The SAS | EuroBonus Forum Kafé
Jun 16, 2018, 6:45 am
#4621
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Koala Lemur
Programs: SK EBD LTG (*G)
Posts: 2,447
The Skane public transit reliability has been sort of like a roller coaster for me. 20 years ago I found it to vary, then it improved, then it declined but then it improved a bit. But in the past couple of years I’ve been hit by too many signal failures, train delays and cancellations, so I’m now having to budget for a delay of an hour to go from A to B using Skanetrafiken trains/Oresundstag on my flights into/out of CPH or eating the cost for a taxi to get where I need to go to make a boarding cut-off. For commuters, it’s worse now than it was three years ago. I say that as someone who is in the region at least a few times each month for most months of the year. Most tourists won’t notice this stuff most times, but commuters like myself do notice it.
I do realize that the bridge traffic is a culprit to a large extent, although in my understanding this is just as much, or even more, a political problem rather than technical. It is largely caused by the way Sweden decided to cope with the migrant crisis. I am also glad that I don't have to commute over the bridge, as some others stated here. I am a bit more surprised by the fact that there was quite some critique of Skaane transportation system in general, not just the bridge.
Jun 16, 2018, 7:42 am
#4622
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
My experience from CPH is based on weekly visits (not tourism). I surely had experienced cancellation but the frequency and redundancy of the transportation system in Copenhagen has always left me with an alternative. And that is mostly without using taxis. Mildly speaking, I'm not a great fan, of the, IMHO, overly-regulated taxi system in Copenhagen. I actually find the public transport more reliable than taxis there.
I do realize that the bridge traffic is a culprit to a large extent, although in my understanding this is just as much, or even more, a political problem rather than technical. It is largely caused by the way Sweden decided to cope with the migrant crisis. I am also glad that I don't have to commute over the bridge, as some others stated here. I am a bit more surprised by the fact that there was quite some critique of Skaane transportation system in general, not just the bridge.
I do realize that the bridge traffic is a culprit to a large extent, although in my understanding this is just as much, or even more, a political problem rather than technical. It is largely caused by the way Sweden decided to cope with the migrant crisis. I am also glad that I don't have to commute over the bridge, as some others stated here. I am a bit more surprised by the fact that there was quite some critique of Skaane transportation system in general, not just the bridge.
Skanetrafiken bus travel has improved for the most part, but rail traffic is worse than it used to be in say at this time of year in 2015. Where the bus travel has become worse, it’s usually not a technical fault. Where rail travel has become worse, it’s not really as much due to border control as due to stuff that has technical solutions in Sweden itself.
Jun 16, 2018, 5:39 pm
#4624
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
Those free tickets for kids are only for kids registered in Skane school classes/courses for certain grade levels (teenagers mainly). Great, more rowdy kids on the trains.
.... and in the meantime, kids in Skane schools who are between 7 and 12 years of age will have to have a paid ticket to travel on these trains and buses.
I expect this policy of free Skane travel for teenagers will increase and distribute petty criminal behavior of sorts across the region, but let’s wait for the numbers to come in. I already anticipate there being way more trouble for the elderly and people with strollers being able to get seats on the buses and trains due to these free student tickets. I also expect a rise in thefts such as house break-ins due to this.
The free tickets is for whole Sweden, each "lan" will send out tickets to all kids that qualified, so there might be a lot of youngster hanging around stations everywhere in Sweden. I don't believe you will find the actual numbers of crime caused by this because the authorities here are good at hiding what they want to hide.
Jun 21, 2018, 11:58 pm
#4625
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 969
Tried to book my first-ever flight with SAS and it wouldn't let me pay! The only choice was "Wallet" with AliPay and UnionPay, as the "Pay Now" button was greyed out with the credit card option. Managed to book it (prices kept changing so wanted to lock it in) by calling SAS Customer Service, and holding for 15 minutes. And now I find out I'll have to call back before the flight to book meal options. I'm not holding out much hope for online/mobile check-in. 
Jun 22, 2018, 12:30 am
#4626
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,166
Tried to book my first-ever flight with SAS and it wouldn't let me pay! The only choice was "Wallet" with AliPay and UnionPay, as the "Pay Now" button was greyed out with the credit card option. Managed to book it (prices kept changing so wanted to lock it in) by calling SAS Customer Service, and holding for 15 minutes. And now I find out I'll have to call back before the flight to book meal options. I'm not holding out much hope for online/mobile check-in.
Jun 26, 2018, 2:52 am
#4627
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CPH or DC
Programs: EBD, Avis Presidents Club, HH Gold
Posts: 82
Just took a flight from Visby to CPH. Was flying SAS but they used Flybe and then SAS Ireland - curious as to more information on the SAS Ireland. We were delayed a little over two hours from Arlanda to Copenhagen and the pilots gunned it to make sure we made it under the two hours (1 hour 58 minutes delayed). But got me thinking, what was the point of SAS Ireland? SAS being owned by the three governments curious if this was this a tax dodge? Pay less wages 'to compete'? Or is there a good overview from someone, or can point me in the right direction? Probably has already been discussed, but curious to hear it we want to rehash it.
