new high in lows for AirTran

[kaytieeldr]

I never said you were dumb. To the best of my knowledge, I never even implied it, and I apologize if any of my posts came across that way.

 

[honeymo78]

Just jumping in to say we've never had any problems with airtran. If we expect to sit together we pay the seat fee. Sometimes we've lucked out and have been automatically assigned together, other times we switch the seats around at 24hr check in, or upgrade to business class.

As for altering flight times, it rarely happens to the first flight of the day which we almost always take. Our evening flight home has changed around a few times but never more than a few hours. Airtran was also very helpful in rescheduling our flight at no charge when we set to fly out during a huge snowstorm and the airport had announced it was closing.

Any airline that doesn't assign seats (give you an actual seat number) for no charge may end up separating your family. Also many other airlines have rescheduling issues or any number of customer complaints. Airtran works for my family and we're completely happy with them and will continue to use them wherever/whenever they are available.

 

[Suellen]

AirTran reasonably apparently expects its family passenger to realize that 'location' can also mean who you sit next to - and to choose to pay for seat selection accordingly.

All but says ~ you are too stupid to see the "resonable" solution.

they expect parents traveling with young children to reason out that if they feel their own seat location needs to be adjacent to their child, that the parent would realize they have to pay for that option.

I didn't realize it ~ so I must be dumb.

Because you didn't take the time to find out why you might want to preselect your seat
YOU failed to educate yourself regarding what selecting your seats in advance entailed that it's the airline's fault or responsibility in ANY way??

This right here just screams ~ stupid.

I don't know anyone who WOULD expect to sit with other members of their party, of ANY age, without preselecting specific seats when given the opportunity.

Yup this says dumb too.


If that wasn't your intention maybe you should reread back to yourself what you wrote and try to put yourself in the other persons shoes.

I just can't believe how mean people here on Disboards are.

 

[huskies90]

This right here just screams ~ stupid.

Just because you failed to educate yourself doesn't mean you are stupid. I don't think kaytieeldr was calling you dumb at all. Maybe your actions but not you.

I think kaytieeldr was defending the airline's actions. This is AirTran's business model. Just like not knowing that if I book Southwest, I could get a C group boarding if I don't check in early. Just know what you did and fess up that you mesed up. It is not a big deal to admit that. And it isn't the airline's fault if we agree to their business model by buying their services. That is our choice.

Now that being said, forget about AirTran and paying for your seat. As someone who to have flow often, how could you not select your seats, even if they were free, and assume you would be ablet to pick where your family sit?? Way before this concept of paying for seats, you ALWAYS got your seats assigned. If you did not have seats, you had to show up at the gate and take your chances. This is no different except AirTran is $.05 and $.10 you for a few extra bucks, that is it...

 

[Suellen]

I just really don't believe that they were upfront about the fact. I had NO reason to believe I wouldn't (or one of the other seats we paid for) would be next to my young child.

As far as SW.... at least they let you board now between A and B and before that even before group A so that mothers/fathers/caregivers could sit with someone who needs special assistance.

Do I pick my seats on Delta... YES... because it brings you right there after you put in your passengers and if we can't sit together I don't just book it and HOPE that we get to sit together via making someone else switch.

I find it very hard to believe that on the entire plane ~ we were the only four seats that didn't pay to pick.

They PURPOSELY split you up. They make NO effort to try and get your seats together. IMHO that is POOR customer service.

It also makes it very hard to compare prices accurately and I am guessing that is part of their business model.

Why is no one can accept that companies have shady business models?

*BTW* this flight wasn't even full I found out once we were all loaded up.

I never assumed I would pick WHERE we would sit. Just that SHE wouldn't be sitting by herself. I could give a flying fig if I sit next to my DH or mother when we fly. I do expect them to sit a child next to a family member and not a stranger.

 

[huskies90]

I never assumed I would pick WHERE we would sit. Just that SHE wouldn't be sitting by herself. I could give a flying fig if I sit next to my DH or mother when we fly. I do expect them to sit a child next to a family member and not a stranger.

Yeah, I am not sure how the heck you could assume that if you have flown alot...Go to American Airlines, United or Delta and don't select your seats; see what happens at the gate on a full flight.

Now if there are lots of empty seats, I agree with you, the airline should be able to accomodate your request. If they gave you are hard time, they were probably doing some more nickeling and diming to make you make sure you pay the $6 next time (like there'll be a next time ). You got to sit with your kid so all ended well. You got lucky it wasn't a full flight.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I just really don't believe that they were upfront about the fact. I had NO reason to believe I wouldn't (or one of the other seats we paid for) would be next to my young child.

