No longer will use AirTran

[OhioDisneyDad]

Because the OP didn't like the responses he was getting from AirTran - and it's been pointed out nicely by several people that it's absolutely possible for a single flight to have both mechanical and weather delays - he instead opts to accept as official the observations of a food kiosk vendor.

I would absolutely accept the observations of someone who's there every day and sees how the airline operates. If you fly a lot (which I do) you get to know folks in the airport and, whether you choose to believe it or not, those folks know exactly what goes on in the airport. If someone does something stupid at security, the whole airport will be telling stories about it. If an airline is constantly screwing up, they'll know that too. The ground crew folks know the food service folks and so on.

 

[robinb]

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

I would ... but only if he's married to a WDW bus driver.

OP, I'm sorry your flight was delayed. Look on the bright side. At least it wasn't canceled completely. That would have been a bigger PITB.

 

[Brian Noble]

I would absolutely accept the observations of someone who's there every day and sees how the airline operates.

I've spoken to many similar folks in DTW. When they volunteer information about how NW-now-DL "does things", they are wrong 99% of the time. It's one thing if a gate agent is telling you this. It's another if the hot dog cart guy is.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

I'm a business traveler and I'd never fly them for business either. But that's partly because someone else is paying (so I don't care if they are cheaper), and the perks on the legacies for having status are a lot nicer. For a leisure trip, if they're significantly less expensive, I'll at least give them a look (but will typically end up on Delta anyway unless the flights are a *lot* less on AirTran, based on lounge access alone, and that I can often get the rest of my family on the flight on miles.)

Business and leisure travelers have different metrics of "good", and AirTran is aiming for the leisure market, not the business market.

I guess it comes down to how much you value your time. Even for leisure travel the majority of people I know wouldn't fly them. It's the same thing as me trying to avoid going through ATL (because of delays). I'd rather go with an airline with a proven, consistent track record even for leisure travel. Any money I save with a cheap airline will be lost in time and frustration when their poor track record catches up with me. To each his own.

 

[LilyWDW]

Because the OP didn't like the responses he was getting from AirTran - and it's been pointed out nicely by several people that it's absolutely possible for a single flight to have both mechanical and weather delays - he instead opts to accept as official the observations of a food kiosk vendor.

I wonder how often the OP flies... I would guess not that often and mostly (if not all) for leisure travel.


When exactly was this flight? The midwest and the southeast have been experiencing a lot of sever weather lately, including some BAD pop up storms through out the day and well into the evening. Weather issues anywhere in the country could have impacted any other flight in the country. Does the OP know exactly where the originating city for that flight was? How was the weather there?

It's sad that it has come down to the fact that realistic responses are now considered rude and uncalled for. It does no good to pat the OP on the back and tell them sorry while ignoring the fact that it does the OP no good in the future. Instead, it makes more sense to explain to the OP that these things happen and can happen on ANY airline. I don't see this as rude at all... I see this as trying to help. Especially when they insist on saying they were lied to, even though multiple reasons for a delay could happen.

This is the transportation board. There is no pixie dust here... travel is not conducive to pixie dust. Realistic expectations, knowledge, and truth are conducive to travel. That is what this board is for. To make sure people are prepared for the reality that is travel.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would absolutely accept the observations of someone who's there every day and sees how the airline operates.

How, but not why; and people do tend to exaggerate, or put their own spin on things. Frankly, with all the reports I've seen of there being no food options available at MCO late in the evening, I'm surprised that any food vendor is required to remain open until all flights have departed.

See? Perception.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

I've spoken to many similar folks in DTW. When they volunteer information about how NW-now-DL "does things", they are wrong 99% of the time. It's one thing if a gate agent is telling you this. It's another if the hot dog cart guy is.

So the gate agent, who has a vested interest in

a) telling you anything to get you out of their face
b) wants to keep his/her job
c) doesn't want to deal with EVERYONE being in his/her face

is a more objective source of information than a disinterested 3rd party? Maybe if there was a fee for getting correct/honest info from a gate agent I would agree (give it time). Until then I'll take my chances with the folks who see how the place works every day.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The Gate Agent who

a) Represents their employer - the airline on which the passenger is about to travel
b) Wants to keep her/his job
c) Deals with the public in a professional manner...

