Don Alley - 6-19-2007 at 05:51 PM
I recently flew out of Loreto on Alaska, and returned on Delta.
Alaska has a larger plane. The flight out was near full. And a better frequent flyer mile program, at least for us.
Delta uses a smaller jet. Seats are one seat on the left, two on the right, so if you reserve a seat in Row A you will not be squezzed in with someone
else. Also, the leather seats on the Delta jets are more comfortable. There was no TV or XM radio on either flight, although other Delta flights I
connected to (including one on the same model plane flown by the same Delta partner) had TV or XM radio. Oh, the delta flight in had many empty
seats.
Delta can fly you from Kalispell Montana to Loreto with no overnights and no scary-short connection time in Los Angeles. That was nice.
We got three different snacks on the Delta flight.
Here's something to keep in mind, though. Delta's jet has smaller in-cabin luggage bins that will not accomodate many of the larger carry-on bags
often taken on other jets. So take out anything you need on the flight (don't forget passports, pens, you'll need them to fill out tourist cards)
because you may have to valet check your carry-on.
elizabeth - 6-19-2007 at 06:44 PM
I've flown both as well, and given a choice I like Delta better. I like the smaller plane better, less cramped, it's all one class, and yeah...three
snacks...and at least on the Feb/March trip, very nice flight attendants!!! On the down side, on my way back last time, the plane was very late
leaving Loreto (more than an hour), there was a very tight connection in LA, and to top it off...they were totally out of alcohol on the LA SF
leg...they said it was all used up on an earlier flight!!!! On the up side, the plane wasn't full of people with LB hats and LB cheerleaders, as all
my last Alaska flights were!
I chose Delta for my flight the end of this month...I'm hoping they manage to stock enough alcohol!
Baja_Girl - 6-19-2007 at 08:02 PM
Delta all the way...love the planes, love the seats, love the service...mostly...but my last flight out was also delayed. Found a book, drank a beer,
listened to my iTunes...no hay problema.
Paula - 6-19-2007 at 08:12 PM
"I'm hoping they manage to stock enough alcohol!"
No alcohol on a plane is a BIG issue!
As much as I prefer Delta, if they ran out of alcohol AND those cheese cracker snacks, they'd be in danger of losing me as a customer
elizabeth - 6-19-2007 at 09:15 PM
Paula - they did give me extra cheese crackers!!! The weird part was that they had no alcohol out of LA! You'd think they could have stocked up
there since they knew they were out...I did write a polite note to Delta suggesting that, and they gave me 2,500 extra frequent flyer miles!
Paula - 6-19-2007 at 09:19 PM
Cheese crackers AND miles-- not too shabby!
And don't worry, we'll be happy to pour you a drink when you land, whether or not there was one on the plane!
dp - 7-7-2007 at 04:18 PM
Just an FYI. If you are a Delta Skymiles member, you also get credit for miles flown on Alaska. I perfer Delta as well, but I haven't flown them
down to Baja yet.
I'm flying Alaska on the 17th. What are the restrictions for the carry on with fishing tackle? Will they allow me to carry on hooks, reels, etc.
Also, since I have never flown with rods before, do you check the rod tubes, or carry them on?
Rod Tubes
bajaguy - 7-7-2007 at 04:37 PM
I would go to your nearest Home Depot/Lowes and find a section of white PVC/ABS pipe just larger than your Rod tube. Buy some connectors including a
screw on end cap. Put your rod tube in the pipe. Also write your name and address on the pipe with a permanent marker.......that way you can ship as
baggage if you want....works like a champ
Don Alley - 7-7-2007 at 05:37 PM
Yeah, the pipe works well. Take 7 foot or shorter rods, though, the 8 footers will put you over their arbitrary limit. Several years ago their web
site posted a 100 inch maximum length, now they post something much shorter but they will let you pack a rod tube. Don't let them charge you. And I've
had rod tubes make the trip when my regular luggage got left behind somewhere.
Hooks: must be in your checked baggage with anything sharp.
Reels: You can carry these on. Usually. With line attached. Unless they tell you you can't carry the line aboard. That's been known to happen, on the
USA end, and more recently on the Loreto end. Sorry to be so obtuse, but I once asked Homeland Security about that and they said security screeners
can make you check anything, even things specifically listed as OK for carryon.
Don
Phil C - 7-8-2007 at 07:12 AM
Have you heard anything about a flight from San Diego being reinstated?
Don Alley - 7-9-2007 at 07:34 AM
I haven't heard anything about the San Diego flights since rumors of reinstatement back around January.
Here's some interesting stuff on Delta to La Paz from Jonathon Roldan's column:
http://www.tailhunter-international.com/jonathansblog.htm
joel - 7-22-2007 at 09:18 PM
I've just flown a round-trip on Delta LTO-LAX-LTO and had an hour delay on the LTO-LAX but otherwise great flights. The crew (1 person in the cabin)
have been great.