Vintage Props & Jets

[metigar]

What do folks know about Vintage, which flies to Marsh Harbour from Daytona?
How does it compare to Gulfstream, for example? Thanks.

[Jack Frost]

Not to many complaints about Vintage on this board. I have never flown them however they seem to do a great Job for the folks in Northern Fl.

Jack

[hank and louise]

I have never flown with gulfstream but have known Tom and Linda ( owners of vintage ) for many years. All of our flights have been with vintage. I know first hand of their attention to detail in regards to aircraft safety and customer service. for my dollar there are no better. Email me if you have other questions, have a great trip. Hank and Louise :)

[DrRalph]

Go to: http://www.************/Askdex.html, you'll see consumer comments about air carriers.

[Watercolours]

Alot of our guests for our cottages or sailing charters fly Vintage they always get there bagage and are normaly on time. We also fly Vintage ourselfs and think they are the best choice.
http://www.watercolourscottages.com
http://www.cruiseabaco.com

[Buckeye]

I have not flown on Vintage as yet, but I have made reservations to fly them from Orlando to Marsh Harbour in March. I have heard many good things about them and the lady that I talked with was very nice and helpful when I made my reservation. They even sent me a calender for the new year a few days later. I am sick to death of USAirways and their many delays and excuses. I will fly from Ohio on Delta and then use Vintage for my Island leg.

H

[Terry W]

I have been flying VPJ from Orlando to TC 3-4 times a year for several years. They are just great.

[Summerview]

Our guests also Enjoy Vintage airlines. Here is there URL

http://www.vpj.com

Pati~

[johnj]

We have used Vintage the last 2 years out of Melbourne. We plan to use them again next summer. They do a great job. We love their planes. Highly recommended.

[PatW]

I have been flying with Vintage for many years and have never had an unpleasant experience with them. When I was in Florida during Frances and my husband was here on Guana, I was a basket case because of no communication with Sidney. I called Vintage, after the storm had subsided, Tom the owner answered. I told him I HAD to get back to Guana ASAP and he told me to call him back a few hours later. I did and I was on an 8:00 am flight back here the next morning! I chartered one of their planes when I moved here last January and they removed all the seats and left a seat for me and the pilot and my pilot was the owner, Tom.

[abacomah]

We pretty much fly Vintage all the time now. We have previously used US Airways, Air Sunshine, Continental, even Delta many years ago when they flew to Abaco; but, we have come to love Vintage the last few years. We had a similar experience as PATW during Frances except we had to get out early. Our connecting flight in Melbourne was with Delta and Delta could not get us out of Melbourne that Thursday...we were scheduled to leave Saturday. I called Vintage and explained my problem....they said no problem...they would take us onto Orlando....and didn't mention collecting any additional $$$$$. When I called Delta back to get the flight change to Orlando, they wanted $100 a passenger...Needless to say I said "I don't think so!!!"...the supervisor finally saw it my way. Vintage went out of their way to take care of us and get us back home safely. We are scheduled to fly them again in March.
Abacomah....aka Mary Anne Huggins

[SILENT COW]

Has anyone had experience with Vintage flying between Jacksonville and Treasure Cay. I am thinking of booking with them for an April trip to Green Turtle Cay.

[peerpod]

I'm flying from Jax in the AM (1-3-05). I've done this several times, even after Bonnie and Charlie. The service is great.

[poolfool]

We just completed our 2nd trip to the Abacos with Vintage(Melbourne-Masrh harbor). It was an A+ experience both times. With all the stories about delays and lost baggage with the regular commercial carriers over the holidays, Vintage deserves all the praise it receives on this board. My only concern is a letter I read on my recent return flight. It seems that Vintage plans on using Daytona as a hub to the Bahamas starting April 1st, 2005. This change may alter my future plans.

[abceram]

Another great plus about Vintage is the parking provided for those driving to the airport. No huge parking fees to return to. My daughter flew back to Orlando today. Everyone was checked in 45 minutes prior to the flight time, the plane was ready and off they went!
I've flown them several times to Daytona and the service on both ends was excellent!

