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Skybus's bankruptcy affects honeymoon plans 35 years in the making
Skybus is still making front page of Columbus's newspaper. We're still having the tail end of Skybus drama at my house. Two nights ago, my friend called telling me that he had received the e-mail from Skybus telling him his flight in May was no more and that there weren't any refunds. My friend is out $300, I would guess, because he paid for the ticket back in September and rebooked it in October. Too bad he doesn't have the $300 for a flight to Columbus on another airlines because those flights can be found. My husband was able to cancel the charge on our credit card for the cost of the ticket he booked for this August. Our problems are nothing compared to the folks who are out of a job without warning.
There is another Skybus story that really pulls on the old heartstrings. A Columbus couple who had been dating for 35 years and finally got married had planned to fly to California for their honeymoon. The couple are in their 70s. They haven't flown in years because of the cost, but family bought them the Skybus tickets for a wedding present. This is a couple who decided to get married so he wouldn't have to drive home at night. The wedding was the day after Skybus' last flight so their honeymoon bit the dust until the groom's sister sprung for the flight on United Airlines. The couple is now heading to San Diego next week. I hope they have good weather and a good flight.
The groom's sister just happens to live in San Diego so they are staying with her. If United Airlines wanted to capitalize on this story, I'd think they could come up with something catchy. At least on a United Airlines flight they can get something to drink and a snack without paying extra--at least not yet.
What strange things have been found on planes?
Read more wedding horror stories from AisleDash:
- Couple spends not-so-romantic wedding night in jail
- Heathrow's Terminal 5 debacle counts bridal gown among lost possessions
- The Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark loses wedding ring
- Proposal prank of epic proportions: Real or fake?
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Stories, United States, Airlines, News
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 5)
KAREN Apr 10th 2008 7:04PM
THEYRE IN THEIR 70's---NOT A WHOLE LOT OF ACTION ON THAT HONEYMOON......HE COULD KEEL OVER TRYING TO ORGASM......
Lucy Apr 11th 2008 5:26AM
Karen...
You must be very young... my husband and I are both in our 70s, and as you put it.... we still have a lot of action.
whitey Apr 10th 2008 7:34PM
my honeymoon was ruined by my marriage !
Mia Apr 11th 2008 9:19AM
Wow, Kim, you sure do have some anger management issues. I didn't say that you DESERVED your heartache and inconvenience, I said simply that if you'd have saved a little longer (or, by your statement, shopped a little wiser since you got a better deal with a so-called 'reputable' airline) then maybe you wouldn't be crying the blues.
I, too, am a lower-middle class household, and since the rich just get richer and the poor just get poorer, then my theory is that maybe we should just all watch out for each other since the government isn't. That said, I still feel that you need to stop and realize that your attack on me and my comments were taken just a little too personally. Just like you, I'm entitled to my opinion.
Last year, I went to LA. My first airplane trip in ten years, at least. I was willing to pay top dollar, not only for my flight, but for the insurance and for any extras. It's called "peace of mind." Worked out great for me. Sure, I saved a long time, but my trip wasn't ruined by going with a 'bargain' airline, if that's what Skybus could've even be considered before their untimely demise. And I STILL feel more sorry for the people who lost their jobs, more than the people who were inconvenienced.
Reality Check Apr 11th 2008 10:45AM
YOU GOT RIPPED OFF.
Sure sure pay top dollar, go ahead, encourage them to charge top dollar.
Hindsight is so bright. Now everyone is an expert in air travel. Skybus offered good deal but most of their ticket were expensive. Mostly they had TEN tickets for $10 per flight which was a great advertising ploy. Instead of spending money advertising on the media they gave a good deal to some of their customers. It was a great model and it worked. . They were a no frills airline and went to smaller airports where you could further save on parking, etc. This was a great idea they probably needed to be a partner with another airline. I am almost positive they didn't go out of business because of charging a few tickets affordable. It is much deeper than that. Look at gov't taxes, insurance and regulations, etc. that is the killer for most business.
Mia Apr 11th 2008 10:45AM
Oh, no, Reality Check, that's where you're WRONG, Friend! It may have been a good marketing ploy, however it did NOT work! If it was such a great idea, then why did they go belly up?
As for getting ripped off, give me a break. It was worth it to me to pay the extra bucks to have peace of mind. I got what I paid for, a nice flight both ways (spoken by someone who is scared to DEATH to fly) and no worries. I think I got my money's worth, and that's all that matters to me. Call it a ripoff if you want. I could care less. The fact is, I may have gotten a cheaper deal elsewhere, but I made my decision based on what I wanted. Not what YOU wanted. And it was worth every penny.