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Skybus contacts revealed: emails, phone numbers for five top execs

November 12, 2007

If Skybus, the no-frills, surcharge-happy startup airline bothered responding to its customers with anything other than a boilerplate e-mail message, I wouldn’t do this. If I didn’t get the number of complaints that I do about Skybus, I wouldn’t do this. If it told the truth about its phones, I wouldn’t do this.

But here are the facts: there is considerable evidence that Skybus is not reading customer e-mails. My “in” box is filled with Skybus complaints. And there is overwhelming evidence that it does have phones, despite its insistence to the contrary.

What evidence is that?

Well, here are contacts and phone numbers for five of the top executives at Skybus. I have their cell phone numbers, too. I’m not going to publish them. Yet. (Please the end of this post for an important update.)

Bill Diffenderffer
Chief executive officer
(614) 947-3103
bill@skybus.com
billdiffenderffer@skybus.com

Ken Gile
President and chief operating officer
(614) 947-3104
ken@skybus.com
kengile@skybus.com

Charlie Clifton
Vice chairman
(614) 947-3105
charlesclifton10@hotmail.com

Judy Timberlake
VP of Marketing
(614) 947-3041
judy.timberlake@skybus.com

Denis Carvil
Vice president, ground and airports
(614) 947-3375
denis.carvil@skybus.com

Update: I’m told Skybus changed its phone numbers (which my source predicted they would) within 24 hours of this blog post. Bad Skybus! Let’s see if you can change your cell phone numbers as quickly …

Bill Diffenderffer (214) 616-8711
Ken Gile (214) 676-1530
Charlie Clifton 011353862473990
Judy Timberlake (214) 514-5839
Denis Carvil (614) 440-7505

Update: Oh, what the heck. Here’s Skybus’ physical address …

4234 E. 5th
Ave Columbus, OH 43219

Not sure why this isn’t public knowledge, but I’m told Skybus won’t give its physical address because it’s afraid disgruntled passengers will pay them a little visit. Now why would they do that?

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

120 comments

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  • Jasper

    It’s always lovely to see random e-mail address policies are with big business. No regularity whatsoever. Just a first name@, firstlast#number@, and first.lastname@. To me that’s already a sign of lack of proeffesionalism.

  • David Weisz

    I will confirm the experience. I emailed skybus a complaint in late August and again in October (with copy to the DOT Aviation Consumer Protection Division) about their mishandling of my child’s car seat. They allowed it to get completely soaked and their airport staff were completely unsympathetic. I know I should have covered, but in my experience and more recent polling of other airlines, everyone provides a plastic bag for these things. In addition, Skybus pretty clearly says to see their website for ALL answers to questions – I spent a considerable amount of time before the flight searching the website and found nothing about this.

    In my email, I requested a simple refund of the $5 baggage handling fee and got zilch – not even an acknowledgment of receipt of my complaint. Of course I was hoping for more since this made me pretty angry, but I figure it should be pretty straightforward to give $5 to an angry customer. And if a big company can’t fix a $5 problem, than what can they do?

  • Jason Zions

    Jasper, it’s not quite that random. All of the employees of skybus have FirstLast@skybus.com or First.Last@skybus.com – I would guess both alternatives would work for all four employees. Charlie Clifton is the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and is quite likely NOT an employee of the company – corporate directors are often not employees. That’s the reason for the FirstLast##@hotmail address, I would guess.

    (Although I would hope that even non-employee directors got an email address on the skybus email system to permit confidential email to be sent without pumping it into the public internet. Perhaps they’re encrypting their confidential email and are comfortable with it hitting the public net.)

  • Jasper

    Wow. I guess you’re not expecting invitations from Skybus anymore.

    Be careful calling Clifton; he’s in Ireland. Without an international calling plan, that will be expensive.

  • David

    I know they don’t allow you to bring your own food/drink on the flight, but any idea if they can really enforce that if there is nothing in the contract of carriage?

    The first time I flew them, I thought I heard them make an announcement that you couldn’t bring your own food on the plane. I was sure I misunderstood them, so I went and asked the person if they had just announced that you couldn’t bring your own food on board, they replied that is not what they said.

    I guess they train their ground crews to lie to customers, too.

