I recently reserved round trip seats for hubby and myself. We flew out of Atlantic City to Myrtle Beach. We chose Spirit because of its bargain travel prices.
It’s been a while since I’ve done any flying, well, actually three months. I got two pleasant surprises when I got to my seat. First, I no longer needed a seat belt extender. Yea, that extra poundage I shed paid of! Hurrah, the tray in front of me actually went down! That was about it for positive travel comments. Well, the magazine did have a decent Suduko at least.
Too much negative this trip. I am permanently handicapped and have DMV proof if seeing me walk isn’t enough. Now when I called after making online reservations, I was told to mention this when I checked in. So I did.
The lady at check-in briskly snipped, “Did you pay for picking seats?”
“No.”
She wouldn’t listen to anything else. Then she assigned me 5C, non-bulkhead knowing I was in an electric wheel-chair and needed the space. She refused to assign a seat beside me to my husband who was still parking the car. Later I found it ironic that the two coach seats directly in front of me were vacant the whole trip.
When hubby got there, he was escorted to 5F, a bulkhead one. Go figure why she wouldn’t switch us two. Was this an unsuccessful airline ploy to get every cent out of the customer? Was this a way to punish us for buying budget? There had been posted extra costs for baggage. I won’t complain about that since that was advertised. However, when she complained about my medical apparatus bag as being extra I was annoyed.
Once on board, I asked for some water. I had to take some medication. That is when the hostess demanded a credit card. It seems that water is no longer free. I don’t mind paying for meals and snacks. I can always buy them and bring them on board. However, no liquids can go through Security. Remember 911. So I think that putting some water into a cup is reasonable. Obviously, Spirit does not agree.
Try telling your concerns to the company. Spirit agents will refer you to a website. Telephoning is near to impossible. Often responses to letters don’t happen or are delayed beyond proper time. Maybe with competition now in AC things will get better. I sure hope so.
on Jul 28th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I guess I’m not taking Spirit Airlines – very unreasonable. Your requests (water and medical bag) were not unreasonable – so much for helping the client.
Well, I’m not flying Spirit – they are too greed driven!
on Jul 28th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Clenna,
I did persist on the bag and it went on without a charge–I just objected to personnel even questioning it since it was clearly labeled as such by the manufacturer.
Pat.
on Jul 28th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
How rude. I cannot believe how bad service has been lately. Too bad a hostess wouldn’t allow you to move into the empty seats. Too be charged for a cup of water is incredibly wrong.
I have become so jaded that when an employee goes above and beyond the call of duty it amazes me. I have actually been trying to let companies know when an employee does a good job.
on Jul 28th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Kelly,
I don’t think it is as much rudeness as company policy. I like busineses who believe in satisfaction guaranteed. Too bad there are so few of them oout there right now.
on Jul 29th, 2009 at 11:11 am
That was horrendous treatment you received. I will not fly Spirit as a result of your experience. It sounds as if ALL their passengers received this kind of treatment. My COPD means oxygen 24/7 and that is hard enough to get certain types of bags just to board. This companies policy leaves too much to be disired.
on Jul 29th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Thank you, Pat. That was both informative and helpful. I have been looking for “bargain” fares myself, and will steer clear of Spirit. You would think that they would want to add value and service to their customers and not be rude, but I guess that is too much to ask.
on Jul 29th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Oh and don’t get me started on the rude thing. I’ve got at least 5 examples of ridiculas rude just from this week.
on Jul 29th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Johannah,
If only people would just think.
Pat.
on Jul 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Johannah,
Hard-nosed corporate, poor economy, business decisions that cut the nose to spite the face….
Pat.
on Jul 29th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Marj,
I truly believe that the public must be made aware. Too many companies do as little as they can and try to get away with as much as possible.
Pat.
on Jul 29th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
It’s so sad when the employess just say “company policy”, and don’t even TRY to help the customer, when just a little HUMAN kindness would go a long way in this world…. Not even customer service above and beyond.
on Jul 29th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Lorie,
You are right and with so many jobs downsized or entirely cut, workers fearing whwere the next meal may be coming from so to speak will not stand up and even question.
Pat.
on Jul 31st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I’m sorry you had such a terrible flight. I don’t fly very much, but I will make sure it’s never on Spirit.
Way to go on the weight loss. That’s awesome!
on Jul 31st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Debbioe,
Thanks for the thumbs up on the weight. Regarding any service, what you pay for is exactly what you get.
Pat.