Spirit Airlines...*rant*

[CarolA]

kaytieeldr, there is a BIG difference between children and adults & the did ask the age of the children and would NOT let us book tickets for just them!

Following a script is one thing but when the customer asks to talk to a supervisor then the agent should get an offended attitude and patch through to a supervisor.

Expecting someone to give you something for FREE that others pay for because is not worth asking for a supervisor.

Seriously, you just keep think that "I should get it for FREE" and "Spirit" should be responsible for the safety of my child. WHY? That's your job!
Sounds to me like you had the "attitude" too. You seem to think you are "entitled" to something that your aren't!

There is nothing wrong with Spirit's policy. It's uniform and clearly enforced. The problem here seems to be that you feel a sense of "entitlement" that is not really earned.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I just found out this weekend that Spirit is flying to Atlantic City from here - so, I'm checking the prices right now.

On the initial screen, the site is asking me for "From", "To", "Departure [date]", "Return [date]", if I'm seeking a round trip or one way fare, "Promotion Code", "Fare Type" and "Passengers [number]". Done - I chose three passengers.

Okay, now I've selected my flights.

Bypass the $9 Club for now.

Just completed the Pricing and Customer Information page.

Okay, I'm on the Confirm Flights and Purchase page - obviously, I'm not going any further (only since the other two parties on my reservation - David Jones and Three Yearold ) don't exist.

Nowhere up to this point has Spirit.com asked me for a passenger's age. At what point in the booking process did the site, or the phone rep, ask for ages?

 

[fussymonkey]

Expecting someone to give you something for FREE that others pay for because is not worth asking for a supervisor.

Seriously, you just keep think that "I should get it for FREE" and "Spirit" should be responsible for the safety of my child. WHY? That's your job!
Sounds to me like you had the "attitude" too. You seem to think you are "entitled" to something that your aren't!

There is nothing wrong with Spirit's policy. It's uniform and clearly enforced. The problem here seems to be that you feel a sense of "entitlement" that is not really earned.

I am not a frequent flyer and I can tell you it would never, ever have occurred to me that in order to sit next to my very young child, I'd have to pay for assigned seating. I don't nessecarily object to that, but it wouldn't have occurred to me. I would think it would be in everyone's best interest to extend a small bit of accomdation to children- the child's, the parents, the unsuspecting strangers that may get stuck next to a screaming three year old, the airline's.

The idea that "children" and "passengers" are the same is laughable. Maybe the solution would be for Spirit to either do a Southwest syle thing where families with small children are allowed to board after the A passes and sit close to parents, or to ask for ages on the search page and then force accompanied small children and thier parents to pay the assinged seat fee.

Spirit's policy is broken, seating very small children next to strangers is not a workable or desireable solution for anyone. Neglecting to address that, either by forcing the passengers to choose a seat or by allowing some leeway with boarding early (which seems more desirable to me), is where Spirit is shortfalling.

People get so caught up on these boards about who is entitled to what, and who is not entitled to what, that common sense is entierly lost. A 3 year old flying seated alone is ludicious.

The parent is not asking Spirit to be responsible for her child- she's asking that they provide a more clear process for her to be assigned seating with her child. Sheesh!

 

[CarolA]

I am not a frequent flyer and I can tell you it would never, ever have occurred to me that in order to sit next to my very young child, I'd have to pay for assigned seating. I don't nessecarily object to that, but it wouldn't have occurred to me. I would think it would be in everyone's best interest to extend a small bit of accomdation to children- the child's, the parents, the unsuspecting strangers that may get stuck next to a screaming three year old, the airline's.

The idea that "children" and "passengers" are the same is laughable. Maybe the solution would be for Spirit to either do a Southwest syle thing where families with small children are allowed to board after the A passes and sit close to parents, or to ask for ages on the search page and then force accompanied small children and thier parents to pay the assinged seat fee.

Spirit's policy is broken, seating very small children next to strangers is not a workable or desireable solution for anyone. Neglecting to address that, either by forcing the passengers to choose a seat or by allowing some leeway with boarding early (which seems more desirable to me), is where Spirit is shortfalling.