[Terry W]

The parking, no traffic,and other ammenities at the Signature air center Vintage uses on the west side (executive side) of Orlando Int'l is a definite plus .... especially those freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

[abacopotcake]

I've flown Vintage from TCB. My sister lives in the Orlando area and uses them quite often. Never heard her complain. She flies New Smryna to Treasure. She too read the letter about them using Daytona as a hub. In fact when her husband came over last Wednesday, he was booked out of New Smryna and they asked if he would go to Daytona. He told them it wasn't convenient so someone drove him from NS to Daytona. His car is at NS, so not sure what will happen when they go back this week.

[aandreala]

From the ease and level of service at the initial time of booking, right through the assistance at departure and interaction with the crew make Vintage my Abaco carrier of choice. Also, a note of information - treat their baggage maximum seriously. While, I've found that they'll often try to work with you, there are times when I've seen them have to leave a passenger's overweight bag aside because they just couldn't fit it. Good fares, treatment like you're a very special passenger all add up to them being great.

[OCTOPUSSY]

Vintage is the best! I have flown with them for years and cannot say enough good about them. They always treat me and my family great and they have been able to accomodate all of the baggage I have brought. Their pilots are professional and the big PLUS...they have two of them. They take us around the weather and are always caring and compassionate. I have flown on other small carriers and it's just not the same. The turboprops are faster, bigger and in my opinion safer. I highly recommend them to anyone flying to the Abacos. Best Wishes!

[Abacowilly]

....folks will go out of their way to talk about customer service at their "extremes" (both good and bad) - in this case, Vintage clearly has a strong following of "customers for life". This is a good message for any service provider anywhere whether an airline, a restaurant or a boat rental company. It's proof that it is much cheaper (and more profitable) to keep a customer than it is to win one back. Thank you Vintage for providing a superior service for what is potentially the MOST stressfull component of a trip to/from Abaco.

AW - Vintage in March for a stay on Guana AND The Barefoot Man concert at Nippers!! ;)

[CHICO]

Has anyone had experience with Vintage flying between Jacksonville and Treasure Cay. I am thinking of booking with them for an April trip to Green Turtle Cay.
Can you tell me who all fly out of fll to the abaco & the cost .......

[dp]

I have flown vintage for years.... 8-10 round-trips per year. They used to be great and they still have mostly great people and service. But their schedule change to force everyone through DAB was a huge disappointment. Instead of an hour and a half, the trip from Orlando is now closer to 5 hours, including sitting in Daytona for 30-60 minutes. If a competitor decides to fly from MCO, VPJ will lose a lot, I'm afraid.

[Myra]

Like you we have been flying Vintage for years. We have recently heard bad reports. We are scheduled to fly out of Jax on July 29th. Making several trips back and forth with other family members throughout August. I heard the owner is ill. I have my fingers crossed they will fix the recent problems. Anyone heard anything? Or any recent experiences out of Jax? Would appreciate the input.

[P2Pooz]

We flew into Marsh Harbour using Vintage last April from Orlando. We originated in Colorado, so it was a long trip, but everyone is right... The Signature terminal was very comfortable, and the people most curtious. We were originally supposed to fly from Orlando, to Daytona, and on to MHH, but ended up having a full plane from Orlando. The pilots made a call and got permission to fly directly to Abaco. We ended up landing in some pretty rough weather and high winds, but they were great!
The trip back was also good. It seemed like there was a whirlwind of chaos going on all around us with the other carriers within the MHH terminal, but Vintage was very professional, calm, and accommodating.
We did have to fly back through Daytona on our way to Orlando, and it was about a 45 minute wait before the last leg of our flight.
Also, someone from this board forwarned us about the distance of the Signature terminal in Orlando from the main airport. It was several miles away, about a 15 dollar cab fare. We were very glad to have the heads up.

