USVI-On-Line

Thanks to Jet Blue canceling our early morning flight, we now will have to fly Cape Air as our connector in San Juan. I've never flown w/ Cape Air before. So I have a few questions. I check my bag, do I pick up my bag in baggage and go through security again, or is it all automatic as if we were just switching planes normally? Where is the Cape Air terminal at SJU? Originally our flight was supposed to be in at 4pm, now with all the changes we don't get there till 9pm. Not a happy camper!

As far as the bag goes, you need to find out if Jet Blue code shares with Cape Air, some airlines do and will check your bag all the way to STT.

We flew Cape Air several times and will always keep them as an option for the future. My only complaint is one time our luggage didn't make it on to our flight.

Check their website, Cape Air has tough baggage rules.

I flew JetBlue last month. I had a three hour layover in San Juan and convinced Cape Air that I was doing them a favor by buying a ticket on their flight. Somehow it worked and I got on a Cape Air flight three hours earlier than my scheduled flight for a mere $95!

The terminal for Cape Air is on the ground floor at the bottom of an escalator. There was only 12 seats on my plane so if you are afraid to fly, prepare yourself. The plane is so small that you can ask to visually see that your luggage. I got to sit next to the pilot, which was fun.

So we are cruising to St. John and I look over at the pilot who is skimming through a book. I tried to get a better look and saw that it was landing procedures! Thank goodness I'm not afraid of flying because that would have freaked me out! I was like, you have got to be kidding me. A few minutes later I looked over again and saw the pilot scrolling through Facebook. Again I was like, are you kidding me??!! It was hilarious! The pilot was super sweet but was definitely a fan of Bob Marley, if you get my drift!

Bottom line: Cape Air is a fine airline if you don't mind a small plane and the fact that your pilot might check his Facebook account in mid air! ha ha ha

CTBeachGirl wrote:The pilot was super sweet but was definitely a fan of Bob Marley, if you get my drift!

Flight 420?

Pretty much!

CTbeachgirl-you've got me scared. I am not a good flier, never have been. I fly w/ my rosary beads. I am going to have to have many stiff drinks before getting on that flight! Also, where is the JB terminal in relation to the Cape Air terminal at SJU?

PA Girl- Yes it's a code share flight. So I'll assume they will automatically transfer the luggage.

Thanks!

You've never lived until you've flown Air Sunshine through the tail end on a Tropical Storm and splash down on Virgin Gorda's old landing strip....

I know a lot of people enjoy the Cape Air flights but I did it once and I don't want to repeat it, and I'm not a white knuckle flier. I fly quite a bit both short and long distance (flew to Singapore which is an 18 hour flight) but Cape Air was too much for me.

I sat up front next to the pilot in the co-pilot's seat (I thought he was joking when he said I'd be the co-pilot).

The pilot was rather more casual than I'd encountered before. I don't remember reading any books (Facebook wasn't as big 5 years ago) but I do remember him putting those big popup shades that you put up in your car windshield up in the cockpit windshield while we were flying.

The flight itself wasn't too bad - fairly short, but then we had to circle for about 15 minutes and that definitely made me queasy.

The freakiest thing -- when you are in the passenger seat, the steering wheel thingie appeared to be functional and moved when the pilot moved it. Which made me think that I could grab it and fly the plane. Which I didn't like one bit.

Please know that I was never in any danger and arrived safe and sound, but it was an intense experience and one that I won't repeat - just not for me. If you truly get scared flying, you may want to see if there is another option. Otherwise, medicate in some way.

The one time John and I flew Cape Air (from San Juan to Vieques), our pilot was reviewing the instruction manual too!! It didn't help that he looked about 12 years old. That was one of the longer 15 minute sequences of my life. I could not stop shaking the entire flight. Upon arrival we went directly from check in to the cocktail bar!

Ironically, the flight back from Vieques was bumpier, but easier on me for some reason. Maybe because I knew what to expect. Or maybe because that pilot looked to be at least 16 instead of 12

SJU:

Cape Air: terminal B
JetBlue: terminal C

Terminals map:

http://www2.pr.gov/Agencias/autoridadpu ... ordaje.pdf

A little bit about Cape Air to hopefully ease your mind somewhat. From their website:

"Now, Cape Air operates a fleet of over 64 Cessna 402's with up to 600 flights per day during high season. Last year Cape Air carried over 650,000 passengers, making us the largest independent regional airline in the United States."

More:

http://www.capeair.com/common/index.php ... E&page=F01

augie wrote:

CTBeachGirl wrote:The pilot was super sweet but was definitely a fan of Bob Marley, if you get my drift!

Flight 420?

Or flight 714?

mit43 wrote:You've never lived until you've flown Air Sunshine through the tail end on a Tropical Storm and splash down on Virgin Gorda's old landing strip....

You mean flying on the bucket o' bolts that pass for the Air Sunshine planes AND that short dirt runway on VG? LOL

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7 ... site"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MlvK ... G_4022.JPG" height="427" width="640"></a>

But worth it for the views...
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/r ... site"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lrp6 ... _31311.JPG" height="430" width="640"></a>

Air Sunshine will weigh your luggage right in front of you, then ask what YOU weigh (not a good time to lie!) then assign seating to balance the load out.

As least Cape Air's equipment looks pretty new and well maintained. They get loads o' love from the frequent users over on the TTOL BVI forum.

Yes! We flew Air Sunshine from STT. He taxied up and said "Hop In"! Threw our small carry-on in the front compartment and off we went. When we landed on VG the plane slid sideways when it hit the mud!:shock: My wife made me take the ferry back, but I loved it!

jmq - that could be my most favorite picture ever. Thank you.

Muhaha wrote:jmq - that could be my most favorite picture ever. Thank you.

Thanks. That aerial shot is an oldie but goodie that has been posted here before.