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

[jlewisinsyr]

It maybe cheaper, but it is only hurting the ones that really can't afford to fly and pay for every little "convenience" I think the next thing up for grabs maybe air.

No one ever said flying was a guaranteed right, if you cannot afford to fly and pay the prices requested for the flight and all the extra services you want, then you need to look for alternative travel options or not travel at all.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

JetBlue has wasted no time poking fun at Spirit for this stupid new fee. Since Spirit currently does not charge passengers for wearing clothes, this new shirt offers a way to avoid the carry-on charge.

http://blog.hellojetblue.com/blog/i...pirit-airlines-to-charge-for-carryon-luggage/

In the meantime, most of you can keep paying stupid baggage fees all you want. And some of you seem quite happy to begin paying this carry-on fee. So be it. The rest of us will continue to enjoy low fares and free checked baggage on Southwest & JetBlue.

BobK/Orlando

 

[damone]

I've never flown Spirit, and now, certainly never will. I'll stick with Southwest who charges nothing for baggage fees.

 

[damone]

I think it's the right way to go. People have started carrying on bags that are to big, to avoid paying baggage fees. Stop over packing and you won't have such problems. And before I get flamed on this, I understand that families of 6,7,8 or more have to bring a lot of crap. But it's the groups of 2 or 3 that pack like they are 6 or 7 that kill it.

None of this would have happened if the airlines didn't start charging for checked bags. Everyone should be able to check in 1 (if not, 2) bags for free, and pay for anything more.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I've never flown Spirit, and now, certainly never will. I'll stick with Southwest who charges nothing for baggage fees.

Partially correct, they do not itemize their baggage fee, basically subjecting everyone to the same baggage costs by including it in their base fare.

None of this would have happened if the airlines didn't start charging for checked bags. Everyone should be able to check in 1 (if not, 2) bags for free, and pay for anything more.

It's a double edged sword, either raise the base fare and include the baggage costs in the base fare and make everyone pay them, or only charge those who choose to check bags, I'd take the latter over the former, I'd rather pay for what I use, not subsidize others more then I already do.

 

[damone]

Again, easily said by someone who doesn't have kids. Trust me, throw a few kids in the mix and you will NOT be traveling so lightly. Don't be so quick to judge. These charges add up fast for families and are ridiculous!

Yup - That's why more and more people are using UPS to ship luggage. Their business has gone WAY up.

 

[damone]

Partially correct, they do not itemize their baggage fee, basically subjecting everyone to the same baggage costs by including it in their base fare.

At least half a dozen airlines fly from my area to Orlando. Southwest is always the least expensive. If they're charging me for bags, so be it.

 

[Esmerelda]

When my family and I flew last August, we saw 'carryons' (and I use that term lightly) that were big enough to fit a 4 year old inside of!!

This is EXACTLY why these charges are starting. I absolutely have no problem with checking my larger bags and I carry on my lap top in a lap top bag. I do not carry on an outfit and a pair of shoes for each of us. This is what it looks like people seem to do? We saw flight attendants putting bags overhead last year that they were even having trouble lifting. What the heck....????

(not to mention that it's dangerous for that kind of weight to be in any overhead)

 

[kaytieeldr]

It would be one thing is ALL the carriers do this, but they don't. The one who doesn't is still doing OK:

I hope the other ones fee themselves out of existence.

Really? You'd prefer a single domestic airline with an absolute monopoly? Thank heaven for laws that prevent this!

There are somethings that one should expect to come with the fee you pay to fly. Just like a car, you can buy a standard car but it still comes with brakes, seats, and wheels. By willing accepting these fees you travelers are telling the airlines they can add charges for everything and you're happy with it. Part of flying includes bringing some luggage, or do you fly with nothing?

Somebody brought up the one day trip, that's ridiculous.

Not at all. MOST of most airlines' revenue - the good revenue, the passengers who pay the reasonable fares, based on their need to travel at specific times/days, vs. the ones who hunt and search and - frankly - nickel-and-dime the airlines right back - the business travelers, DO often travel one day or one night. I know my former employer expected people traveling on business to schedule meetings to, if at ALL possible, allow for single-day travel - no hotel.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think this is ridiculous and hope other airlines do not follow their lead. The airlines should control the size and the weight of the carryon - not charge for them!

Well, not exactly. The airlines should - do, actually - determine and publicize maximum sizes and weights for luggage. The passengers should inform themselves of these restrictions and control their own packing accordingly.

 

[pooch]

Again, easily said by someone who doesn't have kids. Trust me, throw a few kids in the mix and you will NOT be traveling so lightly. Don't be so quick to judge. These charges add up fast for families and are ridiculous!

my 25 year old was a kid at one time as was her 19 year old brother. Add Dh to the mix and we STILL only checked 2 bags. And when the whole family went, we stayed for 10 days. Traveling light is not a function of # of people but of making a conscious effort to pack light!!! Maybe you do but I've seen posts talking about the 20 hairbows needed for little Suzy to go with the matching shoes for each outfit. Mix & match, get a drink at the pool bar & do a load of laundry. My point is there are ways to cut down on how much luggage you bring but most people are unwilling to do it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yup - That's why more and more people are using UPS to ship luggage. Their business has gone WAY up.

Interesting reaction on principle... since UPS charges $70 to ship the same fifty pounds that an airline will transport for about $25...