  • MrBadExample

    Copied and pasted from Skybus web site Their CoC regarding beverages and smoking:

    “9. Smoking and Beverages
    All Skybus flights are strictly non-smoking. Failure to adhere to this regulation may result in litigative proceedings being brought against offending passengers as well as any consequential disruption costs being claimed against them.

    Passengers are prohibited from consuming their own alcohol on board.
    In the interest of safety, passengers are prohibited from carrying hot drinks on board.”

    Also on your damaged car seat, please refer to this paragraph

    20.2 Baggage
    In the case of loss of baggage, no claim will be entertained by Skybus unless preliminary written notice of such a claim is presented to Skybus before leaving the airport after the arrival of the flight on which the loss is alleged to have occurred. The claim must be accompined by a valid baggage identification tag.

  • David

    Let me revise the question to only be about food and water.

    That area of the CoC doesn’t seem to cover either and yet they ask you not to bring it on board.

  • David

    Also, Mr. Bad Example, you’re right – I did not file a claim at the airport and so technically they owe me nothing. But I have to admit, when my customers ask me questions and feel they were mistreated, I typically find it best to actually respond to them and explain the situation. Normally, I don’t ignore them completely – unless I don’t want to have them as a customer again.

    There is no question that this no-frills airline thinks customer service is a frill. And if you have any question about how much I paid for the flight – it was not cheap – I did not get one of the $10 tickets.

  • Bill

    The answer is pretty simple…Don’t fly Skybus. Then they will be gone and no one will have to worry about it.

  • MrBadExample

    David,

    You respond to customers because it’s good business. Airlines in general don’t share your POV. Rather, they view us as breathing cargo, sort of a UPS for human beings.

    I’m Elite on US Airways and I carry a copy of their CoC and you’d be surprised how just pulling it out at a gate or ticket counter and going “Hmmmm, let’s see what this says so we don’t make a mistake” does to the customer service process.

    Bottom line if you fly ANY carrier is to know the basics of the CoC of that airline and hold them accountable. Public forums like this are an excellent way to do just that. Operators like Skybus count on the general publics ignorance of policy and their CoC and sadly that’s your fault. Caveat Emptor is the rule of the day when dealing with airlines. If you assume they are out to screw you at every turn then you’ve pretty much figured out the game. Once you’ve resigned yourself to the fact they don’t care today and won’t tomorrow you can work backwards from there.

    Want to have some fun with Skybus? Are you vindictive enough to sue in Small Claims Court for the $10, knowing they won’t show and you’ll win a default judgement? Then you get the Sheriff or Constable to go with you to their HQ and put the notice of Sheriff’s sale on the front door or in some states they would padlock the building until the judgement is paid in cash? Of course you do this with the media in tow if possible. It’s been done before and it can be fun and it also teaches a lesson to the company. Enough people do it and poof a magic change occurs.

  • Roland Alonzi

    Bravo, Chris. It’s vigilante journalism…and I LOVE IT!

  • ChrisK

    Chris: thanks for all you do. Don’t let poor customer service like the kind that Skybus is providing become the norm. Keep holding CEOs accountable for their actions!

    I wonder how they liked getting calls on their cell phones…I bet that didn’t go on for long before they applied for new numbers!

  • vt viking

    As of 7:12 EST Bill’s cell number still works!

  • D.J.

    Great job on exposing this so-called “airline” for what it really is, and that is basically a get rich quick scheme for the top level managers at the expense of the employees and flying public. This airline has no chance whatsoever at surviving. Once people fly them and see them for what they really are, the public will return to the legacy carriers. What do you really expect from an airline whose CEO has publically stated that he is embarrassed by his airline’s $10 fares because they are “too high”?

    Buyer beware!

  • http://www.elliot.org Frank

    i find all these complains are a little ridiculuous, obvisiouly made by people who donot fly enough, anyway the phone numbers are all correct and have not been changed so get your facts straight

  • tim

    a wonderful airline, congrats to all involved with Skybus, pay and you get there, isnt that what you want? Simple idea and cost effective.

  • David

    Frank and Tim -

    I actually do travel a lot. I’m fairly tolerant of a lot, but the one thing I’m not tolerant of is bad customer service. No food, and no pillows do not equal bad customer service. Rude employees and not doing what you say you will do is bad customer service. I have twice submitted a complaint through the Skybus website as they requested. I worded it carefully and tried to be reasonable.

