By Thomas J. Moore on Sunday, February 18, 2001 - 10:58 am: |
Those considering a trip should understand Bonaire's unique features: splendid coral reefs and diving, but minimal beaches; a pronounced "Dutch" flavor; not overdeveloped like St. Martin and St. Thomas, but little night life for those so inclined.
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By nancy edison on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 2:58 pm: |
Thomas,
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By Niki Harris on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 3:40 pm: |
Nancy, you haven't been reading deep enough into this newsgroup if you think there are mostly positive accounts. I'm not saying they never perform well. They do. They had been fine for two of our vacations. But their record is very mixed. You take your chances. You've probably read some positive accounts because we consider those to be newsworthy!
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By Barry Baker on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 3:46 pm: |
While we were there Feb 3-14 we talked to several people flying ALM who did not get their luggage for a day or 2. While we, on Air Jamaica, even with the plan problems (read trip report) still got all of our luggage and had no complaints.
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By Barry Baker on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 3:46 pm: |
I meant plane problems
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 3:46 pm: |
I for one only fly ALM between here and Curacao or Aruba - I will not fly ALM to/from the U.S. any more - I just don't feel I can trust them to get me where I need to go when I need to go, with all my luggage. Too many annoyances, plus several 6+ hour delays, and similar things happening to friends.
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By Kelly Hirsh on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 3:47 pm: |
Nancy, given some of the US airlines standards ALM is a fairly reliable airlines. Because of limited number of aircraft, if one plane has problems the whole schedule has to be re-arranged. This usually means your early flight is now in the afternoon, and your connections to Bonaire are late flights. On more than one trip to Bonaire I spent long hours in Miami International waiting for the "next" flight, but I have NEVER been left there overnight. I missed a MIA to New Orlean connection because of a delayed departure from Curacao but ALM provided a room, meals and ground transportation in Miami.
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By lonnie hoover on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 5:29 pm: |
Count on a 25%,50%and25% rule with ALM and you will not be disappointed. 25% of the time there will be a major disruption to your schedule(or luggage). By major I mean a 4+hour delay, and sometimes outright cancellations without explanation and absolutely without care or compassion. In fact when things are really bad with ALM service, the emlloyees seem to take a perverse satisfaction in seeing just how nasty they can be (especially to impatient Americans). 50% of the time there will be a minor problem, ranging from a lost bag arriving on the next flight after you, to flights being 30 min. to 4 hours late. Finally, 25% of the time everything will go near perfect and service will be good. In fact, service can be quite good and friendly. problem is, you don't know which ALM you are flying until you show up and board the plane. It's always a crap shoot. ALM is a lot like crime on Bonaire. If you fly ALM enough I gaurantee they will eventually screw you over---royally. Likewise, If you are a regular to Bonarie, you will eventually be a crime victim. You probablly wont be murdered or even held up, but you will have things stolen. Last time I was there some pathetic bastard cut the gas line to my jeep and drained the gas, rather than simply siphoning it with a hose.. I digress...Your best bet is to avoid ALM like the plague. It is only a matter of time until they kill people or just simply go belly-up because of staggering debt.
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By Kelly Hirsh on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 6:25 pm: |
Lonnie you summed up ALM fairly well. I feel flying most airlines is a crap shoot, the worst service I have ever encountered Delta from New Orleans to Ft. Lauderdale.
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By lonnie hoover on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 7:08 pm: |
Kelly, I assume your comment about the cut gas line was intended to be tounge in cheek. Aside from the humor, I can assure you the experience was unplesant, time consumming and very costly to me. As to the comments about crime, you are ofcourse correct that any fool leaving anything of value in a vechile is simply asking for trouble. The problem is, much of the crime on Bonaire is not limited to parked cars at dive sites, but in hotel rooms(sometimes while people are sleeping)and to people walking the streets. I know of many people in recent years who have been vicimized by crime, some petty and some very serious. If you are victimized, you can expect absolutely no help whatsoever from the police. You are simply on your on a foreigner in a foreign land with no one to turn to. It is a mistake to dismiss the cut gas line as a joke or an isolated episode. Crime on Bonaire is extremely serious, growing and a real threat to the touism economy of the island. If you are a regular visitor to Bonaire and you have not been touched by crime, count your blessings, you soon will be.
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By Lorraine Meadows on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 7:43 pm: |
Lonnie, I certainly hope not yet since we have not encountered such unpleasantries on Bonaire yet! I have friends who have had crimes against them and it is true that the police did nothing.I do not understand the island gov. nor do I care to, I am a tourist yet even though we go repeatably, we do not live there all yr round and have to deal with it. Bonaire is still a very safe tourist island compared to many in the carribean and the airline flights are legendary.
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By Lorraine Meadows on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 7:46 pm: |
What news is there about the American Eagel flights from Aruba,? agent knew nothing of it.
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By Kelly Hirsh on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 9:17 pm: |
Lonnie my comments as to the cutting of your fuel line were tongue in check, I see no humor in your distress. However my comments pertaining to crime on Bonaire stand, especially those concering taking simple precautions. I call New Orleans home and even on my home "turf", I try not to open myself to crime. Yes, the Bonaire I knew of years ago is no longer, so I also say to all that come, you are NOT in paradise, you are in a foreign country where we can spend more on one lousy dive trip than the mean income is. Do not bring your jewelry, if you have cameras do not leave them unattended, even at your dinner table or in your room. If you walk the streets at night avoid unlight pathways... We all know the precautions because we live in violent times. I feel that for you to say that crime on Bonaire is "extremely serious" is doing that island a grave injustice, the island government is aware of the problems, and I believe they are trying to correct the situation.
