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Frank
Senior Nomad
Posts: 861
Registered: 6-5-2005
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Is it time to leave yet?
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Just drive down. It takes me just about to EL Rosario to start relaxing and getting rid of the rat race feeling.
30 days til Im southbound. Im even looking forward to the "stop" in Constitucion.
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: gone fishin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
Back in "91 I am sitting at the bar in the LA International terminal waiting for my flight to Loreto. Well I guess one or two JD's to many and not
watching the departure board for the GATE CHANGE I missed the flight, but my diving gear didn't. I think it was Mexicana that put me up nearby and I
did make it the next night. Well I shared a taxi to the Mision Hotel with a gal and......funny how things work out. |
holy sheeit that was YOU? 
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
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| Quote: | Originally posted by flyfishinPam
| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
Back in "91 I am sitting at the bar in the LA International terminal waiting for my flight to Loreto. Well I guess one or two JD's to many and not
watching the departure board for the GATE CHANGE I missed the flight, but my diving gear didn't. I think it was Mexicana that put me up nearby and I
did make it the next night. Well I shared a taxi to the Mision Hotel with a gal and......funny how things work out. |
holy sheeit that was YOU? |
YES, and I really would like my Rolex back!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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It Cuts Both Ways
| Quote: | Originally posted by katedogg
Whatever you want to call it, more than doubling the cost of an 1 1/2 hr. flight is only hurting the tourism industry in Loreto, and therefore the
economy there. Between crime stories, hurricanes, the Loreto Bay fiasco, and swine flu, the last thing this town (or any Baja town) needed was
unaffordable flights.
I heard nothing but good things about these buses (no chickens!) I'll let you know. We wouldn't have to take one if I could afford the $581 (plus
baggage fees) Alaska ticket per person. |
Not long ago, if memory serves me, there were multiple airlines flying to Loreto. Unfortunately, in most cases, the flights were far from full. Given
the spike in fuel prices a couple of years ago, all airlines took a different approach on capacity. In some respects, Loreto is fortunate to have even
the level of service currently available. It may improve when the big Villa Group project gets built out at Ensenada Blanca. creating greater demand.
As many posters on this thread have noted, driving ain't so bad, unless you have major time constraints.
But, for anyone who has flown frequently over the last few decades (and I mean virtually anywhere), you have likely noticed that empty seats just
don't exist anymore. If demand increases, flights will increase, and maybe to a lesser extent than in days gone by, prices will drop. Just take a look
at seasonal fluctuations for flights to Cabo. Depending on the season, a flight from LAX to Cabo can be at or under $200 r/t or as high as $600 for
the same stinkin' seat.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
| Quote: | Originally posted by katedogg
Whatever you want to call it, more than doubling the cost of an 1 1/2 hr. flight is only hurting the tourism industry in Loreto, and therefore the
economy there. Between crime stories, hurricanes, the Loreto Bay fiasco, and swine flu, the last thing this town (or any Baja town) needed was
unaffordable flights.
I heard nothing but good things about these buses (no chickens!) I'll let you know. We wouldn't have to take one if I could afford the $581 (plus
baggage fees) Alaska ticket per person. |
Not long ago, if memory serves me, there were multiple airlines flying to Loreto. |
Yes, for maybe a year. And for many years before that the airport sat there empty, closed, unused. Dead. A failed Fonatur development. The more things
change.................
[Edited on 6-27-2010 by k-rico]
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
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"Buy American cars and trucks. Dogs rule!"
did you mean Dodges rule??
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Bob and jane
Nomad
Posts: 272
Registered: 3-25-2004
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Funny, I never remember the Loreto airport being closed, empty or unused. Ten years ago, and less, Aero California flew in every day. Most flights
(at least when I was on the plane) were full. Small airlines flew to Mexico City and other mainland destinations almost daily. When Aero California
was shut down, it was still possible to fly to Loreto. Then Loreto Bay started subsidizing flights and it got a bit crazy for awhile, but only
certain days of the week. Now it's tough and expensive. It is definitely harder to fly here than it used to be. But the Loreto airport closed,
empty and unused "for many years"? I don't think so.
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BillP
Nomad
Posts: 420
Registered: 1-28-2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
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Back in the early-mid '90's when I flew in a coupla times, the flight times were horrible, you arrived about 9pm, 10 pm by the time you got to the
hotel, then had to fly out early in the morn. An advertised 4 day 3night deal was really 3 night 2 day deal.