    There was not even a response from Skybus. Is it too much to expect a response within two or three months? I don’t think so. Everyone makes mistakes. In my travel experience, the best and worst airlines always make a few. What sets them apart is how they respond.

    Am I loyal to low price? Yes, but not enough to fly Skybus again. I do have limits and I think others do as well. Skybus will always fill the $10 seats, but once those very few seats run out, I think the others will be much harder to fill once people realize how little the airline cares about them.

  • http://aol J.P.

    Legacy airlines may not be perfect, but their service now is a direct response to these ultimate low cost carriers. In order to compete, employees lose their jobs and the others loose 50 % of their pay. If that doesn’t cause an employee to be grumpy and rude, than I don’t know what would. Yes, you can go out and find another job, but if you have been there for over 20 yrs it’s hard to do. If passengers would pay what it actually cost to fly, these problem airlines would not be springing up every where and clogging the air traffic system. Customer service would once again return.

  • Jill

    I recently tried to cancel a flight with Skybus. My husband and I were going to fly Skybus to visit my grandfather for Christmas. However, this week, he died. I emailed and called, explaining that we would not be able to make the trip because the person we were visiting was no longer alive. Their response was that there was nothing they could do for us, and that next time we should consider purchasing trip insurance.

  • Sony

    The billdiffenderffer@skybus email does not work. People please do not fly on this airline! Their customer service is pitiful, and I read on another site with no customer service phones maybe, illegal!

  • Sony

    The billdiffenderffer email does not work. People please do not fly on this airline! Their customer service is pitiful, and I read on another site with no customer service phones maybe, illegal!

  • skybusflier

    I am from Columbus, but I DO NOT work for skybus. I agree, they have some issues, but I have flown them around 20 times now and have not had a serious problem…at least, because I had my expectations. They are registered as an ULCC, and you should expect ULCC standards for the fares they give. Everyone knows their policies when you book…so if someone in your family is going to croak soon, BUY THE FREAKIN INSURANCE. If you have 20 bags to check…DONT FLY THEM. But stop critizizing them, because, for what they offer, they are a good deal.

  • Troy

    We have been trying since August to resolve a damaged baggage claim. They damaged one bag on a flight from NC to OH. After filing a damaged baggage claim in OH the bag was further damaged on the next flight from OH to CA. Moreover, a second bag was damaged. Coincidence?

    We have attempted to resolve the issue via Skybus’s posted email, no luck. Via USPS signature return mail to Skybus’s posted mail address, again no luck. We even attempted to contact Skyus via the email addresses posted on elliott.org, still no luck.

    We did, however, have better luck with the manufacture of the second damaged suitcase, Ciao. The piece was from a recently purchased set. The luggage company quickly responded to our fist email and replaced bag damaged by Skybus.

    Our next step is to file a consumer complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s office. http://ag.state.oh.us/citizen/consumer/complaints.asp

    I suggest other Shambus customers who have been ignored by the airline’s willingness to hide behind the anonymity of the internet and the distance between them and their customer to also file a consumer complaint with the Ohio Attorney General, as well as the AG from their own state.

    With elections coming soon many AG’s will want to show their voters they are on the consumer’s side. Shambus may think they can get away with poor business practices when dealing with customers purchasing low-cost airfares; but, I don’t think they will take the same bully attitude with the Ohio Attorney General.

    From the Ohio AG website:
    We have three avenues for filing a consumer complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.
    1.Complaint entry can be done online.
    https://www.ag4ohio.gov
    2.Our PDF consumer complaint form is available for downloading http://www.ag.state.oh.us/citizen/forms/consumer_comp_frm2003.pdf
    3.Our AG4Ohio operators can answer questions or enter your complaint by calling 877-244-6446

