Airtran was budget friendly but....

Tinker'n'Fun

Apple peaches pumpkin pie, not ready holler "I"
Joined
Mar 27, 2005
I tried posting on the Transportation boards but received no replies. I would assume since Airtran was budget for me, the same may apply here. If anyone could help I would greatly appreciate it. Here is my post from over there:

I was finally able to get a great price in December flying down via Southwest, but all the flights home were way out of my budget.

Found a Non-stop perfect timing with AirTran. I know I will have to check a bag, so that is $20.00. How are they with booking with a disability. I did not pay for seats since we don't have to sit together, but I have to be seated without being bumped (physically, not off the flight) and can not carry or put my carry-on up. DH and DS will be with me.

So can you enlighten me on Airtran 2012. Thanks.
 
I fly Airtran alot. As long as you have someone who can put your carryon bag up for you, you will be fine.

If you let them know you are disabled, they should let you be the first to board. I have seen them board others who are disabled first.

I'm not sure about not getting bumped. The seating for flights is tight. I've often ended up bumping arms or shoulders with others while being seated. It just depends on how big the person is next to you. That has been an issue for me on any airline.

I'd suggest trying to ask your question on the disabilities board. I'm sure someone there could answer your questions more accurately.
 
I would pay for two of you to have selected seats if they sit two to a side. Are you able to sit in the window seat? If so, the only person that could bump you would be one of your own family members. Seat selection is only $6 (at least it was on our flight). That is a small price to pay for extra comfort. Good luck! :goodvibes
 
We flew Airtran when my husband had a broken foot. When I called and told them about his need for extra room, they assigned us seats without us having to pay, which was very nice of them. We carried a copy of his x-ray (he wasn't in a cast) in case anyone asked, but no one did.
 


It sounds as if you do really need to sit together with your family to insure that you don't get bumped physically by another passenger. The airline can't guarantee that you won't get bumped and neither can another passenger. Things happen and even though people are generally cautious it can happen. I travel quite frequently and bumps happen all the time. I have even had elbows (and unfortunately large hevay bags) to the head. No one did it on purpose and some were even being careless but there is no way that their airline could have insured it not happening.

Spend the few extra $$ to give yourself a little more piece of mind and reserve your seats totgether. You take the window seat in order to avoid being bumped as people pass thru the aisle.
 
I have flown Air Tran a few times. I also have a problem with being bumped but luckily it is only one arm. I have lymphedema on my right arm and can't have anyone bump that arm.
I have never paid to choose a seat early, I go to the desk at the airport and tell them the problem and they get me a window seat on the right side of the plane so my arm is protected. the one time I did book a seat early I found out at the gate that they had moved me to an aisle seat because they had a family that they wanted to sit together. So they moved things around again to find a place for me
Since you have problems with both sides you either have to sit by a window and trust your family not to bump you or pay for an extra seat.
Call the airline and ask about a 2nd seat for medical purposes. I know most airlines will refund the money for the 2nd seat if the plane is not totally booked. the only way to find out the rules is to call and ask.
 
I can't put my carry on up so my husband does that. With Southwest I board with the wheelchairs. Once I am seated I am okay. It would just be the time where I walk down the aisle. After I am seated I put on a neck stabilizer (used only for sitting, not something you would walk around with) and I am fine.

I guess a better question is if I pay for my seat will they allow DH to bring me in at the start of the flight, seat me, then he could leave. It really doesn't matter where we sit or if together. Just need to be seated before people start pushing in their overheads.

Thanks for the replies, I hope my post makes sense. I also wait and leave the plane last so that I am not in anyone's way after we get the okay to embark.
 


I can't put my carry on up so my husband does that. With Southwest I board with the wheelchairs. Once I am seated I am okay. It would just be the time where I walk down the aisle. After I am seated I put on a neck stabilizer (used only for sitting, not something you would walk around with) and I am fine.

I guess a better question is if I pay for my seat will they allow DH to bring me in at the start of the flight, seat me, then he could leave. It really doesn't matter where we sit or if together. Just need to be seated before people start pushing in their overheads.

Thanks for the replies, I hope my post makes sense. I also wait and leave the plane last so that I am not in anyone's way after we get the okay to embark.

I might be misunderstanding but why would you have DH sit you and then leave to reboard? I would just pay the $6 for the seats you want and then tell them you need to board first (medical preboard) so you don't get bumped.
 
I might be misunderstanding but why would you have DH sit you and then leave to reboard? I would just pay the $6 for the seats you want and then tell them you need to board first (medical preboard) so you don't get bumped.

Now that I understand Airtran and their procedures I will. I was just wondering since they are now Southwest and I was curious if they used Southwest's policy on disability seating.

I am going in and will pre-purchase a seat for all of us and then ask if we can or DH and I can board first with whatever group they call it. Since DS will have a seat he can board as the procedure for Airtran.

Thanks everyone for giving me the insight on the policy. I actually dislike all the looks I get when I board so I try to do it as silent as possible.

CCgirl - I did think it was way more expensive to purchase seats, last time we had to pay for them it was a lot more. Thank you for giving me the price.
 
I love airtran! I believe the whole family will be allowed to pre-board with you. When I had a child in a carseat they always had us board together even though I was the only one that needed on to install the seat. You can pick you seat at check in so if you weren't to pay you would still have an assigned seat before boarding, it is a bit different from southwest. I do not look forward to southwest taking over entirely.
 
