Bonaire SNAFU

[Randall]

Ok....Here we are stuck in Bonaire because of Air Jamaica....They are blaming it on Emily, but all of other airlines are flying into and out of Montego Bay...but not Air Jamaica. This is after Air Jamaica's pilots "needing more sleep" last Saturday in Atlanta causing us to leave 5 hours late, missing our connection in Montego Bay thus leaving us stranded in Jamaica Saturday night and causing us to miss a whole day of diving here in Bonaire. NOW, they are doing NOTHING to help two parties of divers (18 and 14 divers in the groups) get home. We have had lots of promises....then when the time comes to deliver...."no can do". They have certainly proved to a total of 78 people here in Bonaire that they are the "No Can Do" airline.

If you are even THINKING about coming to Bonaire......I'd advise you to not book anything with Air Jamaica.

I'll be posting a full report later....when and IF my wife and I get home.

 

[RICHinNC]

If you are thinking of going to Bonaire I would recommend going to www.bonairetalk.com and find out from those that live there what the latest info is on dependable flights.

check with Liz of the Golden Reef Inn. she a a couple others were trying to get a direct flight out of Florida but i am not sure of its current status.
rich

 

[Aqua Buoy]

Might be one reason that helps explain why the airline isn't doing too well in general!

sorry to hear your troubles, got a slight feeling it's better than being stuck at Kingston airport though.

 

[dvrliz1]

Hey Rich,

We will be making a formal announcement the first week of August...looking good!

Liz

 

[RICHinNC]

great...a lot of people will be interested for sure.
rich

 

[komi hunter]

I can think of alot of worse places to be stuck in this world!!!! Hope you get home soon.

 

[DandyDon]

One of those cases where Trip Insurance was (would have been) a very good idea. :11:

 

[Randall]

Believe it or not!! Just got home @10:30am 7-22-05....6 days late!! A bunch of divers are still there....and can't get a flight out....!! THANKS TO AIR JAMAICA!! Every day you hear: "Maybe Tomorrow". We finally were told none of us are in the system anymore and must rebook as flights become available.....one flight every Saturday!!

Ya'll gotta hear about this trip!! I'll work on a full report and post in the next few days. I know it sounds like a wonderful place to be stranded.....but you'd better have a forgiving boss, or lots of vacation time if you're flying Air Jamaica....because if you miss a flight...even if it's their fault, you are ON YOUR OWN!!

PS....they lost my dive bag and all equipment. I was told "Sorry, but we are only liable for $500". I've got more than that in my BC....

 

[DandyDon]

Believe it or not!! Just got home @10:30am 7-22-05....6 days late!! A bunch of divers are still there....and can't get a flight out....!! THANKS TO AIR JAMAICA!! Every day you hear: "Maybe Tomorrow". We finally were told none of us are in the system anymore and must rebook as flights become available.....one flight every Saturday!!

Ya'll gotta hear about this trip!! I'll work on a full report and post in the next few days. I know it sounds like a wonderful place to be stranded.....but you'd better have a forgiving boss, or lots of vacation time if you're flying Air Jamaica....because if you miss a flight...even if it's their fault, you are ON YOUR OWN!!

PS....they lost my dive bag and all equipment. I was told "Sorry, but we are only liable for $500". I've got more than that in my BC....

Glad you're story is happier now.

Did you not do trip insurance...? That will cover some of your expenses and lost luggage.

It's my understanding that they are liable for $9.07 per pound. If your dive bag weighed 70#, that's $635 - but that's all, one of the risks of international travel. But scuba divers do so much international, and this is why I keep sininging Trip Insurance. $50 at my advanced age to insure so much.

But off of that broken record. I'll be more interested in Bonaire when Continental or another US airline goes there.

 

[mike_s]

On a side note, Continential is starting weekly air service in December to Bonaire for those who "love to hate Air Jamacia".

just FYI.