  • jaybob

    Hey here is the new phone number for skybus….614-947-3200…..Ask for Bill

  • jaybob

    Aileen Cunanan Burbank, CA Customer Service
    Alison Butler 614-456-7505 CMH Customer Service
    Amanda Curry 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    April Good 740-808-2736 CMH Customer Service
    Armando Villareal 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA. Customer Service Rep
    Cashaana Allen 323-243-5922 CMH Customer Service
    Charkel Buchanan-Suber 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Chris Reakapa 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA. Customer Service Rep
    Diana Twiity CMH Customer Service
    Aileen Cunanan Burbank, CA Customer Service
    Alison Butler 614-456-7505 CMH Customer Service
    Amanda Curry 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    April Good 740-808-2736 CMH Customer Service
    Armando Villareal 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA. Customer Service Rep
    Cashaana Allen 323-243-5922 CMH Customer Service
    Charkel Buchanan-Suber 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Chris Reakapa 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA. Customer Service Rep
    Diana Twiity CMH Customer Service
    Dustin Holt-Mascari 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA Customer Service Rep
    Emmanuel J. Sanchez 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA. Customer Service Rep.
    Gerardo Flores 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Gordon Buford Sr 614-252-7232 CMH Customer Service
    Gustavo Alarcon 614-528-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Hugo Cubillo 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA Customer Service Rep
    Iasia Ashford 614-732-5277 CMH Customer Service
    Jennifer Anglin 614-404-4246 CMH Customer Service
    Jennifer Hatton 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Judy Brooks 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Kenyetta Oatis 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Kevin Harris CMH Customer Service
    Korenne Mason CMH Customer Service
    Latisha Armistead 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Lyle Johnson 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA. Customer Service Rep
    Lynn Campisano 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Mamadoli Coulibaly 302-507-7762 CMH Customer Service
    Maria Frates 818-972-3650 Burbank, CA Customer Service
    Maria Mendez Burbank, CA Customer Service
    Marie Young 937-477-6182 CMH Customer Service
    Melvin Richardson Burbank, CA Customer Service
    Miguel Vega 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA Customer Service Rep
    Mike Wood CMH Customer Service
    Patreek Ghazarian 818-972-3662 Burbank, CA. Customer Service Rep
    Rachell Anglin CMH Customer Service
    Rhonda Bailey CMH Customer Service
    Richard Council 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Rusty McDonald CMH Customer Service
    Sheila Pinder 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Steve Szczesniuk 614-517-4446 CMH Customer Service
    Taurra Whitlow CMH Customer Service
    Tiffany Kenney 614-582-5117 CMH Customer Service
    Tom Arras 313-478-1051 CMH Customer Service
    Wiliam Carlson CMH Customer Service
    Winsome McRae 614-472-3522 CMH Customer Service
    Yvonne Fisher 614-205-1790 CMH Customer Service

    Bill.Diff@Skybus.com; April.Shereda@skybus.com; Floyd.Nickerson@skybus.com; Jean.Mitchell@skybus.com; Tom.Sauer@skybus.com; Bud.Sittig@skybus.com; Rebecca.Swingle@skybus.com; Dennis.Haney@skybus.com; Jenelle.McClish@skybus.com Bud.Sittig@skybus.com

  • http://freewebs.com/skyshirts Japrit

    Wow! Thank you JayBob! I have tried to contact Bill.Diff@skybus.com, and I haven’t gotten a response yet and it has been about over a week since I sent that message to him, so I don’t think that e-mail address works. A while ago I contacted him, and he had a response time of about an hour, which was really great, but now I am not recieving any responses from him.

    Anyways, Thank you for posting all that info!

  • WhoRUPeople

    I can’t believe the amount of whining and moaning on this blog and the comments that follow. I just booked two round trip flights this morning from Columbus to Los Angeles (Burbank) and from Columbus to sunny Florida. It cost me $20 each way plus tax. How in the world could anyone complain about this? Do you folks have no common sense?

    Publishing the phone numbers of executives? What is wrong with you? Their website clearly states that they don’t have a call center and valid emails will be replied to. Why do you think you deserve something more if they clearly stated the rules up front?

    And to the lady with the wet car seat – get over it. You should have covered it or at the very least followed their rules and filed a claim for your $5 at the airport before leaving. I guess you’re too lazy to do this though?

    To folks who couldn’t cancel a flight – DUH! The website says you can’t cancel flights and expect a refund. You can either purchase trip insurance for six bucks or you can reschedule the flight for a 40 dollar fee. If you don’t plan ahead, don’t whine about the consequences.

    I’m going to be taking my first SkyBus flight next week. I can’t wait. I’m going to spend my weekend in sunny California for $40 while the rest of you sit here blogging, whining and moaning.

