Here is an email I got from Johnathan.
Amigos:
As many of you know or will soon find out, Aero California was grounded as of last Sunday. I haven't written sooner because of a number of things, but most essentially the fact that the situation has changed literally "by the hour." Let me pass on what I know and what I think. Please read this carefully. I think we have as good a handle on it as anyone since it seems everyone feels the need to ask me personally, even news papers, TV stations, travel agents and my competition (sheesh!)...Anyway...here goes...
WHAT YOU ARE READING AND SEEING
Ok...tons of you have sent me copies of your local newspaper, links to websites, etc. Yes, I've seen them all. None of it is news but thank you just the same! We have good folks out there in all of you.
Bottom line, Sunday Aero Cal got shot down by the equivalent of the Mexican FAA. The actual dates of shut down were supposed to be Sunday to Wednesday. As I write this on Thursday, however, there's no news this morning of a change but the day isn't over yet! As mentioned things change rapidly and the situation is very fluid. Technically, Aero Cal got shut down for safety violations of their aircraft. Note that I say the "Mexican FAA" (not the U.S. FAA). This is important for later in this report. There have also been reports of bankrupty.
No matter the reason, for right now, Aero Cal isn't in the air. I know we're all concerned with our vacations (and my business!) but this has affected not just La Paz but 32 destinations serviced by Aero Cal. I've had to cancel a number of reservations. Town is emptying as people scramble to find flights home. No one is coming in. Restaurants, hotels, taxi drivers, captains, grocery stores...folks who should be working at the busiest months of the year are sitting idle. Can anyone say "Katrina?"
WHAT IT SEEMS HAS REALLY HAPPENED
If you ever wanted to see money and politics do their worst...
The prevailing thought among folks I've spoken to, including Aero Cal people is that this was totally political. Note the following:
1. Shut down on a SUNDAY??? In the middle of the busiest time of the year?
2. It was the MEXICAN FAA that supposedly says the airline is unsafe. The US FAA has not said these planes are unsafe and U.S. FAA is a lot tougher than the Mexican FAA. Sure the planes are old and we laugh at them alot, but they wouldn't have been allowed to fly into U.S. airspace unless they were safe
3. It was a money thing. When big briefcases of money change hands, this will all get solved. The corporate headquarters for Aero Cal is in La Paz. Apparently the company had not paid it's "money" to the right people The owner of Aero Cal belongs to the opposite politcal party. The dogs were called out. Simple as that. Oh...and the opposition also backs other airlines and is a major investor in the other airlines. Anything starting to smell funny to you?
THE CURRENT SITUATION
It has been nuts since this hit on Sunday (and we were coming off such darned good fishing)....but things are changing rapidly.
1. Aero Mex is accepting exchanges AS LONG AS THEY HAVE SEATS. That's the operative phrase. The reason so many of your are having trouble finding seats right now or seats that don't cost an arm and a leg is that there were no seats to begin with. Because of spring break and Easter, all the seats were either all sold out or at premium prices.
2. Aero Cal has issued a statement that they are issuing refunds if you had to use another airline for travel. I'm waiting for details on how they will work that one out. I personally am holding a handful of tickets myself and I have over 1000 of you clients that have already bought tickets.
3. The Aero Cal offices are NOT closed. The desks at the airport are dark, but there's huge lines outside their offices in La Paz and they are answering their 800 number in Los Angeles, but you have to keep trying and you'll probably get hung up on; get a busy signal or get put in a loop, but we've just put it on speed dial and eventually get through. They employees I've spoken to are as much in the dark as anyone and are reading from scripts. Interestingly, none of them seems to think they were out of a job. I have direct lines to Aero Cal executives as well and they were also cautiously optimistic.
4. The prevailing thought is that this will resolve shortly. I sure hope so. Unfortunately, for those of you traveling this week into town or next, that doesn't help. Long term I think you will be OK. Your vacation will take place. Whether Aero Cal will be flying you is another question but think about this...THEY CANNOT LEAVE THE CAPITAL CITY OF SOUTHERN BAJA WITHOUT AIR SERVICE!!!!
5. If you are travelling, you've probably already spoken or written to me. To anyone who wants to cancel. You have two options:
a. Credit for a future trip
b. Full refunds no questions asked from me! (You will NEVER lose your money you've paid to Tailhunter so take a breath...). Refunds are taking about 5-10 days.
WHAT TO DO?
As I said, I think I have my finger on this as much as anyone. I wish I had more. I have someone camped at the airport. I have someone camped at the Aero Cal office. If I had more, I would give you more. I have 4 travel agents all on the loop networking to find out the latest not just with Aero Cal, but with other airlines as well. I haven't slept but a few hours since Sunday trying to get folks out've town and also answer all the questions that have come in. It's no fun getting cancellations but even more important to me...it's YOUR vacation that's affected and I know how important that is!
1. If you're travelling in the next week or two, I have you on my short list so I will not leave you out've the loop. We're doing all we can to keep you posted.
2. If you're not travelling until later, I'd say explore some options with other airlines just so you can make an informed decision. However, hang for a tad. As I said, I think this will resolve we just need to know how Aero Cal figures into the mix and if they aren't what are the alternatives and if you bought a ticket, are there any compensation options. Look...it does no good to get your underwear all bunched up if you're not travelling until November.
3. I'm getting about 500 e-mails a day. Those of you who regularly correspond with me know that I have a policy of answering e-mails and phone calls like a demon within 24 hours. Many times you get responses from me in minutes. I hope this statement helps, but please...help me do my job for all of you. There's folks travelling right now I need to help. I'm also trying to keep our 4 phone lines open so I can get calls from the airlines.
With e-mails, I can't answer that many that quickly. Writing me 10 e-mails an hour asking for hourly updates only slows things down! Please. Help me out. Just this morning, I've gotten several dozen saying , "What's the latest?" (most of them don't have trips until later in the year!)
I hope this helps. I'm trying to be optimistic and hopeful this all ends shortly (there's a joke in there somewhere, I think...) It's Easter Break and the economic and social impact of this in Baja is beyond calculation. I'm doing my best here for us. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Jonathan
Jonathan Roldan's
Tailhunter International
Website:
www.tailhunter-international.com
Phone: (626) 333-3355
FAX: (626) 333-0115
E-Mail:
Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
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