Spirit Airlines Says: "Don't Fly With Us"

[Vivianne]

What is this?

The elite club keep on posting against this poster "lugnut". There's something wrong with that. why does the pendulum swing to one extreme to another? No middle ground?

He/she is just posting an opinion...I've read ALL these posts for awhile.

No, we don't like paying more...unless we're stockholders and have a stake in this game... The lure is that people love DISNEY...I guess that's BAD!

The taxpayer pays for the air traffic controllers...not the airlines..therefore we subsidize their existence.

Yes, it is a business...uh...we look for the best price... Whoever doesn't, is either getting paid extremely well or doesn't even pay for their airfare. If it was only based on business travel...well then they don't need the vacationer and would charge them more.

The airlines throw us a bone/with a discount and we're supposed to worry about them?

Isn't it all about business? You can get coupons/discount everywhere and we're supposed to feel guilty? If they don't need us then WHY BOTHER!


However....our tax dollars...are supposed to come to the rescue when things look bad for business. Doesn't our tax dollars pay for air-traffic controllers? I traveled the week of 9/11...everyone was scared! People were terrified to fly. I met a few who chose to rent a car and drive back home....Yet, I got on a plane...that same week and supported the airlines. I figured they were safer after this horrific event and took the chance.

Guess the little guy doesn't count. Only in times of trouble we're a source of funding/revenue...Other than that we're obsolete.

Guess the average flyer is a dummy in your view...

 

[pooch]

I don't understand the references to air traffic controllers. What do they have to do with this discussion? And I don't think the "elite club" is ganging up on the OP. Many on this thread don't agree with the OP, many do. The discussion has been pretty civil IMHO. I fail to see a gang mentality here. Besides, if there is an elite club how come nobody asked me to join?!!?

 

[kaytieeldr]

The elite club keep on posting against this poster "lugnut". There's something wrong with that. why does the pendulum swing to one extreme to another? No middle ground?

Respectfully, there's no 'club', elite or otherwise. There are simply individuals of a like mind - on BOTH sides. Nobody is is picking on lugnut33; it may appear that way to some, but at the most ubiquitous poster in this thread against Spirit's changes, most responses are, obviously, made directly in response to her/his posts.

No, we don't like paying more...unless we're stockholders and have a stake in this game... The lure is that people love DISNEY...I guess that's BAD!

I'm sure even stockholders don't like paying more (yes, even if they ultimately profit from it - the profits will rarely exceed the increased costs). It's a fact of life, economy, and inflation. Gas is on the rise again, but nobody's complaining about that - and many more people NEED gasoline than need air travel.

The taxpayer pays for the air traffic controllers...not the airlines..therefore we subsidize their existence.

I don't understand the references to air traffic controllers.

You've got me, pooch. I'm twice as as you are!

Yes, it is a business...uh...we look for the best price... Whoever doesn't, is either getting paid extremely well or doesn't even pay for their airfare.

No, I look for the best value. That's generally on JetBlue as far as I'm concerned - even if the price is higher than, say, Southwest (not likely lately) or AirTran. No, I'm not rich; I'm not even well-off. Yes, I DO care about how I spend my money. I get the best value for my money - flight schedules, nonstop choices, treatment, entertainment, refreshments, employee attitude, - from JetBlue. THAT'S important to me, even if it means traveling less.

The airlines throw us a bone/with a discount and we're supposed to worry about them?

Worry about them? No. Try to explain, especially to others who seem unduly upset (e.g. someone who may never, ever fly on Spirit but just doesn't like the idea of this change) why they are or might be making the change.

However....our tax dollars...are supposed to come to the rescue when things look bad for business. Doesn't our tax dollars pay for air-traffic controllers?

Again - not at ALL getting the reference to tax dollars and air traffic controllers . Yes, air traffic controllers are federal employees; there are about two MILLION federal employees, yet only 26,200 - a mere 1.3 percent of all federal employees - are air traffic controllers. Sitll not getting the source of their salaries in relation to this topic.

Yet, I got on a plane...that same week and supported the airlines. I figured they were safer after this horrific event and took the chance.

To/in the United States? Not until Friday or Saturday, wasn't it?

Guess the little guy doesn't count. Only in times of trouble we're a source of funding/revenue...Other than that we're obsolete

uh, no. Every time a person purchases a product or service from a business, that person is a source of revenue :confused. Yes, the little guy counts. Not understanding where you're getting any impression otherwise. Do you mean if Spirit raised its fares $40 or $60 round-trip AND banned carry-ons - by, say, removing the overhead bins and replacing them with an open shelf like on a bus, safe for only lightweight items like coats - you'd be feel 'counted?

