Airtran- is it worth it to pay for seats?

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

OK I still have not had any luck getting through to Airtran. The snow today hasn't helped the phone lines are all tied up. I am assuming our group has the seats listed on my confirmation and on Airtrans website but i want to hear it from them.
Now I have another couple questions:
What is the checked bag fee? The web site says this: 1st checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less; dimensions: 61 inches or smaller
Reservations prior to August 17, 2010 $15
Travel through August 31, 2010 $15
Reservations made after August 16, 2010 $20
for travel after August 31, 2010


Our reservations were made August 16th so does that mean 15 or because we travelin Feb (after Aug 31) is it now $20?


Also peopel have mentioned buying drinks is this just alcholic drinks or do you purchase all drinks?

Thanks guys we have never traveled with Airtran so i just want to know what to expect and pass the correct information on to the rest of our group.

The buying of drinks is alcoholic and some "premium" non-alcoholic.
http://www.airtran.com/inflight_entertainment.aspx#Beverages

I hope that link works.

And the way I read it, you made the ressie BEFORE Aug 16, so you pay $15 for first checked bag. I wouldn't swear to it though!

 

[ccgirl]

OK I still have not had any luck getting through to Airtran. The snow today hasn't helped the phone lines are all tied up. I am assuming our group has the seats listed on my confirmation and on Airtrans website but i want to hear it from them.
Now I have another couple questions:
What is the checked bag fee? The web site says this: 1st checked bag: weight: 50 lbs. or less; dimensions: 61 inches or smaller
Reservations prior to August 17, 2010 $15
Travel through August 31, 2010 $15
Reservations made after August 16, 2010 $20
for travel after August 31, 2010


Our reservations were made August 16th so does that mean 15 or because we travelin Feb (after Aug 31) is it now $20?


Also peopel have mentioned buying drinks is this just alcholic drinks or do you purchase all drinks?

Thanks guys we have never traveled with Airtran so i just want to know what to expect and pass the correct information on to the rest of our group.

I would think it would be $20 but wouldn't guarantee it. I also wanted to tell you to pay close attention to the dimension size of your bags. They did take out a tape measure at BOS and measure the bag. I have heard of other airports doing this as well. They were very nice. One of my bags was over the weight limit by 2 lbs and they let us shuffle things around. I was so nervous to fly them the first time due to the reviews but they were super nice. They served beverages twice (SW only did once). If you drink alcoholic beverages you have to use a credit or debit card to pay. I think other airlines are like this as well but I don't usually drink alcoholic bevs on flights. They also served snacks twice. The pretzel/cookie variety. All of my flights were full (not overbooked) and I never had a problem getting the seats I paid for. We did see one guy sitting next to his wife when he was supposed to sit somewhere else. The guy whose seat is was didn't mind moving so it was okay. Then, the guy that took his seat said to his wife, "see...I told you we didn't have to pay to sit together." Just wanted to alleviate any concerns you had about AirTran. THey worked out great for us.

 

[maciec]

UGH! I am so glad that I checked this thread. I cannot believe that they changed the luggage measurements back to the max being 62"! The largest bag that I have is 62" but they count the lean at BWI which makes the suitcase over 62". Frustrating!

 

[tinkerbell423]

UGH! I am so glad that I checked this thread. I cannot believe that they changed the luggage measurements back to the max being 62"! The largest bag that I have is 62" but they count the lean at BWI which makes the suitcase over 62". Frustrating!

Can you explain this? You lost me at "count the lean"?
Thanks

 

[maciec]

Can you explain this? You lost me at "count the lean"?
Thanks

My suitcase doesn't stand up perfectly straight because there is a balance bar on the bottom of the suitcase to keep it from tipping over. It looks kind of like a handle. When I put my suitcase on the scale the agent backs the suitcase up to the wall of the scale until it touches and then measures out to the furthest point. If you look at the picture on Airtrans website of the measurements of the suitcase you can see that it's not sitting up perfectly straight - it is leaning.

The biggest problem is that there is NO consistency between agents and airports so you may pass going on the way down and not have to pay, but on the way back the agent might measure you differently and suddenly you have an oversized suitcase. This has happened several times to us.