 

[M5ward]

Yeah but that space is pretty limited and it has to be fully under AND they won't be hitting me in the head when the can't lift the suitcase and kinda throw it up there and then laugh when there is no way for them to lift it over their head, like it is cute. She ended up having to gate check it cause no one would lift it for her. And if it falls out and hits me on the head in turbulence it means the planes is upside down and that would probably be the least of my problems

This has been a long time coming..too many people don't go by the rules and everyone ends up paying. Should the airlines enforce their carry on rules? Probably..but what about personal accountability? Oops, I forgot..we don't have that anymore.
Abuse of carry on policies is one of my biggest pet peeves. I've been hit more than once by someone trying to get their too big, too heavy, overstuffed "carry on" bag in the overhead bin. We ALWAYS fly Spirit out of ACY and will continue to do so. (In our experience, Spirit is always on time, non-stop, and has minimal flight time changes.) We take a small carry on and check 2 bags (1 for each of us); we could really get by with just checking 1 bag but we like the extra space just in case we find extra souvenirs for our grandkids. We also belong to the $9 fare club, so that's a help.
Coming home from the World in January, there was not an inch of space in the overhead bins, and quite a few passengers (us included) HAD to put carry ons under the seat..didn't matter much for us, but some had really overstuffed bags..hope they were sorry they turned down the chance to gate check those bags for free.
It will be interesting to see which airline is the next to go this route.

 

[Hannathy]

Partially correct, they do not itemize their baggage fee, basically subjecting everyone to the same baggage costs by including it in their base fare.



It's a double edged sword, either raise the base fare and include the baggage costs in the base fare and make everyone pay them, or only charge those who choose to check bags, I'd take the latter over the former, I'd rather pay for what I use, not subsidize others more then I already do.

Thank You I have been trying to say this forever! The airlines are a business they do nothing for free you pay for everything it is just HOW you pay that changes or how they show the charges.

 

[Inkmahm]

Does Spirit check bags? If they do, how much do they charge for that?

Bobbi

I was wondering the same thing. I found this in a news article:

"At the same time, Spirit will lower fees for checked luggage. Spirit Airline members will pay $15 for their first and second bags if they pay online, instead of the $19 and $25 that was previously charged. Non-members, however, will pay more: The first bag is $25 online and $45 at the airport; $30 for the second bag."

 

[jodifla]

I stopped flying Spirit a while ago unless absolutely necessary. And of course it's not $45 fee, it's $90.

The problem is there is really stuff you need with you when you are traveling, like electronics, medicine, and food in case the airline decides to hold you and your family hostage on the plane for a dozen hours or so.

This is lousy for business travelers as well, who won't be able to bring their brief case and travel suitcase with them.

Hopefully this madness won't catch on.

 

[Tara]

I stopped flying Spirit a while ago unless absolutely necessary. And of course it's not $45 fee, it's $90.

The problem is there is really stuff you need with you when you are traveling, like electronics, medicine, and food in case the airline decides to hold you and your family hostage on the plane for a dozen hours or so.

This is lousy for business travelers as well, who won't be able to bring their brief case and travel suitcase with them.

Hopefully this madness won't catch on.

Of course they can bring those things - they just have to pay for them. I don't know too many businesses that don't reimburse for baggage fees when they require employees to travel.

And my personal item, which holds all my purse-type belongings (wallet, iphone, makeup bag, pencil case, notebook, sunglasses, keys) plus my laptop, power cord, water bottle, snacks like a bag of almonds, a magazine or book, and even a great big scarf that I can use as a blanket. It's heavy on my shoulder, but it fits under the seat.

My DS8 has a little rolling suitcase that holds a change of clothes and anything he wants to entertain himself in flight. It fits under the seat. DH carries a backpack with his laptop and other personal belongings, and it fits under a seat.

 

[lugnut33]

Of course they can bring those things - they just have to pay for them. I don't know too many businesses that don't reimburse for baggage fees when they require employees to travel.

And my personal item, which holds all my purse-type belongings (wallet, iphone, makeup bag, pencil case, notebook, sunglasses, keys) plus my laptop, power cord, water bottle, snacks like a bag of almonds, a magazine or book, and even a great big scarf that I can use as a blanket. It's heavy on my shoulder, but it fits under the seat.

My DS8 has a little rolling suitcase that holds a change of clothes and anything he wants to entertain himself in flight. It fits under the seat. DH carries a backpack with his laptop and other personal belongings, and it fits under a seat.

you think you're being smart by putting them under the seats do you? Well, next there will be an under the seat charge because they have to get that money from you. You're not paying enough eventhough they post those prices, so open those pockets and give them more money. Afterall, they deserve that extra money.

I can't believe how many people have fallen for the trap. Amazing. You think you're buying a Cadillac, but you're really getting the Griswold Family Truckster.

The airlines created the problem of full overhead bins by implementing the checked baggage fees, and now they are making you pay extra to try and remedy it (eventhough it's actually just a ploy to make more money, sort of like when Disney adds on that extra fee at its restaurants during busy times).

 

[lugnut33]

Yup - That's why more and more people are using UPS to ship luggage. Their business has gone WAY up.

If everyone starts shipping stuff UPS to their destination then airlines like Spirit will start charging a "No bag fee" on the passengers who have no bags. And people here will applaud because they are concerned Spirit might not be making enough money off the people flying with no bags.

 

[damone]

Interesting reaction on principle... since UPS charges $70 to ship the same fifty pounds that an airline will transport for about $25...

I was referring to items like diapers, formula, bottles, etc. being shipped ahead in boxes. I don't know anyone yet shipping their actual suitcases ahead of them.

Sorry. Should have rephrased that.