initial check-in, your passport data will be acquired during the check-in process (automatic or manual). When you are changing from a main carrier to a carrier (requiring a new check-in, e.g. arriving by ABC and continueing onward with one of the smaller commuters or charters out of FLL/FXE/MIA/PBI or wherever), then the upcoming 60 minute rule will be applied.
The implementation of this new proposed rule will be complicated to say the least, unless some constructive ways are found.
This will also have an effect on standby passengers (for both outbound and inbound flights). "Gate closing times" will be readjusted, considering the 60 minute passenger manifest submission time.
If a carrier submits the passenger manifests (assuming all passengers show up at least 60 minutes before scheduled departure time), and then there are no-shows, this is not a problem, but can the carrier then accommodate stand-by passengers at less than 60 minutes? The way I read this upcoming regulation, the answers is NO, unless the carrier readjusts departure time (having then a chain effects on consecutive flights).
This new proposed rule still requires a few rounds of constructive thinking and input from carriers, travel agencies and the government, especially under the context of the Florida-Bahamas proximity.
Unfortunately I have not seen a single comment coming from one of the smaller carriers here in South Florida. It would have been worthwhile.

[SamFamAustin]

Hmmm, is this rule open for comment now or is it a done deal?

Just thinking here, but one option for locals, second home owners, and frequent Abaco fliers is to have some kind of pre-screening that gets you through the database faster. I have heard rumors that you can pay TSA or somebody extra money and you're already in the computer and checked out, so to speak. I don't like the money part but anything to help ...

Gosh, how I miss those days of yore when you could make those spectacular, last-minute runs to the gate, throw the baggage at the attendant, and walk right on a plane! /Sam

[Abacoparrott]

Our government has never been known to make doing business easier.........Ken

[Floridacargocat]

The comment period regarding this proposed rule was closed in mid-October. The procedure you are refering too is/was a pilot trial (and I have seen it at the Orlando airport).
Yes, the old days with a flash decision and last second runs through the terminal are gone.
This rule was not made having the Abaco travelers in mind, but the trans-ocean and trans-pacific travelers. Airlines submitted their manifests completely in compliance with US regulations, and aircraft were already in mid-air, when the advice came "do not bring this passenger into the USA". So the airlines had the option of either turning back, or making an unscheduled landing in e.g. Canada, before continueing to the USA.
Regarding flights to Abacos, one of the consequences will be, that more passengers will try to find a seat near the check-in counter of after screening until their flight is called. For the return leg, challenges lie in getting possibly an earlier ferry, waiting a longer time in non-air conditioned waiting areas (or in the sun when the waiting areas are so crowded, that you have to wait outside).
There is still some time to review this proposed rule, and come up with some practical solution considering some unique circumstances (such as proximity and very short flight durations).

[Floridacargocat]

Latest news in the context of screening news
-------------------------------------------------------
US Sets Frequent Flier Security Card Price
-------------------------------------------------------
November 26, 2006
The US government is to charge USD$28 annually to process background checks on each airline passenger who joins a privately run traveler registry aimed at speeding the trip through airport security.
Details: http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1164579286.html

[Beth at Yellow Air Taxi]

Sorry for the late reply, Axel, but I only just got invited to the party over here!

To answer your query as to how this may affect YAT operations: yes, it will be hard to get people to show up earlier than they currently do. Another option will be to get all passport information in advance. We can save it in our new reservations system database so it can be available when we do submit the APIS.

Conversely, if someone IS running late, our passengers are used to calling us and then we pass that information on to the gate. I think that is one of the most compelling, if perhaps least obvious, differences between Yellow Air Taxi and the big boys is that someone actually answers the phone AND acts on the infomation she receives.

We don't overbook, so we don't have standbys. We did have four walk-ups from Continental today, but they all arrived over an hour before departure.

So, other than having to entertain our passengers for longer periods by adding additional acts to the Yellow Air Taxi musical and tap dancing revue, I don't foresee at this point a huge change to our operations.

Beth

[AbacoBoy]

This is my understanding of the technical terms being discussed in laymans terms.

If you book in advance, and show up on time (one hour before) with the proper documents, there should be no difference in your experience. The only issue would be with connecting flights from a different airline, or trying to get a ticket (or stand by) at the last minute. The connection problem could be eliminated by booking with a US (foreign) carrier that also services Abaco.

Is this an accurate summary?

AB

[Floridacargocat]

Yes, this is correct.

[trubahamian]

Continental at MHH has been demanding 2 hour check in time for quite a numba of months. Just fa this reason,according tu the girls at the desk.

[SamFamAustin]

We have all seen Continental at its best and ... well not so good, my friends. I would support the small businesses if you can. BTW I love those little Embrarer RJ jets Continental uses, although my son is older than most of the pilots! The little prop planes are even better.

No matter, a question for FCC is that many US flights "dead-head" in FTL and Miami and you have to get your baggage and re-check to the Bahamas before disembarking. You might have a clear-through ticket but there is customs and such. So my point is that this "easy" system requiring 1-hour notification might not be so simple as advertised - we're talking folks from all over the country or international and not just the Florida locals.

Nothing is easy these days, it seems, and if you're coming in from any other airport, I wouldn't say anything would be very easy unless the airline was understanding ...
Sam :confused: