My Airtran Luggage experience

[dudspizza]

There was a lot of luggage size/weight discussion this past month, so I thought I would share my experience. I will say that this is my personal experience and your mileage may vary, depending on variables like airport location and counter agent.

Thursday, March 10 MSP-MKE-MCO
Checked in at MSP. 2 checked bags. 1 bag was very close in size (I used a luggage strap to stop bulging). The counter agent did not even give it a second look. She just tagged both bags and sent us to the TSA checkpoint. Weights were 43.5 and 48.5.

Sunday, March 20 MCO-MSP
The counter agent was very nice. Again, this agent didn't even look twice at the size (in my measurements it was very close to the 61" limit). DW's bag weighed in at 45 pounds, so no problem. My bag first said 49.5, then 50.5, then 50.0, and finally settled at 50.5. He started tagging the bag and I asked him if he wanted me to remove something from the bag (I had put my hooddie in there at the last minute and could easily remove it). He said don't worry about it and sent both bags on their way.

We traveled with another couple and their counter agent at MSP (different than ours) did measure their bag, which was within guidelines.

CARRY ONS
Our party also took 2 roll-a-board carry ons. Every Airtran flight at EVERY airport we were in made the announcement that the flight was totally full. They also said they would enforce the 2 carry on limit of a carry on and personal item. If people had more than that they would have to consolidate or be denied boarding. They also said they would check roll-a-boards for free and would do so thru to your final destination. We took advantage of this both ways (we had planned ahead for this possibility). There were many people that boarded last who DID NOT plan ahead and had to check their carry ons. I heard one girl in the TSA line say that Airtran offered to check her carry on for free at the counter, but she declined since her laptop was in there.

Moral of the story. If you have a bag that has to go into the overhead compartment, don't have your valuables in there as you may have to check that bag. The people on the plane had to hand it over right there as they could not move forward or backward to start removing stuff.

Best part of the trip was that our entire party (Me, DW, DD14, and DD11) got a free upgrade to business class from MSP-MKE. The girls really liked sitting up front. It sure made the MKE-MCO and MCO-MSP flights feel cramped back in coach.

Travel safe everyone.

duds

 

[Inkmahm]

DH and I just flew to MCO from Milwaukee on 3/18 and back on 3/27. Both flights were nonstop and both were oversold. We upgrade to business class every trip anyway but it is even more important for our sanity now that the flights are SO full.

It's amazing the size of the cases that people brought on as carryons. On the way out of Milwaukee, the gate agent offered a bump to Zone 2 boarding for anyone who would check their bags rather than carry them on. On the way home, the last people on the plane had to check their carryons because there was no more room in the OH bins.

I didn't see any bags being measured in Milwaukee or Orlando. Our bags were within required measurements and weight so we weren't worried. But I know some of those bags that were being checked were definitely WAY oversize. I can't imagine they weren't overweight because my bag is close to the 50 lb limit when I fill it completely.

I am so going to miss business class when Southwest takes over. I really love Airtran the way it is.

 

[dudspizza]

DH and I just flew to MCO from Milwaukee on 3/18 and back on 3/27. Both flights were nonstop and both were oversold. We upgrade to business class every trip anyway but it is even more important for our sanity now that the flights are SO full.

It's amazing the size of the cases that people brought on as carryons. On the way out of Milwaukee, the gate agent offered a bump to Zone 2 boarding for anyone who would check their bags rather than carry them on. On the way home, the last people on the plane had to check their carryons because there was no more room in the OH bins.

I didn't see any bags being measured in Milwaukee or Orlando. Our bags were within required measurements and weight so we weren't worried. But I know some of those bags that were being checked were definitely WAY oversize. I can't imagine they weren't overweight because my bag is close to the 50 lb limit when I fill it completely.

I am so going to miss business class when Southwest takes over. I really love Airtran the way it is.

A agree that some of the carry on bags were ridiculous! There was a tennis team from a local Minneapolis college on the plane. They all carried their tennis bags onto the plane. I wouldn't want to check those bags, but the only way they fit in the bins was sideways....... a bunch ended up having to check those bags.....

 

[aubriee]

DH and I just flew to MCO from Milwaukee on 3/18 and back on 3/27. Both flights were nonstop and both were oversold.

It's amazing the size of the cases that people brought on as carryons. On the way out of Milwaukee, the gate agent offered a bump to Zone 2 boarding for anyone who would check their bags rather than carry them on. On the way home, the last people on the plane had to check their carryons because there was no more room in the OH bins.

I am so going to miss business class when Southwest takes over. I really love Airtran the way it is.

Every Air Tran flight I've been on this year has been oversold.

I agree the size of some people's carryons is ridiculous. What gets me is that like Duds just before the flight, the announcement has been made that only two carryons would be allowed with one fitting wheels first in the overhead and the other having to fit completely under the seat. They've also announced that purses count as an item and they must fit inside the personal item if they would make three items. Yet, every single flight I've seen people ignoring that announcement and then acting surprised when told that they can't carry on their huge carry on, a huge tote bag, their purse, and a WDW shopping bag or two. It's as if they think the announcement applied to everyone, except them.

Even though I frequently fly solo, I like an aisle seat close to the front of the plane, plus I want to make sure I get overhead space directly over my seat. To do this I always pay for the more expensive $15.00 seats that are closer to the front and guarantee Boarding Zone 1. In fact, my husband and I are flying DFW-MCO-DFW April 30th and May 8th. I paid the $30.00 to get the seats and boarding zone we wanted. What gets me irritated is that I do so even if I'm flying solo and invariably some family comes along who chose not to pay for their seats and then they expect people like me who did pay to give up our seats for them.

I too am dreading when Southwest takes over: for us in the Dallas area it will mean more expensive air fare, no more nonstop/direct flights to MCO, no more using A+ rewards points to upgrade free to first class, no more being able to purchase the seats we want guaranteeing us our preferred aisle seat in the front of the plane we've always gotten, plus we'd have to fly out of a different airport since Southwest doesn't use DFW.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

Just wondering if you checked your bags through RAC at the resort. I know they weigh the bags but do they also measure? We are under the maximum size but not by much.

 

[dudspizza]

Just wondering if you checked your bags through RAC at the resort. I know they weigh the bags but do they also measure? We are under the maximum size but not by much.

We stayed off site, so no RAC.

Duds

 

[RainbowsMist]

We just had our very first Air Tran experience and I have to say we had no problems at all. There was six of us (DH, myself our 3 DD's and DD's friend). We all had carryon suitecases and a personal item. Not once were we measured, infact we never saw the counter for someone to measure. We used the curbside service for our 1 checked suitecase and then headed to the gate.

That being said some of the carryons people were bringing on the plane were HUGE!! The flight attendant said (pointing to someones in particular) that if they don't fit in the overhead bin (wheels end first) and the latch can't close then they are too big. She said they have to go that way and not sideways..but she let it slide this once. Our flight was sold out as well. We also had a baseball team on our flight and they all brought their bags on.

Anyhoo, we were very happy with our flight and would fly with them again

 

[sammielynn]

Even though I frequently fly solo, I like an aisle seat close to the front of the plane, plus I want to make sure I get overhead space directly over my seat. To do this I always pay for the more expensive $15.00 seats that are closer to the front and guarantee Boarding Zone 1. In fact, my husband and I are flying DFW-MCO-DFW April 30th and May 8th. I paid the $30.00 to get the seats and boarding zone we wanted. What gets me irritated is that I do so even if I'm flying solo and invariably some family comes along who chose not to pay for their seats and then they expect people like me who did pay to give up our seats for them.

My last Air Tran flight I did not pay for my seat but was able to select an isle seat. I have long legs and love sitting on the isle. When I get on the plane a man is in my seat, because his wife was sitting with their teen girls and my seat was in the row in front of his family. He had a window seat and ask me if I would mind trading. What do you do??? Look like a witch and say no and make the man move while everyone watches. I took the window seat and was very cramped, the folks next to me were also rather tall and there was no extra leg room. Glad it was a short flight.

 

[duffy]

My last Air Tran flight I did not pay for my seat but was able to select an isle seat. I have long legs and love sitting on the isle. When I get on the plane a man is in my seat, because his wife was sitting with their teen girls and my seat was in the row in front of his family. He had a window seat and ask me if I would mind trading. What do you do??? Look like a witch and say no and make the man move while everyone watches. I took the window seat and was very cramped, the folks next to me were also rather tall and there was no extra leg room. Glad it was a short flight.

