This was our first flight with Airtran and we will not be flying with them again. We flew out of DFW.
On our trip out, we had what I thought was a small plane that appeared very worn and needed some updating. We were very squished for space. I'm glad my husband was next to me because I would want to be quite that close to a stranger! We had brought my DD's car seat with us. They checked for the appropriate sticker when we boarded the plane. We were the only three on our side, no other seats. We harnessed the seat in the middle seat and got everything settled. Now, keep in mind we were the second group to board. We had been sitting buckled in and settled for quite some time with the flight attendants walking by. Just as everyone has boarded and we're getting ready to taxi, an attendant comes by and informs us that he doesn't think his supervisor will allow the seat to remain in the middle seat. He goes to get her and she is the one that checked our seat when we boarded. She says "Oh no! She can't sit there. You'll have to move it." She went on to talk about safety etc. That's fine, but why wreen't we told about this when we boarded or the whole time we were sitting there ready? We have to stand up and switch everything around in this tight space with everyone giving us that "You're holding us up" look.
We are a little annoyed, but forget about it. The rest of the flight is OK except for the close space. When we land and pick up the luggage, one piece is damaged. They apparently set the luggage on the track at some point and it just peeled the corner coating right down to the metal. We went directly to the counter to report it and ask about it. Very rude customer service agent. He told us it was older so he could give us a $25 gift certificate, get this, for use at the Airtran store! How many of you shop for things with an airline logo on them? When DH says he would rather have cash, he says in that case he can only give us 2 or 3 dollars! He wouldn't budge or try to make us feel better. We were given the 1 800 number to call with complaints.
We had a lovely trip and were anticipating a similar ride back. This plane was much better. It was larger and had much newer and cleaner interiors. There was a little more space, but not much. Overall the attendants were much nicer and more professional.
Again, we had problems as soon as we arrived. When we went to the baggage claim, they came over the speaker and said it would be a little while because they had two flights come in at once. That's fine, things happen. We landed at 10:00; at 10:40 no one on our plane had any luggage yet and the belt stops. My DH went to the baggage counter to ask what happened. He was told the same thing and he asked to speak to a supervisor. This man was extremely rude. He told DH that he had 2 choices...we could just stay here and wait for our luggage if we wanted it tonight or go home and come back and get it tomorrow! Seriously! And this was not said in a nice way. My husband asked if there was anyone else he could talk to. The supervisor then writes down a number for him to call, starts to pass it to him, takes it back, and then writes the 1-800-Airtran down and hands it to him being a real jerk. DH is very upset by now because it is close to 11 at night and we really should have been home with DD3 by now. He walks out the door of the office and mutters a term for a donkey as he is leaving. He admits he shoudln't have; he was just very upset and frustrated and tired by now. About five minutes later, the supervisor leaves his office, walks through the baggage area and gets in my husband's face! Everyone was just shocked. I'm standing there with DD3 and this grown man is literally in my husband's face saying things and trying to start a fight! It looked like the guys you see in college bars just trying to start something! His fists are clenched, he's red in the face, about 6 inches from DH's face and yelling! Very scary and ridiculous! I seriously doubt working with travelers that's the worst thing he's ever heard. My husband can admit that in the heat of the moment he said something inappropriate. The thing is, this guy actually had to take the time to wait in his office and then DECIDE to come out and try to start a fight! This is a supervisor! When he didn't get it, he turned around and went back into his office in the far back. More and more people are going into the office to inquire about our luggage now. You could tell by body movement that they were having some heated conversations! The supervisor dissappeared after coming after my husband and we didn't see him the rest of the night. Finally at 11:05, our luggage comes. This is an hour after our flight landed. And here is how "nice" they are to their customers. They start running two belts opposite each other with the luggage. All of these families with kids that are tired or falling asleep or running around and we are having to dart between two different belts to get our luggage!
It was an unbelievable night. We will never fly them again. My husband worked today, but will call the 800 number tomorrow. I'm pretty sure nothing will be done about it. We've flown Southwest and Delta before so it's not like we are used to flying first class or anything. We will definitely pay more money next time to fly with a different airline. I've read many good reviews about Airtran before, but many people I spoke with last night thought differently. Several who had flown with them before said it was always something with them. The only reason they flew them again was cost. If you're flying out of DFW, I would be wary.