People get so caught up on these boards about who is entitled to what, and who is not entitled to what, that common sense is entierly lost. A 3 year old flying seated alone is ludicious.

The parent is not asking Spirit to be responsible for her child- she's asking that they provide a more clear process for her to be assigned seating with her child. Sheesh!

OK so you didn't know? But when told you decided to try to get an exemption by askng for a supervisor?

THE ONLY REASON the three year old would have flown alone is if the PARENT had chosen NOT to pay. So it comes back to YOUR choice. You want others to "lose revenue" to help you raise your child? Why should they? It's a business, it's goal is to MAKE MONEY! And at thier fares... they need that cash!

What's "ludicious" is that because you are a parent you expect special treatment? When told what the policy was the first response was "they don't mean ME" So the parent was asking Spirit to "make an exception for my children" becuause ?????

There is a CLEAR process to be assigned seating with the child! PAY! How much clearer does it need to be. I read the seating assignment page. It's pretty black and white there. Folks are trying to "read between the lines" for 'special exceptions'

Having a child is a choice. Once you make that choice there are "costs" This is one of them. Expecting special treatment because of that choice is unrealistic!

 

[Brian Noble]

there is a BIG difference between children and adults

From the point of view of unaccompanied minors, yes.

From the point of view of seating policy, no.

I understand that you want the policy to be something other than it is. But, it isn't. It is what it is. The phone rep probably should not have been noticeably annoyed with you, but that doesn't change the facts of the matter---which are, you can pay to sit together, or you can take your chances, but you can't guarantee that an adult will sit with the child(ren) unless you pay for it.

 

[dudspizza]

Spirit's policy is broken, seating very small children next to strangers is not a workable or desireable solution for anyone. Neglecting to address that, either by forcing the passengers to choose a seat or by allowing some leeway with boarding early (which seems more desirable to me), is where Spirit is shortfalling.

People get so caught up on these boards about who is entitled to what, and who is not entitled to what, that common sense is entierly lost. A 3 year old flying seated alone is ludicious.

The parent is not asking Spirit to be responsible for her child- she's asking that they provide a more clear process for her to be assigned seating with her child. Sheesh!

#1 Just about every airline will have the same idea as Spirit. People who pay for their seats get them first. Anyone who chooses not to pay for a seat will get whatever is left at the check in process.

#2 Any airline, including Spirit, will do whatever they can at the airport to seat someone next to their child. The problem is that most people take the matter into their own hands and pay for the seat to guarantee they are next to their child. If they don't have any seats together, their hands are tied. They are not going to move someone who paid for their seat.

#3 Spirit is very clear with their policy. Pay for a seat and you get to choose where you sit.

I have followed this thread from the beginning but have refrained from posting on it until now. OP decided to go over to the families board to complain about how the different boards are. She didn't mention the transportation board specifically...... but.....

The transportation board is a wonderful place. The problem is that people who don't normally come over here expect a great big huggie and agreement, but when we give them the facts, we are all poopyheads... that's right, I said it.

OP, you don't like outsourcing, got it. You didn't like the fact that you wanted to speak with a supervisor and were denied, got it. What you don't seem to get is that the nice people here on the transportation board are telling you that the seating policy is clear and that if you want to make sure you sit with your child you have to pay for the seat (which you did, so not sure why the whole 2 page argument and follow-up thread on the families board). Not going to argue semantics or ages at all, simply said, you get a choice seat if you pay for it.... no matter if you are 3, 30, or 300.....

The people here on the transportation board are wonderful people. I can call many of them friends.... good, solid, factual information......

Have a nice day.

Duds

 

[ilandrazdsw]

The parent is not asking Spirit to be responsible for her child- she's asking that they provide a more clear process for her to be assigned seating with her child. Sheesh!

Thank you for understanding!

I DID book the seats together! I DID pay for them! I WAS'T trying to get something for nothing and the only reason we even considered Spirit was cause it was a nonstop flight which is better for my parents with the kids...NOT because of the fares.

If you think there is no difference between a child and adult that is YOUR opinion, but in the real world there is. Would I not get in trouble if I left my child alone???...it is the same thing as me being seated in the front of the plane and my child being seated in the back with the seatbelt sign lighted so I can't get to her if needed! Plus when I did talk to the agent he said that they would not allow a child under 5 to fly unaccompanied and would not book it on the phone...could you imagine how much fun that would have been when they showed up at the airport? Also if there was not difference between children and adults why do airlines allow those flying with children to board first with first class?

