usvi-on-line
Air travel from Washington, D.C.
Air travel from Washington, D.C.
I have a question for Northern Virginia people. We bought our tickets. Using American out of Dulles through San Juan. Got a great price 320 per person. My niece wants to come down for a quick visit Wednesday though Sunday of our trip and lives close to National Airport. I've read that some of you fly out of National on Spirit to Ft. Lauderdale. Would this be the best option for her. We are going Dec. 2-9th. Is Spirit air cheaper than flying out of Dulles?
Thanks!
Thanks!
My wife and I (Oakton, VA) are going in 2 weeks from Dulles and are taking the direct flight from United since we got a great rate of $315/rt.
We did toy with the idea of going through National when the prices were jumping all over the map, but locked in the rate from IAD when it dipped one day and was even cheaper than Spirit.
I just did a quick search on kayak.com (which is the best search tool IMHO) and the prices from National are only $7 more than IAD ($323 v. $330 on american) for the Wed-Sun of the week you are going. Spirit was $371. Since this is the high season I would really consider jumping on that rate since airfare has only been going up and up.
Good luck!
Eric
We did toy with the idea of going through National when the prices were jumping all over the map, but locked in the rate from IAD when it dipped one day and was even cheaper than Spirit.
I just did a quick search on kayak.com (which is the best search tool IMHO) and the prices from National are only $7 more than IAD ($323 v. $330 on american) for the Wed-Sun of the week you are going. Spirit was $371. Since this is the high season I would really consider jumping on that rate since airfare has only been going up and up.
Good luck!
Eric
-
Randy in MD
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:04 am
- Location: Shady Side, MD
Air From National
I've flown Spirit and American out of National and have had good luck with both. For 2 upcoming trips I got roundtrip fares on American for $239 and $268 (plus taxes of course). I don't fly out of Dulles - too far for this Maryland boy...
-
Bill in Va
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:56 pm
- Location: Lake Gaston, Va
Regan vs Dulles
Yo Va famliy. If she can get to Regan via the metro I say go for Spirit Air. No driving, no parking, no brainer. Looking forward to meeting you guys. We hit the beach Dec 1-15th. Any divers going to be there?....God bless...Bill
Thank you for your suggestions! A December gathering would be great. My other half is going to be overwelmed with girls on this trip. His daughter who is 20 my two nieces 26 and 21 and me. Any guys out there that will be down there at the same time? I think he will be needing a boys night out. And if you are bringing any of your kids with you I'm sure our girls will love to meet them. This will be their first trip to St. John. I can't wait to show them the Island. They have heard so much from us. Whick night to gather at the Beach Bar?
Bill,
I used to Dive when I lived in Ft. lauderdale 20 years ago. I lost my C card somewhere along the way. I would be to nervous to go diving with out instructions again. We are interested in doing a explorer dive for first timers. My soon to be husband loves to snorkel and wants to try it. Do they have any programs with out going through all the classes? He does not want to spend all that money on something he is not sure of. Any suggestions?
I used to Dive when I lived in Ft. lauderdale 20 years ago. I lost my C card somewhere along the way. I would be to nervous to go diving with out instructions again. We are interested in doing a explorer dive for first timers. My soon to be husband loves to snorkel and wants to try it. Do they have any programs with out going through all the classes? He does not want to spend all that money on something he is not sure of. Any suggestions?
-
Bill in Va
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:56 pm
- Location: Lake Gaston, Va
Dive info for D C Photo
Hey neighbor. I'm about 20 miles from you near Warrenton. There are 4 or 5 dive operations to my knowledge. I dove out of Caneel last Dec. Chris Sawyer has taken over the operation there.He has his main one on St Thomas. I would think they have a resort course for your husband. Low Key right next to the Beach Bar used to have one. Cruz Bay Water Sports may have one. They operate out of the Westin so I bet they do a resort course as well. They have a shop in town underneath Chilly Billy's up from the old car ferry dock. You can PM me with any questions or give me a call at my office, 540-349-9100....God bless...Bill
HUbby's done Low Key watersports and they're decent-- didn't hear any complaints. Hubby has been interested in doing the Rhone.