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By Kelly Hirsh on Monday, February 19, 2001 - 9:19 pm: |
Lorraine, the American Eagle flight are supposed to start the 1st of April from San Juan. I too call my American agent who knows nothing at all. They did say to try again early in March, it seems they did not anticpate getting permission...
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By Kate Tymstra on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 2:38 am: |
We have never had a problem with ALM either (but of course know people who have). The only time we have had our reservations changed, it was actually to an earlier flight so it is always a good idea to check at the desk when you get to Miami!
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By Jan Klos on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 8:44 am: |
We had no problems with Alm on 2/3( inbound)from Miami (except we were an hour late) On the way home 2/17 the flight was early arriving in Miami. Our biggest delays seem to be with American. Just some day I would like to be on the 7:30pm flight to Boston and have it leave on time. Getting home at 2am puts you in a time warp for days.
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By nancy edison on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 11:28 am: |
Well, I had NO idea what an overwhelming number of responses that seemingly innocent question about the legends of flying ALM would elicit. Thank you one and all for your honesty and friendliness. I was originally aiming to fly on Air Jamaica out of Phoenix, but alas, was told that service would not begin until April. Having travelled all over the world in the past 15 years, I have encountered all sorts of hitches to well-laid plans, and I can agree that the best advice is to find the flexibility within oneself to realize how impermanent and unexpected things can be, and to do my best to roll with the changes. I was better at this when I was younger,
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By nancy edison on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 11:36 am: |
OK -- a bit long-winded there. (I like to write,
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By Kelly Hirsh on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 1:26 pm: |
Nancy, one final comment (from me) on airlines. Although I tend to defend ALM and have used them in the past, now that IU have sufficient air miles I booked American Airlines from New Orleans to Miami and Curacao and an ALM turboprop puddle jumper from Curacao to Bonaire. When you get to Bonaire I hope you find our "paradise" or at the very least thoroughly enjoy yourself.
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By Gail Currie on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 6:48 pm: |
I know that it is stressful to start out a vacation with delays or cancellations or lost luggage. But with a known (possible) factor - ALM and their history - I think I will suggest to our group travelling the end of April is to RELAX, you're on vacation, have a drink (or 2) while you wait for the plane. If you get to the island a couple of hours late - so what - you can always stop by the food/liquor store in the morning! I always look on it that vacation started the minute I left home.
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By sherry baker on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 6:56 pm: |
i agree, i pack the camera, film, our essentials, and variety of clothing into the carry on luggage. - we also bring some snack bars along just in case of a hunger pang and nothing open. every year i pack less things and still we do not need it all. but gail is correct - RELAX - so what, big deal, have FUN it is Vacation.
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By Bill Linker on Sunday, February 25, 2001 - 5:13 pm: |
Going to BON last week of Mar. for 2 weeks.
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By Lorraine Meadows on Sunday, February 25, 2001 - 6:08 pm: |
We will be looking for you on the cam Bill, Enjoy, you will!!
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By Hazel Scharosch on Sunday, February 25, 2001 - 6:21 pm: |
Hello, Bill. Jake said something about specific luggage size on another thread - perhaps he could post it again. A solar shower is a black plastic bag with a shower head attached. If you place it in the sun while you are diving, the contents become sufficiently warm enough - sometimes even downright hot - for a good rinse after a dive. Holds about 1.5 gallons of water. Or, if you are Cecil, undiluted tequila. Hope to hear from you again!
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By michael gaynor on Monday, February 26, 2001 - 11:28 am: |
good new. Today, some tour companies in Bonaire receiveded notice from American Eagle that the first flight will be in June from San Juan to Bonaire. Now, just need Aruba to Bonaire to complete the deal, then hopefully, competition will breed excellence. Let's hope.
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By Linda Richter - NetTech on Monday, February 26, 2001 - 12:23 pm: |
You can also make your own solar shower. Fill old 2 liter soda bottles with tap water and leave them out on the car/truck or lying on the coral while you dive. It's great for getting the itchy salt off your face and the sand off the feet.
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By Philip Wansley on Monday, February 26, 2001 - 2:44 pm: |
We always pack one of those 5 gallon collapsible water containers with us for use after shore dives. Usually you can find them in the sporting goods or camping sections of your favorite store. It holds enough water for several rinses for you and any equipment (cameras and such). Have your buddy stand on the tailgate of your dive truck with the water and have an improptu shower. Works and feels great!!
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By Gail Currie on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 5:32 pm: |
Great idea for the solar showers - we used one on a sailboat we owned but never thought of it for diving (that's what you get when you are spoiled by liveaboards). I'll add one of my packing list.
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By michael gaynor on Wednesday, February 28, 2001 - 12:19 pm: |
An empty 2 liter soda bottle left on the dashboard of your car will also be a good way to recycle thoswe empties. It gets just as hot as the solar shower.
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By michael gaynor on Wednesday, February 28, 2001 - 12:21 pm: |
I mean empty of soda and filled with fresh water..duh!
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By Virginia L. Stokes on Monday, March 5, 2001 - 3:55 pm: |
Thanks so much for the idea about solar shower - we've also done that camping, but never thought about it for after dives. We went to REI over the weekend and got a collapsible 4 liter bottle, and added the item to our "dive vacation packing list." Seems like a perfect idea for all the shore diving on Bonaire.
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