pw2pp:
Maybe it was because we didn't have a lot of lead time for this trip, but we found it was over $100 a ticket cheaper than any other ticket we could find to fly out of Toledo. If I remember, it was about $162 per person, with all taxes, on Northwest.
We are at $258 per ticket with Spirit--mostly becuse it is a Saturday to Saturday flight. That was the best we could do in the market for a non-stop with the times we wanted. Weekdays are cheaper with Spirit.
We considered Toledo, but problem was it was a pretty early flight to start; and then adding that first leg from Toledo to Metro ws just too early for my husband to think about on vacation!!
I have flown Spirit a few times before and have no problems. But, I am aware that there is a risk of that with this type of carrier. Had a lot of problems with an ATA flight to Las Vegas a few years back (12 hour delay--no info why).
As to Northwest (or Northworst, or "treetop airlines" as our family lovingly calls them); we have had our share of problems with them. I have dealt with them during previous strikes--never again.
I don't completely rule out Northwest, but with the impending strike at our travel time, it wasn't worth the hassle.
TravelSherry, maybe you don't get the Detroit News? Have you seen the class action suit filed by the HUNDREDS of Northwest travelers stranded on the runway for up to 11 hours with no food, sanitary services (if you know what I mean), etc. last January? The passengers referred to it as being "kept hostage" on the planes. And, it happened again with the snowstorm you referred to with stranded travelers on Spirit--Northwest also stranded people sitting on the plane on the runway for almost 9 hours this time at Metro!
I know, as I was almost one of those in that first snowstorm. We heard about the snowstorm coming, decided to ditch our Northwest tickets, and flew out early (full price) on US Air to Pittsburgh (where we have family)to get out of the mess. Then drove back to Detroit. Thank God we did. We would have been on one of the numerous planes stuck on the runway--and we had an 11 week old baby at the time!