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I: GENERAL:
This Operator-Participant Agreement (herein,
“Agreement”) sets forth the terms and conditions under which
Southern Sky Air & Tours, d.b.a. Myrtle Beach Direct Air & Tours
(or “Myrtle Beach Direct”, or “MBD”) of 1600 Oak
St, Suite B, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577, in return
for payment of the amount indicated as the total charter price,
agrees to provide to each participant (the "Participant",
"Passenger", or “Customer”) participation in a charter flight
(the "Charter Flight") operated by or through Myrtle Beach
Direct. The US Department of Transportation requires all
passengers to agree/accept/sign the terms of the Operator
Participant Agreement prior to departure.
II: RESPONSIBILITY:
Myrtle Beach Direct, as the principal, is responsible to
the Participant for arranging and providing public charter air
transportation (charter flights). Neither Myrtle Beach Direct,
nor its agents, servants, employees, or your travel agent
assumes responsibility for, and the Participant agrees to
release, relieve and hold harmless Myrtle Beach Direct from any
claim, action, cause of action, injury, losses or damages
arising from: the actions or omissions of third-party
contractors supplying services; missed connections; missed
ground transportation or car rental expenses; lost or stolen
items or baggage, damage, delay of baggage or other property;
costs or expenses arising out of injury, accident or death;
quarantine; disturbances; governmental restrictions or
regulations; inconveniences; loss of enjoyments; loss of pay;
disappointment; mechanical breakdown; airport closure; air
traffic control restrictions; government action; strike or
lockouts; war, terrorism; weather, acts of God, force majeure,
or other factors or causes beyond our control.
III:
RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT: Charter
Reservations may be made directly by calling (877)-432-DIRECT
or online at our website at www.myrtlebeachdirectair.com.
Full payment is due at time of booking of the flight. Passengers
have a right to a copy of this Agreement prior to making
payment. For bookings made by calling (877)-432-DIRECT
or via the Internet, Myrtle Beach Direct accepts
American Express, MasterCard, and Visa. Participants waive any
chargeback rights associated with claims resulting from factors
that are not under the control or not the responsibility of
Myrtle Beach Direct; however, Participants may cancel the
reservation prior to scheduled departure to receive a courtesy
credit for future travel on any Myrtle Beach Direct schedule or
charter services after payment of a non-negotiable $75.00
administrative fee per person. All payments are payable and/or
deposited to a charter escrow account at Valley National
Bank, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10018,
Myrtle Beach Direct’s depository bank. Your payments are
protected by a surety bond issued by Platte River Insurance
Company of Wisconsin (the “Securer”). Unless you file a claim
with Myrtle Beach Direct, of if MBD is unavailable, with the
Securer, within 60 days of completion of the charter (or, in the
case of cancellation, the intended date of your scheduled return
Charter), the Securer will be released from all liability to you
under the security agreement. If there is no return flight in
your itinerary, completion means the date or intended date of
departure of the last flight in your itinerary. All
transactions between the Customer and Myrtle Beach Direct Air
shall be solely in United States Dollars; Myrtle Beach Direct
Air is not responsible for any fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates.
IV: CHARTER
PRICE:
Air Only
- The quoted charter price includes charter air transportation
for the Charter Flight booked with Myrtle Beach Direct’s web
site or its toll-free Reservations Department. Airfares do not
require an advance purchase or a Saturday night stay. Fares do
include 7.5% Federal Excise Tax. Fares do not include Federal
Flight Segment Fees of $3.40 per person per flight segment,
Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) of up to $4.50 per person per
flight segment at applicable airports, Security Charges and
September 11th Security Fees of $2.50 per person per flight
segment, Convenience Fees of $10.00 per person per flight
segment, and Reservations Department Fees of $2.00 per person
per flight segment (applicable only to bookings made by calling
(877) 432-DIRECT). A flight segment is defined as one take-off
and one landing. Advance coach seat selection requires a Service
Charge of $5.00 per person per flight segment. Bookings made
online at
www.myrtlebeachdirectair.com will be assessed a Convenience
Fee of $10.00 per person each way. Bookings made by visiting a
Myrtle Beach Direct Air ticket counter location will not be
assessed the Convenience Fee. All bookings made by calling the
MBD Reservations Center at (877) 432-DIRECT will be assessed the
Convenience Fee of $10.00 per person each way, and a $2.00
Reservations Department service fee per person each way.
Package Prices - Vacation packages include the 7.5% Federal
Excise Tax and all applicable hotel taxes, but do not include
September 11 Security Fees, Federal Flight Segment Fees,
Passenger Facility Charges, Convenience Fees and Reservations
Department fees as described above, rental car option fees and
applicable taxes, airport drop-off fees and golf cart rental
fees.
