AirTran ???

[dioxide45]

We don't have children but always pay for the seat assignments on AirTran. We don't want to be stuck at the back of the plane. Being able to be in the fifth or sixth row of coach is worth the few extra dollars.

 

[aubriee]

We don't have children but always pay for the seat assignments on AirTran. We don't want to be stuck at the back of the plane. Being able to be in the fifth or sixth row of coach is worth the few extra dollars.

I usually fly solo and choose to pay for my seats. I hate to fly anyway and want a seat close to the front and don't like center or window seats, so I'll pay to get my preferred aisle seat close to the front. People assume that because you are solo that you won't mind changing seats. They don't seem to realize that we may have our own reason for choosing a certain seat and don't want to switch. I've only sat in the back of a plane once and swore I'd never do it again. Looking up that long aisle, I had a panicky feeling in my chest the entire trip. Never again! I pay for the seat I want. If anyone tried to talk me into moving to a window or middle seat or to the back of the plane they'd have fight on their hands. Pay for the seat you need.

I've posted on here several times about the woman who was throwing a fit at the ticket agent, because she hadn't paid for a seat for her child assuming that AirTran would take care of it. She was actually screaming at the ticket agent that she couldn't believe AirTran would seperate her from her child and that was why she didn't think it was necessary for her to purchase seats. The gate agent informed her that AirTran didn't seperate her from her child, that she had the opportunity to pay for their seats and chose not to and there was nothing they could do, as the flight was completely full and they were not asking someone who paid for their seat to move. Once on the plane, the woman continued to give heck to the FAs, demanding that they make someone move. They also told her there was nothing they could do and she should have paid to choose their seats if it was that important to her. She even tried to bully the couple who had the seats next to her daughter, but they had no sympathy for her. Maybe if she had asked nicely instead of demanded, someone might have switched with her, but who knows.

 

[2greatkids]

Have you actually gotten your tickets yet? We booked our entire vacation throught the disney website so I never had the option of picking my seats. I called disney and they were able to reserve my seats for me. I know it is a $6 fee but they never said anything about being charged so I will have to see. I recently went on the Airtran website and was able to see the availability of the seats on my flight and there were only 3 rows left with three seats next to one another! I am very glad I reserved my seats!!

 

[brandylouwho]

I like flying Airtran and always pay to reserve my seats. We have 2 little ones (now 5 & 2) and I can't imagine risking not sitting with them for a few bucks.

Now I did get a bit irritated with this year's flight though...paid and reserved seats, our flight was cancelled, they did not put us together in an acceptable seat arrangement on our new flight. I called about 4 times before I got a useful CSR to fix our seat arrangements (which I had paid for). We'll have 4 adults & 4 little kids this year--pity the flight that has US scattered all about!

So: 1) pay for the seat assignemtns 2) watch on yourown for flight changes and 3) be persistent to keep your desired seat arrangements if you do get switched to another flight.

 

[Missytara]

I just booked my airfare for Airtran through the Kayak website first and I picked both of my seats and it came up with $0 for the seat fee.

So I just saved $12.00 and my round trip airfare is $218.20, plus $30.00 for the baggage fee.

Whoopee! Disney, here i come.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We always pre select our seats on Airtran. For our upcoming trip in August I selected our five seats in one complete row..2 on one side ...3 on the other. Every so often I check our flights and seat assigments and the flight had been changed to a larger plane. So now there was a stranger between myself and my daughter and their seat was already selected. So I moved us with my husband and two kids in one row and my daughter and myself behind them with my daughter at the window and me in the middle. Right now that flight out of Philly is showing very few open seats left. For my own peace of mind I always preselect.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I just booked my airfare for Airtran through the Kayak website first and I picked both of my seats and it came up with $0 for the seat fee.

So I just saved $12.00 and my round trip airfare is $218.20, plus $30.00 for the baggage fee.

Whoopee! Disney, here i come.