 

[tinkerbell423]

Thanks I never knew this. I'll have to check out my suitcase and see how it "measures up"

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I don't think with the poster above it's the "lean"... it's the bar on the bottom. ALL airlines generally measure wheels/handles, bars etc... The luggage manufacturers don't. So that 62" is not really 62" for an airline.

 

[ccgirl]

I don't think with the poster above it's the "lean"... it's the bar on the bottom. ALL airlines generally measure wheels/handles, bars etc... The luggage manufacturers don't. So that 62" is not really 62" for an airline.

Exactly. When they measured mine they measured from the bottom of the wheels to highest point (top of the handle). They then measured all the way around so it you have to stuff it too much it might be too big. MCO did not measure my bag. Only BOS did.

 

[IbeAbitGOOFY]

Exactly. When they measured mine they measured from the bottom of the wheels to highest point (top of the handle). They then measured all the way around so it you have to stuff it too much it might be too big. MCO did not measure my bag. Only BOS did.

Just goes to show that the rules over baggage dimensions and weight vary from airline to airline and airport to airport. Over Christmas, I flew from Norfolk, VA to Colorado Springs, CO. Dimensions were fine and I don't even recall them measuring. The weight was about 47 lbs. On the way back, the curbside check-in guy must have been bored because he came inside, grabbed my family (not literally) and took us outside to checkin. Put the bags on his cart and tagged them. Never weighed them or measured. Funny thing is, I know that I was VERY close to being over weight on both my and DW bags. I have a luggage scale and it is usually with a 1/2 lb. of the airline. So, I got lucky, but my point is again...it all depends on the ticket agent and how nice you are to them.

 

[azdizzymom]

Just goes to show that the rules over baggage dimensions and weight vary from airline to airline and airport to airport. Over Christmas, I flew from Norfolk, VA to Colorado Springs, CO. Dimensions were fine and I don't even recall them measuring. The weight was about 47 lbs. On the way back, the curbside check-in guy must have been bored because he came inside, grabbed my family (not literally) and took us outside to checkin. Put the bags on his cart and tagged them. Never weighed them or measured. Funny thing is, I know that I was VERY close to being over weight on both my and DW bags. I have a luggage scale and it is usually with a 1/2 lb. of the airline. So, I got lucky, but my point is again...it all depends on the ticket agent and how nice you are to them.

I have a weight scale too....I usually leave about 3-4 pounds 'extra' room just in case. The Delta scales in Phoenix must weigh heavy (usually like you I am within a pound at maximum). There I was 49.9 pounds!!!! Knew me suitcase hadn't gained weight in the car. Was sooo lucky but could have shifted a few things to carry-on.

 

[maciec]

I don't think with the poster above it's the "lean"... it's the bar on the bottom. ALL airlines generally measure wheels/handles, bars etc... The luggage manufacturers don't. So that 62" is not really 62" for an airline.

To use the words of my kids "no duh." I know that they measure the handles and the wheels. I have flown enough to know what they measure and what they don't. I have also tried to stand my bag so that it was standing up perfectly straight on the scale and was told not to touch the bag that they count the "lean." This was at BWI. I even questioned the agent and she said that they measure it the way it stands. I was then charged for an oversized bag. This happened to me twice. Since then, I have had different agents measure my bags at BWI and they all stand them up straight and are all under the 62." At PWM I have had agents count the lean also. Same thing, hit or miss as to which agent does it.

 

[maciec]

Just goes to show that the rules over baggage dimensions and weight vary from airline to airline and airport to airport. Over Christmas, I flew from Norfolk, VA to Colorado Springs, CO. Dimensions were fine and I don't even recall them measuring. The weight was about 47 lbs. On the way back, the curbside check-in guy must have been bored because he came inside, grabbed my family (not literally) and took us outside to checkin. Put the bags on his cart and tagged them. Never weighed them or measured. Funny thing is, I know that I was VERY close to being over weight on both my and DW bags. I have a luggage scale and it is usually with a 1/2 lb. of the airline. So, I got lucky, but my point is again...it all depends on the ticket agent and how nice you are to them.

