TWAneedsNOhelp From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (12 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 657 times:
I just booked a trip for myself from FLL to NAS on Bahamasair in 3 weeks to see my grandparents. I usually do this route with American Eagle and their ATRs, but for the ideal time slot, Bahamasair was much cheaper. Didn't get the FF points, but I booked the flight on AA.com, so that makes up for it. More importantly, though, how is Bahamasair? On-time arrivals? Safety first? Well run operation? I think I got a 732 over and a DHC-8-300 back.
NASflyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (12 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 639 times:
Bahamasair has an excellent safety record, but punctuality is not a hallmark, especially in recent weeks as their pilots have been engaged in a conflict with management over salaries, benefits, and working conditions. Some pilots have been refusing to work overtime and/or called in sick, which has led to a lot of canceled or seriously delayed flights. The local press is reporting that the pilots' union will hold a strike vote this week. The company is owned by the Government of the Bahamas, and has never made a profit, so management's ability to meet the pilots' demands is limited. December could be a turbulent month for the airline.
In fairness, it must be said that American Eagle also has its share of delays on its Bahamas routes, as does Gulfstream/Continental Connection.
TWAneedsNOhelp From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (12 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 630 times:
Hey thanks NASFlyer.
I see your in government service... That BS $25 cash only airport fee they impose on departure?? Come on, how crooked is that. I've been flying back and forth between nassau/lyford and florida forever now and that thing always gets to me. What is its legitimate purpose and what is your view of it?
NASflyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (12 years 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 622 times:
The Bahamian Government created an Airport Authority for Nassau International earlier this year, and when the Authority is fully organized it is supposed to have access to the departure tax funds in order to improve the airport facilities. In the past the funds went into the general treasury, and the airport suffered as a result.
The US Departures Terminal at NAS is now badly overcrowded at peak travel times, and the parking is insufficient. Delta and US Airways have each added a flight in the past month, and the winter is the peak season for charter flights. When Paradise Island Airport closed last year, Continental Connection/Gulfstream moved all of their flights to NAS. So the passenger counts have increased and the infrastructure hasn't kept pace. The domestic departures and non-US departures terminals are in worse shape. The local press has written numerous editorials calling for improvements, but it remains to be seen whether the new Airport Authority will be able to make significant changes. It is definitely a step in the right direction though.
TWAneedsNOhelp From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (12 years 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 617 times:
Thanks. Since I always flew AA, I never realized Paradise Island Airport closed down. That was the domain of Merv Griffen's Paradise Island Airways which Gulfstream bought. So, the old airport is probably being redeveloped into a new resort? Is it on the property of Atlantis?
Anyway, the US departures terminal was only built about 10 years ago right? It's fairly nice, certainly better than the old terminal where international flights still arrive. It still sits on next door to the new terminal. Time to replace that. Where do domestic flights or flights to non US countries leave from? It seems like everyone who goes through the new terminal has to clear US INS/Customs?
You say the new terminal has fallen into disrepair already? Thats a shame. I never understood how it was laid out though, that pax wait in the one large holding room, and only proceed down the councourse during boarding. Seems like a complete waist of space to me. Why don't they move gate agents to in front of the doorways?
FrontierMan From United States of America, joined Oct 1999, 413 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (12 years 6 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 613 times:
I loved how on my flight from NAS to FPO how there was no metal detector or security check for any passengers. That was on a Dash-8 and on the 737-200. It's really a laugh to see the built in airstairs come down from the 737-200. I bet those have been jammed a few times. The service was great from BahamasAir and the staff was very friendly.
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