  • DavidA

    I have just finished a phone call with one of the Shambus reps and got no where. I have a flight booked from Raleigh,N.C. to Biloxi/Gulfport,M.S. and after booking the flight have found that the ground transportation is just about non-existent. The airlines website makes it seem like getting from Biloxi to New Orleans is a piece of cake. Not true. They list a shuttle company on the site that doens’t run, Amtrak doesn’t run and limo companies are charging $250 + a 20% gratuity for a one way run. I’ll manage to get there, but for a start up airline to treat customers the way they do, that’s just rediculous. I travel a lot and most likely won’t try this airline again.
    Thanks for the contact information and keep it up!

  • JoanT

    My baggage were lost when I flew from Columbus to San Diego. I had a skybus rep paged to baggage claim area, but no one came. So I went to the ticket counter to let them know that my bags were not at baggage claim, and they all looked at me like it wasn’t their problem. They suggested that it might have never made it onto the plane because I probably checked in late, which wasn’t true because I checked in a little over two hours before my flight. Then they told me to come back tomorrow because my bags probably just never made it onto the plane and will make it back on the next flight, which was the following day. I asked them if they can call Columbus to make sure that was the case and if it was going to make it back to San Diego the next day, I would gladly pick my bags up. So, one of the reps called Columbus but was unable to talk to somebody. He then told me to write down my contact information and he would call me when they get word. I asked him if I needed to fill anything out to report my lost bags, but he said that all he needed was just my contact information. The last comment that they made when I left was “It’s not Skybus San Diego’s fault, it’s Ohio’s fault.”

    When I went home I wrote them an e-mail, and I even called the Columbus airport where they gave me the number to Skybus’ baggage service department. I called that number numerous times, but there was no answer so I left voicemail messages. I’ve have my luggage lost before thru another airline, but they took care of it and I was able to get my luggage back with ease. Apparently, Skybus is different. I guess you truly are just paying for the flight and not for the customer service. I know some people on here are backing up Skybus, but with all the complaints and filed claims against Skybus, don’t you think they would at least be a little more helpful to customers who have these travel dilemmas? Otherwise, the more complaints and claims against then, there will be no Skybus anymore. I did purchase travel insurance and I do have experience with delayed and cancelled flights as well as lost bags, but never have I had experience with an airline that just doesn’t seem like they care. Oh well, now my son doesn’t have his Christmas presents he received from his family in Ohio…thanks for ruining his Christmas Skybus!

  • mk

    I am booked on their flight from Greensboro, NC to Fort Lauderdale FL on March 13. Starting March 13 on the GSO-FLL route, I see that the 2:47p flight is now sold out – not a problem but they have another one at 8:52p still available – still not a problem.

    What I see is that on all subsequent days, the afternoon flight is sold out and the night flight is available. Before 3/13, when there is only one flight – the afternoon flight, seats are avaiable for $40, 60, 80.

    I find it hard to believe that the afternoon flight is available before 3/12 and sold out on every date after 3/12 even thru’ April and May. Looks like Skybus is playing some games here.

  • Diana

    I checked in 2 bags in St. Augustine, but only one arrived in Columbus. I just turned 50 on Jan.1. and all my face creams and make-up were in my “lost” bag. All I have to say is “Hell hath no fury like a woman who has lost all her Make-Up. I am copyong all the numbers on this site and will call every one as well as filing a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General. I am also going to contact the local news stations because I plan to go to the airport and look for my lost luggage myself and I will warn people not to fly Skybus if they actually want to reach their destination with their luggage. They do not stand behind their airline.

  • Diana

    To WhoRUPeople
    I Hope you lose your luggage, and that your plane doesn’t make it on time to pick up your rental car, so you can whine and cry the loudest of all. Must be People like you that run this Airline. Not a bit of Compassion for another human being. What goes around, Comes around.

  • WhoRUPeople

    I got back to Columbus from my Los Angeles trip yesterday and wanted to follow up with a post here.

    My trip was excellent, and my experience with Skybus was great. It was beyond great, actually, since I only paid $20 each way.

    I drove to Columbus and flew to Burbank on Friday morning, which gave me 2 full days to spend in LA. I got a beautiful 2007 mustang convertible for $50 for the weekend and had a blast in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Malibu, making a new friend and seeing some sights.

    The flight was on time, the service was professional and it was just as simple as any other airline I flew. The seats were actually more comfortable than the ones on other coach class seats I’ve had on the “big” airlines.