I actually like window seats, but would not switch if I didn't want to, and I would not care what others thought of me. My reasons for wanting my seat are mine, and I don't have to explain.

 

[aubriee]

My last Air Tran flight I did not pay for my seat but was able to select an isle seat. I have long legs and love sitting on the isle. When I get on the plane a man is in my seat, because his wife was sitting with their teen girls and my seat was in the row in front of his family. He had a window seat and ask me if I would mind trading. What do you do??? Look like a witch and say no and make the man move while everyone watches. I took the window seat and was very cramped, the folks next to me were also rather tall and there was no extra leg room. Glad it was a short flight.

Because I want an aisle seat close to the front and also want to be in boarding zone 1, I pay the $15.00 to get the seat I want. The problem is that because they are more expensive than the other $13.00 and $6.00 seats that are further back, there is frequently some available at the 24 hour mark and at that time they can be chosen for free. The only thing is, if someone goes in at the 24 hour mark and gets them for free they are in boarding zone 7, so what seems to happen alot is some family will get one or two of those seats for free at the 24 hour mark. Those of us that paid for them board in zone 1 and then the family that got them for free will board in zone 7 and then try to demand that those of us who paid for them be moved, so all of their family can sit together. I agreed to do so once and got moved from my nice aisle seat in row 12 to a middle seat in row 32. Due to claustrophobic issues I don't do well in a middle seat and absolutely hated looking up that long tunnel like aisle. I swore then I'd never again give up my seat. The funny thing is those people who demand others seats always want the people in the front of the plane in an aisle or window seat to switch with one of their family members who have seats in a middle seat in the back of the plane. They never offer to give up their better seat in the front to someone sitting next to their family member in a back middle seat. I no longer have a problem refusing to give up my seat. If they were too cheap and didn't care enough to buy seats together then don't expect me to accomodate them. I agree with Duffy. I pay for the seat I want/need and it's no one business why I want to keep it. If someone thinks I'm being a witch so be it. They had the same chance to pay for their seats that I did. Those same people that demand that others be move to accomodate them also never offer to reimburse the person for their seat fees.

One funny incident that I saw a few months ago: I was on a flight that had been oversold. They were making all sorts of offers trying to get people to volunteer to be bumped. Before I boarded the deal finally got up to two round trip tickets anywhere Air Tran flies, a night in a hotel, and meal vouchers, but they still needed three more volunteers. I was in boarding zone 1, so not sure what deal they finally offered or if some got involuntarily bumped. However one of the last men on was a really, really tall guy who looked like he could be a basketball player. This guy had to be at least 6'9". As he was getting on the plane I heard him tell the FA that due to his height he had to be in a exit row, so she was going to have to move someone, as there was no way he could sit in the middle seat he had been assigned. He was very nonchalant about it, as if he took it for granted she would and it shouldn't be a problem. He didn't really ask, just told her to do it. When told he wouldn't be accomodated he got a little irate. He actually expected her to make someone (who had paid the $20.00 fee for an exit row seat) move to accomodate him, (who had chose not to pay a seat fee at all) and seemed shocked when she wouldn't. No one volunteered. He then demanded to be moved to first class and when told all those seats were full he angrily complained all the way to his middle seat where he then demanded the guy in the aisle seat give it up for him. That guy refused also. lol This guy who was the last to board was lucky to be on the plane at all and yet he came on demanding that either someone give up an exit row for him or that he get a free upgrade to first class, then when he didn't get what he wanted he tried to bully the guy sitting next to him into giving him his aisle seat.

 

[aubriee]

oops duplicate

 

[kaffinito]

I too am dreading when Southwest takes over: for us in the Dallas area it will mean more expensive air fare, no more nonstop/direct flights to MCO, no more using A+ rewards points to upgrade free to first class, no more being able to purchase the seats we want guaranteeing us our preferred aisle seat in the front of the plane we've always gotten, plus we'd have to fly out of a different airport since Southwest doesn't use DFW.

I'm not thrilled about this either. My ex is in the DFW area and my kids fly AirTran during school vacations and during the summer. I'm going to miss those cheap fares, and have become used to how ASirTran does things. Plus they've never had a flight that was late, just on time flights.

