JBR Upcoming.....
Please let me know if you want me to write more about our trip? In the meanwhile here is something else that happened to us and I would like to warn fellow surfers not to use CONTINENTAL Airlines if they are to be carrying surfboards. Stewardesses weren't too friendly either........
At very least I would like to get the word out about how "Continental" will rip surfers off just because of the way they travel with their surfboards. Here's the letter we wrote to the airlines........we were denied any compensation.........
For the last two years my wife and I have been scrimping and
saving,working numerous jobs at the same time, so we could take our two
sons with us on a dream vacation to go surfing in Bali.(Airfare was
$3,336.00) For my wife and sons, this was their first experience
traveling abroad.
We arrived at Honolulu airport more than three hours prior to
departure time so as to set the family at ease and not be in any rush
or
wait in lines. We live in Haleiwa so it's about a 45 minute drive. When
we got to check in we were asked how many bags/surfboards we were
carrying with us. We each had a luggage bag and packed four surfboards
in two boardbags.(the night before I called continental and was told
each paying passenger was allowed two surfboards as checked baggage)
The
man at the desk said it would cost us $1200.00 for the boards! I was in
shock! In the best interest of homeland security I remained calm. My
wife was sick to her stomach. My younger son was crying. NOT THE WAY I
WANTED TO START OUR DREAM VACATION!!!!! HAVING MY FAMILY BEING
TRAUMATIZED!!
I pleaded with the man, we all pleaded, my younger son crying his
eyes out. My wife literally getting sick to her stomach. The man
thought
about it for a long while, but than still charged us the $1200.00. I
had no choice but to open some of the envelops I had stowed away for
our
dream vacation,thinking to myself there goes our dream.
Other friends of mine went on flights later that week and brought
three surfboards each and were charged nothing!
It states on your website that 'each passenger is allowed two
surfboards as checked baggage. Domestic flight there is a charge of
$80.00'.
The rules on surfboards as checked baggage are very vague and
seem to vary considerably from employee to employee. Depending on
his/her mood that day?
On the way home I didn't have enough money to take a chance and
have
to pay baggage charges again so I had to leave five surfboards back in
Bali. Hoping they don't get damaged or stolen and who knows when I'll
be able to get back to Bali again? We were again charged $300.00 at
Bali airport upon deparure for the kids' three boards that we brought
back to Honolulu!
This was a terrible experience for the whole family! Continental
Airlines is a huge company. But I don't think this is the proper way
of
doing business.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely, Cole Doeh and Family