Guess the average flyer is a dummy in your view

Stubborn and shortsighted, perhaps, not considering the business's side of things at all - but "dummy". NEVER. Seriously, never.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Sorry I could only read up to page 7. I don't fly Sprit so I don't really care how they charge their customers but just wanted to comment about so many people saying we are fooled if we think SW doesn't add the baggage fees into their base prices.

Well, what a coincidence. Earlier today I just shopped airfares for an early Sept long weekend, Wed. night to Sun.
Here are the prices I got:
SWA-$98 + tax each way
Airtran-same
USAirways-same

So why would I not choose SW? There are also no change fees so if something comes up, we could easily cancel and apply our funds to another date.
All 3 offered non stops flights at various times of day.

eta: JetBlue is way too far away for us. I'd spend more in gas just to avoid baggage fees. Not worth it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, what a coincidence. Earlier today I just shopped airfares for an early Sept long weekend, Wed. night to Sun.
Here are the prices I got:
SWA-$98 + tax each way
Airtran-same
USAirways-same

So why would I not choose SW?

Based on several threads on this board and the Budget one, you appear to have been extremely fortunate to have found a competitive Southwest fare. Of course you'd choose that one, since - although you didn't include them - the other airlines' $98 fares you indicate don't include luggage fees or seat selection charges.

 

[Allison]

What is this?

It's a discussion on a discussion board. Nothing more. It seems to be going fine to me.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Just another way to gouge the consumer just like the banks with all their fees......

I really disagree that unbundling charges is just another way to gouge the consumer. Many would suggest that the opposite is true: when you require a consumer to buy a bundle of products, some of which they may not want, then the consumer is paying more for the products that they do want.

One classic example of unbundling that many here are familar with was the change in tickets at WDW when MYW was introduced. Consumers now have a chance to purchase both the PH option and the non-expiration option for their tickets. Is it really "gouging" that WDW sets a separate fee if you want either of these choices? Many of these boards seem happy to have the option to plan to not PH or to let their tickets expire so that they can save money.

Why not let Spirit operate under its desired business model? If consumers don't like it, they will vote with their pocketbooks, fly a different airline or drive and Spirit will need to rethink its plan. -- Suzanne

 

[Lewisc]

I'm sorry I don't understand Vivianne's post. Of course most of us consider price when making a purchase, including airfare. Sometimes price is the most important factor. Sometimes it's one factor.

People certainly should consider airfare. The additional cost, if any, to accommodate whatever luggage you're planning on taking should be included.

Some airlines charge for luggage and some don't. Carriers that don't charge extra for luggage sometimes offer good fares and sometimes offer high fares. Charging for larger carryon bags isn't that much different then charging for a checked bag. Passengers have to check their numbers.

Many of us are Southwest customers. When SW lowered the free checked bag allowance from 3 bags to 2 bags they applied the change to passengers who already purchased tickets. Subsequently the government told airlines not to make changes to passengers who already purchased tickets. Spirit is letting passengers know of the new policy prior to making a reservation.

I'm not sure what the air traffic controllers have to do with this discussion. Some airlines charge for luggage and some don't.

 

[lugnut33]

Based on several threads on this board and the Budget one, you appear to have been extremely fortunate to have found a competitive Southwest fare. Of course you'd choose that one, since - although you didn't include them - the other airlines' $98 fares you indicate don't include luggage fees or seat selection charges.

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Wow, I have to question that statement about being lucky to find a competitive SW fare.

 

[Tara]

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Wow, I have to question that statement about being lucky to find a competitive SW fare.

If you have to question it, then you must not spend much time comparison shopping flights in a market where Southwest has little to no need to be competitive. In my city, they're the only nonstop game in town - as such, their fares are higher than every other carrier from which I can choose. For my upcoming trip, Southwest is $350 (+$10 for EBCI, making it $360) and Delta, USAir, Continental and United are all $317 or $319. Even if I check a bag, Southwest is not the cheapest.

Now, I pay it - I want that nonstop flight and I don't want that option to go away from my airport entirely. I'm a little afraid it will given that Southwest has already seemingly cut back some service. On my departure day, there are only 4 flights to Orlando - the first and last are nonstop. The first is the most expensive, too - $189. There used to be more flights.

