Rant: some times I HATE Alaska

hstaples4 · July 2011

So I'm getting ready to buy our airline tickets from Fairbanks to Las Vegas $950 for each of us roundtrip!! WTF!!
My cousin in Seattle was just in forming me he recently bought his tickets to go to Florida roundtrip for less then $300, can any one explain to me how this makes any sense at all? It's more miles between Seattle to Florida then it is Fairbanks to Las Vegas so why are we having to pay over 3 times as much, I mean it's almost $300 just to fly from Fairbanks to Anchorage and thats only 300 miles!
I hate that only one airlines (Alaska airlines) flies out of this damn state which pretty much means they can charge us whatever he F*CK they want and you have no choice but to pay it if you want to fly out of here.

Luckily my parents have a companion ticket they aren't going to use and are going to let us use it, hopefully it works cause I'm not sure since neither one of them is the one flying if it still works, I think it does as long as we use their creditcard to pay for it then give my parents the cash for it.

Sorry for the long rant, I just hate how the airline treats us since there is no competition they get away with it. It already sucks living so far away from my family I just wish it was more affordable to get down there and see them more.

direy25 · July 2011

Wow, that really stinks. Airline pricing makes no sense to me sometimes. I was looking for flights to Maui - I thought I'd check the price from LA and Vegas (family live in Vegas so we thought we could fly Allegiant for cheap there, or fly Allegiant to L.A.). The flight from Vegas stops in L.A., but is cheaper than the direct flight from L.A. I don't get it.

wiwicaty · July 2011

You're not alone. I was looking at flights to Las Vegas for New Year's and apparently I'm going to have to fork out $1.500 ... meh.

nycheryl · July 2011

I'm sorry

I totally understand. It costs my FI $1000 to come visit me because we're in relatively small cities... but it only costs him $500 to fly to Vegas or Florida. The logic makes no sense at all.

vegasgroom · July 2011

Most likely a combination of three things:

1) One airline
2) The large cities in Alaska are too large to qualify for government subsidies.
3) The large cities aren't producing enough air travelers for Alaska Air to run enough flights per day to keep ahead of airport gate/presence fees, plane maintenance, insurance, etc. which all cost the same whether the planes are sitting or flying.

For example, Delta just petitioned the government to stop flying to 20 or so cities in the mid-west because even with the government kick backs they receive for keeping planes going there, they are still seeing less than 20% of the seats filled and the kick backs aren't covering the cost.

I think that's why southwest does so well; they only fly to cities that are very popular so their planes are always mostly full and they can base prices on the assumption that they're going to be mostly full. Their planes are constantly in use too so if you're flying mostly full flights all the time, you're saving on time-based maintenance that would have to be done whether the plane flew once per day or five times.

If I book more than two months in advance I can typically fly direct from Tampa to Vegas for $200 round trip. :-)

hstaples4 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:f9991b88-31c7-4506-b675-c647273c0e95">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]Most likely a combination of three things: 1) One airline 2) The large cities in Alaska are too large to qualify for government subsidies. 3) The large cities aren't producing enough air travelers for Alaska Air to run enough flights per day to keep ahead of airport gate/presence fees, plane maintenance, insurance, etc. which all cost the same whether the planes are sitting or flying. For example, Delta just petitioned the government to stop flying to 20 or so cities in the mid-west because even with the government kick backs they receive for keeping planes going there, they are still seeing less than 20% of the seats filled and the kick backs aren't covering the cost. I think that's why southwest does so well; they only fly to cities that are very popular so their planes are always mostly full and they can base prices on the assumption that they're going to be mostly full. Their planes are constantly in use too so if you're flying mostly full flights all the time, you're saving on time-based maintenance that would have to be done whether the plane flew once per day or five times.<strong> If I book more than two months in advance I can typically fly direct from Tampa to Vegas for $200 round trip. :-)</strong>
Posted by vegasgroom[/QUOTE]
Just rub it in why don't ya! :)

I don't get it, even this time of year when every elderly person in America seems to visit Alaska or in the winter when the entire country of Japan visits (the Japanese believe if they conceive a child under the northern lights it will be born lucky) most to all flights are full and still cost a fortune.

How crappy is it the second most expensive thing in this whole wedding and honeymoon trip is the airfare!

vegasgroom · July 2011

LOL I didn't know about the Japanese thing.

kara811 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:cd08e20c-c80d-41ab-b284-bf26eeb5dcad">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska : Just rub it in why don't ya! :) I don't get it, <strong>even this time of year when every elderly person in America seems to visit Alaska or in the winter when the entire country of Japan visits (the Japanese believe if they conceive a child under the northern lights it will be born lucky) most to all flights are full and still cost a fortune.</strong> How crappy is it the second most expensive thing in this whole wedding and honeymoon trip is the airfare!
Posted by hstaples4[/QUOTE]

<div>It cost a lot right now because it's peak season. Since there's a high demand for flights, airlines jack up the prices to make more money. </div><div>
</div><div>Another thing I hate too is when a one way cost twice as much as a roundtrip, especially for international flights! It's ridiculous. But just keep on checking for the prices, sometimes they do go down upto 3 weeks before the date. </div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

hstaples4 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:069b5671-b494-4458-a818-ddf49b0c0ea6">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]LOL I didn't know about the Japanese thing.
Posted by vegasgroom[/QUOTE]
Thats what I've heard from a lot of people anyways.
And for some reason I always see them at grocery store buying oranges and maple syrup, neither of which Alaska is exactly known for.