[gatorman71]

Vintage runs a professional, SAFE operation.....I have flown them all. Hard to find fault with Vintage.......

[thedavisclan]

We flew Vintage from Daytona to Marsh Harbour with no problems...the pilots were extremely professional, experienced and nice. The flights were extremely smooth! Our 3 kids really enjoyed the flight and the cost ($308 pp round trip) made it all worth it! The convenience of going straight to Vintage's terminal with no hassels of long check-in and security lines was a major bonus!

[DrRalph]

I have been praising Vintage for many years, but two weeks ago we had our first adverse experience with them. We were booked on the 11:30 flight from Daytona to MHH. We arrived at 10:30 to find 65 people in the waiting area. NONE of the four previously scheduled flights had as yet departed. We were told that there would be “extended delays;” they advised us to return to our home and that they would call us with an update.



We arrived back at our house at 11:20; ten minutes later they called from the terminal and told us to “hurry back,” that our flight would depart at noon. We hustled back, only to wait until 2 PM before we finally took off. The staff seemed confused, frustrated, and disorganized, much different that we had previously experienced.



In all fairness, our return flight was smooth, on time, no problems, but something just doesn’t seem right at Vintage, at least for now.

[Chasenreef]

I flew with w/ my 2 Golden Retrievers on Vintage early June and had a great experience...The pilot and co-poilot were very dog friendly , helping me handle my dogs as I had to tie them out in the rain at Treasure for customs b/f we boarded the plane again for MHH.... the pilot helped me with that and even helped my 70 lb pup off the plane, as Reef was afraid of those little airplane steps. I apologized to him about the hair all over his blk uniform pants but he smiled it off :)

I also had to fly out of Treasure at the last minute and tried calling everyone for a charter but with no luck... then a friend in FL was able to reach BAER for me on a Friday night.... She was able to book a private flight w/ BAER out of Merritt Island, FL. ... . It was basically a rescue flight, as I had to get home ASAP and they were able to send someout out the NEXT morning. They were considerate enuf to remove seats so my pups would have room. The pilot Noel could not of been nicer nor more helpful, again, another dog friendly pilot. The weather was bad the day we flew out but the flight was smooth and the landing perfect. I would use both Vintage and Baer again in a heartbeat...Vintage got me and my dogs there and BAER was able to rescue us at a moments notice and w/ excellent service....

[grasshopper]

This will be my one and only response to this subject on this board. Like all businesses Vintage has its good days and its bad ones. Thank goodness we have more good than bad. Look at Jeff Gordan and Jr. two of the best with unbelievable amounts of money behind them and they can't do anything right lately.
Myra the owner is not sick-sick only sick of working 100+ hours a week (no day off in over 3 weeks) to fix problems that high paid others have created. Also i am sick because i have canceled my planned summer fishing in the Abaco's. A few of the problems we have encountered are:
Some how i would like to believe that by accident our reservation system was opened to allow flights and seats to be booked that we did not have the aircraft to accomodate.
Some unexpected maintenance delays that i now believe may have been intentional.
And a couple internal problems.
Ibelieve these problems have been eliminated at this time.
To have so many positivies said for so many years it really hurts when we get negatives like we have recently, we really do care and take it personaly. This summer has been a most difficult one.
Some things will not change; one is we will never clear customs at MCO if i can possible avoid it. Some officers there don't like us coming in there because it disrupts there routine and we catch hell. Mlb is better but unpredictable and not dependable, there is none better than DAB. We have had MLB call and say they were going home, the plane that was on the way had to go to Dab with a full load of MLB passengers,did these pax say thank you , no they bitched, it cost me 600/800 dollars did customs care no. This stuff goes on and on and on. You have no idea what it takes today to get you out of this country and back in legally,its insane. WE have much more to comply with here than they do in SO. Fl.
I see many people comparing SO.FL. prices to Vintage prices; its less than 180 miles FLL to MHH; its 265 miles DAB to MHH. DO the math i think you will find Vintage $ per seat mile less.
DR. Ralph, i new you were on a flight to Abaco the day we had the biggest problem Vintage has ever experienced, you said we looked confused, frustraded and disorganized; your damn right we were , including me. I will guarantee i was more frustrated than anyone. What really suprized me is after flying and praising vintage for all these years you were so quick to publicly attack vintage. Thank you for all the past patronage and praises.
DP, I just pulled the records, your last flight was May 28 out of MCO,it was scheduled to depart @ 2:00PM the aircraft flight log shows taxi out @ 2:00 PM and pulled to DAB gate @ 2:35. You were on fl153 direct to TCB scheduled DEparture 3:20 PM, it taxied out @ 3:15 taxied in @ TCB @ 4:45.
from the time you boarded in MCO to TCB was atotal of 2:45 not 5 hours, where in the world did you go? If you had gone the old route you would have gotten to TCB about 5:20. I am aware that you had a bad flight around first o april and that was a mechanical. As for competitors they are all around us, i think you should catch one, i'll bet they don't keep you as happy for as long as Vintage did.
To all the loyal patrons i say thank you, thank you very much, and i hope this clears up some of the air. My goal is to make Vintage as reliable, safe and comfortable as possible and keep Abaco in the spot light, I love it too.
Tom Crevasse
Owner @ President Vintage