Yesterday I searched the entire summer calendar to MCO on Southwest - there is no fare below $139 OW. Right now there are a bunch of dates on USAir and Delta at $301 total.

My MIL is joining us at WDW in August and I did a bunch of comparison shopping for her to fly out of PHL. Her requirements are nonstop flight, no departure before 7:30am, and home before 7:00pm. Southwest fares are running about $98 in general, but to meet her needs, she'd pay $115 and $196 each way. USAir ended up cheaper for her, so that's what she's taking.

 

[karaconstructsamess]

Southwest is looking more and more like the only airline worth flying.

 

[Brandis]

Probably will not apply to most of you, as Ryanair flies mostly in Europe, but they are thinking about charging to use the toilet in the plane!

And they want to have only one toilet per plane which would give them an additional row of seats.


If I remember correctly, they were also thinking about having standing room on the plane to get even more people in.

 

[goofy4tink]

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Wow, I have to question that statement about being lucky to find a competitive SW fare.

Well....I know that for my August trip, my dh is flying SW r/t from Providence to MCO. But, my dd and I are flying SW, from Providence to MCO, but flying JB home, to Boston. We are leaving a few days later than my dh. JB's fare was much less than SW's. And that has happened multiple times.

Probably will not apply to most of you, as Ryanair flies mostly in Europe, but they are thinking about charging to use the toilet in the plane!

And they want to have only one toilet per plane which would give them an additional row of seats.


If I remember correctly, they were also thinking about having standing room on the plane to get even more people in.

Only on flights that are one hour or less. I just don't see that as a big deal. I really doubt it will ever happen to flights here in the US.

 

[PlutoPony]

Wow, I have to question that statement about being lucky to find a competitive SW fare.

SW isn't usually the cheapest out of IAD either, in fact even United usually matches or beats them. We got $49 fares a couple years ago when they first started service out of Dulles but since then they've been higher than other airlines for every trip I've checked, going both to MCO and other locations in the US.

 

[lugnut33]

I'm sure there are places where SW can be higher due to lack of a real competitor. Maybe their service is so good that can charge a bit of a premium?

Anyways, I have found them to be ultra-competitive here in the Chicago area (Between Midway and Ohare, it's a huge market with tons of competitors). Maybe that's just an abberation, but they must be doing something right to have become the US's #1 carrier. Maybe it's because they don't do all those pesky little fees? Then on top of that they do offer competitive fares.

 

[PlutoPony]

I'm sure there are places where SW can be higher due to lack of a real competitor. Maybe their service is so good that can charge a bit of a premium?

Actually they're pulling back at IAD because the competition beat them on service, and their price wasn't low enough to get people to give up service on the other airlines. There are a couple other markets where SW hasn't done well and pulled back. That's not to say they aren't a good airline, but just that their business model isn't going to be successful in all markets. Same thing as Spirit - their business model is different than other airlines and there are some markets where that model will work and others where it won't.

People seem to take airline pricing personally at times. It's not, it's a business model and a market, that's all.

 

[darrengs]

Well it appears that at least one Senator is not happy about this carry on fee and the fact that these fees avoid taxes (this will always get the Government interested).


http://www.northjersey.com/news/041...s_banned_from_charging_carry-on_bag_fee_.html

 

[darrengs]

People seem to take airline pricing personally at times. It's not, it's a business model and a market, that's all.

For people going on vacation I think what they spend on Airfare is personal.

 

[PlutoPony]

For people going on vacation I think what they spend on Airfare is personal.

When the price of anything you use goes up do you take it personally? I mean, have you been to the grocery store lately - I assume you eat

 

[Lewisc]

SW, like most airlines, are reducing the number of flights to destinations that required deeply discounted fares to sell out. That means fewer flights to destinations like Orlando. It means fewer N/S flights and more connecting flights. Posters from those cities, such as BDL, are finding higher fares.

SW basically discontinued service from IAD to MCO. SW publishes service with a connection in Chicago but that kind of indirect connection rarely makes sense.

Posters who think one airline is the best for everyone are kidding themselves.

The Senator makes a valid point. Airlines don't pay taxes on the fees. Airlines that replace part of the fare with fees aren't paying "their fair share". I suspect we'll be paying taxes on airline fees in the near future.

The space under the seat in front of you gives you more then enough space to accommodate medicines, cameras etc.

One of the "regulars" checked for me. The maximum load of some of the bins is around 38 kgs (84 lbs). The bins can hold 3 or 4 roller bags. Those bags can weigh 40 lbs. No question some bins are being overloaded.