Globespan

[dsv77]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by John S
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by dsv77
my son is flying Globespan Glasgow to Sandford tmrw morning,

I will let you know how he gets on, however I have flown with Globespan quite a few times and never had any problems.

As of tmrw's flight, they have a new plane flying this route, which does not need to refuel in Maine on the way down to Florida, so it is non stop.[/quote]I just wondered if there were any updates on the Globespan service out of Glasgow? In particular is it the new plane as expected, and what were the seats/service like? generally any up to date info on Globespan would be very much appreciated.

Thanks[/quote]On the flight out to Orlando, the flight was on time, however the food served on the flight was of particularly poor quality. I ordered the alternative (Pasta) which was dry and tasteless. On a positive note, the seat I had was excellant with lots of legroom.. I was in the old "Premium" economy section, which globespan had s[bad language filtered out]ped last year, however I notice that this year they are reintroducing this.

The return leg was a different story altogether. I arrived at Sanford at 1.45pm for a 6pm Departure (Very early I know, but hey ho, I'm strange that way!) I looked at the board as I walked in the door to see that the inbound flight had landed at 1.30pm, however my flight was delayed from 6pm to 1.45am! It subsequently turned out that the reason for the delay was that we had to wait for the crew from the inbound flight to have thier legal 12 hours rest between flights. It seems that it is cheaper for Globespan to delay a flight in Sanford, than to fly out a crew in order that the flight leaves on time. We were given a $20 meal voucher for spending in the airport.

Speaking to other passengers, it seems that this is not the first time Globespan have done this, in fact it seems that they do it VERY often. Personally, I will be re-assessing my options when flying out to my mum and dads house. Admittedly though, and I feel I have to point this out, after flying with Globespan for 8 or 9 trips to Sanford, this is the first time I have had ANY sort of dissatisfaction with the service.

Also, with regards to the new plane, they do indeed have a new plane, however it is new to them, not new as in fresh out the factory.

It is a 767, but is probably about 15 years old. It still has the ashtrays in the armrests, and the old projection system for the inflight entertainment.

[dsv77]

since I came back from Sanford (eventually, see post above! ), I have been keeping an eye on Globespan flights from Sanford to Glasgow.

I work night shift in the Holiday Inn across the road from the airport, and we have an arrivals/departure screen in reception so I can see when the early morning arrivals and departures are leaving.

I thought it was worth noting that the GSM726 flight due to land at 6.15am this morning was actually going to land in sunny scotland at 22.20!!!

I was bored to tears in Sanford after an 8 hour delay, the people on that flight must have been climbing the walls!

Duncan

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by dsv77

I work night shift in the Holiday Inn across the road from the airport, and we have an arrivals/departure screen in reception so I can see when the early morning arrivals and departures are leaving.

[/quote]

Couldn't be any handier could you?

BA put me up there overnight recently when my connection was delayed. Only time I've had Haggis for breakfast!! I really enjoyed it.

[dsv77]

Hi again

just following on from my last post above, I managed to speak to the pilots and a few passengers from the ill-fated 14 hour delayed flight from sanford.

I asked the pilot why they were so late, and he replied "because Globespan had used our plane for something else (!), we cant fly a flight without a plane, but theres nothing we can do, its just company policy"

When speaking to the passengers, they were given 2 x meal vouchers for $20 each person, but no reason why the plane was delayed. When I told them what the pilots had said, they were understandibly livid! I feel sorry for the poor girl who will be working on the Globespan desk in the morning! The passengers also commented that they were told at Sanford that Globespan make no guartenee when they will fly you home, only that they will at some point!!!

Is that the sounds of MAJOR alarm bells ringing??

[Upsidedown]

I dont know how many times i have to repeat this about this shower. It seems some people will always rather save a few pounds than put the safety of thier family first. Search for similar posts against Globespan on this forum.

From this times:-

This story has been discussed on other forums visited specifically by members of the pilot community.

A budget airline is to be prosecuted for endangering the safety of passengers after allowing a 757 jet to fly “illegally” to America with faulty instruments.

The case against Flyglobespan, which flies more than 2.2m passengers a year to 30 destinations, will be the first criminal prosecution against a British airline for more than a decade.

The Sunday Times has established that the transatlantic flight is one of a number of alleged safety breaches being investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Still think they are worth taking a chance on?

[Tonish]

The Sunday Times story was worrying. I would not use them now.

[Pookie]

With all due respect, if the CAA were investigating an airline for breaches of safety, the said airline could & would be grounded.

All airlines flying in & out of the UK have to meet certain criteria
hence why some airlines you will never see at a UK airport.

Lynne

[Upsidedown]

Pookie

Would you fly with them? Above story, Lost ETOPS and many other incidents. Remember the Helios crash in Greece? That was due to bleed switches in the wrong position. Globespan have done that twice, both times out of Glasgow (bleeds off take off). On the second occasion flying onto London despite having a rubber jungle (should have landed at the nearest suitable).I am in the business and i can assure you that this lot give cause for concern.

"With all due respect, if the CAA were investigating an airline for breaches of safety, the said airline could & would be grounded."
This statement is correct until you get to the part where where you say would.

Sorry but thats the way it is. Much money at stake.

[dsv77]

The thing about Globespan , is they are not a BUDGET airline any more I tried to get flights in Dec 08 and found that the dates I wanted were 700.00. I could have got flights with Virgin for 500.00 [ if there was any left] I also had a young couple who wanted to rent my villa in June this year and when they tried Globespan the flights were 504.00 but I managed to get flights from Glasgow via Philidelphia for only 309.00 with usairways. Looking at their price schedule some of the flights are over 400 ONE way and thats in the ecomony [msnsad]

[John S]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Upsidedown
I dont know how many times i have to repeat this about this shower. It seems some people will always rather save a few pounds than put the safety of thier family first. Search for similar posts against Globespan on this forum.

[/quote]

You're kidding - right?

Or perhaps you meant to come across as superior and arrogant?

Did it ever occur to you that many people would book with Globespan without the detailed knowledge you appear to have? Did it ever occur to you that families, looking for value for money, may have viewed Globespan as a credible choice, given their prices, the locations they fly from and the times they fly? Did it ever occur to you that the name 'Globespan' has been on the go for several years now and will be seen as many as a reputable company about which they should have no worries?

To suggest, as you have, that people have booked with Globespan to save £s, disregarding the safety of their family, is quite simply ridiculous.

John