As for the agent...I wanted to speak to a supervisor who you would think would be able to explain the policy in more depth...and if s/he couldn't at least put me through to see the agent was right. When you call Disney and ask for a supervisor the CM may ask what it is in reguards to, but they DO transfer you.

I was NOT trying to get something for free. We fly frequently and have never had a problem with any airline ever used. As stated...Lesson learned.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The transportation board is a wonderful place. The problem is that people who don't normally come over here expect a great big huggie and agreement, but when we give them the facts, we are all poopyheads... that's right, I said it.
.

Well, somebody had to !

 

[ilandrazdsw]

#1 Just about every airline will have the same idea as Spirit. People who pay for their seats get them first. Anyone who chooses not to pay for a seat will get whatever is left at the check in process.

#2 Any airline, including Spirit, will do whatever they can at the airport to seat someone next to their child. The problem is that most people take the matter into their own hands and pay for the seat to guarantee they are next to their child. If they don't have any seats together, their hands are tied. They are not going to move someone who paid for their seat.

#3 Spirit is very clear with their policy. Pay for a seat and you get to choose where you sit.

I have followed this thread from the beginning but have refrained from posting on it until now. OP decided to go over to the families board to complain about how the different boards are. She didn't mention the transportation board specifically...... but.....

The transportation board is a wonderful place. The problem is that people who don't normally come over here expect a great big huggie and agreement, but when we give them the facts, we are all poopyheads... that's right, I said it.

OP, you don't like outsourcing, got it. You didn't like the fact that you wanted to speak with a supervisor and were denied, got it. What you don't seem to get is that the nice people here on the transportation board are telling you that the seating policy is clear and that if you want to make sure you sit with your child you have to pay for the seat (which you did, so not sure why the whole 2 page argument and follow-up thread on the families board). Not going to argue semantics or ages at all, simply said, you get a choice seat if you pay for it.... no matter if you are 3, 30, or 300.....

The people here on the transportation board are wonderful people. I can call many of them friends.... good, solid, factual information......

Have a nice day.

Duds

I do notice that some of the "rooms" are nicer than others, like the family & budget rooms. Haven't seen too many harsh threads on the resorts (not on that one much) or resturants...but pools, the electric wheelchairs, and even education WATCHOUT!!! I just love being told I am a bad or irresponsible parent too in education and car seat threads. LOL

Maybe it was just coming to the boards over the Christmas (Holiday) season that people had the holiday spirit (or maybe didn't have the time to be on) and now into the year we all need a trip to Disney

Where did I specifically say transportation boards? The comments I made of the ECV's (or whatever they are) and the car seats were both from what I have read on OTHER boards. Rarely do I ever come over to the trans boards. The statement was not written for this either...it is something noticed over the last few months.

Guess I should be bowing down to the almight transportation boardies because everyone had the exact same experience and they know all.

 

[dudspizza]

I do notice that some of the "rooms" are nicer than others, like the family & budget rooms. Haven't seen too many harsh threads on the resorts (not on that one much) or resturants...but pools, the electric wheelchairs, and even education WATCHOUT!!! I just love being told I am a bad or irresponsible parent too in education and car seat threads. LOL

Maybe it was just coming to the boards over the Christmas (Holiday) season that people had the holiday spirit (or maybe didn't have the time to be on) and now into the year we all need a trip to Disney

Where did I specifically say transportation boards? The comments I made of the ECV's (or whatever they are) and the car seats were both from what I have read on OTHER boards. Rarely do I ever come over to the trans boards. The statement was not written for this either...it is something noticed over the last few months.

Guess I should be bowing down to the almight transportation boardies because everyone had the exact same experience and they know all.

Have a nice day.

Duds

 

[HolliePoppins]

#1 Just about every airline will have the same idea as Spirit. People who pay for their seats get them first. Anyone who chooses not to pay for a seat will get whatever is left at the check in process.

