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Hawaii interline non-rev advice/input/warnings/etc?

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TOGA

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 3, 2002
Posts
334
Well, I'm planning on taking the missus to Hawaii sometime in the next six to eight months. I've been for work, but we've never been recreationally. I know it's considered one of the worst non-rev nightmares, so we were thinking the beginning of February. We're starting and ending in NE Ohio, and with my interline agreements, we can choose between NWA, CAL, USAirways and Aloha. Getting to their cities shouldn't be a problem on my company. I can jumpseat, including CASS. Our lodging is already handled, and it's in Honolulu.

So, where should we go? When should we go? What should we do? How should we get there? When shouldn't we go? What shouldn't we do? Where shouldn't we go? I'd love to hear it all. Thanks in advance!
 
Goto Yahoo travel and book positive space and put on the credit card - or better yet - call Costco. You will thank yourself later when your wife isn't all pissed off on how she is going to miss work and the entire airline problem is your fault. This is coming from first hand experience years ago. Good luck!!

Baja.

BTW - Better yet - goto mainland Mexico - it's cheaper and more fun!! Stay away from HNL if you choose HI. Go to JHM, OGG or HPV.
 
Don't travel around holidays and weekends... We (Aloha) have 4 flights in the morning out of SNA. You're bound to get on one.
 
It depends what you want...personally I tell people Kauai (LIH) because that is most like what you'd expect about Hawaii tropical rain forrests with nice beaches. My second recommendation is the Big Island, especially like the Hilo side. It is closer to the active volcano and is tropical. The Big Island offers the widest variety of stuff except because it is the geologically youngest of the islands the beaches aren't quite as good as on the older islands. I really would stay away from the Kona side of the Big Island. It is popular but it is crowded and basically in the middle of a lava field and is HOT this time of year. I think you would most appreciate Kona in January if you are from the mid-west...otherwise I'd stick to the Hilo side. Maui is cool but I don't like it as much as the Big Island and Kauai. Oahu is the best for surfing/beaches and nightlife but otherwise I would not make it a high priority to visit.

Have fun
 
Toga - I agree with Freight Dog, avoid weekends at all costs! One thing that I really recommend is looking at our Sacramento flight. It currently leaves at 10 am and goes direct Maui (Don't count on the being the scheduled departure time in Feb...we seem to change our flight schedule monthly to keep our pax guessing!). That flight is gold for non rev during the off season. You need to check loads obviously, but that is my last ace in the hole when I need to get out there. Plus, you can get to SMF from pretty much anywhere by 10 am.... Good luck!
 
Or Try ATA fron ONT directly to Hilo. leaves early in the am from ONT.

OR ATA from Phx to Ogg. another nonstop to the islands that most nonrevs don't think of.
 
Consider sailing

Check out interline sites like Dargal.com, ABSea.com, etc. for cruise deals.
7 days R/T HNL from around $500 per person. 2 weeks R/T west coast ports from around $1000 per person.
 
vtwo said:
Or Try ATA fron ONT directly to Hilo. leaves early in the am from ONT.

OR ATA from Phx to Ogg. another nonstop to the islands that most nonrevs don't think of.

ATA does not serve ILO from ONT. Only HNL. We do serve ILO, HNL and OGG from OAK. Also serve OGG and HNL from LAX, LAS and PHX. We are CASS and take unlimited JS'rs. You might even get biz class if you JS. Go to our website, ata.com, for details and changes. We are anticipating some growth and increased service to HI over the next year.

October is the best time of year to go to HI. In between tourist high season and snowbird season. Smaller crowds.
 
Hey, thanks for all the input on getting there & back. I was kinda thinking that getting ourselves to one of the 'second-tier' cities out west on my company, then interlining (is that a word?) from there might be a good plan. How about once we get there? Suggestions on activities and attractions in and around Honolulu? Should we plan on renting a car (or a Jeep?!) for all or part of our stay?
 
TOGA said:
Well, I'm planning on taking the missus to Hawaii sometime in the next six to eight months. I've been for work, but we've never been recreationally. I know it's considered one of the worst non-rev nightmares, so we were thinking the beginning of February. We're starting and ending in NE Ohio, and with my interline agreements, we can choose between NWA, CAL, USAirways and Aloha. Getting to their cities shouldn't be a problem on my company. I can jumpseat, including CASS. Our lodging is already handled, and it's in Honolulu.

So, where should we go? When should we go? What should we do? How should we get there? When shouldn't we go? What shouldn't we do? Where shouldn't we go? I'd love to hear it all. Thanks in advance!

