No longer will use AirTran

[David 1980]

I had a 8:13 flight out of Orlando to Indianapolis that did not leave until 1:44 AM? WE were told every thing from Weather to something was wrong with the plane and never told the truth? I spoke to a Man who runs the food cart next to AirTran gate 93 and he said this happens every night with AirTran anything after 8Pm is delayed for some reason. I will never ever fly with them again, the customer service agents were rude and could not tell us the truth if they had to. I am glad we did not start our Vacation with AirTran because that would of been a terrible way to start our vacation. Southwest I will never stray again.

What a sad sad company AirTran is..

 

[ancestry]

Sorry you had a bad experience.

I too have noticed a greater chance of delays on flights the later in the day than there is early in the mornings. I always thought it was due to the aircraft being turned over so quickly that at any point in the day if there is a glitch in the scheduling (or bad weather, or backups on the runway for take off) that it then sets every flight afterwards behind.

 

[ssawka]

Waiting for other posters to start blaming you for booking a late flight, or saying "well you have to expect things like this if you are going to fly!"

You are absolutely right in this case. I understand things happen and maybe it was something out of AirTran's control, but there is no excuse for lying to customers!

 

[canopynut66]

I had a 8:13 flight out of Orlando to Indianapolis that did not leave until 1:44 AM? WE were told every thing from Weather to something was wrong with the plane and never told the truth? I spoke to a Man who runs the food cart next to AirTran gate 93 and he said this happens every night with AirTran anything after 8Pm is delayed for some reason. I will never ever fly with them again, the customer service agents were rude and could not tell us the truth if they had to. I am glad we did not start our Vacation with AirTran because that would of been a terrible way to start our vacation. Southwest I will never stray again.

What a sad sad company AirTran is..

we have flown Air Tran since it started here to Orlando and never had a problem with delays(Not that it can't happen) but not so sure would believe food vendor that this happens every nite as Air Tran gave me free flight as I was to hot one trip???? so call them or email them and complain and get a free flight. do not blame you for being mad as that is a long time to wait.

 

[DebbieB]

The weather along the east coast has been bad the past few days. Summer thunderstorms throw off airline schedules more than winter snowstorms.

 

[JandT'smom]

Waiting for other posters to start blaming you for booking a late flight, or saying "well you have to expect things like this if you are going to fly!"

You are absolutely right in this case. I understand things happen and maybe it was something out of AirTran's control, but there is no excuse for lying to customers!

Sad but true this will become the OP's fault.....no reason for bad customer service and that was a very long delay and you gotta love all the different reasons. Glad it was the end not start of your vacation.

 

[msmayor]

I guess I'm one that really believes there CAN be multiple issues that delay flights.

Yes...weather could have been a factor initially. Then, as Air Tran perhaps attempted to get a replacement aircraft (or the originally scheduled aircraft) a maintenance issue could have popped up that delayed the flight further.

They weren't necessarily 'lying' to you.

 

[drew64]

Understand your frustration and it is not your fault.

Personally, i hated AirTran when they were ValuJet and still do so am not defending them and never fly them, but a few things to consider:

The gate agents only know and can share information sent to them via the updates in the computer and if they receive an update via phone. Often they are not given complete facts.

Not saying you did this, but having experienced many delays and travelers screaming and throwing fits at gate agents - as if they have any control over the flight status, I can see them getting impatient and maybe a bit rude - perhaps others on your flight were doing this.

Weather issues nowhere near your departure or arrival cities can cause your delay depending on where your particular equipment is originating from or anywhere along the route.

If weather delays are occurring somewhere and causing back-ups, then FAA can delay flights at any airport to "free up " air space and alleviate congestion.

Both weather and euqipment delays can and do occur on the same flight. I fly many times a month and it does happen. The plane could have been delayed at its last arrival city due to weather or held at gate due to weather and then an equipment issue can still show up on the taxi out to the runway causing it to return to the gate.

I would not particularly take the food cart guy's word as a subject matter expert.

 

[Evi]

after last years fiasco on our flights with airtran we decided never again. We had delays on both legs of our journey excuses both times 3 canceled flights on the way down and 1 canceled on the way back + 2 hours on tarmac. Honestly for us it was really bad plus once you add baggage fee etc. I rather pay more and fly with an airline with fewer restrictions and better customer service.

 

[lastminutemom]

I am not blaming the original poster not am I defending Air Tran, but any flights after about 4PM that connect through Atlanta are at high risk for delay in the summer time, especially this summer.

We are in a pattern (though it seems to have calmed for this week) of really horrendous thunderstorms somewhere in the metro area almost daily.

If you are concerned about timeliness, for whatever reason, don't fly though Atlanta late in the day. It doesn't matter which airline, weather is weather.

 

[NancyIL]

So far I haven't had any problems with AirTran, but I usually fly non-stop to and from Orlando in the morning. I've been delayed on several evening flights on American that connected in Chicago. Earlier this month I flew from London to Chicago without incident, and then my American Eagle flight to my hometown was delayed several hours. First we waited for the plane, and then we waited for a crew! After we pushed back from the gate, we still had a long time (about 90 minutes) to take off due to air traffic and a thunderstorm. I can't blame American, because most early evening flights from Chicago were also delayed.

