That's My Story

SUMMER TRAVEL HEADS UP!

Originally published week of July 9, 2007 in Western Outdoor News

I’m writing this and it’s 4th of July and I am jones-ing for a good old fashioned patriotic parade with flag waving, fried chicken, potato salad and barbecued corn and of course, fireworks. I never get to see that anymore. Say what you will about all the problems in the U.S., but from down here in Baja looking in, the U.S. still has it going on in spades. Judge a country by how many people want to get in! Much to be thankful for.

Now that the kids are outta school, summer vacation is in full swing and the bite finally seems to be on, let me throw some travel tips your way regarding Delta Airlines. We were really excited when Delta decided to bring flights into Baja. Good solid airline finally! Well, I don’t know wassup with them, but I think they are having some problems. I still have nightmares about all the problems last year with Aero California.

If you are travelling in September or October of this year on Delta, check your tickets and give your agent a call. Out of the blue, Delta canceled and changed many of it’s flights in the fall.

Interestingly, there was nothing on it’s website and several travel agents we contacted knew nothing about it. So, we got a hold of Delta’s Atlanta office. The initial agent knew nothing, but when we spoke with a supervisor, she was also surprised but after checking confirmed, “You’re right. We have canceled flights!” Oops!

Fortunately, most have not been canceled, but many more have had schedule changes or are no longer non-stop. You should check just to be safe. I’ve had several clients get refunds and book alternative flights.

Another heads up. In the last month, I have never seen an airlines lose so much luggage or plain even forget people! Even old Aero Cal wasn’t this bad when Cal’s poor service was so legendary that they got to be known as “Aero Maybe” and “Aero Scare-O” even by the Baja locals.

So many flights seem to be having trouble with missing luggage. I use the term “missing” loosely. It’s hard to call it “losing” sometimes. I don’t know if airlines are merely trying to save fuel costs or simply doesn’t anticipate that guys flying to the Baja are fishermen with ice chests and fishing rods, but some anglers have actually been sitting on the plane ready to take off and seen their ice chest and rods removed from the plane.

Some planes arrive and many of the anglers find that many of the ice chests and tubes have been left behind. That’s not “misplaced.” When one guy’s stuff doesn’t make the flight, that’s “misplaced.” When 20 guys arrive home without their rods, that’s a different story!

Insult to injury, some airlines (not all) charge as much as $100 for extra luggage and rod tubes! This is also happening for flights returning to the states as well. Ice chests filled with fish and tubes packed with rods, never make it back until days later. That does wonders for frozen fish.

As one of my amigos explained to me , who is himself a commercial airline pilot for another carrier, the planes are already packed to the max coming in. If you think about it, a Baja fisherman is now 30, 40, 50 pounds heavier with fish on the way out! He told me that it’s harder for a plane to lift off in hot weather so adjustments have to be made. Your tube full of sticks gets taken off or, heaven forbid, your ice chest full of fillets! It’s not like your trip to Alaska where fish boxes can be kept chilled at the airports.

Tips:

Be early. Last in line stands the great chance of not getting your luggage.
Put tags on all your luggage
Carry on all important documents, medicines, money or important items. Don’t check them in.
Combine as many rods into a tube as possible so you’re not paying extra when you don’t need to

I’m not saying don’t fly. Ninety-nine percent never have problems, but I’d hate for you to be one of the unlucky ones. Just be aware so as to minimalize any potential hitches in your flights down here to Baja so you have a great vacation.

Happy 4th of July everyone. Save me some potato salad. I’ll bring you up-to-date on Shark Norma developments next column. Getting ugly.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.