Darn...I booked this morning and paid the extra fee for the seats. Oh well

 

[LandChildWorldAdult]

Considering I've been flying alone since I was 5 years old and I remember the days of actual *service* on aircraft, I'm appalled at this policy.

I won't pay extra to have my party seated together. Nope. You get stuck sitting next to my 3.5 year old because the airline has a dumb policy, well, lucky you. If you get seated next to my 9.5 year old you'll be BEGGING to switch seats with me

I for one am tired of the race to the bottom with charges for baggage and seating all in the name of having the "lowest" price. I'm sorry, but flying on a plane ought to *come with* a suitcase and a seat with your entire party. A bit of food and drink on a flight longer than 3 hours would be awfully nice too.

I know, I'm an old grump who needs to get with the reality, but I'll take my chances long before I pay for something that I probably don't need to (we fly mid week). If we end up separate, well, that's life.

 

[Missytara]

I checked online this morning and the fare from BWI to MCO is even lower on Airtran. Since I just made my reservations yesterday, they let me cancel my flight and re-book it at the new price of $172.00. I went through kayak.com, so I didn't pay the seat fee. So with the baggage fee, it is only $202.00. I would say that is pretty darn cheap for flying to Florida.....thank you fare wars!

Disney, here I come - 11/28 to 12/05.

 

[Inkmahm]

I won't pay extra to have my party seated together. Nope. You get stuck sitting next to my 3.5 year old because the airline has a dumb policy, well, lucky you. If you get seated next to my 9.5 year old you'll be BEGGING to switch seats with me

On the other hand, your kids haven't seen my "evil eye" look, have they? I can be a terrible grump, if necessary. Do you REALLY want your kids to have to risk sitting next to ME all by themselves?

 

[dcherry]

Booked my flight and did not pay for seat assignments. I'm hoping my kids will have to sit faaarrrr away from me.......okay, I'm joking about the kids but we are taking our chances with the seats.

 

[kevgraub]

I have no problem with those people travelling with older kids (somewhere in the 9 and up range, depending on the kid) that choose not to pay to select their seats - as long as those people are willing to accept the risk that they may not be sitting together.

The only thing that upsets me is those people that opt not to pay $6 per person to reserve their seats, and then throw a royal hissy fit at the airport when the airline does not have them assigned together. Or come on boards like this trashing the airline for their lack of customer service, when those people knew full well going in that this was a potential problem, and they did not want to take the relatively inexpensive precautions.

If it doesn't matter to you if your family sits together (and for many families that is just not that major of a concern), then by all means don't pay for the seats and enjoy your trip. But if it does matter if you sit together, don't try to skimp by and save a few dollars, then blow your top at the airline because they did just what you knew they could (and likely would) do.

In the grand scheme of things, when doing a Disney trip this is a pretty minor expense really.

As for the notion that every airline ticket should come with a free seat assignment and a free checked bag, why? Because that is how it was always done? Why not charge those that wish to use those services for it, and allow those that are not interested in those services to pay a reduced rate? If my family can pack well enough to avoid having to check any luggage (or only check one or two bags instead of four), why should we have to pay more just so other families can overpack?

When I go to McDonalds, I do not believe that every single hamburger should come with fries and a drink. If someone can get by with just the hamburger and not eat the fries, they should be allowed to pay less to do so. If someone is fine drinking water from a cup rather than getting a soda or bottled water, then that person should be able to pay less to do so. If I want those fries and that large Dr. Pepper, then I'm fine paying a little extra to get it.

 

[wezee]

I have no problem with those people travelling with older kids (somewhere in the 9 and up range, depending on the kid) that choose not to pay to select their seats - as long as those people are willing to accept the risk that they may not be sitting together.

The only thing that upsets me is those people that opt not to pay $6 per person to reserve their seats, and then throw a royal hissy fit at the airport when the airline does not have them assigned together. Or come on boards like this trashing the airline for their lack of customer service, when those people knew full well going in that this was a potential problem, and they did not want to take the relatively inexpensive precautions.