Kara, Have you heard about the northern lights thing before?

kara811 · July 2011

I've never heard about the Japanese doing that actually, that's quite interesting! But us Asians do have some weird superstitions so I can believe it. lol.

I do would like to see the Northern Lights though, it looks so beautiful!

mhoneybee · July 2011

H...you don't need to use their credit card to use the campion ticket. You just need to purchase your tickets from the Alaska account that is tied to the card where the companion ticket shows up. I used my companion ticket a while back for a trip that my mom and I were taking and she paid for it with her credit card instead of mine but we booked it through my Alaska account.

hstaples4 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:29bf3a16-34fc-4b1c-a91b-755282fee9a9">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]I've never heard about the Japanese doing that actually, that's quite interesting! But us Asians do have some weird superstitions so I can believe it. lol. <strong> I do would like to see the Northern Lights though, it looks so beautiful! </strong>
Posted by kara811[/QUOTE]
That's at least one thing Alaska has going for it the Northern Lights are gorgeous! Usually January-March are the best times to see them. Last winter we got some amazing ones, typically they're just green with a little movement but we got to see some purple and pink ones that were very active and I don't know if a meteor shower was going on too but there were shooting stars everywhere.

direy25 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:9343d48c-a94a-4f64-8402-405fb4b9c7ca">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska : That's at least one thing Alaska has going for it the Northern Lights are gorgeous! Usually January-March are the best times to see them. Last winter we got some amazing ones, typically they're just green with a little movement but we got to see some purple and pink ones that were very active and I don't know if a meteor shower was going on too but there were shooting stars everywhere.
Posted by hstaples4[/QUOTE]
I'll bet that was amazing! I was so in awe the first time I saw the lights - I had always thought the pictures you see were exaggerations, but WOW!

kara811 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:9343d48c-a94a-4f64-8402-405fb4b9c7ca">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska : That's at least one thing Alaska has going for it the Northern Lights are gorgeous! Usually January-March are the best times to see them. Last winter we got some amazing ones, typically they're just green with a little movement but we got to see some purple and pink ones that were very active and I don't know if a meteor shower was going on too but there were shooting stars everywhere.
Posted by hstaples4[/QUOTE]

<div>Now I would like to go even more! H and I have both never been to Alaska before, and he's from Washington! Maybe we'll go one of the times we vist home. Or a cruise maybe? I hear Alaskan cruises are fun. </div>

Sin715 · July 2011

That really sucks about your flights! I really think something should be done about airline flight prices, it's not fair how they can change their prices drastically by hundreds of dollars overnight (increasing and decreasing) and even sometimes showing SOLD OUT and then the next day their are flights. It is such a gamble and it sucks! It almost reminds of buying a car, you could get a good deal but more than likely you are going to get screwed!

hstaples4 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:a0721078-3515-4156-9c6c-75423bd925fe">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]H...you don't need to use their credit card to use the campion ticket. You just need to purchase your tickets from the Alaska account that is tied to the card where the companion ticket shows up. I used my companion ticket a while back for a trip that my mom and I were taking and she paid for it with her credit card instead of mine but we booked it through my Alaska account.
Posted by mhoneybee[/QUOTE]
Thanks, good to know! Just as long as I can it work I'll be happy cause that'll save us a bunch of money.

Direy- I know I always thought that too cause some of the pictures I've seen are so vibrant and colorful, even now after 5 years up here I still love looking at them well Eric does too and he's been here his whole life. Then again I still get excited when I see moose cross the yard so it doesn't take much to excite me.

nycheryl · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:1af22bcb-795a-444a-af12-be1f88482651">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska : Thanks, good to know! Just as long as I can it work I'll be happy cause that'll save us a bunch of money. Direy- I know I always thought that too cause some of the pictures I've seen are so vibrant and colorful, even now after 5 years up here I still love looking at them well Eric does too and he's been here his whole life. Then again I still get excited when I see moose cross the yard so it doesn't take much to excite me.
Posted by hstaples4[/QUOTE]

I just looked up some pictures - wow!!! Can you see them every (clear) night? Or only on certain nights?

hstaples4 · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:6f8dcc7b-c610-4312-92bc-2f30d84ba4a2">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska : I just looked up some pictures - wow!!! Can you see them every (clear) night? Or only on certain nights?
Posted by nycheryl[/QUOTE]
They're very random, sometimes we'll go a couple weeks seeing them every night and then we'll go a month not seeing any. And of course that's only in the winter obviously the summer we can't see any cause we get that lovely 24 hours a day of sunlight. I can't wait to sleep in the dark again :)

nycheryl · July 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_rant-times-hate-alaska?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:4672d9f2-a8b6-4d71-8a6e-4585d1fdb5d7Post:8194bf7b-c29f-48bc-8b4a-207b7f5dd4a1">Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Rant: some times I HATE Alaska : They're very random, sometimes we'll go a couple weeks seeing them every night and then we'll go a month not seeing any. And of course that's only in the winter obviously the summer we can't see any cause we get that lovely 24 hours a day of sunlight. I can't wait to sleep in the dark again :)
Posted by hstaples4[/QUOTE]

Huh, so I shouldn't try to plan a trip to see them specifically :)

I can only imagine how difficult 24 hour sunlight must be. I would imagine it's fun for the first couple days, then gets old fast - lol!

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