airline reviews again, read this if flying to hunt

[schmalts]

One again I flew to hunt. I voiced my displeasure with Continental this fall when they stuck us with every extra baggage fee possible. I also said how well Frontier treated us last year as well.
Well... this trip was unusual because i had a different airline for each direction. I flew out with continental and flew back with Frontier. When we arrived monday night for our 3 day Oryx hunt our luggage never got transferred at Houston to El paso. I went ballistic on the guy when he said he couldnt be sure they would deliver it later to ELP on the next flight so we had to wait until 11PM to get out gear. The guy told me they never even moved it from the last plane area at all...
I am done with Continental for good.
On the return trip we had 4 coolers full of meat and one weapon case. We figured it was best to pay the $50 in extra baggage and get it all home. Once we got there the woman at the Frontier counter raised her brow and "said thats a lot of luggage" we will have to charge one of you for the extra. Well the guy that was helping out throwing the stuff on the conveyer was a hunter and told her to let it go free!!
So once again Frontier shows its colors, and so did Continental.
My advice, if the frontier fare is only like 40$ more take it, it has paid off twice for me with thier great service. Also since they are new the planes they use are all new as well.

 

[hornaddiction]

Have you ever used United Airlines?


Horn
www.trophiesonthewall.com

 

[schmalts]

Not that i can remember. have you? any comments?

 

[hornaddiction]

> Not that i can remember.
>have you? any comments?

I was just wondering because I am flying to Alabama next week to do some deer hunting. I hope things go well with our gear!






Horn
www.trophiesonthewall.com

 

[txhunter58]

I have flown United several times into Colorado and haven't had any trouble. However, they are used to having lots of hunters come in by plane, so they probably teach their crews to cater to us.

Good luck in Alabama Kevin!

I usually try and get as direct a flight as possible. If I can eliminate one plane change, I will pay more or go at a different time to do it. I realize that many times it can't be helped though.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

 

[HunterHarry]

I have taken several hunting trips through Alaska airlines.
Noooo problems at all.
HH.

 

[rost495]

Have taken Alaska Air with no problems. Also took United to Alaska once. A snob at the Houston airport. Had to pay a bit on overweight(100 pounds) on the way back but no problems other than those few.

I'd fly Alaska Air if I had a choice, depending a bit on the rates though( IE if they were a few hundred higher I would not) but I'll do United again.

I have Continental on the bad list thanks to ya'll.

Jeff

 

[RELH]

It may get worse this year. I have heard that there are perdictions by several experts that several major airlines will go belly up and file chapter 11.
Hunters booking flights this year may want to ask questions prior to booking about baggage requirements and try to avoid too many plane changes to prevent lost-late arrival baggage, like hunting firearms, and payment required on excess baggage if you plan to return with any meat.
One of the small airlines that I have had good luck with has been South Western, low rates, never has lost my baggage, and no problem with checking in firearms in a lock case.

RELH

 

[schmalts]

All firearms HAVE TO BE IN A LOCKED CASE! you have to show them the gun first then lock it anfterwards. You fill out an "unlocked firearm" tag and put in in the case.
One thing to look at is layover time. If you want to make sure your luggage will get to your hunt look for at least one hour for a layover. The short layovers are the most common cause of lost luggage. sometimes the flight can be a little late arriving and it leaves less time to forward it to the next plane. This was probably one factor why i got burned this time as well.

 

[txhunter58]

Good point Schmalts. Also means you will make the flight too!

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

 

[rost495]

Isn't that an unloaded firearm tag? not unlocked? Or my memory from last fall is bad, which is very possible with too many irons in the fire.

 

[schmalts]

>Isn't that an unloaded firearm tag?
>not unlocked? Or my
>memory from last fall is
>bad, which is very possible
>with too many irons in
>the fire.
Yes, typo error.... thanks. but anyway, the case needs to be a lockable style case.