Guam -- differences between CO and CO Micronesia
 

Dear all,

I am just wondering how does the operation of CO Micronesia/ Air Mike compare to the regular CO service. I guess the labels, seats, meals, and configruations of a/cs are similar, but how about the staff?

How is the Guam hub look like? Is it a pleasant airport? Also, are 45 minutes enough for connection in Guam? I want to fly the HNL to GUM flight, and then connect to GUM to HKG. CO's website let me book this itin, but is it possible?

Thank you,
Carfield http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

What I saw of GUM was a pleasant, modern airport. I connected from Flight 1 HNL-GUM to 921 GUM-TPE and from what I can tell, COs gates are all in the same area and very easy to get from one to the other. The flights to Koror and Manila were departing close to mine and they were only a gate or two away. The distance between gates is negligible and there are moving walkways throughout the terminal. A 45 minute cxn in GUM is more than sufficient, especially as you don't have to clear any sort of immigration before connecting to HKG. Service in BF was actually BETTER with the Air Mike crew than the mainline CO. The FAs just seemed to pay more attention and be more in service mode than the mainline FAs, IMHO it was more on a par with the few asian experiences I've had. Meals were of course different, but the catering out of HNL was no worse or better than any of the other BF flights I've had.

One caveat, if you're going IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG it makes for a LONG long day. Even in BF, it's tiring.

My last experience in Guam was several years ago, but, assuming nothing major has changed, I think 45 minutes is fine. Guam airport is pretty mellow.

I found the CO Mike staff to be at all times great. They seem to have a more relaxed, island attitude. Three years ago, I would say that first class meal service was comparable in quality to CO's domestic first class meal service.

I've done Palau-Guam a few times, as well as the island hopper once in the eastbound direction, which was absolutely thrilling, and a few BF HNL GUM runs. I've alwys found CO Mike to be great.

Carfield, you simply MUST try CO/CS through GUM. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. And I really would like to read a trip report from you about the journey!

I like the airport. It is compact and has a variety of duty free shopping (standard DFS airport stores, prices were a bit high) as well as a mall-style food court and a President's Club. The terminal is modern and comfortable. I would agree that service on the GUM-HKG flight is similar to domestic F, though the flight attendants are more consistent.

I've used CO Micronesia to Guam and Saipan a couple of times and to Chuuk (TKK) once. The whole operation has definitely an island feel to it, and the TKK trip was definitely memorable. The "airport" (not quite, more like an airstrip jutting out into the water from a small landmass plus a tatched hut) was full of locals who come to greet the plane because it brings provisions and supplies. It seems there is not much to do there (except scuba dive, which is AMAZING) so on plane days, everybody shows up and it becomes a social event. Very cargo cult.

I completed a trip through the Pacific last month and found the service on CO 1 from HNL-GUM to be top notch.


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Oh yeah, I forgot about the GUM-wherever flights. Unless you're going to HNL they'll be on 738/9s and first class will be physically identical to domestic F. However the service is a definite cut above and the food is as well. I had my best meal (wonderfully fresh sea bass) on a plane ever on CO921 to TPE. It's a double edged sword. You're on a 738 in domestic F configuration, BUT you get free upgrades if you're a Continental Elite.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif on the GUM hub... Service exactly as described by kanebear... only I found the crews a little 'stand-off-ish.'

FC service was typical domestic... maybe even a little better. All in all, I was pleased.