Shuttle America, Anyone?
 

Has anyone had any experience with the regional carrier Shuttle America?

Your comments and impressions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

FQTV, Never heard of it. Where do they/did you fly?

Well, at this writing, all I know about them is what can be gleaned from their website:
www.shuttleamerica.com

Northeast US regional low-fare carrier using Dash-8's out of smaller regional airports (e.g., BDL, BED).

Considering trying them to Buffalo out of the Boston area. Fares as low as $69+taxes each way for this particular route.

Seem to be an earnest outfit, but would be interested to hear about any direct experiences.

Anyone?

(Perhaps I'll be responding to my own inquiry in a couple of weeks...?)

P.S. I remember reading a few weeks back about CO hooking up as a OnePass partner some kind of regional carrier vaguely remniscient of Shuttle America... can't recall whom exactly, though...

This is all I remember! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/000380.html

FQTV,

The CO partner is CommutAir. Based in NY state somewhere. The CO press release was on June 15.

I have not flown Shuttle America. But last week I talked with someone who did.

She never travels, so I am not sure what she was expecting. She said she liked it. No charge for parking at Hanscom. Also, no baggage claim, they put the luggage out on the curb.

Here is a discussion on them from the PlaneBusiness BB: http://www.planebusiness.com/ubb/For...ML/000125.html

Several of my colleagues have flown them down to New Jersey. They have all had positive comments about their experiences, except that it can be tough to find a taxi at Hanscom when you arrive.

I flew Shuttle America when they flew in and out of Wilmington, DE. But alas, our little city couldn't support a commercial airline.

Had a fine RT with them between Bedford, Mass. and Trenton, N.J. a few months back. Return was delayed a couple of hours due to mechanical problems with the original aircraft and the need to fly in a replacement. Other than that - comfortable seats, nice people, and great fares! Baggage was a backpack, so that wasn't an issue. No reserved seats - you board by group in check-in order and pick any vacant seat. And don't expect food.

Thanks for the informative feedback.

Has anyone any experience with this "Name your own price" feature (still talking about Shuttle America, not Priceline.com)?

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/loc...ts09122000.htm

FAA pulls plug on LaGuardia flights
Associated Press
Tuesday, September 12, 2000

BEDFORD - Today's scheduled debut of Shuttle America's service between Hanscom Field and New York's LaGuardia Airport was postponed for at least a month when the Federal Aviation Administration halted the plan.

The airline had hoped to begin the service today at 8:30 a.m. and top company officials were scheduled to be on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

But the FAA on Monday refused to amend the airline's so-called operations specifications - at least for now. The amendment was the last obstacle facing the service to LaGuardia for the Connecticut airline, which operates several other routes out of Hanscom.

The move came after some federal lawmakers, including Massachusetts Democrats Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Rep. Martin Meehan, lobbied FAA head Jane Garvey against allowing the seven daily New York flights.

Hanscom expansion opponents were pleased by the decision.

``It's just been a wild day,'' said Anna Winter, executive director of Save Our Heritage. ``We've done a total 180 here. We're feeling pretty encouraged.''

Shuttle America Vice President Mark Cestari said the late decision suggests ``there are grimy political fingerprints all over this.''

He said the airline is evaluating legal options and that ticket prices, ranging from $59 to $129 each, will be refunded.

Opponents of airport expansion asked the FAA to review whether expansion would harm historic and environmental sites in the area. The agency said it concluded that the sites would not be harmed, but still agreed to study the matter further.

There are signficant environmental issues about expanding Hanscom Field in Bedford MA (near Boston) as a regional airport. For example, the only approach road is a two lane road through Minuteman National Park. Running major amounts of traffic through a national park makes no sense. Building a new road is complicated by the fact that Hanscom shares its runways with a large Air Force base that does not allow public access.

Sorry for the diversion from true frequent traveller issues!

QED

The major environmental issue affecting commercial flights at Hanscom is the political environment created by wealthy, well-connected area residents who are perfectly happy to have their flights out of Logan, etc., go over other people's houses (areas near Logan are typically poorer and less influential) but don't want flights going over their own. It's classic NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard).

The "national park" in question is a collection of Revolutionary War sites that happen to lie along a state highway that was there long before the park was designated. It's a major artery connecting towns to each other and to area freeways. The park is not something like Yellowstone or Yosemite that's isolated from civilization and entered only by people who want to use it. Calling State Route 2A a "two-lane road," while technically correct for most of the few miles between Hanscom and Interstate 95, is sort of like calling Michelangelo an "Italian interior decorator." This is a "sound bite" meant for people who don't know the area.

The roads to the Manchester, N.H. (MHT) and Worcester, Mass. (ORH) airports are no better. That to MHT is a slower (mostly 30 mph, many traffic lights) two-lane road. Getting between ORH and I-290 involves five miles of city streets including the downtown area. Those are major regional airports with scheduled jet service via multiple airlines to multiple destinations.

And as far as aircraft harming the historical sites goes, much larger aircraft overhead don't seem to hurt Old North Church or the other downtown Boston sites - all of which are more fragile than a battlefield. For that matter, being under the Heathrow traffic pattern hasn't hurt Windsor Castle either.

End of rant. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming ...

[This message has been edited by Efrem (edited 09-18-2000).]

Shuttle America gets the big green light:
http://www.massport.com/about/press_news_hanscom3.html

Yep, it was on the radio this morning. Here is a reprint of the article on Shuttle America's web site:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



Shuttle America has been granted final FAA approval for Hanscom-NY LaGuardia flights. Five (5) daily nonstops will begin this Wednesday November 1, 2000.

All seats all flights $69.00(ow). Buy and fly by Nov. 12th.

--------------------------------------------

Bedford, MA---Shuttle America received final FAA authority today to begin Hanscom Field (Bedford, MA) to N. Y. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) service. The Connecticut-based airline will offer 5 daily non-stops beginning November 1.

To celebrate the new service, the airline will offer a special introductory fare of $69. each way for all seats on all flights for travel between November 1 and November 12, 2000. Regular fares on the route will range between $69-129 each way. (plus applicable taxes, passenger facility charges and a $5 fuel surcharge per segment)
depending on advance purchase.

Shuttle America's new non-stops to New York/LGA will depart the Hanscom Civil Air Terminal (just off Rt. 128 Exit 30B in Bedford) weekdays at 7:00am, 9:45am, 1:25pm, 3pm and 6:40pm. Return Flights to Hanscom will depart from the Main Terminal at New York/LaGuardia Airport (Gate B 7) at 8:40am, 11:35am, 3:25pm, 4:45pm and 8:20pm. On Saturday and Sunday, Shuttle America will offer a reduced frequency of service. Parking is free at Hanscom Field.

Mark R. Cestari, vice-president, said "We Love New York---LaGuardia!"
Shuttle America also serves Buffalo, Philly/Trenton and Greensboro. For details and reservations Call 1-888-999-FARE (3273) or log onto http://www.shuttleamerica.com/