[floridacargocat]

Dear Grasshopper,
I do know how difficult it is to stand up to the public and say "mea culpa", but for this you will get more respect than you think. I have said again and again on this board, every company has its good and less than good days, and sometimes the challenges are overwhelming, and you still go on and provide a quality service. For this, your customers should thank you in one form or the other.
Although for legal reasons I am not claiming to hold out, I do help customers with my advice on how to get from A to B, and I do know how difficult it can be. A good organisation begins at the top, and the standards percolate down to the last person in the chain, including the baggage loaders. And customers realize a good service, only when it is not there for one reason or the other. A good service day in, day out is sometimes taken for granted, and no comment is ever made (did somebody ever think about the mundane job of providing one of the lifebloods of civilization - electricity? after the hurricanes of 2004 we do appreciate the efforts of FPL to get electricity back as quickly as possible). The comments will only come, when something goes wrong, and it might have been a very unfortunate confluence of a lot of factors (Swiss Cheese theory), and you indicated something in this direction, but you also said, that these problems have been taken care of, and that is the important thing. In my more than 30 years in the international food industry and here in Florida in the aviation industry, I was exposed to a lot of challenges and learned from my mistakes, but thank God, I had the support of a lot of friends. And you will have that too, I am convinced.
A long time ago I had organized a flight for one of the better known Abacoboard members (TCB-FLL, a long time ago), and the airplane met an unexpected problem on the way out. And I informed this board member about this unexpected delay, and he was not happy and not too unhappy, as he took it in the right spirit. For me it was a question of reputation and reliability. Then - with the help of friends - I found a solution, and I communicated the good news to this board member, and guess what? The family was very unhappy, because they thought they could stay another day in paradise.
A good airline(and its personnel) do their utmost to deliver the product to the customer, but sometimes **** happens, and the challenges have to be met. In my honest opinion - from what I have read about your organisation - you do meet the criteria for a quality service, something that people will buy more than once.
I would not worry about what other companies are doing a little bit further south, as the day of reckoning will come (the bookkeeper will say, that the resources have been depleted because revenues are less than expenses), and then? I am still of the opinion, that current charter rates and seat rates in the FLL area do not contribute to the long-term survival of even the best companies, because investment funds are not being created out of day-to-day operations. It is a completely different approach to using resources than what I am used to. Furthermore, with all the additional governmental requirements on electronic manifests (and others), these efforts are not being compensated sufficiently. Sometimes a manifest for a load of 8 passengers takes up to 30 - 60 minutes to establish, considering all the requirements. Who pays for this effort? Either it comes out of the margin of the flight, or the customers has to give a contribution to this effort. And in case a mistake is made, the Government sends a little letter with the request for a monetary contribution, which exceeds by far the "manifest charges". Passenger manifest require an attention to detail in order to avoid fines.
I will still recommend you as a quality service provider.

