Spirit strike??

[Lewisc]

Spirit has canceled all flights through 6/16. Wednesday's flights have been cancelled. No mention of other airlines accommodating passengers. Passengers who want a real refund have to call Spirit. I wouldn't bother holding for very long, just call your credit card company.

i

 

[PrincessDuck]

Oh...yet another hot topic. I have said before on another thread that airlines need to charge more and be consistent industry wide.

Not just how the public views pilots vs airlines. Many people, at least on DIS, have no idea what fare is profitable. Posters are still looking for R/T fares under $150. SW is solving the problem by reducing the number of flights to Orlando. Try to match the number of seats to the number of passengers willing to pay a profitable fare.

 

[SHOREDAD]

I am not a frequent flyer by any means. I have flown Spirit in the past and swore I would not ever again. (long story of bumping, changed times, etc) I switched to USair and was willing to pay the higher price. NOw that was back in my single days without a family.

On our first family trip to Disney we drove from NJ. The way down was okay. THe way back was horrendous!

SO when we began planning our second family trip we wanted to fly. We came across very cheap flights on SPirit. I went against my better judgement to book. I figured maybe they had figured it out since those days and even with some hassle would be better than the drive. For a family of 5 it was a great savings compared to SOuthwest, etc.

My point and there is one, is that as long as people are willing to purchase the cheap airfares AND take the chance that it could be a disaster, then let them buy the airfare. Why should there be a standard for prices on flights? Supply and demand will work it out. In this case if the two sides in this strike dig in their heels and stick to their guns then Spirit could fold and the supply of cheap airfare will get smaller and the people who buy them will have to make the choice to either stay home or pay a more expensive price. The other thing is that some of the other "cheap" airlines may increase the number of flights to match the demand. Either way someone is going to try to be and will be the cheapest.

I knew going in when I booked back in March that Spirit was not the best customer service wise. I was willing to pay the cheaper fare and take my chances. NOthing wrong with that. you will not hear me complain. Dissappointed yes, complain no. I read the fine print and understood my chances of things going bad. In the end though I do think it stinks for those who did not read it and didn't understand what they were getting themselves into.

Jason

 

[ibcnu]

I fly out 8/16 from ACY, my plan is to wait it out and hope it settles by then. I have checked into Southwest out of PHL and the flight would be about double what I paid spirit when you add in all the fees. Air tran would be the same as Southwest out of ACY. However I would be careful to book Airtran. They have also voted to authorize a strike. They go to the table on JUne 25th and then have a 30 day cooling period after the negotiations break down. you may be okay until at least July 25th, after that who knows. Airtran has gone five years without a new contract! See the link..



http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...tep-toward-strike-on-union-vote-correct-.html

Thanks for the heads up! I am flying from Orlando to AC (one-way) on Airtran on 8/10.

Ok, we are going back to Florida in December, I'm looking to book Southwest our of Philly. Any labor issues going on with Southwest?!!? I feel like I keep bouncing from one airline to another...

 

[crashbb]

I am not a frequent flyer by any means. I have flown Spirit in the past and swore I would not ever again. (long story of bumping, changed times, etc) I switched to USair and was willing to pay the higher price. NOw that was back in my single days without a family.

On our first family trip to Disney we drove from NJ. The way down was okay. THe way back was horrendous!

SO when we began planning our second family trip we wanted to fly. We came across very cheap flights on SPirit. I went against my better judgement to book. I figured maybe they had figured it out since those days and even with some hassle would be better than the drive. For a family of 5 it was a great savings compared to SOuthwest, etc.

My point and there is one, is that as long as people are willing to purchase the cheap airfares AND take the chance that it could be a disaster, then let them buy the airfare. Why should there be a standard for prices on flights? Supply and demand will work it out. In this case if the two sides in this strike dig in their heels and stick to their guns then Spirit could fold and the supply of cheap airfare will get smaller and the people who buy them will have to make the choice to either stay home or pay a more expensive price. The other thing is that some of the other "cheap" airlines may increase the number of flights to match the demand. Either way someone is going to try to be and will be the cheapest.

I knew going in when I booked back in March that Spirit was not the best customer service wise. I was willing to pay the cheaper fare and take my chances. NOthing wrong with that. you will not hear me complain. Dissappointed yes, complain no. I read the fine print and understood my chances of things going bad. In the end though I do think it stinks for those who did not read it and didn't understand what they were getting themselves into.

Jason

You, my friend, are different from a large proportion of the American flight buying public (in a good way).

Having read a lot of threads on this board (not specifically to do with Spirit), people do want to complain. They want cheap fares and they want a high level of customer service.