    My only complaint is with some of the passengers on my flight. I arrived at the gate in Columbus roughly an hour before my flight and there were already people lined up to get on the plane. What’s wrong with you people? Why would you want to stand for an hour or more just to get a seat on the plane? There were plenty of chairs at the gate, so I sat down and took photos of the goofballs lining up and standing around for an hour. When we began boarding I gathered up my bags, walked over to the line, got on the plane and found myself a lovely window seat.

    My experience coming back was the same – efficient flight staff, clean plane, friendly service, and stupid customers who began herding at the gate an hour before departure. One husband and wife even tried to stand there gobbling down breakfast burritos and coffee while maintaining their place in line. Goofballs. Just sit in the seats at the gate and wait for the announcement for boarding. There’s no need to behave like cattle and sheep.

    So to all you naysayers, I say nay nay nay, I had a great trip and spent almost nothing for my flight. I’m already excited to go to Florida in 2 weeks.

  • WhoRUPeople

    DavidA,
    Why are you blaming Skybus for your complaints about ground transportation? I think a rental car through hertz might cost you 20 to 25 bucks. Is that so bad? And do you really need a limo to get from Biloxi to New Orleans? Are you a movie star? If you want a limo, then of course you’re going to pay for it. You could grab a cab but it would still be cheaper to rent a car. Why not rent one in Biloxi and return it in N.O.?

  • WhoRUPeople

    Hey, MK, I just checked the SkyBus site and I think you’re wrong about the flights from Greensboro to Ft. Lauderdale. I checked March and April and both the afternoon and night flights are available on all days. I see a lot of days where the cheap seats are still $40. I don’t see a single flight in these months listed as sold out.
    Please post accurate information when you’re complaining.

  • Heidi

    I am addicted and I can not get enough of the newest Airline, Skybus. Ok, so it seems like there is no service. Well, what can I expect… Have you ever ran a business and sold inexpensive products? You can not always afford the expensive fine linen and china. If you are looking for service, then pay for it. Try flying Delta or United in the first class cabin. I have, and enjoyed it, but I paid over $800. Currently, I have bought over 10 tickets, some at $10 (plus the tax normally around $10). Even then I have not spent over one roundtrip ticket on Delta. I have never had as much fun on any airline like Skybus. Knowing I spent $40 for a roundtrip ticket to Biloxi, saving hundreds of dollars over other airlines, I laugh all the way, while sitting in the crowded terminal, walking out on the tarmac with planes moving down taxiways, walking up the stairs you just can not go wrong. Ok, so I bought some food, I bought the 6 hot wings for $7 a Drink for $2 and still saved money. When you arrive, you can go to the Casinos or drive to New Orleans in 90 minutes. I park my car there for only $44 a week. Let’s add it up, gas to and from Biloxi to Columbus $180, and all in 2 Hours. I Love Sky Bus can not get enough……. Oh I have bought $50 one way tickets, still cheaper then $150 one way in coach through Delta. And Yes I am a Delta Gold Sky Mile medallion member, but hey the Skybus Flight attendants are young and cute. I have many phone numbers, something I would not want from the old wrinkly Delta Attendants. Party on, and see you at Mardi Gras.

  • Joey

    I just tried to purchase a ticket on Skybus, when I clicked purchase ticket it came back and said there were problems with my payment that I wasn’t charged and didn’t have a ticket. I checked my bank account and 5 times the airfare was taking out of my account. Anybody know a phone number I should call to resolve this? I emailed them but not sure how long it will take for them to respond.

    Thanks in advance.

  • WhoRUPeople

    Joey,
    Your problem sounds like you had an issue with the ticket purchasing system and hit the “submit” button more than once or pushed the “back” button on your browser before the purchase was complete – which e-commerce sites specifically warn you not to do. You probably purchased several seats for the same flight unintentionally. If you had used a credit card you could dispute the additional charges. If you used a debit card, you may be on the hook for all of those additional charges.

  • WhoRUPeople

    Since I had such a great experience with SkyBus last week, yesterday I went ahead and purchased 2 more round trip tickets. $200 total for another trip to Los Angeles and $100 total for a trip to Mississippi to see my brother graduate from pharmacy school in May. Both of these seats were less than half the cost I’d pay on any other airline.