#2 Any airline, including Spirit, will do whatever they can at the airport to seat someone next to their child. The problem is that most people take the matter into their own hands and pay for the seat to guarantee they are next to their child. If they don't have any seats together, their hands are tied. They are not going to move someone who paid for their seat.

#3 Spirit is very clear with their policy. Pay for a seat and you get to choose where you sit.

I have followed this thread from the beginning but have refrained from posting on it until now. OP decided to go over to the families board to complain about how the different boards are. She didn't mention the transportation board specifically...... but.....

The transportation board is a wonderful place. The problem is that people who don't normally come over here expect a great big huggie and agreement, but when we give them the facts, we are all poopyheads... that's right, I said it.

OP, you don't like outsourcing, got it. You didn't like the fact that you wanted to speak with a supervisor and were denied, got it. What you don't seem to get is that the nice people here on the transportation board are telling you that the seating policy is clear and that if you want to make sure you sit with your child you have to pay for the seat (which you did, so not sure why the whole 2 page argument and follow-up thread on the families board). Not going to argue semantics or ages at all, simply said, you get a choice seat if you pay for it.... no matter if you are 3, 30, or 300.....

The people here on the transportation board are wonderful people. I can call many of them friends.... good, solid, factual information......

Have a nice day.

Duds

I do notice that some of the "rooms" are nicer than others, like the family & budget rooms. Haven't seen too many harsh threads on the resorts (not on that one much) or resturants...but pools, the electric wheelchairs, and even education WATCHOUT!!! I just love being told I am a bad or irresponsible parent too in education and car seat threads. LOL

Maybe it was just coming to the boards over the Christmas (Holiday) season that people had the holiday spirit (or maybe didn't have the time to be on) and now into the year we all need a trip to Disney

Where did I specifically say transportation boards? The comments I made of the ECV's (or whatever they are) and the car seats were both from what I have read on OTHER boards. Rarely do I ever come over to the trans boards. The statement was not written for this either...it is something noticed over the last few months.

Guess I should be bowing down to the almight transportation boardies because everyone had the exact same experience and they know all.

He never said you did. In fact he stated you did not.

Dudspizza, I do hope you are a he. LOL If not I am sorry.

 

[dudspizza]

He never said you did. In fact he stated you did not.

Dudspizza, I do hope you are a he. LOL If not I am sorry.

You have an AWESOME day!

BTW, I am a he.....

 

[crashbb]

The parent is not asking Spirit to be responsible for her child- she's asking that they provide a more clear process for her to be assigned seating with her child. Sheesh!

I'm not sure how they can be more clear. It is clearly stated on the website that you need to pay to select your seats. The people the OP spoke to on the phone repeated and confirmed said policy. I'm not sure where there is room for possible confusion. I understand that the OP wanted Spirit to provide the seat without her paying the $6 fee:

I called the 800 number (do they outsource to India???) to find out if I didn't pay the extra $$ to buy a seat for each child would they make sure that each of the children were sitting with one one of my parents

And perhaps there should be a policy that this happens. But there isn't. And Spirit's policy is very clear about it.

 

[fussymonkey]

I'm not sure how they can be more clear. It is clearly stated on the website that you need to pay to select your seats. /QUOTE]

Well, they could try adding something to the FAQs about it for one. Ideally there would be an instruction in the FAQs that would instruct the adult to purchase seat selection for the the adult and child noting that without doing so the child may be seated away from the adult. That is not mentioned in the FAQs or in the Travel Policies section regarding Infants, Toddlers and Children.

If they wanted to be really clear, they'd have an indicator on the search page that indicated some of the party are minors and then force a seat selection charge. OR they would have a policy that boards children at the same time as first class so that the child and parent could sit together from a large selection of seats in coach.

What I don't think you are understanding is that it might not occur to most people that the airline would ALLOW the child to be seated apart from the adult, much less that the adult would have to jump through some hoops (having to select seats ahead) to be sure of being seated next to thier child.

Remember the parent doesn't really care about selecting a seat, she doesn't care where she sits on the plane as long as she can accompany her child.

 

[msmayor]

I will say this...if I was a passenger who had paid to select a specific seat and was then asked to move to accommodate a parent who wanted to sit next to their minor child, I'd be happy to do so....as long as they produced a $10 bill.