...provides the most accurate and up-to-date information possible based on ACTUAL knowledge and the data provided to them by the airline and air traffic control for passenger safety and operating efficiency.

I guess it just depends on how you look at life

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

I guess it just depends on how you look at life

Amen to that!!! Which gets us back to my original point regarding the OP and his opinion. We all have our own viewpoint which is uniquely our own. So many folks forget that on the DIS and choose to just see things through their own eyes rather than trying to understand the intention of the OP.

 

[pilotwife_02]

How, but not why; and people do tend to exaggerate, or put their own spin on things. Frankly, with all the reports I've seen of there being no food options available at MCO late in the evening, I'm surprised that any food vendor is required to remain open until all flights have departed.

I'm really surprised by that too. I have flown out of Vegas airport before for a redeye and many places are closed when we get there and that's a city that is open 24 hours/day.

I wonder how long this food cart guy has worked there? Maybe he just started a few months ago when all the summer storms stared so yes there would a lot of delays.

 

[Brian Noble]

is a more objective source of information than a disinterested 3rd party?

Actually, I was thinking of a gate agent for a different airline. Still a biased party, but at least one who understands how airlines really work.

I'm telling you, from personal experience over many years, that the hot dog cart guy knows about as much about what's really going on as any random passenger---which is to say, very little.

It's the same thing as me trying to avoid going through ATL (because of delays).

I actually have one situation where I intentionally route through ATL on Delta---taking the red eye back from the west coast. I get an extra couple hours of sleep, and still get in in time to get to the office.

 

[David 1980]

Wow so many so called experts when all I wanted was for Air Tran to notify all passengers not just me of a delay of close to six hours. I fly about twice a year with my family of seven and for some stupid reason liked AirTran and their 8:13 depature from Orlando to Indianapolis. Weather was not an Issue it was not stopping any flights out of Orlando and a flight from Midway just landed so I really cant see it as being weather related? I appreciate the support and am still laughing at the other posts who have taken this in another direction then what was intended. I guess it is Tabo to complain on these boards because we all are supposed to live in a fantasy land where everything is always great and we are just supposed to be happy AirTran did get me to my home? I am so happy you were there when I had the conversation with the food vendor that is right outside Gate 93 and yes after I spoke to him and his supervisor they both stated this happens a lot. They were happy because it meant more business for them since they were the only thing still open at that time. I also again would of liked to hear the truth from AirTran and that never happened? Why I have no idea as to why but if your business is customer driven that would of been a nice start. So if other airlines were taking off and landing with no issues I am not about to believe it was the weather nor was it a mechanical issue as they also stated. I am sorry I am not Disney 24/7 like most of you and am sure if this happened to you your reaction would be different? Thanks again for the advice but this has gone further then it should of, again thanks for the support from most of you.

 

[maxiesmom]

How do you know it was not a mechanical issue? How on earth would the food cart guy know if it was or wasn't one? I don't think they keep him in the loop on those things.

I do feel for you that you had such a long delay. And don't fly Air Tran if it makes you feel better. But understand that what happened to you COULD HAPPEN ON ANY AIRLINE!

If you think you were not told the real reason for the delay, what difference would it have really made? Your delay would have been just as long, and just as much a frustration. It seems you have chosen to blame the airline as a way of coping. But please know that the next time you choose to fly, even if you fly another airline, you could be delayed as well. Just avoiding flying Air Tran will not make you immune to that, and the frustration that goes along with flight delays.

 

[David 1980]

How do you know it was a mechanical issue? I am sorry if I trust the poor food guy over AirTran? I will complain if I feel like it and if you do not like it go to another thread? I am tired of being judged by people who were not there and again I was not the only one complaining the entire waiting area was upset every time the man made another announcement.

 

[ironz]

To the OP: Sorry this happened..because with those flight times, that makes for a long night/early morning, and that is no fun.