(Excuse the ignorance, not accusing, simply wanting to learn more about the decision/move and hear people's opinions)
(Excuse the ignorance, not accusing, simply wanting to learn more about the decision/move and hear people's opinions)
Jun 26, 2018, 3:07 am
#4628
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,166
Just took a flight from Visby to CPH. Was flying SAS but they used Flybe and then SAS Ireland - curious as to more information on the SAS Ireland. We were delayed a little over two hours from Arlanda to Copenhagen and the pilots gunned it to make sure we made it under the two hours (1 hour 58 minutes delayed). But got me thinking, what was the point of SAS Ireland? SAS being owned by the three governments curious if this was this a tax dodge? Pay less wages 'to compete'? Or is there a good overview from someone, or can point me in the right direction? Probably has already been discussed, but curious to hear it we want to rehash it.
(Excuse the ignorance, not accusing, simply wanting to learn more about the decision/move and hear people's opinions)
(Excuse the ignorance, not accusing, simply wanting to learn more about the decision/move and hear people's opinions)
Jun 26, 2018, 3:26 am
#4629
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,182
But got me thinking, what was the point of SAS Ireland? SAS being owned by the three governments curious if this was this a tax dodge? Pay less wages 'to compete'? Or is there a good overview from someone, or can point me in the right direction? Probably has already been discussed, but curious to hear it we want to rehash it.
(Excuse the ignorance, not accusing, simply wanting to learn more about the decision/move and hear people's opinions)
(Excuse the ignorance, not accusing, simply wanting to learn more about the decision/move and hear people's opinions)
Jun 26, 2018, 2:08 pm
#4631
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: SK-EBD
Posts: 1,273
Jun 27, 2018, 5:17 am
#4632
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CPH or DC
Programs: EBD, Avis Presidents Club, HH Gold
Posts: 82
Thanks for the 'More here' link.
(And thank you CPHFlyer for the response).
Seems in short it's the FA unions that drove them down there to remain competitive in the landscape.
Or... at least that is how they spun it as we all know companies operate out of Ireland to avoid various types of tax (i.e. Apple).
(And thank you CPHFlyer for the response).
Seems in short it's the FA unions that drove them down there to remain competitive in the landscape.
Or... at least that is how they spun it as we all know companies operate out of Ireland to avoid various types of tax (i.e. Apple).
Last edited by jerjeffr; Jun 27, 2018 at 7:41 am
Jun 27, 2018, 8:48 am
#4633
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,166
Thanks for the 'More here' link.
(And thank you CPHFlyer for the response).
Seems in short it's the FA unions that drove them down there to remain competitive in the landscape.
Or... at least that is how they spun it as we all know companies operate out of Ireland to avoid various types of tax (i.e. Apple).
(And thank you CPHFlyer for the response).
Seems in short it's the FA unions that drove them down there to remain competitive in the landscape.
Or... at least that is how they spun it as we all know companies operate out of Ireland to avoid various types of tax (i.e. Apple).
Jun 28, 2018, 3:59 am
#4634
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CPH or DC
Programs: EBD, Avis Presidents Club, HH Gold
Posts: 82
Appreciate the response.
My understanding that SAS Ireland was a new holding company?
Is this not the case?
If so, why call it SAS Ireland? They could simply keep it at SAS and operate out of the country with FA and operations being out of there paying those wages.
Wouldn't they (SAS Ireland) be purchasing 'goods and services' from SAS in the long run to reduce costs and tax schemes or vice versa. Just my thoughts... (But again, quite ignorant)
My understanding that SAS Ireland was a new holding company?
Is this not the case?
If so, why call it SAS Ireland? They could simply keep it at SAS and operate out of the country with FA and operations being out of there paying those wages.
Wouldn't they (SAS Ireland) be purchasing 'goods and services' from SAS in the long run to reduce costs and tax schemes or vice versa. Just my thoughts... (But again, quite ignorant)
Jun 28, 2018, 4:38 am
#4635
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,166
Appreciate the response.
My understanding that SAS Ireland was a new holding company?
Is this not the case?
If so, why call it SAS Ireland? They could simply keep it at SAS and operate out of the country with FA and operations being out of there paying those wages.
Wouldn't they (SAS Ireland) be purchasing 'goods and services' from SAS in the long run to reduce costs and tax schemes or vice versa. Just my thoughts... (But again, quite ignorant)
My understanding that SAS Ireland was a new holding company?
Is this not the case?
If so, why call it SAS Ireland? They could simply keep it at SAS and operate out of the country with FA and operations being out of there paying those wages.
Wouldn't they (SAS Ireland) be purchasing 'goods and services' from SAS in the long run to reduce costs and tax schemes or vice versa. Just my thoughts... (But again, quite ignorant)
Why not call it SAS Ireland? They founded a new legal entity locayed in Ireland, the naming kind of makes sense. They needed a new AOC and a new company to get outside the scope of the Scandinavian collective agreements, and reduce costs.