The Passenger is responsible for all incidental expenses during
the Charter Flight. One child under the age of 24 months at the
time of travel (Lap Child) may occupy the same seat as a
ticketed adult passenger for a fee of $25.00 each way. A birth
certificate shall be required upon check in as proof of age of
the Lap Child. Myrtle Beach Direct accepts one infant per paying
passenger on each Charter Flight. Except for major changes as
described below, no refund will be made for services included in
the Charter Flight price which are not used. Standard Baggage
Service Fees, excess/overweight baggage fees, seat selection
fees, unaccompanied minor fees, and change fees are not included
in the Charter Flight price. Please contact Myrtle Beach Direct
for these charges and to arrange such services.
V: CANCELLATIONS, CHANGES OF DATES AND REFUNDS: The
price of tickets for Charter Flights is non refundable.
Reservations may be changed or cancelled prior to departure to
receive courtesy credit towards a future Charter Flight, subject
to availability, for a fee of $75.00 per Passenger.
Cancellations prior to departure result in a courtesy flight
credit which may be used for travel on Charter Flights up to 365
days from date of original travel, in the amount of the Charter
Flight price, less the applicable cancellation fee. Participants
who notify Myrtle Beach Direct in advance of departure may
cancel their reservations and receive a voucher credit toward
future flights after payment of a non-negotiable $75.00 change
fee per passenger. Participants who do not notify Myrtle Beach
Direct in advance of their flight forfeit their right to a
refund or flight credit for future travel. Voucher credits
issued for future charters have no actual cash value. The
right to a refund if a Charter Flight, if changed, is limited
but includes the following rights: a) Participants who pay by a
credit card may receive a full refund until a
operator-participant contract is signed. b) Participants may
receive a full refund, less a $25 administrative fee, upon
providing a substitute Participant to Myrtle Beach Direct, or
upon MBD finding a substitute for you. Myrtle Beach Direct
reserves the right to accept or decline a Passenger as a
Participant of a Charter Flight or to change or withdraw a
Charter Flight, subject to the provisions in this Agreement
regarding major changes or cancellations by the operator.
Refunds will be made within 14 days after cancellation or
substitution. This applies to Myrtle Beach Direct giving
refunds within 14 days if MBD cancels.
VI: BAGGAGE: Myrtle Beach Direct will transport a
maximum of three (3) bags for each ticketed passenger (two
checked bags and one carry-on): up to two (2) bags may be
checked, with a total combined weight of both checked items not
to exceed 63 pounds; dimensions of checked items are not to
exceed 62 inches in overall length, width and height. 2) One (1)
carry on bag not to exceed overall dimensions of 42 inches (17”
long by 15” height by 10” width), plus a personal item such as a
purse, laptop, backpack, diaper bag or camera case. Effective
June 30, 2008, a nonrefundable Standard Baggage Service Charge
for checked baggage shall apply for all checked baggage, defined
as follows: all checked items declared in advance of departure
either online or by calling our Reservations Department no later
than 2 hours prior to departure will be assessed a Standard
Baggage Service Charge of $15.00 per checked item each way.
Checked bags declared at the ticket counter upon check-in will
be assessed a Standard Baggage Service Charge of $25.00 per
checked item each way. Overweight baggage shall be assessed
the following charges in addition to the Standard Baggage
Service Charge (payable at the ticket counter upon check-in):
$25 for two checked items weighing up to 70 lbs combined, $50
for two checked items weighing between 71 and 99 lbs combined,
$100 for two checked items weighing between 100-150 lbs
combined. Oversized items shall be assessed a fee of $50.00 per
item, in addition to the Standard Baggage Service Charge.