If I paid for that seat, I deserve to be reimbursed if moved. At a premium. Because now I'm going to a seat I didn't initially choose.

 

[Lewisc]

If seats have not been pre-purchased online, our Customer Service Agents assign random seats at airport check in at no charge.

That's clear to many of us. Why don't you write a letter to Spirit? They may change the language if enough other customers are confused.


Spirit wants to sell seats. My warning would say something like passengers who elect not to purchase seats should be willing to accept middle seats and consequently should not expect to be seated next to other members of their group.

I'm not sure how they can be more clear. It is clearly stated on the website that you need to pay to select your seats. /QUOTE]

Well, they could try adding something to the FAQs about it for one. Ideally there would be an instruction in the FAQs that would instruct the adult to purchase seat selection for the the adult and child noting that without doing so the child may be seated away from the adult. That is not mentioned in the FAQs or in the Travel Policies section regarding Infants, Toddlers and Children.

If they wanted to be really clear, they'd have an indicator on the search page that indicated some of the party are minors and then force a seat selection charge. OR they would have a policy that boards children at the same time as first class so that the child and parent could sit together from a large selection of seats in coach.

What I don't think you are understanding is that it might not occur to most people that the airline would ALLOW the child to be seated apart from the adult, much less that the adult would have to jump through some hoops (having to select seats ahead) to be sure of being seated next to thier child.

Remember the parent doesn't really care about selecting a seat, she doesn't care where she sits on the plane as long as she can accompany her child.

 

[NJR]

From Spirit's website (bolding mine):

Purchasing seat assignments in advance on www.spiritair.com is recommended to guarantee a preferred location onboard the aircraft, and ensure that traveling companions are seated together.

I just don't see what is "unclear" about this - it states, in plain English, that if you want to ensure you sit beside a specific person, then you need to purchase a seat assignment. It says nothing about "except if that person is 3, in which case give us a call", nor is there any mention of "exceptions may apply, please contact for details". How is it not clear that this applies to all passengers?

What I don't think you are understanding is that it might not occur to most people that the airline would ALLOW the child to be seated apart from the adult, much less that the adult would have to jump through some hoops (having to select seats ahead) to be sure of being seated next to thier child.

One of my high school teachers had a sign on her desk - "Lack of preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part". It is not Spirit Airlines fault/problem that something didn't "occur" to a passenger. It might not "occur "to some people that the airline won't serve an in-flight meal, but does that mean that a meal should somehow be scrounged up because "Oh hey, they didn't know"? It is up to the individual to ensure that they have the information that they need, which OP did do (although appears quite unhappy with the answers she was given). If you (general you, not directed at anyone specifc) do not do the proper research to ensure that your child is seated with you, then it is not Spirit Airlines that "allows" them to sit apart from you - you allow it yourself by not ensuring otherwise.

 

[JerseyGirl53]

Maybe there is a misunderstanding with the terminology... You purchased a ticket for a flight. Now, if you want specific seats, that is a separate purchase, as is checked baggage. You can go online, even after you have
purchased your tickets and purchase seat assignments. There is a picture of the plane's seating. As you move your cursor over a seat it will tell you if it is available and how much it would be. You just need your record locator number to get to that page. I hope this helps.

 

[wezee]

DH and I fly Spirit often. We always pay for our seats. I think I would be insulted if they allowed adults with young children, who did not pay for assigned seating to board first. And I defiantly would not move from my paid seat, to for someone who knew the seating policy, but still opted to take their chances!! If this seating was such an issue....why would someone book their flights and then call to complain. Shouldn't you have called first??????

 

[ilandrazdsw]

It may be Spirit's policy, but I do not agree with it (in regards to the terms that the agent told me), disliked the customer lack-of-service, and will not be flying them again. We had never traveled with this carrier before, so LESSON LEARNED!

Those of you who have no problem with the policies and enjoy the service Spirit provides, GREAT...my family just happens to not be one who appreciates Spirit's service. Guess there is a good thing we have a choice for next time. And just to thorw in...we wnet with Spirit because of the flight schedule NOT the pricing, and yes, I know you get what you pay for.