Seaborne Airlines?

They've been around FOREVER.

If the employees (ie, pilots and crew) are any indication of what the owners are like, it seems like it would be a great company to work for. I've flown on them several times and each time, the pilot and crew were very respectful, looked nice, and the planes were in excellent condition (my husband is a retired fighter pilot, now aeronautical engineer, and he can smell an unsafe airplance from miles away....he never had a problem with them. On the other hand, there are a few of the puddle jumper airlines he wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, but they shall remain nameless.).

Sounds good to me.

Ex,
Thanks for the info. You have helped to relieve some anxiety. It is a big decision to leave Delta - but Delta is always questionable - we are never sure when they are going to go another layoff. Rumor has it now that they are asking pilots to take a 33% pay cut and they will be offering another round of early retirements and 4 to 5 year leaves of abscences.

Peace,
Sunny

Ex,

It's good to know this about Seaborne. As part of my job, I have to fly via seaplane back and forth between STX and STT a lot. I'm glad to know that this company maintains its planes really well and that the employees are nice. Whew, that's a load off!!

Kinsey

I've heard nothing but good things about Seaborne, and I've been looking into doing A&P work with them in a couple years hopefully.

You may want to contact them personally about their pay rates for Capts and FOs. I don't know for sure, but I have doubts that they'd pay anywhere near what a mainline like Delta pays their crews...even at 33% less since they are just a small island hopper. Of course working for them and living in paradise is probably worth it anyway. 🙂

Best of luck!

On our last trip to STX, we flew into STT and took Seaborne to STX. They land very close to the boardwalk.(Plans are already approved to extend the boardwalk down to the Seaplane ramp). We were able to walk over to our hotel.(Very easy). One afternoon while at the Casino we sat beside a super nice guy at the blackjack table. Had good conversation with him and noticed he was wearing a Seaborne shirt. I mentioned we had flown on Seaborne several times, enjoyed it and I asked if he worked for Seaborne. He said he did and was pleased that we had had good experiences with Seaborn.. After a while he got up to leave, we exchanged goodbyes, and he said if I ever needed anything to give him a call. He gave me his card. -President and CEO of Seaborne-. If he is an example of the company's top management, you have nothing to worry about. Just wish I knew something about the airline industry so I could work for them! I think they would be an excellent company to work for.

Seaborne rocks. At least as a consumer; I can't speak for the employees.

I fly them frequently from STX to STT and SJU. The prices are competitive with the major airlines and they fly direct to Charlotte Amalie and Old San Juan. No screwing around with airports and taxis. It's also a much more stable flight as they fly lower and slower than the big planes or even the AA Eagle flights. I believe they also have a frequent flier program.

Plus, seaplanes are just freakin' cool!

I saw the only full circle rainbow of my life on a Seaborne flight from STT to STX.

Only downside is that they can't fly after "civil twilight." Thus, ya gotta pack up your STT or SJU weekend on Sunday afternoon rather than Sunday night. Last plane gets into STX between 5 and 6 PM depending on the time of year.

VB

Okay, all you Seaborne fans ... can I get your opinion as to whether a wheelchair user with some very limited use of her legs would be able to fly with them? I have not spoken with them about this yet (for weird reasons), and their website doesn't seem to state their policy regarding transporting persons with disabilities.

I need to fly from STX to SJU every 54 days for a medical procedure. We've only done this once so far, and used Cape Air for that trip. (**looking to ExResident to see if there is any reaction to that name**) With assistance from the very, very nice Cape Air staff and crew (namely the pilot, Dieter), I was able to climb up and down the three very narrow and steep steps and they packed my wheelchair in the rear of the plane, behind the last seats.

I am using them for my next trip in a few weeks, but would feel much better if I knew there was another option that could give me some flexibility in terms of scheduling these day trips back and forth.

Might anyone have some info to share?

Go on American Eagle... why travel on 9 seat Cessnas when you can fly on 64-seat ATRs. That is the largest aircraft flown to San Juan from St. Croix. Also, Caribbean Sun flies to San Juan, but their schedule does not allow for day trips. Another thing, Seaborne, you most likely will make a short connection in St. Thomas, making the traveling more inconvenient. The seaplanes are less cramped than Cape Air, but I don't know if the wheelchair could fit on the narrow walkway off the plane.... I say just take American Eagle, it's more convenient.

I went on their website and they have a *Live Help Line*. I went ahead and asked for you. 🙂

Their reply:
***************************************************
Yes, please specify that she needs assistance and is in a wheelchair. We
also offer medical fares by calling 340 773 6442.

Thanks for choosing Seaborne Airlines.

Jonathan

****************************************************

Hope that helps. Oh, and they offer "Sea Miles" by flying with them...hehe.

I would suggest that before you book a flight you go down to Seaborne's dock in Christiansted and see if you can get into their plane OK. As DL said with Seaborne you probably are going to have to make a connection in STT. Unless they will make a special accomodation for you, you will have to get off the plane in STT and then reboard. Each of Seaborne's docks is slightly different. My seventy five year old mother law didn't have any problems boarding when she flew Seaborne and she isn't to spry.

American Eagle can accomodate you. When my wife broke her ankle and had surgery earlier this year, American Eagle was super in helping her board using a wheel chair. They used a hydraulic cargo lift to raise her up to the galley cargo door on the plane. They then used a transport wheel chair to get her from the galley door to her seat. She got better treatment on the STX -SJU flight than on the SJU-ORD flight.

Jim

Thanks, Jay and Jim -- I really appreciate all of the input!

I have flown the AA/AmEagle flights several times and had actually started to develop a relationship with their lift operator. Would love to take them and their bigger planes but their $280 per person RT fares (vs. Cape Air's $159 each) are a budget buster since I need to make 7 flights per year RT with my hubby. Had hoped Seaborne might offer an alternative in the same price range as Cape Air.

BTW, everyone who needs help getting up and down stairs at the STX airport should know that the lift Jim referred to is owned by AA, and they will not let other airlines use it for any reason. I learned this the hard way and ended up having to stagger down the stairs from a USAir jet on the flight to move us down here. (I refuse to be carried in any way anywhere -- it isn't safe for anyone involved nor does it offer me any dignity.) If you don't want to be carried up and down and can't manage the steps on your own, fly American to get here.

Thanks again, guys...

AA does have medical fares, you know. And also, it's not always $280, it depends on how far in advance you book your trip. Sometimes the fares can be in the $150-range. Just check again, and you might find something.