Additional items presented for check-in beyond the two-item
limit shall be accepted solely at the discretion of station
management, and are not guaranteed to be transported. An Excess
Baggage fee of $100.00 per item shall apply to any item
presented beyond the two-item per-person limit. All baggage fees
are nonrefundable. Carry-on bags will be accepted without fee
provided that such baggage may be safely stowed either in the
overhead bin or under the seat directly in front of the ticketed
passenger. MBD reserves the right to require an item to be
stowed in the checked luggage compartment, subject to Standard
Baggage Service Fees and Overweight/Overlimit Fees if it cannot
be safely stowed in the overhead bin or under the seat directly
in front of the ticketed passenger. Special items such as
surfboards and bicycles are not included with customers’ free
baggage allowance and are subject to an extra charge of $50.00
per item. MBD shall accept one golf bag per ticketed passenger;
golf clubs, car seats and strollers shall count towards the
ticketed passenger’s allotment of two checked items. Car seats
and strollers shall be accepted as checked luggage at the gate,
if necessary, upon being tagged as a “Paid” item by MBD
personnel. If a “Paid” tag is not attached said items shall not
be accepted for carriage as checked luggage. Standard Baggage
Service Charges will apply to golf bags, strollers and car
seats; Overweight/Excess Baggage Fees may also apply. It is
recommended that golf equipment be stored in a hard-sided case
for added protection. All bags must have a cover that prevents
spillage of contents. Excess baggage will be accepted on a space
available basis only, as determined by Myrtle Beach Direct in
its sole determination. All bags must have outside
identification. Small dogs or cats may be accepted on a
space-available basis in an FAA-approved carrier that must fit
and be stowed under the seat directly in front of the passenger
as a ticketed Passenger’s carry-on luggage for a service fee of
$50.00 per pet per flight segment. Liability for lost, stolen,
pilfered, or damaged bags is limited to $2,800 per Warsaw
Convention (provided the Passenger provides Myrtle Beach Direct
with the baggage service report and suitable evidence of the
value of the bag and it contents). MBD personnel reserves the
right to refuse carriage/transport of any item presented for
checked luggage. Under no circumstances shall Myrtle Beach
Direct accept items for carriage that do not accompany a
ticketed passenger.
VII: LIABILITY:
Myrtle Beach Direct assumes NO LIABILITY
for any items left by a passenger in the passenger compartment
of the aircraft. Myrtle Beach Direct is not liable under any
circumstances for loss or damage to money, jewelry, collector’s
items, silverware, furs, negotiable papers or securities,
business documents, eyeglasses, cameras, electronic or computer
equipment, photographic equipment, medications, damage to
inadequately packaged/overstuffed checked items, and loss or
damage of any items packed in such containers or bags; all
electronic hardware, software and peripherals; cosmetics,
toiletries and personal hygiene products; medications and
medical equipment in checked luggage (please note that
Myrtle Beach Direct assumes NO LIABILITY for
medical complications and expenses due to medications and
medical equipment being unavailable as a result of being checked
while in-flight, or as a result of unavailability of
medications, medical equipment and prescriptions packed in
checked luggage due to delay, loss of or damage to such checked
luggage), commercial effects, one-of-a-kind items, works
of art, artistic items and statuary, glass items and containers,
musical instruments, paper materials, perishables, precision
items, recreational and sporting goods (including golf clubs,
bags and equipment), toys, infant seats and strollers or other
similar valuable items included in a Customer’s checked or
unchecked baggage with or without knowledge of the carrier.
Myrtle Beach Direct is not responsible for damage that does not
impair the ability of such luggage to protect the contents
inside, and specifically is not liable for superficial damage to
luggage arising from normal wear and tear of ordinary handling,
including scratches, scuffs, puncture, stains and marks. When
Myrtle Beach Direct has exercised its ordinary standard of care,
it shall not be liable for spoilage resulting from delay in
delivery of perishables, or for damage to or caused by fragile
items, liquids or perishables which are unsuitably packed, and
which are included in a passenger’s checked baggage with or
without Myrtle Beach Direct’s knowledge. Myrtle Beach Direct
assumes no liability for damage to luggage protrusions
(including wheels, zippers and zipper pull tabs, handles,
straps, feet, hanger hooks, locks, flaps, pockets, pouches and
items secured to such luggage by means of straps, cords, tape
and other external means). Myrtle Beach Direct assumes no
responsibility for property damage or loss resulting from
passenger security screening or loss incurred in passenger
waiting areas or concourses, or for property not checked solely
into Myrtle Beach Direct’s custody. Myrtle Beach Direct Air
assumes no liability for damage to locks or luggage, or loss of
or damage to contents as a result of search by the TSA or any
other government or law enforcement agency. Myrtle Beach Direct
Air shall assume no liability for damage to checked luggage not
designed to withstand the customary rigors of air travel. All
claims are subject to proof of value, loss and are subject to
depreciation. Any baggage problems and/or claims in the case of
lost, stolen, damaged or delayed baggage must be reported to a
Myrtle Beach Direct airport representative, and written proof of
claim must be filed with said representative prior to leaving
the airport terminal on the date of arrival, or are to be waived
by the passenger.
VIII: CHECK-IN:
Check-in is available two (2) hours prior to
flight time. All Passengers must check-in no less than one hour
prior to the scheduled departure time of a Charter Flight.
Passengers must be at the boarding gate in possession of
boarding passes no later than 30 minutes prior to departure.