I flew on airtran relatively soon after a back surgery. I called their disability line to request help with lifting my carryon up and getting it down again. They said they could do that and noted it on my reservation. The rep then offered to assign me bulk head seating with no charge. I would get the phone # from the airtran site then call and see what help they could give you.

good luck!!:thumbsup2
 
Now that I understand Airtran and their procedures I will. I was just wondering since they are now Southwest and I was curious if they used Southwest's policy on disability seating.

I am going in and will pre-purchase a seat for all of us and then ask if we can or DH and I can board first with whatever group they call it. Since DS will have a seat he can board as the procedure for Airtran.

Thanks everyone for giving me the insight on the policy. I actually dislike all the looks I get when I board so I try to do it as silent as possible.

CCgirl - I did think it was way more expensive to purchase seats, last time we had to pay for them it was a lot more. Thank you for giving me the price.

You are welcome, there are more expensive seats on the plane, I always just chose the cheapest.

I love airtran! I believe the whole family will be allowed to pre-board with you. When I had a child in a carseat they always had us board together even though I was the only one that needed on to install the seat. You can pick you seat at check in so if you weren't to pay you would still have an assigned seat before boarding, it is a bit different from southwest. I do not look forward to southwest taking over entirely.

If you pick your seats at check in you can only choose what is left, which often is just middle seats. Personally, if I needed to install a car seat I would pay in advance so I was sitting next to the car seat. I know the flight attendants would switch people around so I could sit next to said car seat but I wouldn't want anyone moved because I didn't pay for seats ahead of time (not saying that is what you did). Funny how opinions can vary, I would rather pay $6 for a seat than the $10 for a chance at a better seat (EBCI) with Southwest.

I flew on airtran relatively soon after a back surgery. I called their disability line to request help with lifting my carryon up and getting it down again. They said they could do that and noted it on my reservation. The rep then offered to assign me bulk head seating with no charge. I would get the phone # from the airtran site then call and see what help they could give you.

good luck!!:thumbsup2

Good point. If you call them, they may be able to assign you bulk head seating (if it's not taken already) free of charge.
 
I was just saying that her husband wouldn't have to leave the plane once he helped her on because of seating arrangements. No matter what at boarding everyone will have a seat assigned.

I also purchase a seat, $6 is a steal to know where I am sitting and especially when traveling with a child. I would never expect someone to switch seats with me because I was too cheap, nor would I expect someone else to sit next to my child. This is one reason I am not fond of SW taking over Airtran! More then likely delta will get my business if/when they merge completely. Out of ATL Delta usually competes price wise with the bargain carriers.
 
I would pay for two of you to have selected seats if they sit two to a side. Are you able to sit in the window seat? If so, the only person that could bump you would be one of your own family members. Seat selection is only $6 (at least it was on our flight). That is a small price to pay for extra comfort. Good luck! :goodvibes

Exactly what I was thinking! The seats are tight and the aisle is narrow. The window seat with a family member next to you will definitely be your best bet.

We alway pay the extra $6 pp each way to assign seats because I want a kid with each adult.

Just something to think about: I hate it when people are too cheap to pay the extra but then expect others who have thought ahead (and paid extra) will be willing to move to accomodate. Most travelers will feel the same way and I dare bet most will be unwilling to move for you if you want a window vs. an aisle, etc. I would be proactive and spend the extra bit of money for your comfort and peace of mind. Then you will know exactly what you are getting too! :)
 
Exactly what I was thinking! The seats are tight and the aisle is narrow. The window seat with a family member next to you will definitely be your best bet.

We alway pay the extra $6 pp each way to assign seats because I want a kid with each adult.

Just something to think about: I hate it when people are too cheap to pay the extra but then expect others who have thought ahead (and paid extra) will be willing to move to accommodate. Most travelers will feel the same way and I dare bet most will be unwilling to move for you if you want a window vs. an aisle, etc. I would be proactive and spend the extra bit of money for your comfort and peace of mind. Then you will know exactly what you are getting too! :)

I might have been to vague originally. I didn't pay for seats since the seat doesn't matter. It can be aisle, middle, or window. It's not the actual seat I am worried about, it is the boarding.

I am booking seats so that we will have a specific place to sit and hopefully I can board with the first group. The boarding policy is what I was not aware of.

I appreciate all your answers. I just don't want you to think I was just trying to get out of paying for the seats. We got a great budget price and even if you add the seat charge and I have to have one checked, it is still cheaper than taking SW home.

The reason I was confused was that in my mind Southwest had taken them over but just kept the name, but that is not the case.
 
I might have been to vague originally. I didn't pay for seats since the seat doesn't matter. It can be aisle, middle, or window. It's not the actual seat I am worried about, it is the boarding.

I am booking seats so that we will have a specific place to sit and hopefully I can board with the first group. The boarding policy is what I was not aware of.

I appreciate all your answers. I just don't want you to think I was just trying to get out of paying for the seats. We got a great budget price and even if you add the seat charge and I have to have one checked, it is still cheaper than taking SW home.

The reason I was confused was that in my mind Southwest had taken them over but just kept the name, but that is not the case.

IMHO, the boarding on Airtran is really quite orderly since everyone has an assigned seat they are going to and are not bustling around to get a "better" seat than someone else or trying to sit people together. With Airtran, you knwo your seat number and boarding group. I quite liked them.
 

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