Just curious, whatever happened to Alfredo, his panga operation and his restaurant?
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and jane
Funny, I never remember the Loreto airport being closed, empty or unused. ........ I don't think so. |
Really? Then I'm wrong, I apologize. I knew the Fonatur development didn't pan out like planned and never saw any activity at the airport when driving
by. I guess it was lightly used, like many small town airports.
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
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Hi you all. Not to debate the issue, but either driving or taking a Greyhound bus, or flying from LAX to Baja are all legitimate and moral ways to
get to Baja. I have driven the trip several times and loved the experience each time. I look forward to the next trip where I have no choice but to
drive for some logistical reason. In fact, if you haven’t driven it, I think you aught to, at least once.
Having said that, to compare the costs of driving versus the way I described above by driving from Orange County, CA to Oceanside, taking a Greyhound
bus from there to the TJ Airport, then taking a Volaris flight from TJ to La Paz, then doing the same in reverse to get back to OC, Calif, I believe,
cost wise and time wise is a savings compared to driving. Note that driving it will require at least one night and most likely two nights of
hotel/motel in Baja – on both the driving to and return from La Paz and the added cost of eating out during the trip. You have to eat those days
anyway, but I save money by cooking at my place in La Paz instead of eating out. Also, there is the cost of auto insurance for the trip.
Mtgoat666 makes a valid point about most people who drive the trip don’t get 40mpg like I do on my 2000 Toyota Echo.
Bob and Susan make a valid point/observation about including the taxi fare from the La Paz airport to the house as a cost of my travel approach. The
taxi fares have increased to $300 pesos per person (robbery). But, I have solved that problem. I got a referral from a friend to an in-town (La Paz
Centro) taxi driver who charges me only $150 pesos per taxi trip without charging a per person amount. Part of my advantage with my taxi driver is
that I only live 3 KM from the airport.
When you include the cost of 2 nights of hotel/motel (and I always stay in a place that is around $30 USD per night and I always have to stay two
nights in a hotel/motel on each leg of the trip), when you add the cost of auto insurance for the entire duration of the trip, and when you factor in
most other people’s gas mileage instead of using my 40 mpg, plus the cost of eating out for the two to four days of the total trip. Also, let’s not
forget the Cuota toll fees which is about $18 USD and then take away the cost of taxis to and from the La Paz airport, I think the cost of driving is
definitely more than my Greyhound bus/Volaris flight approach.
Capt. Mike, what would be your cost for your flying your own plane (which is what I am assuming is implied in your post) if you were to calculate and
apportion ALL COSTS relating to owning and using your own plane on a per trip basis and what would that do to your per hour cost? Man, what a
concept. I’d fly myself for sure if I had my own plane. How many of you out there have your own plane?
Vandenberg makes a point about having to lug your stuff around for those that have a lot of stuff to lug around. Since I have my own place in La Paz,
I have my stuff there already. I usually make the trip with a carryon and only sometimes do I have to check in a small bag of stuff. But, heck, it’s
on rollers and I usually put the carryon on top of the small bag with that has the rollers. The only distance that you have to lug the stuff, using
my approach, is from the car to the Greyhound bus… approx 200 feet. From one bus to the next bus (usually one bus transfer only) about 30 feet, then
at the TJ airport about another 150 feet to check in, then once in La Paz, about 80 feet to the curb and taxi. I don’t know, but I am able to do that
easily and I have a bad back. But, if you don’t have a place of your own in Baja, then, yeah, that could mean some heavy lugging if you are not able
to travel lean.
BTW, if you don't have a place in Baja and do not have a car there, then driving to Baja would be the way to go (if and only if time is not a problem)
simply because of all the money you would save on car rental once in Baja.
[Edited on 6-27-2010 by MitchMan]
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
Member Is Offline
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BillP, if you are talking about Alfredo Ramirez, he died a while back. Man, I miss him and his panga operation and his house. He was the first guy
that I ever fished with. I heard that he and his long time American wife had a bitter parting of the ways, even made the local newspaper. He had
really good quality pangas and excellent skippers. His fleet was run and maintained really well. Caught a lot of fish on his pangas.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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A rip-off is a rip-off. 