Myrtle Beach Direct reserves the right to resell any seat or
deny boarding to any passenger not checked in 30 minutes prior
to departure, and the Passenger will have no claim against
Myrtle Beach Direct for such canceled reservation. Participants
will not receive refunds for missed flights or connections. All
passengers 18 years of age or older must have valid government
issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license, state
non-operator’s ID, active-duty military ID or passport. Any
Passenger that exhibits disruptive behavior will not be allowed
to board, or will be removed from the aircraft. Open seating
will apply to all passengers who have not opted for
pre-departure seat selection upgrades in either the First-Class
or Coach cabins.
IX: AIR
TRANSPORTATION: Myrtle Beach Direct flights are Public
Charters operated by JetBlue Airways. Flights are operated on
Airbus A320 jet aircraft with a maximum capacity of 150 coach
seats. Myrtle Beach Direct reserves the right to substitute
scheduled air service when necessary at no additional cost and
at comparable times, and does not guarantee aircraft type or
capacity. Myrtle Beach Direct will make every diligent and
reasonable effort to notify all Participants in the event of a
schedule change. No refunds or compensation will be given for
changes in aircraft type, or for substitution of service to a
scheduled air carrier.
X: MAJOR
CHANGES:
If Myrtle
Beach Direct makes major changes prior to departure, the
Participant shall have the right to cancel the reservation on
the Charter Flight and receive a full refund. The following are
major changes: (1) a change in the origin or destination city of
a Charter Flight, unless the change is only the order in which
cities the cities are flown; (2) a change in the departure or
return date of a Charter Flight unless the change results from a
flight delay experienced by Myrtle Beach Direct of greater than
48 hours; or (3) a Charter Flight price increase of more than
10% occurring ten or more days before departure of the Charter
Flight. In no event may Myrtle Beach Direct change the Charter
Flight price less than ten days prior to departure of the
Charter Flight. If a major change must be made in a Charter
Flight, Myrtle Beach Direct will exercise all reasonable
commercial diligence to notify the Passenger within seven days
after first of such major change, but in any event at least ten
days before schedule departure of the Charter Flight. If a major
change occurs less then ten days before the scheduled departure
of a Charter Flight, Myrtle Beach Direct will notify the
Passenger as soon as possible. Within seven days after
receiving notification of a major change, but in no event later
than departure, the Passenger may cancel such Passenger's
reservation with Myrtle Beach Direct and will receive a
full refund within 14 days after such cancellation. When a major
change occurs after departure of the Charter Flight which the
Passenger is unwilling to accept, Myrtle Beach Direct will
refund to the Passenger, within 14 days after the scheduled
return date of the Charter Flight, that portion of the price for
such Charter Flight that applies to the services not accepted.
Myrtle Beach Direct has no right to cancel a Charter
Flight less than 10 days before the scheduled departure date,
except for circumstances that make it physically impossible to
perform the Charter Flight or causes beyond its control. If
Myrtle Beach Direct must cancel the Charter Flight ten or more
days before departure, Myrtle Beach Direct will notify the
Passenger in writing within seven days of cancellation, but in
any event at least 10 days before the scheduled departure date
of the Charter Flight. If Myrtle Beach Direct must cancel the
charter less than ten days before the scheduled departure (i.e.
for circumstances that make it physically impossible to perform
the charter trip or for causes beyond its control), Myrtle Beach
Direct shall notify the Passenger as soon as possible and a
refund will be made to the participant within fourteen days of
such notification. If a Charter flight is cancelled and
alternative travel dates are offered and subsequently accepted
by the Passenger, Myrtle Beach Direct will re-accommodate that
passenger on a future available Myrtle Beach Direct flight.
XI: CUSTOMER
SERVICE:
Myrtle
Beach Direct is committed to providing the best possible
customer service. In the rare event that you have cause for
dissatisfaction during your flight, we encourage you to write to
us at
customerservice@myrtlebeachdirectair.com, or you may call us
toll-free at (877) 432-DIRECT to discuss this problem
with us.
XII:
MISCELLANEOUS:
The
rights and remedies made available under this Agreement are in
addition to any of the rights and remedies available under
South Carolina law. The acceptance by a Participant of a
refund, or alternative travel arrangements, as provided in this
Agreement shall constitute a full and final settlement and
release of all other claims or remedies against Myrtle Beach
Direct. By executing this Agreement, the Participant
specifically acknowledges and consents to all conditions set
forth herein. This Agreement contains the entire agreement
between the parties and completely supersedes any prior
agreements or representations of Myrtle Beach Direct, verbal or
in writing. This Agreement can be amended only in writing in a
document signed by both parties. Any oral representation or
modifications shall have no force or effect. South Carolina
law shall govern this Agreement. Except for baggage claims as
outlined above, any claim against Myrtle Beach Direct must be
presented in writing within sixty days of the date of the return
flight of a Charter Flight, and Myrtle Beach Direct shall have
no obligations or liabilities for any claims presented after
said sixty-day period.
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