He and some other experienced divers did a night dive with Collette, since Flip Flop had enjoyed her first time experience with her. But they did not care for Collette at all.
Her equip wasn't working (my hubby had to sit out a dive because of this). She ignored the swells and had them in some serious choppy water. They found her to be pretty reckless and just ignored their concerns (there were four divers on this dive including two who lived in the VI at the time -- and all four were pretty unhappy).
Again, flip flop loved her as a first timer trial dive. But the more experienced divers (inlcuding flip flops hubby) had a very bad experience with her and would not recommend her at all.
He and some other experienced divers did a night dive with Collette, since Flip Flop had enjoyed her first time experience with her. But they did not care for Collette at all.
Her equip wasn't working (my hubby had to sit out a dive because of this). She ignored the swells and had them in some serious choppy water. They found her to be pretty reckless and just ignored their concerns (there were four divers on this dive including two who lived in the VI at the time -- and all four were pretty unhappy).
Again, flip flop loved her as a first timer trial dive. But the more experienced divers (inlcuding flip flops hubby) had a very bad experience with her and would not recommend her at all.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
Thanks for all the replies. This so helpful. Bill, I'm very familar with Warrenton. I used to work for the Fauqier Democrat about 15 years ago as a photographer and are getting married at Poplar Springs Inn near warrenton. You should check that place out for dinner sometime has a excellent resturant. Thanks for the info. on the diving. Can't wait to do it again.
For a first timer, I would without any hesitation recommend Colette. I wasn't on the night dive (wouldn't DO a night dive cause I am a big chicken), so I can't speak to that but I can't think of a better person for a first timer.
I had actually done an exploration/intro/resort (whatever they call them) with another dive operation (PM me if you want to know who) and found them to be careless with newbies. Basically just threw me in the water with little or no instruction with one person who had done all the pool work and just needed to be certified and two people who had been previously certified and needed a refresher.
Needless to say I felt REALLY pressured and immediately began to hyperventilate. There was NO on boat instruction to speak of and NO shore instruction. In theory we were supposed to spend the first dive (exp. divers dive) on the boat learning and then try it out on the 2nd dive spot. Not so much.
Anyway, I digress. My hubby (advanced open water cert) was on the night dive with Colette and had to miss part of the 2nd dive because his vest kept inflating. He was frustrated & pissed mostly because he LOVES to dive and was looking forward to the night dive. And because the equipment didn't work as it should have! He says he wouldn't use her again because of this. He also got seasick because the water was quite rough but he did say he saw some amazing stuff but that Colette was booking it with them when they were exploring. I assume she knew they all had considerable experience and didn't feel the need to handhold, but still. He was not happy and experienced divers should consider that.
Still, there has been lots of positive feedback on here from experienced divers (FlaGeorge for one who's been diving longer than I've been alive) regarding Colette. So it could have been a fluke or a bad night.
My sense was the she was a small operation trying to get herself off the ground. I think I have read here that she's replaced or improved her equipment, but if you are interested in the first time thing and are the least bit nervous I would say she's great. She literally held my hand and took all the time I needed to get comfy - which TOOK A LOT on her part. I have no doubt I would not have successfully gotten under if it weren't for her and her style. She is the opposite of the macho, know it all, dive master (NO offense to you non-macho ones, I am just speaking from my own horrible experience). I found her extremely intuitive and careful with me. So maybe great for newbies, not so perfect for more experienced divers.
I had actually done an exploration/intro/resort (whatever they call them) with another dive operation (PM me if you want to know who) and found them to be careless with newbies. Basically just threw me in the water with little or no instruction with one person who had done all the pool work and just needed to be certified and two people who had been previously certified and needed a refresher.
Needless to say I felt REALLY pressured and immediately began to hyperventilate. There was NO on boat instruction to speak of and NO shore instruction. In theory we were supposed to spend the first dive (exp. divers dive) on the boat learning and then try it out on the 2nd dive spot. Not so much.
Anyway, I digress. My hubby (advanced open water cert) was on the night dive with Colette and had to miss part of the 2nd dive because his vest kept inflating. He was frustrated & pissed mostly because he LOVES to dive and was looking forward to the night dive. And because the equipment didn't work as it should have! He says he wouldn't use her again because of this. He also got seasick because the water was quite rough but he did say he saw some amazing stuff but that Colette was booking it with them when they were exploring. I assume she knew they all had considerable experience and didn't feel the need to handhold, but still. He was not happy and experienced divers should consider that.