But you had no reason to believe it, either. The website provided an example of why a passenger would want to select a seat in advance. That's all it was - an example. They didn't provide every reason. There are obviously other reasons why a passenger would want to select seats in advance. Sitting next to one's young child is a great one, as you know. Someone who's superstitious might pay to select their seat to avoid sitting in row 13, or to ensure sitting in rows seven, eleven, or seventeen. I have two favorite rows on my airline of choice. They don't charge for these rows, but if they did, I would pay to select my seats.

I find it very hard to believe that on the entire plane ~ we were the only four seats that didn't pay to pick.

Respectfully, you were probably the only four who didn't either prepay for seat selection OR check in online prior to arriving at the airport (can be done 24 hours or less before departure).

Why is no one can accept that companies have shady business models?

Shady how?

*BTW* this flight wasn't even full I found out once we were all loaded up.

And there were no middle seats one behind the other, at least? So that the baby could have sat on one adult's lap, and another adult could have sat in a seat directly behind your three-year-old? Not ideal, sure - but not the travesty of being seated in separate parts of the plane.

 

[NancyIL]

I find it very hard to believe that on the entire plane ~ we were the only four seats that didn't pay to pick.

They PURPOSELY split you up. They make NO effort to try and get your seats together. IMHO that is POOR customer service.

Did you check-in online 24 hours in advance of your flight to get your seat assignments, or did you not know until you arrived at the airport that you couldn't sit together? I have paid for seats on AirTran only once, and that was because I had a credit to use. Otherwise I wait until the day before and take my chances. I also usually fly solo, so I'm not worried about sitting with anyone.

 

[Inkmahm]

I think I'm confused. You purchased a nonrefundable airfare, then changed your mind, then got upset when the airline attempted to charge you their standard - and as NancyinIL indicates, surprisingly low - fee to which you agreed by purchasing that nonrefundable ticket? I guess I'm how that's the airline's fault, as well as why you object to patronizing a business that enforces its own rules?

But the poster wasn't asking for any refund, just letting Airtran know they would not be on the plane. I agree that no one should be charged additional $ to cancel a flight. In this case, the claim is that Airtran tried to charge the difference between the original cost of the flight and the $75 change fee. That makes no sense.

 

[Inkmahm]

If I had to pay another $6 per person for each leg of the flight ~ let's see that is 4 legs at $6 = $24 x 5 passengers = $120 Then another (25? per bag) x 3 bags $75 now I am paying almost another $200 on top of the flight. JetBlue is just cheaper.

I only fly nonstop on Airtran so it doesn't affect me, but I think you only pay the seat fee once. Your total fees would have been 5 x $6 there ($30) and 5 x $6 home ($30.) Bags are $15 each so another $45 there for a total of $105. Not almost $200.

 

[magiroux]

Originally scheduled direct flights to and from MCO on AirTran. Was notified a few weeks ago they were removing the direct return flight and replacing with a 1-stop. Ok, that stinks, but hey, this is AirTran.

Then two days ago they replace that with a 2-stop layover that gets in too late (kids have school the next day, plus a myriad of other issues).

They offered to move up or back a day, or refund...none of which are acceptable. So am considering returning to a different airport and renting a car for a 3 hour drive, which would cost me an additional $160.

Guess how happy I am about this whole thing?

After this trip, adios AirTran. I'm not falling for the good ol' bait-and-switch again.

This airline SUCKS, IMO. Yeah, I know what the contract says, but let's face it; families traveling with small children go out of their way to book non-stops, far in advance so that they can make the journey easier for them (and for the people around them). Just because the airline can say screw you, by way of the contract, I'm gonna change your non-stop, 3 hr flight into a 2-stop/13 hr flight doesn't mean that they should! This has become AirTrans' MO - offer Non-stops and POOF, they're ALL CANCELLED. Here's a flight where you have to sprint through the airport, with your toddlers in tow, like O.J. Simpson to make your connecting flight. Don't like it, tough, read your contract.

As someone mentioned before, this is just bad business.

A little OT but let's not forget that this airline is re-named. They changed their name because nobody would ever fly them under the former name, "ValuJet". Remember them?

 

[kaytieeldr]

But the poster wasn't asking for any refund, just letting Airtran know they would not be on the plane.

= cancelling their flight arrangements = subject to a $75 cancellation fee.

 

[PebblesMK]

Although Airtran is notorious for flight changes and "nickel and diming" people for things like seats, I love flying with them. Their customer service is really great. My flight got changed a couple of times (time changes, layovers...different day) and I changed my flight, fee free three different times because the realize it was an inconvenience and if they have a flight that works better, they'll book without a fee. The only problem I came across was that I booked through expedia or something and airtran had to call them to take care of the flight change.
As far as the seat prices, 6 dollars isn't much when my tickets are only 120 dollars RT. The planes are small, but everything else is top notch. If there are problems, call Airtran and explain how the changes don't really work and ask if you can change.

 

[kaytieeldr]

A little OT but let's not forget that this airline is re-named. They changed their name because nobody would ever fly them under the former name, "ValuJet". Remember them?