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BillP
Nomad
Posts: 420
Registered: 1-28-2010
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MitchMan
BillP, if you are talking about Alfredo Ramirez, he died a while back. Man, I miss him and his panga operation and his house. He was the first guy
that I ever fished with. I heard that he and his long time American wife had a bitter parting of the ways, even made the local newspaper. He had
really good quality pangas and excellent skippers. His fleet was run and maintained really well. Caught a lot of fish on his pangas.
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Yup, that's who I'm talking about. His were the only boats I fished in three trips down there, mainly because I was comped or got a serious discount.
He'd have us picked up at the La Pinta, have our coffee and cookies, then off to the fishing grounds. He had one skipper by the name of Roberto,
fairly big husky guy, he could flat put you on the yellowtail.
I enjoyed Alfredo and his sense of humor.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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1970's-1980'-1990's..the original Loreto airport was always busy with various airlines.
Over the years, I recall flying with Air Cortez, Gunnell, Aerocalifornia, Aeromexico, Mexicana, Resort, and some other obscure companies. They
came..and went.
Driving is much, much cheaper and sometimes less hassle. If alone I drive non-stop 12 hours from San Diego to my home in Conception Bay. No motels,
a couple coffee & lunch stops, one fuel stop..and I'm home.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: gone fishin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
| Quote: | Originally posted by flyfishinPam
| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
Back in "91 I am sitting at the bar in the LA International terminal waiting for my flight to Loreto. Well I guess one or two JD's to many and not
watching the departure board for the GATE CHANGE I missed the flight, but my diving gear didn't. I think it was Mexicana that put me up nearby and I
did make it the next night. Well I shared a taxi to the Mision Hotel with a gal and......funny how things work out. |
holy sheeit that was YOU? |
YES, and I really would like my Rolex back! |
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
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"Capt. Mike, what would be your cost for your flying your own plane (which is what I am assuming is implied in your post) if you were to calculate and
apportion ALL COSTS relating to owning and using your own plane on a per trip basis and what would that do to your per hour cost?"
irrelevant and un publisable....
no pilot, well aircraft owner that is, likes to think in those terms...the ONLY way to rationalize AC ownership is to figure the gas to run it. If you
take the time to account for fixed and variable costs you would NEVER justify it!! and if
the better 1/2s knew....KABOSH city baby!!
i'll give you a point of reference - the FEW non profit flying clubs here with avail equipment similar to mine (4 place hi-perf category, retract
gear, complex prop etc) get $130-150 + an hour wet with a 1-2 hour charge min per 24 hours out.
and figure you can go 180 MPH + - an hour in cruise (not you 182 guys...haha) - then do the math.  
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
Member Is Offline
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Yeoh, Capt. Mike, That's a bunch of money, but, if I could afford it, I know that I would do it.
One of my clients in '95 had a small Citation jet. He flew me, the good looking office girls, and some other execs to Las Vegas for a meeting with
the city chiefs and for a fun weekend. I will never foreget the feeling of pride walking (swaggering really) off that plane with everybody staring at
us. People with real money have a whole different reality than the rest of us working stiffs. Their world is completely different and we working
class have no idea of what it is like.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by k-rico
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and jane
Funny, I never remember the Loreto airport being closed, empty or unused. ........ I don't think so. |
Really? Then I'm wrong, I apologize. I knew the Fonatur development didn't pan out like planned and never saw any activity at the airport when driving
by. I guess it was lightly used, like many small town airports. |
It seems that in Mexico, the planning and the execution are much less rigid than we are used to in the states. Fact is that Fonatur did the
infrastructure work. It's waiting to be utilized, as is the new terminal. Since the Villa Group is in process of building several hundred time share
units not far from town (but maybe far enough), There will be more flight options in the near future. Just as with the Loreto Bay development, you can
bet that Villa will subsidize the airlines. It's hard enough to sell time shares in good economic times, and no one but an absolute crazy would plunk
down money sight unseen.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
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what is that white multi story structure north of the departure end on RW 36 left side?
a condo deal??
is it selling?
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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LaTijereta
Super Nomad
Posts: 1192
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MitchMan
BillP, if you are talking about Alfredo Ramirez, he died a while back. Man, I miss him and his panga operation and his house. He was the first guy
that I ever fished with. I heard that he and his long time American wife had a bitter parting of the ways, even made the local newspaper. He had
really good quality pangas and excellent skippers. His fleet was run and maintained really well. Caught a lot of fish on his pangas.
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Here he is in his day> Always a big smile
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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