    I’m heading to Florida to see my parents next weekend for $20 each way.

    I love this airline. I don’t even mind that the Columbus airport is 2 hours away from my house. It’s totally worth it to save this kind of money.

  • Sony

    Whorupeople, wait till they cancel your flight. The famous shoulder shrug everyone talks about is true, hope your ready! $200 is not worth the heartache!

  • WhoRUPeople

    Sony,
    What do you mean, “wait until they cancel your flight”? Every airline has cancelations because of weather or mechanical issues. Big deal. They give your money back for the flight or offer you tickets on a future flight.

    Here is what they say on the SkyBus website:

    “If a flight is cancelled or delayed for more than three hours past the original departure time, we’ll try to get you on the next available Skybus flight to your destination. You can also change your flight yourself, as described above. Or, if you prefer, you may choose to request a refund for the unused portions of your Skybus reservation.”

    So what exactly is the problem with this? Either you get on a different flight or you get your money back. That seems fair to me.

  • http://freewebs.com/onlybirdsflycheaper Jasprit

    To WhoRU People,

    it seems like you love skybus! I really really really want to fly them! I am just waiting for them to add more cities from MCI!

  • WhoRUPeople

    I love traveling cheaply, so yes, I do love SkyBus. I’m not entirely convinced their business model will work over the long haul unless they start expanding the airline’s destinations in a hurry. They need more hubs or at least more airports from which they fly to a variety of destinations.

    For example, I’m curious why they don’t dedicate a number of new jets to their New York and Los Angeles routes so that passengers can fly from these spots to places like Ft. Lauderdale, Chicago and other destinations. Those would seem to be money makers.

    I’d also like to see them add Las Vegas and some Texas airports, and perhaps Minneapolis, Atlanta, Denver + bring back Seattle to their destinations.

  • Naypoo Suisiun

    Hmm… has it crossed anyone’s mind that “WhoRUPeople” is a shill for Skybus?

  • WhoRUPeople

    Naypoo, has it crossed your mind that you’re a moron?
    Now would a shill say that to you?

    I flew Skybus again this weekend. $20 each way from Columbus to Punta Gorda. No problems to report at all.

    I really don’t understand why people would kick and scream when an airline offers them the cheapest fairs they’ve ever seen. If you don’t like paying $10 for a seat, then go ahead and fly Delta or Airtran or some other airline. I’d be happier if you left the cheapest seats for me and wasted your money elsewhere.

    I’m going to Los Angeles again in February for $100 each way and then to Mississippi in May for $55 each way. I can’t wait until they put the June seats on sale.

  • Starr

    Here is some info I received from a response from Skybus through the BBB and Attorney General. Copied and pasted directly from the emails…

    Contact Name and Title: Barry Barnard, VP Finance
    Contact Phone: 614-947-3081
    Contact Email: Barry.Barnard@skybus.com

    Barry G. Barnard

    Skybus Airlines, Inc.

    Vice President Finance and Treasurer

    614-947-3081 (O)

    614-634-3418 (M)

    614-246-8809 (F)

  • WhoRUPeople

    Starr,
    What’s your purpose of posting this information? If you want an airline with a customer service line, go to one that charges more for tickets. If you want inexpensive tickets without the customer service hotline or any frills, then choose SkyBus. It’s so simple. Just stop whining about it.

  • MrBadExample

    Things go wrong in ANY business. Having a way to address your concerns and how a company addresses those concerns is the difference between a long term successful company and one that quickly ends up a footnote in history.

    On it’s current path Skybus is on its way to being a footnote.

  • WhoRUPeople

    They do have a way to address concerns. It’s called their website and email. It’s called customer service reps at the counter before flights and at the gate before and after flights. If you want an 800-number, a Coke and a pillow, be prepared to double the price of your flight.

    Then of course, what niche would this airline fill? None. They’d be out of business if they tried to use the same business model as other, better established airlines.

    They’re offering a great opportunity to those of us who don’t care for all of the frills that the rest of you have come to expect and would prefer a quick flight and a super cheap ticket.

    Again I say, if you don’t like it, please go to AirTran or Delta and pay 2 to 5 times as much for the same ticket. Save the cheap seats for me and quit whining.

  • WhoRUPeople

    Snagged a $10 ticket to Ft. Lauderdale this morning around 7:30 a.m. Yay.

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