If you're planning to Non-Rev get to SEA or LAX. You should be in your uniform -- just in case there is only one seat open and you are the last two. Believe me -- it has happened. Fly out on a Saturday afternoon or evening flight.

As for what to do in HNL --- catch up on sleep. You'll need that after your non-rev experience. Relax on the beach. Meet up with fellow pilots and whine about the industry. Worry about how you are going to non-rev all the way back...

Send me a PM if you want any specific information on loads etc. nearer to your departure date.
 
Spend time at Waikiki until you hate it then take off for the North Shore. That time of year the waves should still be a great site. I wouldn't surf unless you are a real expert. Wam Bay is a great place, especially if you have kids and want to boggie board a bit. Take a glider ride, those guys are great and they stay up a long time on the sea breeze in the winter. Lastly drive to the west part of the island. This part is for islanders only but it will give you an idea of what island life can really be like . They don't like outsiders too much so don't hang around much just check in and check out. East side of the island is great, check it all out you will love it. If you have time jump over to Maui and drive all the way around the island on the Hanna road. The south part of the road is interesting but I did it in a two wheel drive, you just have to shift into Low for a few parts of the road and take it a little slow. Check out Big Beach and Little Beach, the best. Drive up the mountain to see the sunrise, if is worth the early get up to see. Big Island is the Big Island it is great with many places to hike and see. Enjoy it, I love Hawaii, I used to get there once every couple of months but those days are gone. Be sure to watch the sunset at Duke's on Waikiki with a nice drink and Mai Mai, nothing like it. Enjoy.
 
For a first visit to Hawaii you do have to take in Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the Arizona Memorial. Once that is done ( 2 days ) you could explore a little more, but I would suggest going to Maui. Spend the rest of your time on Maui. You can easily spend 5 days on Maui without getting bored. It has a little of everything and would be a safe bet. I would save the Big Island and Kauai for a second and third trip.

TP
 
I fly LAX-HNL,OGG,LIH,KOA almost every week. LAX-HNL-LAX is your best bet if you want to ride on UAL. We mostly fly 767 to HNL and your best bet is to take the late red eye back to the mainland, we have had seats on that flight for months now, it is never full. Just have a backup plan and enjoy yourself.

LAX based crews ROCK!
 
Sonny Crockett said:
I fly LAX-HNL,OGG,LIH,KOA almost every week. LAX-HNL-LAX is your best bet if you want to ride on UAL. We mostly fly 767 to HNL and your best bet is to take the late red eye back to the mainland, we have had seats on that flight for months now, it is never full. Just have a backup plan and enjoy yourself.

LAX based crews ROCK!

AMEN! I use UAL out of LAX for my commute to HNL. Though I usually don't commute on redeyes, I go back to the mainland on the early afternoon flights, the UAL crews are consistantly an awesome bunch! Thank you for all the rides and great hospitality!
 
Anytime Freight Dog!

UAL is the way to go....probably get a First Class seat, enjoy a nice meal and win the "Half Way to Hawaii" game!

I always look around the gate area for any Jumpseat riders. We will bust our butts to get you on, even talking to CSR's etc...whatever it takes!

I recommend you try to meet the crew before they board. We will make damn sure you get on before the door is closed!

You guys are always welcome on my UAL jumpseat.
 
I have flown to HNL on all the carriers as a paying passenger, I must say that of any of them UAL gave the most interesting and enjoyable service.
 
Inter-Island flying

What about when you get to OGG?

The wife and I are already going to OGG in October but she wants to go to HNL to see the Arizona Mem. and such for a day. What is the best way to get to HNL from OGG and back?

We are both airline crew members so can we JS with ID or do we need to ID90 or what?

Thanks in advance.....
 
ultrapilot said:
What about when you get to OGG?

The wife and I are already going to OGG in October but she wants to go to HNL to see the Arizona Mem. and such for a day. What is the best way to get to HNL from OGG and back?

We are both airline crew members so can we JS with ID or do we need to ID90 or what?

Thanks in advance.....

Just jumpseat...all of the local airlines have liberal J/S policies with no limitations. I'm not sure about Aloha, but Hawaiian and Island Air are also part of CASS. Mesa's airline Go! may also be an option for you.

Interisland jumpseating is the easiest you'll ever do as long as you don't try it at the start or end of a long weekend.

Later
 
Well, I'm resurrecting this thread to say thanks to those who've responded, and to ask what you all think about trying to get to HNL via ATL or ORD . . . we live in Ohio, so we can get to either in one hop.
 