Well, first ValuJet ACQUIRED AirTran, then they changed the entire company name to AirTran.

 

[kaytieeldr]

My flight got changed a couple of times (time changes, layovers...different day) and I changed my flight, fee free three different times because the realize it was an inconvenience and if they have a flight that works better, they'll book without a fee.

I have no interest in flying AirTran - I'm devoted to JetBlue - but thank you for demonstrating through personal experience that AirTran IS customer-oriented.

 

[dis-happy]

I'll stick up for AirTran. My dh usually flies them weekly (has for 2-3 years now) and hasn't had any problems to speak of. His non-stop from clt to bwi remains a non-stop from week to week, and it's a whole lot cheaper than the same flight on USAir (the only other airline that flies non-stop from here to there). He also flies coast to coast (clt to lax) regularly, and again, no problems. They do make some seasonal shifts to the flight times but he's always managed to find a flight to accomodate his needs.

When you book a flight months and months in advance, expect the flight to change. Usually people are booking the cheapest flight they can....another option is to wait and take your chances. You may pay more, but at least it's less likely to change.

But I have to add: even that is no guarantee. I've had equipment changes at the gate on USAir, where the plane got smaller and people's seats disappeared. I've also been on a major airline where at the last minute my pre-assigned lovely seat assignment went "poof" and I was stuck asking people to switch so the 2 year old wouldn't sit alone. It happens, and not just on Air-Tran. And honestly, Delta is NO bed of roses.....they really screwed over my mom on her last coast to coast trip and she had a full fare first class ticket.

One big plus about AirTran that you won't find on most other airlines: they'll let you do same day standby for an earlier flight at no charge.

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

I think I'm confused. You purchased a nonrefundable airfare, then changed your mind, then got upset when the airline attempted to charge you their standard - and as NancyinIL indicates, surprisingly low - fee to which you agreed by purchasing that nonrefundable ticket? I guess I'm how that's the airline's fault, as well as why you object to patronizing a business that enforces its own rules?

I did not expect a (insert bold here ) REFUND for my ticket. Try reading my post before responding in a superior condescending way. I apologize for confusing you. I'll make myself more clear. I. Don't. Like. Airtran.

PP was correct in saying there really are a lot of rude people on the DIS. I'm glad I've been around long enough to not let it bother me.

 

[maxiesmom]

I did not expect a (insert bold here ) REFUND for my ticket. Try reading my post before responding in a superior condescending way. I apologize for confusing you. I'll make myself more clear. I. Don't. Like. Airtran.

PP was correct in saying there really are a lot of rude people on the DIS. I'm glad I've been around long enough to not let it bother me.

You were trying to cancel your ticket. And many airlines charge for that also. No one was being rude to you, just matter of fact. Which is a great thing when flying, to not let your emotions get the better of you. You need to know and understand the policies, then you are less likely to get upset when you run into one you don't like.

I would much rather fly Air Tran and pay for a seat than fly Southwest and be subject to the whims of fate. Your choice.

 

[magiroux]

Well, first ValuJet ACQUIRED AirTran, then they changed the entire company name to AirTran.

Aquired and re-named....

"After the large amount of negative publicity surrounding the Flight 592 incident, ValuJet suffered serious financial problems. On July 11, 1997, ValuJet announced it would merge with the much smaller Airways Corporation, parent of AirTran Airways. The merged company would retain the AirTran name, although ValuJet was the senior partner and nominal survivor of the merger. [4][5]. In November 1997, the company announced it would move its headquarters from Atlanta to Orlando. On November 17, 1997, AirWays Corp. and ValuJet completed their merger, and the tarnished ValuJet name passed into aviation history"

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Aquired and re-named....

"After the large amount of negative publicity surrounding the Flight 592 incident, ValuJet suffered serious financial problems. On July 11, 1997, ValuJet announced it would merge with the much smaller Airways Corporation, parent of AirTran Airways. The merged company would retain the AirTran name, although ValuJet was the senior partner and nominal survivor of the merger. [4][5]. In November 1997, the company announced it would move its headquarters from Atlanta to Orlando. On November 17, 1997, AirWays Corp. and ValuJet completed their merger, and the tarnished ValuJet name passed into aviation history"

I've avoided this conversation because I'd be one of the ones defending AirTran, not because I fly them or anything, but I agree with their stance and what they offer. Unfortunately people tend to look for the lowest prices first, then regret just looking at the lowest price when they realize they may (if they want all the features of another airline) have to pay additional dollars. It's AlaCarte versus All Inclusive.

That said, in reference to your quote, it would be helpful to list where you received you quote from, through a little search, I'm guessing Wikipedia. Be cautious with what you take from that site, although there is a lot of valuable information, their business model allows people to offer differing opinions on a fact, often twisting the real truth to support an agenda.