You are also a nicer person than I am - I do not feel badly for those that didn't read what they were purchasing. It was their responsibility to do so.

Please note - I do not include people currently stung by the strike in my above comment. The strike was not easily foreseeable. The same is true when people have tickets on an airline which then goes under. Actually, I think the strike is worse, especially if you aren't flying before Wednesday - do you go ahead and make other arrangements and risk being out the money if your flight actually does go out or do you wait until it is officially canceled and, perhaps, remove some of your options.

 

[SHOREDAD]

You, my friend, are different from a large proportion of the American flight buying public (in a good way).

Having read a lot of threads on this board (not specifically to do with Spirit), people do want to complain. They want cheap fares and they want a high level of customer service.

You are also a nicer person than I am - I do not feel badly for those that didn't read what they were purchasing. It was their responsibility to do so.

Please note - I do not include people currently stung by the strike in my above comment. The strike was not easily foreseeable. The same is true when people have tickets on an airline which then goes under. Actually, I think the strike is worse, especially if you aren't flying before Wednesday - do you go ahead and make other arrangements and risk being out the money if your flight actually does go out or do you wait until it is officially canceled and, perhaps, remove some of your options.

Actually this strike was in the making for a few months. When I booked I honestly did not know it was a possibility. It wasn't until I googled spirit to get to the website after I booked that I saw links for SPirit pilots voting to authorize a strike. Needless to say I was like OH Crap!(other explitive used). The other thing people should realize is that most flights are non-refundable, even in a strike. SPirit does not have to refund (at least I do not think) THey would be foolish not to.



Anyway I am just going to wait it out. Hopefully it will be settled by then, if not I will get a refund for my 5 flights and hope to find a good fare last minute. Hopefully if my flight is cancelled it will be far enough in advance so I can shop around. If not I95 here we come!!!

 

[tazlikesrobots]

Actually this strike was in the making for a few months. When I booked I honestly did not know it was a possibility. It wasn't until I googled spirit to get to the website after I booked that I saw links for SPirit pilots voting to authorize a strike. Needless to say I was like OH Crap!(other explitive used). The other thing people should realize is that most flights are non-refundable, even in a strike. SPirit does not have to refund (at least I do not think) THey would be foolish not to.

Same here. I did not find out until it was too late. Hoping this is all resolved soon, or I will be stranded in Orlando for 14 days and onlt have hotel stay for 4 nights (we have a split vacation between two cities and we connect trhough Orlando on two different airlines).

On a side note, this may be of help to us - crankyconcierge.com

 

[KelleyD]

Well I was supposed to fly out on Wednesday. I am usually up on all the latest news - but I booked a last minute trip on June 2nd. Talking about it at work the next day, I was informed that they were looking to strike.

Anyway - as of now, no contact from Spirit. I did call Chase - my credit card company. They are well prepared. Told me to call on Thursday to say services were not rendered on Wednesday and the claim would be put it and I SHOULD see the credit within 48 hours.

So doesn't look like we will rebook for this week, and I only 1/4 contemplated driving down with a 3 year old...

 

[tazlikesrobots]

FYI to everyone: I looked at my member benefits for my CC and discovered that I get travel insurance protection for travel booked on that CC. Going to call after work and see what develops....

 

[MAH4546]

Oh...yet another hot topic. I have said before on another thread that airlines need to charge more and be consistent industry wide.

Generally, I agree.

Yet the $80M profit that Spirit made last year was the best in the industry.

 

[mickey2000]

If anyone believes an airline can really fly you R/T for $18 and give great service, plane maintance, etc .... Then your dreaming ! This strike was posted back in early May. Even had a sign at the airport warning people at AC ... Good luck to those who have tickets !!

 

[PlutoPony]

Heard through the grapevine that Clark Howard talked about Spirit a bit today on his radio show. He was reportedly not complimentary to management, talking about them being run by a man who has complete disdain for the customer.

It's not clear what the status is of negotiations right now. And while it is obviously a huge issue for the employees of Spirit to be without a paycheck, the investors probably aren't happy either. The airline is a real cash cow for them, with profit margins of > 10% last year, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming days.

 

[buzzmom3]

I wonder how soon those of us who are suppossed to fly next can cancel? I am suppossed to leave a week from today and if I have to drive, I need to leave on Saturday.

 

[PrincessDuck]

EXACTLY!!!!! Their pilots should be earning a good living! As well as other employees.

Generally, I agree.

Yet the $80M profit that Spirit made last year was the best in the industry.

 

[SHOREDAD]

If anyone believes an airline can really fly you R/T for $18 and give great service, plane maintance, etc .... Then your dreaming ! This strike was posted back in early May. Even had a sign at the airport warning people at AC ... Good luck to those who have tickets !!