If it doesn't matter to you if your family sits together (and for many families that is just not that major of a concern), then by all means don't pay for the seats and enjoy your trip. But if it does matter if you sit together, don't try to skimp by and save a few dollars, then blow your top at the airline because they did just what you knew they could (and likely would) do.

In the grand scheme of things, when doing a Disney trip this is a pretty minor expense really.

As for the notion that every airline ticket should come with a free seat assignment and a free checked bag, why? Because that is how it was always done? Why not charge those that wish to use those services for it, and allow those that are not interested in those services to pay a reduced rate? If my family can pack well enough to avoid having to check any luggage (or only check one or two bags instead of four), why should we have to pay more just so other families can overpack?

When I go to McDonalds, I do not believe that every single hamburger should come with fries and a drink. If someone can get by with just the hamburger and not eat the fries, they should be allowed to pay less to do so. If someone is fine drinking water from a cup rather than getting a soda or bottled water, then that person should be able to pay less to do so. If I want those fries and that large Dr. Pepper, then I'm fine paying a little extra to get it.

I could not have said it any better myself!

 

[Missytara]

Couldn't have said it better myself; I still feel that flying on Airtran BWI to MCO for $202.00 round trip (including the baggage fee), when my trip down is on T-giving day weekend, is pretty darn reasonable! And I get to check my bag right at my resort and not have to stand in line at the airport.

Even if Southwest comes out a few bucks cheaper, to me, it is still worth every penny I paid; whether I had to pay a baggage fee or not.

 

[cbrfan]

My feelings exactly!! I can't help but wonder if the people who object so vehemently to baggage and seating charges also throw hissy fits about not being allowed to sit in first class without having to pay the higher fare. If they want extra, they have to pay extra. If it bugs them to fly an airline that charges for bags or preassigned seating, simply don't book with that airline. If another airline doesn't charge for those things, fly with them. But they shouldn't complain if the fares are higher. They should go ahead and pay it without complaint because they're flying the way they think they should be - without the optional extra charges.

 

[aubriee]

My feelings exactly!! I can't help but wonder if the people who object so vehemently to baggage and seating charges also throw hissy fits about not being allowed to sit in first class without having to pay the higher fare. If they want extra, they have to pay extra. If it bugs them to fly an airline that charges for bags or preassigned seating, simply don't book with that airline. If another airline doesn't charge for those things, fly with them. But they shouldn't complain if the fares are higher. They should go ahead and pay it without complaint because they're flying the way they think they should be - without the optional extra charges.

I agree! Air Tran went down on their prices last night, so I just purchased airfare for our Dec trip. We are three adults, but guess what? I want to sit with my family up close to the front of the plane, so I chose our seats. Don't expect us to feel sorry for those who did not care enough or were too cheap to pay the lousy $6.00 to ensure that they are sitting next to their kid. We are not giving up our seats. We all have the chance to pay for the seat we want/need. I am also flying solo to WDW in late Sept and have also paid for those seats. I want an aisle seat up close to the front of the plane and am willing to pay to make sure I get it. Don't expect me to give that seat up to someone who chose not to pay the seat fee.

 

[mmackeymouse]

My feelings exactly!! I can't help but wonder if the people who object so vehemently to baggage and seating charges also throw hissy fits about not being allowed to sit in first class without having to pay the higher fare. If they want extra, they have to pay extra. If it bugs them to fly an airline that charges for bags or preassigned seating, simply don't book with that airline. If another airline doesn't charge for those things, fly with them. But they shouldn't complain if the fares are higher. They should go ahead and pay it without complaint because they're flying the way they think they should be - without the optional extra charges.

Okay, I am trying to be as diplomatic and objective as possible regarding the baggage issue, as I can see both sides.