[Terry W]

I wrote a very brief message on this board about a recent problem with Vintage. I didn't go into the details because of my long appreciation of VPJ and my true hope that this is a temporary thing. VPJ has served me and my family well for many years.

However, we had problems on the way over to TC and the return this past trip. The problems of the past few months have been discussed among loyal VPJ patrons and these appear to be a series of real problems, not just simple delays.

One thing that concerns me the most is that the staff and crew have seemed clueless. I can understand problems. Anyone flying in and out of the Abacos knows of the myriad of problems that can and do occur. However, to have ground staff and crew who are not informed and up to date is not a good thing.

And an apology to your loyal patrons would have gone a very long way.

For those of us flying out and into MCO - believe me, we don't want to go through their customs either! Mean folks. However, the inconvenience of having to fly to Daytona and the delays, coupled with the pricing, make it appear better to just go to Ft. Lauderdale or even hire a private charter.

I hope and pray that VPJ gets back to their normal, exemplary service. You were the best. Your pilots are awesome. Stuff does happen. I hope you get it together asap.

Terry

[dp]

Mr. Crevasse: First, thank you for your message - it was appreciated by everyone that flies VPJ, I am sure. And, that includes me. I have praised Vintage many times on this board and many times to others in person. But, my recent experience has not been as satisfactory as it once was, and the DAB change is central to the problem. I do not live in MCO and when I add at least 2 hours drive time to get to Signature, only to hop to DAB and wait, in two directions, 5 hours is realistic. My drive time is of no interest to you - that is my problem, of course. But when all the time is added up, the extra flight and wait time in DAB become significant. I wish you were still flying nonstop from MCO to TCB, but the customs problem does present a problem I was not aware of...I have cleared at MCO with you in the past with little delay. The competition you mention out of MCO does not exist, unless I fly to MIA or FLL on Gulfstream and catch another flight. That also makes for a very long day. To bring this up to date, on my last trip across from TCB, you may have noticed that I flew only to DAB. I then rented a car, rather than wait an unknown time on your flight to MCO.
I truly hope your scheduling problems get resolved and I do understand the problems of running a business with all these unknowns. I was a business owner, and pilot, and I can imagine your frustrations. So, thank you again - I am a friend of VPJ even though it may not seem so sometimes.

[DGL]

My family and myself have flown Vintage 3 to 4 times a year for the past 5 years and have never had a problem. They are a little more expensive but for my money they are well worth it. I have never experienced the confusion of the staff some people have written about. In all of my experiences the staff and pilots have been top notch. We are headed back next week and I am confident that we will receive the same great service.

[AbacoKB]

C'mon folks, I think we need to be impressed here!!! How many company owners do you know that would actually take the time to draft a response on an internet message board? Not only that but also taking the time to publically acknowledge and explain recent issues. There's no way that you'd ever see this kind of response from Continental/Gulfstream! They'd overbook and bump you without even blinking! Most of us that frequent Abaco have had our issues with getting there and that is, albeit frustrating, part of traveling there. If it was easy, everyone would be going there. Personally, I've flown probably 75%-80% of the airlines that fly to Abaco and would fly Vintage over all of them, HANDS DOWN! When you fly with them they make you feel like you matter to them as a customer and I think the owner's post reiterates that fact. In a world where even good customer service is relatively rare that really should count for something!! Sure, they're dealing with some issues right now but have admitted that and I'm sure are trying to get back to the stellar quality company that we all know they are!! For me, I'll ride this bump in the road with them and continue to fly with them EVERY trip!
215 days and counting.

-KB

[john110750]

One flight experience.. it was fine, no problem .. daytona is a good easy airport to leave from