I have never seen a flight for that much. THey advertise that, but the lowest I have seen is 28$ one way. Even in the 9$ fare club. I agree however not to expect great service. However if you look at flights during peak times they are compatible with other airlines, they are cheaper but not by much. They have low fares during off times. Thanks for the good luck wishes!!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

EXACTLY!!!!! Their pilots should be earning a good living! As well as other employees.

But there in lies the point of free market, people can quit (yes I understand the economic impact of quitting and not having another job) or people can stay, no one is forcing anyone to accept the current pay.

If no one is willing to work at the rates provided, Spirit will need to increase their compensation rates, if people work for the rates provided, then there is minimal reason to accept them. Now there is an attrition factor that should be a concern for any employer, but depending on the job, this could be minimally invasive. Jobs that require minimal company specific skill (generalized skill or knowledge is more easily replaced) do not have the same negative impact when it comes to attrition knowledge loss.

 

[MAH4546]

EXACTLY!!!!! Their pilots should be earning a good living! As well as other employees.

Spirit's pilots do earn a good living and are welcome to quit and go to another airline if they have issues with their pay. Shame on the striking pilots - its disgusting and they should feel ashamed. Unfortunately, as with most union antics, I'm betting most Spirit pilots don't even want to strike, but crossing picket lines is essentially destroying your future career in the disgustingly heavily unionized pilot world.

Meanwhile, while the pilots are bringing home six figure incomes and making over $120 an hour, nearly 2,000 other Spirit employees who don't enjoy the upper middle class lifestyle of Spirit pilots might lose their jobs on Wednesday. That's who I feel for. I hope all the willingly striking pilots lose their jobs.

I have never seen a flight for that much. THey advertise that, but the lowest I have seen is 28$ one way. Even in the 9$ fare club. I agree however not to expect great service. However if you look at flights during peak times they are compatible with other airlines, they are cheaper but not by much. They have low fares during off times. Thanks for the good luck wishes!!

DOT average fare data shows that Spirit, on average, is 40 to 50% lower than competitors on its domestic routes.

 

[Lewisc]

What's disgusting is Spirit telling passengers alternate arrangements were in place when no viable plan was in place. What's disgusting is Spirit making passengers wait on hold (or contact their credit card company) for a real refund. What's disgusting is Spirit waiting years to start negotiating. What's disgusting is a profitable business telling the union pay cuts are necessary.

A union isn't disgusting for striking after going three years without a contract. Without any real negotiations.

 

[5boyz]

Spirit's pilots do earn a good living and are welcome to quit and go to another airline if they have issues with their pay. Shame on the striking pilots - its disgusting and they should feel ashamed. Unfortunately, as with most union antics, I'm betting most Spirit pilots don't even want to strike, but crossing picket lines is essentially destroying your future career in the disgustingly heavily unionized pilot world.

Meanwhile, while the pilots are bringing home six figure incomes and making over $120 an hour, nearly 2,000 other Spirit employees who don't enjoy the upper middle class lifestyle of Spirit pilots might lose their jobs on Wednesday. That's who I feel for. I hope all the willingly striking pilots lose their jobs.



DOT average fare data shows that Spirit, on average, is 40 to 50% lower than competitors on its domestic routes.

Why might the other Spirit employees lose their jobs on Wedensday?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

What's disgusting is Spirit telling passengers alternate arrangements were in place when no viable plan was in place. What's disgusting is Spirit making passengers wait on hold (or contact their credit card company) for a real refund. What's disgusting is Spirit waiting years to start negotiating. What's disgusting is a profitable business telling the union pay cuts are necessary.

The devil is in the details, there were arrangements made with other carriers, unfortunately because of the unionized nature of air travel, particularly pilots, the arrangements are not worth the paper they were printed on because no pilot will fly the route for Spirit.

I believe from a PR perspective, Spirit could have definately handled their refund policy a little different, possibly automatically refunding travel paid by credit card on canceled flights. That said though, customers also bear the responsibility to ensure they know what they are buying, the rights they have, and what may be needed to obtain those rights.

Negotiations didn't happen overnight, there was a lot of back and forth, this has been well publicized recently, but it has been on going for a quite a while.

Last year, many companies were profitable, but still requested pay cuts from their employees. Some were because the profit margin was to razor thin and if the pay cuts did not occur, the company would have been unprofitable and others were because companies needed to increase their profit margin to satisfy investors. Again, no one is forcing anyone to work for Spirit. If the pilots, the crew, the CEO are unhappy with the income they receive, they are able to look for another job.