Lastly drive to the west part of the island. This part is for islanders only but it will give you an idea of what island life can really be like . They don't like outsiders too much so don't hang around much just check in and check out.
Yeah, if you hang out there too long, the savages will eat you. :rolleyes:
 
Well, I'm resurrecting this thread to say thanks to those who've responded, and to ask what you all think about trying to get to HNL via ATL or ORD . . . we live in Ohio, so we can get to either in one hop.

Chicago is a better bet. ATL only has one flight a day. If loads are high i usually go to ORD in the morning when UA has a OGG flight departing at 1000 and a HNL flight departing at 1015 (please double check the times as it's been a little while since i've done it) Normally they are at adjacent gates. I list for both and I get on OGG if I can...if not my backup is HNL. If you end up in OGG (arrive around 1400) then it's an easy deal to get to HNL as there are flights leaving constantly. Once I miss those it's over to AA and then to LAX. AA has the most flights to HNL from LAX departing in the later PM. You should be able to get two shots at HNL on AA once you get to LAX unless they have recently changed the schedule. In LAX AA and UA are in seperate terminals (you must go out of security) so I've found it's easier to switch to the AA terminal at ORD then go to LAX instead of jumping on a UA flight and then have to go to the AA terminal in LAX.

If the loads are really high out of ORD you might want to consider going straight to LAX in the morning as that is where the vast majority of the flights to HNL originate. You can also check NWA & HA out of SEA as the flights to/from SEA seem to have the lightest loads even when the other cities are high.

I fly to the East Coast a lot and my pattern is usually...

1. get to ORD by 1000 and do as I described above
2. fly to LAX -- two shots on AA (be careful of arrival times of KOA/LIH/OGG flights as interisland flying pretty much shuts down by 2100 so it may be impossible to get to HNL once you land in Hawaii if you take one of the later outer-island flights.
3. fly to LAS -- HA has a 0230 departure
4. hit the casinos
5. early AM...fly back to LAX to try again.

If when you check the loads they are frustratingly full...check the NW and HA flights out of SEA as they tend to be the last to fill up.


good luck
 
oh yeah...if you get so hosed that you find yourself in LAS at 0200, HA is in "the other" terminal that you can't get too by train. I think it's "terminal 2". I usually go from "terminal 1" in a cab to the Hard Rock Casino (closest to the airport) then cab back to "terminal 2" after I've killed a couple of hours on the tables. I think there is a bus but I'm not sure how to get from "terminal 1" to terminal 2" without going to the casino first ;)

later
 
If Phoenix or Las Vegas can work, we, USAIRWAYS-AWA, have two flights a day (11:30 am and 2:30 pm ) PHX - HNL and a 10:30 am PHX- OGG. In addition, LAS-HNL or OGG leave at noon. We usually ask the agents if everyone got on. Red eyes back however. Usually all return to PHX and LAS around 8:30 am. Buy on board food outbound, none back. If there is room in first, have at it. We take most 121 and 135 pilots. Even some of the helicopter guys in LIH. Loads have been ~ 75% and we have added the additional flights. Hawaiian and Aloha between islands and last resort Mesa RJs. They are $59 so I'm not sure of their loads.
A few years back I rented a C172 from an FBO in HNL. Instead of a checkout we just took the CFI along. Saw much more with him and did a few bounces on Ford Island (Uncontrolled airport in Pearl Harbor.) Great view of the Arizona.
Good Luck.
 
For what it's worth, if you're flexible, you can get some great last minute deals on cruises on id90.com. I went to Hawaii a few weeks ago for 10 days. Jumpseated (alone) ATA (LAS-HNL)(no problem), 3 nights on Oahu ($80/night hotel-airline dsicount in Waikiki) and took a 7 night cruise (NCL) through the islands at $199 per person inside cabin (but they gave me an outside one), booked on id90.com 5 days before the criuse started. It was bookable earlier at $299 per and earlier still at $399 per (you get the idea). I jumpseated back HNL-LAX on ATA as well. There were many flights HNL - LAX with open seats and that was the Sat beforeThanksgiving.
I had never been to Hawaii, but the cruise was a great way to do it. No transportation worries, no accomodation worries and lots of freedom in ports, plus some special opportunities -parking the cruise ship off the coast of the Big Island at night watching the lava pour into the sea (with all except emergency lighting off) and the same during sunset off the Napali coast of Kahaui where they filmed Jurassic Park and King Kong. The only down side was the Tsunami alert during that 8.1 in Japan but I was sipping coffee at a plantation in Kona. Good luck.
 

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