I will try to describe what I think most people opposed to baggage fees feel. It was stated at the time that extra fees for baggage was put into place to keep fares low offsetting the price of fuel, which at the time was astronomic. Well, if that is the true case, then it should work much like a cruise fuel surcharge, and only be implemented when oil is over $x a barrel, which obviously wasn't the case. Was the extra fee removed when oil was dirt cheap? Obviously it wasn't, so for simple minded people, it comes across as less that the airlines are trying to stay afloat and more that they are padding their profit margin.

Thus, if oil is cheap, why am I paying baggage fees? Conversely, if fares are sky high, then apparantly the baggage fees are not doing the job of keeping my fares cheap, because I am paying an insane amount AND paying fees on top of it.

Also, if Southwest can charge cheap fares, and allow not one but TWO free checked bags, AND still be popular and successful, why can't United or Northwest or Air Tran?

Now, I am not saying this is necessarily how I feel, but rather how I have interpreted the main complaint to be.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I usually fly solo and choose to pay for my seats. I hate to fly anyway and want a seat close to the front and don't like center or window seats, so I'll pay to get my preferred aisle seat close to the front. People assume that because you are solo that you won't mind changing seats. They don't seem to realize that we may have our own reason for choosing a certain seat and don't want to switch. I've only sat in the back of a plane once and swore I'd never do it again. Looking up that long aisle, I had a panicky feeling in my chest the entire trip. Never again! I pay for the seat I want. If anyone tried to talk me into moving to a window or middle seat or to the back of the plane they'd have fight on their hands. Pay for the seat you need.

I've posted on here several times about the woman who was throwing a fit at the ticket agent, because she hadn't paid for a seat for her child assuming that AirTran would take care of it. She was actually screaming at the ticket agent that she couldn't believe AirTran would seperate her from her child and that was why she didn't think it was necessary for her to purchase seats. The gate agent informed her that AirTran didn't seperate her from her child, that she had the opportunity to pay for their seats and chose not to and there was nothing they could do, as the flight was completely full and they were not asking someone who paid for their seat to move. Once on the plane, the woman continued to give heck to the FAs, demanding that they make someone move. They also told her there was nothing they could do and she should have paid to choose their seats if it was that important to her. She even tried to bully the couple who had the seats next to her daughter, but they had no sympathy for her. Maybe if she had asked nicely instead of demanded, someone might have switched with her, but who knows.

IMO, someone who acts like the above description should be removed from the flight by the captian. They are obviously irrational and who knows what behaviors they could be capable of during the flight. She should've gotten one warning to 'reign it in' or she and child would be removed and could find another carrier. Other patrons should not have to be subjected to this.

Okay, I am trying to be as diplomatic and objective as possible regarding the baggage issue, as I can see both sides.

I will try to describe what I think most people opposed to baggage fees feel. It was stated at the time that extra fees for baggage was put into place to keep fares low offsetting the price of fuel, which at the time was astronomic. Well, if that is the true case, then it should work much like a cruise fuel surcharge, and only be implemented when oil is over $x a barrel, which obviously wasn't the case. Was the extra fee removed when oil was dirt cheap? Obviously it wasn't, so for simple minded people, it comes across as less that the airlines are trying to stay afloat and more that they are padding their profit margin.

Thus, if oil is cheap, why am I paying baggage fees? Conversely, if fares are sky high, then apparantly the baggage fees are not doing the job of keeping my fares cheap, because I am paying an insane amount AND paying fees on top of it.

Also, if Southwest can charge cheap fares, and allow not one but TWO free checked bags, AND still be popular and successful, why can't United or Northwest or Air Tran?

Now, I am not saying this is necessarily how I feel, but rather how I have interpreted the main complaint to be.