Exactly. At RAC at SSR they only weighed our bags and didn't measure. I really liked that! Although, I did invest in a luggage scale also and I always travel with it.

 

[IbeAbitGOOFY]

Exactly. At RAC at SSR they only weighed our bags and didn't measure. I really liked that! Although, I did invest in a luggage scale also and I always travel with it.

The $20 luggage scale has saved me time and time again. Even if someone travels once or twice a year, TOTALLY worth it!

 

[sam_gordon]

The more I think about this, measuring "lean" really doesn't make sense. If I understand correctly, if you set the bag upright against a wall, the top of the bag might be 3 in (for example) from the wall while the bottom is at the wall. Do I have this correct?

If so, let's be honest... the bag won't take up that extra 3 inches. They will put stuff all around the bag so it takes up only the space it occupies. Now, arguing this point would probably require going to a manager and may not be worth the hassle, but I think it could be argued.

 

[Jestocost]

The more I think about this, measuring "lean" really doesn't make sense. If I understand correctly, if you set the bag upright against a wall, the top of the bag might be 3 in (for example) from the wall while the bottom is at the wall. Do I have this correct?

If so, let's be honest... the bag won't take up that extra 3 inches. They will put stuff all around the bag so it takes up only the space it occupies. Now, arguing this point would probably require going to a manager and may not be worth the hassle, but I think it could be argued.

If the airline employee stated specifically that they "count the lean," that suggest to me that the issue has been debated (possibly ad nauseum) and a policy established. There's never any harm in asking, however.

 

[sam_gordon]

If the airline employee stated specifically that they "count the lean," that suggest to me that the issue has been debated (possibly ad nauseum) and a policy established. There's never any harm in asking, however.

Oh, I'm sure that's a policy... the counter attendant didn't make it up. I just think a passenger can logically and calmly show that the lean doesn't affect how the bags will get packed on the airplane (ie: another bag on the 'outside' will push the 'leaning' bag up to fill the space).

Again, it would come down to how big an issue someone wants to make of it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The airlines policy is the ENTIRE bag, not just the part the luggage company counted...... That little bar gets added on. I don't think trying to discuss the "loading" of the luggage with them will get you very far

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I pay for seats anytime we fly Airtran. We never had an issue until we were bumped off a flight. We were told we were the last to check in and that since the flight was oversold our unreserved seats were gone. It was the biggest headache. I would also suggest checking-in online to avoid any further complications. Especially if traveling with young kids.

 

[sam_gordon]

The airlines policy is the ENTIRE bag, not just the part the luggage company counted...... That little bar gets added on. I don't think trying to discuss the "loading" of the luggage with them will get you very far

I'm not talking about a bar (unless I misunderstand a "lean"). As I posted earlier, I'm understanding measuring the "lean" as... set a piece of luggage up against a wall and let go. If there's a "lean", then the top of the luggage would be further away from the wall than the bottom. I was understanding that "gap" was being counted and added to the dimensions. If that is the case, then my argument would come into play.

Or even easier, turn the bag around so the "lean" is going toward the wall.

 

[maciec]

I'm not talking about a bar (unless I misunderstand a "lean"). As I posted earlier, I'm understanding measuring the "lean" as... set a piece of luggage up against a wall and let go. If there's a "lean", then the top of the luggage would be further away from the wall than the bottom. I was understanding that "gap" was being counted and added to the dimensions. If that is the case, then my argument would come into play.

Or even easier, turn the bag around so the "lean" is going toward the wall.

You got it Sam! I actually sent off an email to Airtran's customer service inquiring about the lean. I haven't heard anything back yet. I didn't make a big stink about it when I was charged. I took it as lesson learned and that there was nothing I could do about it. I just want to have something in writing in case it ever happens again I will know what it right and what is wrong.

In my haste I forogt to answer the OP's question ..... yes, it's worth it to pay for your seats. I have never been on a non empty flight going to MCO. I have seen parents and young children split from one end of the plane to the other.