On our trip out, we had what I thought was a small plane that appeared very worn and needed some updating. We were very squished for space. I'm glad my husband was next to me because I would want to be quite that close to a stranger! We had brought my DD's car seat with us. They checked for the appropriate sticker when we boarded the plane. We were the only three on our side, no other seats. We harnessed the seat in the middle seat and got everything settled. Now, keep in mind we were the second group to board. We had been sitting buckled in and settled for quite some time with the flight attendants walking by. Just as everyone has boarded and we're getting ready to taxi, an attendant comes by and informs us that he doesn't think his supervisor will allow the seat to remain in the middle seat. He goes to get her and she is the one that checked our seat when we boarded. She says "Oh no! She can't sit there. You'll have to move it." She went on to talk about safety etc. That's fine, but why wreen't we told about this when we boarded or the whole time we were sitting there ready? We have to stand up and switch everything around in this tight space with everyone giving us that "You're holding us up" look.
We are a little annoyed, but forget about it. The rest of the flight is OK except for the close space. When we land and pick up the luggage, one piece is damaged. They apparently set the luggage on the track at some point and it just peeled the corner coating right down to the metal. We went directly to the counter to report it and ask about it. Very rude customer service agent. He told us it was older so he could give us a $25 gift certificate, get this, for use at the Airtran store! How many of you shop for things with an airline logo on them? When DH says he would rather have cash, he says in that case he can only give us 2 or 3 dollars! He wouldn't budge or try to make us feel better. We were given the 1 800 number to call with complaints.
We had a lovely trip and were anticipating a similar ride back. This plane was much better. It was larger and had much newer and cleaner interiors. There was a little more space, but not much. Overall the attendants were much nicer and more professional.
Again, we had problems as soon as we arrived. When we went to the baggage claim, they came over the speaker and said it would be a little while because they had two flights come in at once. That's fine, things happen. We landed at 10:00; at 10:40 no one on our plane had any luggage yet and the belt stops. My DH went to the baggage counter to ask what happened. He was told the same thing and he asked to speak to a supervisor. This man was extremely rude. He told DH that he had 2 choices...we could just stay here and wait for our luggage if we wanted it tonight or go home and come back and get it tomorrow! Seriously! And this was not said in a nice way. My husband asked if there was anyone else he could talk to. The supervisor then writes down a number for him to call, starts to pass it to him, takes it back, and then writes the 1-800-Airtran down and hands it to him being a real jerk. DH is very upset by now because it is close to 11 at night and we really should have been home with DD3 by now. He walks out the door of the office and mutters a term for a donkey as he is leaving. He admits he shoudln't have; he was just very upset and frustrated and tired by now. About five minutes later, the supervisor leaves his office, walks through the baggage area and gets in my husband's face! Everyone was just shocked. I'm standing there with DD3 and this grown man is literally in my husband's face saying things and trying to start a fight! It looked like the guys you see in college bars just trying to start something! His fists are clenched, he's red in the face, about 6 inches from DH's face and yelling! Very scary and ridiculous! I seriously doubt working with travelers that's the worst thing he's ever heard. My husband can admit that in the heat of the moment he said something inappropriate. The thing is, this guy actually had to take the time to wait in his office and then DECIDE to come out and try to start a fight! This is a supervisor! When he didn't get it, he turned around and went back into his office in the far back. More and more people are going into the office to inquire about our luggage now. You could tell by body movement that they were having some heated conversations! The supervisor dissappeared after coming after my husband and we didn't see him the rest of the night. Finally at 11:05, our luggage comes. This is an hour after our flight landed. And here is how "nice" they are to their customers. They start running two belts opposite each other with the luggage. All of these families with kids that are tired or falling asleep or running around and we are having to dart between two different belts to get our luggage!
It was an unbelievable night. We will never fly them again. My husband worked today, but will call the 800 number tomorrow. I'm pretty sure nothing will be done about it. We've flown Southwest and Delta before so it's not like we are used to flying first class or anything. We will definitely pay more money next time to fly with a different airline. I've read many good reviews about Airtran before, but many people I spoke with last night thought differently. Several who had flown with them before said it was always something with them. The only reason they flew them again was cost. If you're flying out of DFW, I would be wary.