I can see the airlines justifying charging for a second bag, but come on, do they 'really' need to charge for the first one? I think that became a matter of greed on their part. I also think that charging for the first checked bag also encourages more people to take larger amounts of carry-on luggage. Maybe not, but that's my opinion. I have previously flown airtran and was very pleased w/ their services on my several flights with them. However, it was considerably cheaper for me to change over to SW due to their tacking on checked baggage fees. I still get a cheaper flight cost and no baggage fees. I understand SW is not for everyone either. I was an ATran devotee until they started adding on all of these fees. Plus, I noticed that they really started to reduce the # of nonstop flights from BWI to MCO to about 2 a day. Almost all of SW's flights from BWI to MCO are nonstop. You know the expectation when you book and if you choose not to pay for seat selection, you are taking a gamble. Sometimes you'll win and sometimes you'll lose. But that it no excuse for poor behavior towards the staff or your fellow travelers.

 

[kevgraub]

I can see the airlines justifying charging for a second bag, but come on, do they 'really' need to charge for the first one? I think that became a matter of greed on their part.

Airlines are a business. They are going to collect how ever much money they need to collect to stay in business. Some airlines have decided to start charging specific fees for people that use specific services, rather than spreading those fees out to everyone else.

In case you have not noticed, airlines are not exactly raking in record profits lately. Most are losing money, if not tetering on the edge of bankruptcy. The fees are not about greed, they are about staying alive.

No, the airlines really do not need to charge for the first bag. They could give it for free. However, all that would do is then result in an increase in everyone else's fare to make up the difference. Suppose an airplane holds 200 people and 100 of them are flying carryon only. The other 100 people will pay $15 per person to check their bag, resulting in $1500 in revenue to the airline. If they did away with the prices for luggage, they would simply divide that $1500 up and charge everyone on the plane an additional $7.50 for their ticket. Is that really any better? Why not only charge those people that are using a particular service for that service, instead of spreading it out?

Someone mentioned how can SW keep their fares low without charging for luggage while the others can't. First, SW was operating at a huge advantage over many other airlines for the past year or so because they correctly hedged their fuel prices and locked in very favorable contracts. My understanding is those contracts have now expired, and SW lost money the last few months. Second, I know for our flights that SW has been consistently higher than Airtran out of Kansas City. I'm not sure that SW will be able to continue matching some of the other discount carriers fares without finding revenue from somewhere else. I know that SW is no longer very competitive with Airtran when it comes to flying from KC to Orlando, even if you add in $15 per person for luggage fees.

I understand people don't like the fees because they were never charged them in the past. Times change. It happens in every business.

My local hamburger place used to have a set price for a burger, and you could get anything you wanted on it for free (mushrooms, bacon, sauteed onions, cheese, etc.). At some point, they needed to raise prices to keep up with operating costs. So instead of raising the cost of the burger, they left the price the same and started charging for all the extras. Those that like a plain burger were thrilled, becuase they did not like all that extra stuff anyway. Those that liked a loaded burger were mad, because they were now being charged for something they used to get for free. To me, it was the best way to do things, because you put the price for extras on those that wanted the extras. No, the restaurant did not really need to charge for cheese on the burger, but instead of charging everyone an extra $0.10 to cover increased costs in cheese (whether the person like cheese or not), they opted to charge those that wanted cheese $0.20 more, and did not charge those that did not want cheese anything extra.

Please understand, I'm not against Southwest at all. I like them, have flown them, and would fly them again. The fact that they do not charge for luggage just has absolutley no bearing on my decision to fly them. When I fly, I just factor in all the costs and make my decision. Airtran charges $15 to check a bag. I know that. If I'm going to fly Airtran, I add $15 onto the cost of the ticket, and compare that to SW's rate. It takes an additional 2 seconds of my life to account for the baggage charge. I just don't get why that is such a big deal to people.

 

[LandChildWorldAdult]

On the other hand, your kids haven't seen my "evil eye" look, have they? I can be a terrible grump, if necessary. Do you REALLY want your kids to have to risk sitting next to ME all by themselves?

If your "evil eye" works on him, you are hired! The 3.5 year old will charm you out of your Disney Dollars

Seriously though, I think we'll fly Delta and avoid the worst of the Bus-in-the-sky problem.