Though I will say that, yes, on any airline, you can have weather delays (which may not have to do with the weather in Orlando or Indiana, but maybe where the plane or the crew was coming from), and/or mechanicals. I agree that it's nice to have more notice, but that's not just an Airtran thing, nor is SW free from it. I have flown on American and SW and even sitting at the gate with no plane, the board will show the flight as on-time. Crazy! I think they do keep people in the dark about the reasons, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt that sometimes they are hoping the problems will be resolved (get the mechanical fixed, or find another crew) faster than it ends up really happening, so they would rather not get people counting on a certain time.

As for putting you on other flights...at that time of night, that might have been tough to do, and as another person wrote, Airtran may or may not have interline agreements to do so with another airline. And it's not free for them to do that...so it is in their interest (remember, they are a business) to try to get the passengers on the intended flight.

As for the food vendor...I think his story has credence, and this is why: I looked up that flight, and it has a terrible on time record (cut and pasted below). Flightstats.com is a very helpful site to plan for future flights to see what their record is.

Sorry for your travel woes...if you travel enough, it is bound to happen at some point (I've spent several nights not where I was supposed to be for various reasons...some weather, some FAA/ATC, and some mechanical). Hope this helps.

0.1 of 5
Very Poor On-time:
Avg. Delay: 67%>
53 min
FlightStats Rating is a merit measurement considering both on-time performance and delay severity. The score, 0.1, shows that this flight has on-time performance characteristics better than 0% of all other flights in the FlightStats database.

On-time Performance
0.1 of 5
Very Poor On-time: 67%
This flight has an on-time performance of 67%. Statistically, when controlling for sample size, this flight has on-time performance characteristics better than 2% of other flights.

Delay Performance
0.0 of 5
Very Poor Avg. Delay: 53 min
This flight has an average delay of 53.0 minutes with a standard deviation of 56.12 minutes. Statistically, when controlling for sample size, standard deviation, and mean, this flight has delay performance characteristics better than 0% of other flights.

 

[ssawka]

How do you know it was not a mechanical issue? How on earth would the food cart guy know if it was or wasn't one? I don't think they keep him in the loop on those things.

I do feel for you that you had such a long delay. And don't fly Air Tran if it makes you feel better. But understand that what happened to you COULD HAPPEN ON ANY AIRLINE!

If you think you were not told the real reason for the delay, what difference would it have really made? Your delay would have been just as long, and just as much a frustration. It seems you have chosen to blame the airline as a way of coping. But please know that the next time you choose to fly, even if you fly another airline, you could be delayed as well. Just avoiding flying Air Tran will not make you immune to that, and the frustration that goes along with flight delays.

That is exactly what the problem is! Most of the airlines would rather lie to there customers and act like everything is out of there control. Often things are out of the airline's control, but rather than saying "we are experiencing a long delay because of XYZ and we anticipate the delay taking X hours" the airlines prefer to string their passengers along an provide conflicting reasons throughout the entire delay, and if a passenger complains, the attitude is "next time fly on a different airline that won't lie to you, they all do!" I can think of few other industries that can offer such dismal customer service and still stay in business.

 

[ironz]

To the OP...could be worse! This the performance rating of a flight I have to take for work in a couple of weeks--worse than your Airtran flight's record! I will plan to be pro-active about being ready for a missed connection that day! (good to know the options for re-booking or other flights ahead of time)


0 of 5
Very Poor On-time:
Avg. Delay: 32%>
68 min
FlightStats Rating is a merit measurement considering both on-time performance and delay severity. The score, 0, shows that this flight has on-time performance characteristics better than 0% of all other flights in the FlightStats database.

On-time Performance
0.0 of 5
Very Poor On-time: 32%
This flight has an on-time performance of 32%. Statistically, when controlling for sample size, this flight has on-time performance characteristics better than 0% of other flights.

Delay Performance
0.0 of 5
Very Poor Avg. Delay: 68 min
This flight has an average delay of 68.0 minutes with a standard deviation of 72.36 minutes. Statistically, when controlling for sample size, standard deviation, and mean, this flight has delay performance characteristics better than 0% of other flights.