 

[Inkmahm]

So far I haven't had any problems with AirTran, but I usually fly non-stop to and from Orlando in the morning. I've been delayed on several evening flights on American that connected in Chicago. Earlier this month I flew from London to Chicago without incident, and then my American Eagle flight to my hometown was delayed several hours. First we waited for the plane, and then we waited for a crew! After we pushed back from the gate, we still had a long time (about 90 minutes) to take off due to air traffic and a thunderstorm. I can't blame American, because most early evening flights from Chicago were also delayed.

Same for me. I generally fly early flights with Airtran but the few evening flights I've been on have been fine. They have all been nonstop to and from Orlando.

I do everything I can to avoid flying through Chicago. It's been years since I've had a flight through O'Hare because the connecting flights to Milwaukee always seemed to be canceled or delayed. Every single time, every season of the year.

 

[Aristocath]

These posts always amaze me. My husband flies every week for his job and we fly often as a family. It doesn't matter what airline you fly, there can be delays and cancellations. And the guy who runs the food cart is probably just making conversation. Bad weather in another part of the country can have far reaching effects. Gate agents for any airline often aren't given the whole story. I know it is frustrating to have these problems but you just have to prepare yourself for delays and problems. They happen with every airline, even Southwest.

 

[Chelley00]

WE were told every thing from Weather to something was wrong with the plane and never told the truth? I spoke to a Man who runs the food cart next to AirTran gate 93 and he said this happens every night with AirTran anything after 8Pm is delayed for some reason.

#1. Maybe there was bad weather, AND something needed to be fixed on the plane when it did land.

#2. Your food cart friend is wrong. DD and I flew out of Orlando at 9:15pm, and we actually left early.


Your delay, and lack of response, could have happened with any flight, out of any airport.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would like to know which airline the OP intends to fly if they want one with a guarantee of no delays. I have been delayed on Northwest, Delta, Continental, and United.

And no way would I take the word of a food vendor as proof of being lied to. And how do you know you were not told the truth?

I'm sorry you had a bad end to your vacation, but sometimes flying is not as easy as it should be. It happens on all airlines.

 

[vicki_c]

I would not particularly take the food cart guy's word as a subject matter expert.

LOL - food vendor as SME. That was funny.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Bad weather in another part of the country can have far reaching effects.

About a year and a half ago, I was scheduled to fly LAS-BOS Christmas night. There had been some bad snowstorms in the northeast the week I was away, and my plane was delayed several hours; we ended up departing about three hours late, not long after our plane arrived from the east coast. That was nothing. The plane at the gate next to ours boarded on time, then couldn't take off. Their pilot was on our incoming flight!

Oh. The weather in Las Vegas? Well, it had snowed a week earlier but by Christmas, it was great! But still, even though it hadn't snowed in New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia/Boston for two days, there were still three hour delays out of the first three airports.

 

[Donut23]

Waiting for other posters to start blaming you for booking a late flight, or saying "well you have to expect things like this if you are going to fly!"

You are absolutely right in this case. I understand things happen and maybe it was something out of AirTran's control, but there is no excuse for lying to customers!

You are right about finger pointing - sometimes it's measured in minutes here!


I prefer the first flight of the day. That way the equipment is there and ready to go - not arriving from somewhre else. In reality, I take the flight which is the most convenient and affordable!'

We now feel like hostages to the airlines when trapped out of town and getting no honest answers.

On a return flight from LAX to BWI I choose a mid-day flight because it was direct (no southwest non-stops that day). We would land in Chicago, but not deplane.

Well, we landed...were told thru passengers would be counted...stay in our seats. Then, the frantic call for EVERYONE to get off the flight....we would be moving to another flight holding a gate...whatever. That was about noon.
We sat in the airport until after 9 pm with various answers.

My favorite (remember we had a direct flight).....Southwest told us the equipment for our second flight was delayed. I remember trying to explain that our BUTTS WERE IN ALREADY THE SEATS OF OUR SECOND FLIGHT.

SIGH ..... even my beloved Southwest is showing signs of becoming an....airline.

Just tell us the truth....even if we don't like it....at least it's the truth!

 

[DebbieB]

You are right about finger pointing - sometimes it's measured in minutes here!

I prefer the first flight of the day. That way the equipment is there and ready to go - not arriving from somewhre else. In reality, I take the flight which is the most convenient and affordable!'

I've found the first flight of the day can be a problem if you are not in a hub (I'm in Pittsburgh). That plane is usually the last one in the night before and the crew overnights and takes the first flight out in the morning. Problem is if that evening flight was very late, the crew has to get the mandatory 8 hour rest and it delays that first flight of the day even though the plane is there and ready to go.

 

[David 1980]

I appreciate all the comments from all of you travel experts. I do believe the food cart guy because we had a lengthy conversation and he cannot close until the last flight has departed for the night. I guess he was working an extra 4 hours and said this happens most nights, not this late but it does happen. I do understand weather is another story. We were told the plane was on route but was having issues and when it landed it would be set to go in 30 minutes and then the stories started. I asked why I was not contacted via my phone and the agent told me they did not do that , I said funny because I signed on for that service with AirTran. I was delayed 1 hr on the first leg of my trip by SouthWest and was contacted two times by them. I guess I am more upset with the lack of customer service all passengers received on that flight from Air Tran not just me. I had three tired children and if I would of been notified we may of been able to make other arrangements(another carrier or getting a room and going out the next morning) but those options were never given. I have a right to complain when service is not up to par? I am sure most of you would feel the same way if you were delayed as long as we were and no reason was given.What if Disney gave you this kind of service I am sure all of you would react the same way I did? Dave