Still, there has been lots of positive feedback on here from experienced divers (FlaGeorge for one who's been diving longer than I've been alive) regarding Colette. So it could have been a fluke or a bad night.
My sense was the she was a small operation trying to get herself off the ground. I think I have read here that she's replaced or improved her equipment, but if you are interested in the first time thing and are the least bit nervous I would say she's great. She literally held my hand and took all the time I needed to get comfy - which TOOK A LOT on her part. I have no doubt I would not have successfully gotten under if it weren't for her and her style. She is the opposite of the macho, know it all, dive master (NO offense to you non-macho ones, I am just speaking from my own horrible experience). I found her extremely intuitive and careful with me. So maybe great for newbies, not so perfect for more experienced divers.
-
Bill in Va
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:56 pm
- Location: Lake Gaston, Va
DC Photo info
DC Photo,
I'm in Rotary with the editor of the Democrat! Been in old town for the last 22 years two blocks from the newspaper office. I didn't want to say bad stuff about local St John operations but I see the box has been opened. I dove with 6 pac,Collet's operation and had a bad expierence. She wasn't on the boat that day so my dive master, who had been on island two weeks, was the deal. My problem was that I had more dives than this kid had years and we had to go over to St Thomas to get tanks for the next dive from Chris Sawyer Dive Company. Yes that means they don't fill their own tanks. Started out around 9am and ended after 3pm. A long day for 2 dives. Colette if you want me for a second chance it better be different than my first. Low Key is another story. A bad one as well. Will never go with them again. Cattle car operation in my opinion. Had booked a Rhone dive two months in advance for three divers and up to a week in advance it was a go. Turns out they had a bunch of first timers so they aborted the dive saying not enough divers buuuut there were enough when we all showed up. Yep its money folks. Again I will never dive with them. Lots of folk have had great dives with them but when you plan something that far in advance and weather is not the problem then sorry. My best dives were with St John Dive Adventures which has changed hands. This Dec I plan on using Chris Sawyer again. It would be a great dive to be with the two of you. I take good photo's! No problem being on a low impact dive for me. Current that time of the year can be an issue...God bless...Bill
I'm in Rotary with the editor of the Democrat! Been in old town for the last 22 years two blocks from the newspaper office. I didn't want to say bad stuff about local St John operations but I see the box has been opened. I dove with 6 pac,Collet's operation and had a bad expierence. She wasn't on the boat that day so my dive master, who had been on island two weeks, was the deal. My problem was that I had more dives than this kid had years and we had to go over to St Thomas to get tanks for the next dive from Chris Sawyer Dive Company. Yes that means they don't fill their own tanks. Started out around 9am and ended after 3pm. A long day for 2 dives. Colette if you want me for a second chance it better be different than my first. Low Key is another story. A bad one as well. Will never go with them again. Cattle car operation in my opinion. Had booked a Rhone dive two months in advance for three divers and up to a week in advance it was a go. Turns out they had a bunch of first timers so they aborted the dive saying not enough divers buuuut there were enough when we all showed up. Yep its money folks. Again I will never dive with them. Lots of folk have had great dives with them but when you plan something that far in advance and weather is not the problem then sorry. My best dives were with St John Dive Adventures which has changed hands. This Dec I plan on using Chris Sawyer again. It would be a great dive to be with the two of you. I take good photo's! No problem being on a low impact dive for me. Current that time of the year can be an issue...God bless...Bill
Bill,
We should be in contact as it gets closer. I'm going to check with the Westin to see if they have a program for beginners or call Chris Sawyer to see if he can help out. There seems to be a lot of people from Northern Virginia here. It will be fun meeting you down there. We should have a forum party for all the locals here this summer. Any ideas?
We should be in contact as it gets closer. I'm going to check with the Westin to see if they have a program for beginners or call Chris Sawyer to see if he can help out. There seems to be a lot of people from Northern Virginia here. It will be fun meeting you down there. We should have a forum party for all the locals here this summer. Any ideas?