 

[pilotwife_02]

However, there are time when they DON'T know how long it will take. DH has been kept in the dark before about departure times from the tower and he's in charge of the freaking flight. They will tell him to check back in X amount of time to find out of they have a time for him to leave (this is obviously for weather delays).

Should the gate agents keep telling people every 45 minutes that they delay is still going on? I don't know.

Also, the OP wanted to know the delay was going to be 6 hours so he could have made other arrangements. My guess is that the airline didn't know it would take 6 hours to get the plane up and running, he didn't mention if when he got to the airport they told him it was a 6 hour delay, but I'm guessing they didn't since he mentioned wanting them to give regular updates.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Weather was not an Issue it was not stopping any flights out of Orlando and a flight from Midway just landed so I really cant see it as being weather related?

Indianapolis-Chicago is about the same distance as New York-Boston, and about the same direction. On some days when the weather in the latter two cities is EXACTLY THE SAME, air traffic in New York (and Newark, and Philadelphia) is delayed three hours or more, while air traffic in and out of Boston is on time except plane flying to/from that tri-city area. Since, as a passenger and not an airline employee, meteorologist, or air traffic controller, you don't know what the weather conditions were en route to Indianapolis, while you can't 'see' the delay being weather related, that doesn't mean it wasn't.

I guess it is Tabo to complain on these boards because we all are supposed to live in a fantasy land where everything is always great and we are just supposed to be happy AirTran did get me to my home?

Well, no. The Transportation forum exists in the real world, not in the world of fairies, sweetness, light, and pixie dust. It's not taboo to complain. We KNOW travel isn't always great. Heck, for someone who only flies a couple of times a year, I've had MORE than my share of delays, unexpected stops, misdirected luggage, and a complete lack of sympathy.

That fractured rib I mentioned earlier? That happened IN the airport, just before I checked in for my flight. I even had my hotel room for an extra night (just because the flight was scheduled to depart at 10:30 PM and I didn't want to spend the day 'homeless'). No sympathy from the airline.

So if other airlines were taking off and landing with no issues I am not about to believe it was the weather nor was it a mechanical issue as they also stated.

I'm still confused by this statement. It's making zero sense to me. I can't tell if it is a statement, or if it's a question. I can't tell what you're questioning if it is a question. Do you believe or not believe there were mechanical issues? Do you not believe the weather on one route can be different than the weather on another route? Frankly, do you think the airline MUST tell the passengers why there's a delay? What if they don't know until the plane lands that there's a problem? They can't tell you in advance. And as I said before, they still want YOU there for the originally-scheduled departure - otherwise they're not responsible for you missing the flight if it ends up leaving on time after all.

I also again would of liked to hear the truth from AirTran and that never happened?

Okay, well, now that you've vented here and gotten responses you don't like, contact AirTran and get their side of it. Find out why they weren't truthful with the passengers. Before you do that, check the on-time stats for YOUR flight. Keep in mind some of the other information you've gotten here; not just the actual experiences, but that delays ripple through the day and the country. A five minute delay at 9 AM in Seattle can, yes, end up as a two-plus hour delay in Orlando at 9:15 PM.

Keep your contact brief, factual, and unemotional; have someone check your spelling and grammar, and please use paragraphs. That's not criticism, it's merely advice to get your letter (better) or e-mail taken seriously.

 

[ironz]

However, there are time when they DON'T know how long it will take. DH has been kept in the dark before about departure times from the tower and he's in charge of the freaking flight. They will tell him to check back in X amount of time to find out of they have a time for him to leave (this is obviously for weather delays).

Should the gate agents keep telling people every 45 minutes that they delay is still going on? I don't know.

Also, the OP wanted to know the delay was going to be 6 hours so he could have made other arrangements. My guess is that the airline didn't know it would take 6 hours to get the plane up and running, he didn't mention if when he got to the airport they told him it was a 6 hour delay, but I'm guessing they didn't since he mentioned wanting them to give regular updates.

Exactly.

According to flightstats...the initial delay was going to be about 1 to 1.5 hours. Then it was extended.
On the good side...once they took off, they made up 10 minutes in the air!