Just flew Allegiant... my thoughts

[sam_gordon]

I had to make an emergency trip to Florida. I ended up booking from CVG to SFB for the next day. I paid extra for a checked bag at the time of booking because I wasn't sure what bag I was taking/how long I ws going to stay. I did not pick my own seat.

Got to the airport, no problem with check in and security (had printed my BP). Arriving plane was about 30 minutes late, which of course pushed us 30 minutes back. The seats don't recline and there doesn't seem to be much padding. Tray tables were extremely small, as was the "pouch" on the back of the seat in front of me. I had downloaded some movies on my ipad, so that was my inflight entertainment.

They did have snack service but I believe everything (even water) cost money. Fortunately I had snacks with me.

Arrival at Sanford was unremarkable, got my bag from baggage claim and left.

My return trip I booked at around 9p this past Thursday for travel Saturday morning (10:54a). Woke up Saturday morning with text message and email that the flight was delayed 2 hours (12:54a), but to still show up at the regular time in case things changed. Again, paid for a checked bag but no seat selection.

I got to the airport about 9:45, checked my bag, and went to security. There was literally one lady in front of me at security, and no one behind me. It was less than 2 minutes from when I showed my ID to TSA until I walked away.

After sitting at the gate a little bit, an Allegiant rep came up and said everyone who's going to CVG to follow him, they're changing gates (he had to yell because the PA system wasn't working). He took us over to gate 1. They brought out drinks (cokes, sprites, water) and ice for us to have while we were waiting. The flight was then delayed to 1:35p. Apparently Friday's storms left planes scattered where they shouldn't be and Allegiant was trying to get things back together.

Again, the seats were uncomfortable (2 1/2 hours would be about my limit in them), there was no pouch, just an "arm" on the seat in front of me holding the stuff. The flight was uneventful, and we land at 4:15.

I stop at the bathroom and then head to baggage claim. Here's where the fun started. I look at the arrival screens to see which baggage carousel I need. Our flight isn't listed. There are four carousels for baggage. Each has screens showing what flights are coming to that carousel. Our flight is not listed. Eventually there's an announcement (via PA) that we should be at baggage claim 4. So we wait, wait, and wait some more. We find out another Allegiant flight from Sarasota had arrived 15 minutes before us and they were still waiting on bags.

About 5:30, the carousel spins up, bags start coming out, and they're from a Frontier flight. About 10 minutes after that, bags from the Sarasota flight show up. I then see two bags with our flight number and start watching. Then the carousel stops. A duffel bag had gotten caught at the top of the belt where it drops onto the carousel. A passenger (thinking he's being helpful) steps on the carousel and tries to pry it loose. There's an announcement on the PA for him to stop or he'll be arrested.

There's another 15 minute delay while we wait on maintenance (first guy shows up, can't get it loose, then leaves, comes back, still can't get it loose, leaves again, and a 3rd guy shows up with a pry bar. He gets the bag loose, then leaves, doesn't start the carousel and has to come back). It was about 6 when I finally got my bag.

I won't say I'd never fly Allegiant again, but I'd need to be pretty desperate to.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Thanks for the review, but the baggage issues were probably your local airports. For most airlines the airport just uses the service provided by the airport. (I have had airline employees give me the names of airport employees to complain to!)

 

[Donna M]

I flew with them in May from N.H. to mco and used Jetblue to return. My flight was on time, cheap, and I only had a backpack. The condition of the plane was poor; uncomfortable seats, and really old nasty bathroom, plus we had to listen to a long spiel for their credit card offer from a flight attendant. I felt like I was on an old bus. The Jetblue plane must have been a new one, it was fantastic.

The 60 Minutes report had just come out, but I didn't watch it till I got to may destination. Now I have no plans to fly with them again.

 

[saturn5]

When I lived in Central FL, we flew allegiant from SFB to Sioux Falls SD, mainly because it was a direct flight with no connection in Chicago ( I hate fllying into ORD). Never had any problems, aircraft are old, and I say a few prayers before getting on, but no problems. I would fly them again if needed, but I get free flights now via working for an airline.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks for the review, but the baggage issues were probably your local airports. For most airlines the airport just uses the service provided by the airport. (I have had airline employees give me the names of airport employees to complain to!)

Probably. But they did make an announcement for those of us wondering why our flight wasn't listed for a baggage claim to take it up with the airline.

I also wondered if airlines contract for 'x' amount of baggage handlers. There were at least four (two allegiant, two frontier) flights of people waiting at this baggage claim. The other three claims had SW, Delta, and American(?). Those all had multiple flights get their bags while we were still waiting for ours.

 

[maxiesmom]

[QUOTE="Donna M, post: 59511950, member: 206491"

The 60 Minutes report had just come out, but I didn't watch it till I got to may destination. Now I have no plans to fly with them again.[/QUOTE]

Never ever. And I had my dad fly on them this past October, as they had a direct flight from Sanford to our home airport. After that 60 minutes report, no way no how will I or a family member ever fly on them.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Probably. But they did make an announcement for those of us wondering why our flight wasn't listed for a baggage claim to take it up with the airline.

I also wondered if airlines contract for 'x' amount of baggage handlers. There were at least four (two allegiant, two frontier) flights of people waiting at this baggage claim. The other three claims had SW, Delta, and American(?). Those all had multiple flights get their bags while we were still waiting for ours.

It depends. For example in Atlanta Delta and SW employee their own baggage handlers but all the other airlines share the "pool". So if an airline has enough flights they may opt out of the airport options and go out on their own.

The airports NEVER actually assume any responsibility. (THey are after all run by politicians. Heck Atlanta's airport kept trying not to assume responsibility for the fact that they had no power for one day last winter!) )