I'm going to end up having to fly them on Delta to get the nonstop flights.

 

[Inkmahm]

I actually like window seats, but would not switch if I didn't want to, and I would not care what others thought of me. My reasons for wanting my seat are mine, and I don't have to explain.

Exactly. I don't like window seats and I would not have given up my aisle seat for a window seat. No way.

 

[Mary T in PA]

I'm not thrilled about this either. My ex is in the DFW area and my kids fly AirTran during school vacations and during the summer. I'm going to miss those cheap fares, and have become used to how ASirTran does things. Plus they've never had a flight that was late, just on time flights.

I'm going to end up having to fly them on Delta to get the nonstop flights.

I am another unhappy camper... but consider yourself lucky.. I fly out of Pittsburgh and guess what airlines offer nonstop service to MCO? Airtran and SW!

Air travel sure isn't what it used to be.

 

[Mary T in PA]

My last Air Tran flight I did not pay for my seat but was able to select an isle seat. I have long legs and love sitting on the isle. When I get on the plane a man is in my seat, because his wife was sitting with their teen girls and my seat was in the row in front of his family. He had a window seat and ask me if I would mind trading. What do you do??? Look like a witch and say no and make the man move while everyone watches. I took the window seat and was very cramped, the folks next to me were also rather tall and there was no extra leg room. Glad it was a short flight.

Sorry but if that would have been my DH, the switch would not have happened as he is 6'8" tall and if he isn't in the aisle seat, forget it, even on a short flight.

I can't imagine how cramped up you must have been! I feel so bad for tall people in this world- things are getting smaller and yet people seem to be getting even taller!

 

[Jestocost]

Sorry but if that would have been my DH, the switch would not have happened as he is 6'8" tall and if he isn't in the aisle seat, forget it, even on a short flight.

If your DH was sitting in someone else's aisle seat and was asked by that person to move to his own seat he wouldn't do it? I hope that's not what you're saying.

 

[Shagley]

If your DH was sitting in someone else's aisle seat and was asked by that person to move to his own seat he wouldn't do it? I hope that's not what you're saying.

I think she is saying the opposite. That if someone else is sitting in the aisle seat that her DH paid for and asked her DH to switch to a window seat, he would have to say no and the person who did not pay for the aisle seat would have to move.

 

[kaffinito]

I am another unhappy camper... but consider yourself lucky.. I fly out of Pittsburgh and guess what airlines offer nonstop service to MCO? Airtran and SW!

Air travel sure isn't what it used to be.

I feel your pain.

Maybe you could fly out of another city?

 

[Jestocost]

I think she is saying the opposite. That if someone else is sitting in the aisle seat that her DH paid for and asked her DH to switch to a window seat, he would have to say no and the person who did not pay for the aisle seat would have to move.

I read it a few times and could have interpreted it either way. I'm guessing your interpretation is accurate.

 

[aubriee]

I think she is saying the opposite. That if someone else is sitting in the aisle seat that her DH paid for and asked her DH to switch to a window seat, he would have to say no and the person who did not pay for the aisle seat would have to move.

I agree! This happened to me a couple of years ago. I was in the rest room and missed my boarding zone, so boarded with a lower zone group. I had paid for my preferred aisle seat, but when I got on, a man was in my 12C seat. When I politely told him so, he just said he knew, but wanted to sit next to his girlfriend, jerked his finger back toward the back of the plane, and told me to take his seat in 32E. Excuse me! You don't even ask, you just tell me that you're taking my aisle seat in 12C and giving me a middle seat in 32E. I don't think so. I told him I was not trading and to please get out of my seat. He stood up like he was going to try to intimidate me and said that since I was by myself that it didn't matter where I sat and he was sitting next to his girlfriend. Sorry, not happening! This grandmother stood her ground, lost my nice polite southern manners and told him to move. By that time the FA had come up to see what was happening. He tried to bully her into making me trade seats with him, but she told him to either take his assigned seat in the back of the plane or to exit the plane. He called me a b-tch, but moved. After I sat down the girlfriend started giving me a hard time and I politely asked her if I needed to call the FA to stop her from harrassing me. I then got my MP3 player out, put my earphones in, and told her I was going to sleep.