USA 3000 flights

[travelplanner70]

A few weeks ago I asked Tuggers about this airline because my sister-in-law and family were taking a short-notice trip to Cancun. Non-charter airlines were quoting $100 more a ticket for the same dates. But, I want to report about her experience. The flight started boarding 4 hours late because the plane was too heavy to take off!! They said that the only way the plane could get airborne is if they unloaded some fuel!!! Or, the other option was to remove 19 passengers from the flight to lighten the load.

They decided on unloading the fuel - which took 4 hours to decide (maybe they thought some passengers would be frustrated and just go home. That would have solved the weight problem.) Anyway, because of the delay which seemed very avoidable, the plane was not given clearance immediately to take off. Once the plane was in line for take-off fog rolled in. They were the second plane in line to take off when the airport closed due to fog. Although the fog lifted, the airline decided not to fly at all last night because the particular plane needed to be somewhere today, and it could not get there by today if it went first to Cancun so late in the evening.

This all was decided after another two hours. The plane had to be emptied. My s-i-l's family got into a hotel at 11:00 p.m. and had to be back at the airport by 5 a.m. Today's flight was also delayed. To make a long story short, they did get to Cancun 24 hours late with no apology or compensation.

My s-i-l's parting words today were, "Tell the Tuggers not to take USA 3000. Go for the more expensive ticket on a full-service airline." This frustration was not how they wanted to start their vacation - and a day late!!!

[travelplanner70]

USA 3000 just came through with three free roundtrip tickets for my s-i-l's family. We now feel that USA 3000 made amends. I would travel on this airline considering how they corrected a rough start to a vacation.

[Enrico]

There has been some bashing of USA3000 here before, some of it deserved, some not. I think the airline does a good job as a niche carrier. We've traveled with them twice to FL non-stop from STL (Ft. Meyers & St. Pete) and both times we left 30 minutes EARLY, spot on time on the return. In flight video entertainment and a nice deli sandwich, no charge.

[The Conch Man]

My wife flys from Cincinnati to Ft Myers non stop all the time ~~ Low fares ifin you get them well ahead of what you think your schedulin is ~~ She has never had a problem nor arrivin late & most always ~~ leavin on-time ~~ We use to fly Airtran but they kinda got on our nerves after years flyin with them ~~ USA3000 does a better job for your destinations for at least the last year for us ~~ This of course is ~~ "JMHO" ~~

[maddaug]

We just flew USA3000 out of St. Louis to Canucn and everything went smoothly. Can't even think of a complaint. Hope their service stays that way.

[iameless]

We've flown with them several times from Detroit - to Cancun or Montego Bay. Fortunately have never had a problem - but I'm sure it was pure luck! That's the problem with charters - if there is an issue with your plane - that's your plane. I've flown other charters where there was an issue with the plane - we had to wait for another one to free up and fly in to get us. Another time, the pilot called in sick - and we had to wait for another one. And there was some issue - that the one they found had just flown in and had to have so many hours between flights - so we had to wait for him to be eligible. Charters are usually much cheaper - but there is a risk!