TMA, getting bad vibes, update for those considering flying

[Prince Eric1]

We booked a flight on a new airline in our area called transmeridian to Orlando for October. The rate dropped today and I called to ask if they do credits like so many have told me Southwest does when their rates drop. The lady at the other end started laughing at me (yes, actually laughing) and had me explain what I meant (though I thought I was clear with my question). Then she directed me to a customer service number which was closed. I then got on the website and sent an email message directly from the address on their site which was returned. I then tried again, and it was returned again. I also have not been able to find anyone who has flown this airline. Did I make a major mistake here, going with their lower rate rather then sticking with airlines I know? If their airplanes are as bad as their customer service, I'm afraid I'll see gremlins on the wings and the engines will fall off. If anyone has flown this airline, good or bad, please let me know what you thought. We are flying from Syracuse to Orlando/Sanford and I'm hoping I didn't mess up here, but I'm getting really negative feelings from their customer service department.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

There is a form on their website to send questions. This airline has been in business since 1985 and is basically a charter airline.
Here is the website to send the message/question.

http://www.transmeridian-airlines.com/contactus.html

 

[Prince Eric1]

Thank you Gail, I tried that one after reading your posts. My emails were also rejected on that link. I then tried the toll free number this morning and got three busy signals. I finally got an answering machine at 10:30AM. I can't believe that no one can answer a phone at an airline. Sorry for the vent, and whether or not they credit towards this flight or a future is not really important as i booked at that rate. I am just getting really frustrated over the rude treatment and lack of customer service.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Prince Eric1
Thank you Gail, I tried that one after reading your posts. My emails were also rejected on that link. I then tried the toll free number this morning and got three busy signals. I finally got an answering machine at 10:30AM. I can't believe that no one can answer a phone at an airline. Sorry for the vent, and whether or not they credit towards this flight or a future is not really important as i booked at that rate. I am just getting really frustrated over the rude treatment and lack of customer service.

I sure don't blame you for that and the vent is just fine, go for it.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

There is a very positive post on 8/22 about TMA out of Syracuse. I have a friend using them next week out of Syracuse and he said that he has gotten nothing but good reviews.

 

[bobri]

A friend of mine flew with them in July from Syracuse just after they starting flying out of Syr and he said it was great no problems tv's and even whole cans of soda so I think you will be fine. The direct flight out of Syracuse is a nice choice to have.

Bob

 

[CarolA]

As stated earlier Transmedia is a charter airline. Therefore they are not going to have the "customer service" staff of a major airline. Keep in mind that as a charter airline most of their flights have been where the whole plane was booked by a tour group. (I flew World airways years ago on a band trip for example!) They just don't have the infrastructure to deal with lots of calls. If they want to move into the "bigs" then they will have to do better, but....

As to refunds or credits, I doubt you will get them on a charter. I read their web site when they first showed up here and I seem to recall that the airfares were pretty much set when you purchased.

 

[Tess]

TMA just began non-stop service from Toledo to San Juan, Sanford, Las Vegas, and a couple of other places today. We have a friend who has a flight booked soon to Las Vegas. I'm really curious to see what others think about flying TMA into Sanford.

With airfares out of Toledo now running (for next year) at between $250 and $356 on the "bigs", the $159-$179 flights offered by TMA are looking more and more attractive. Couple that with an arrival time in Sanford of 9:35 a.m. and a 7:30 p.m. departure from Sanford and it could be a homerun for those of us in the Toledo area. The only caveat will be whether or not the service is reliable compared to Spirit out of Detroit which isn't--at least in our experience.

I'll certainly be eager to hear some reviews from our fall travelers. Anyone booked out of Toledo soon?

 

[CarolA]

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when booking with charter airline like Transmedia. 1. If the plane breaks down or has weather delays they are under NO obligation to move you to another airline. With only one flight a day that can be an issue. Charter airlines are not covered by some of the rules often quoted here. 2. Your money is safe. Charter airlines like Transmedia are required to put your money into an Escrow type account until you have actually taken your flight. 3. See the OP. Customer service may actually be even worse then currently being experienced on the majors. 4. They are required to abide by ALL FAA safety regulations.

 

[Prince Eric1]

Thanks for the feedback. We are just going to enjoy the direct flight and early arrival. I never did get a response from customer service and don't really care anymore. I just had more or less a curiousity question to them and got very frustrated over never being able to speak with a rep and actually getting laughed at on the phone by a party in sales. They did not return any emails or phone calls. Lesson is, when you fly the smaller airlines be prepared to give something up. If they get me from point a to b, I'll be satisfied.

 

[Disneyolic]

Please post here after you use Transmeridian. We live in the Syracuse area and are considering it for future flights - maybe even to Las Vegas.

bobri - as far as the whole cans of soda, all you have to do is ask for the can on other airlines. I do it all the time.

 

[flmlars]

We were suppose to leave Rockford,IL on September 17 for Sanford airport. TMA canceled our flight yesterday. We will try to get flight out of Chicago. I would not do business again with this airline. Please be careful.

 

[Disneyolic]

flmlars Exactly what happened when they cancelled your flight? Were you offered anything else or were you reimbursed?

 

[CarolA]

If a charter airline cancels a flight all they have to give you is a refund. They do not have to and probably won't work with you to rebook you on another airline.

 

[flmlars]

They would schedule us on a flight leaving on Friday but we have all of our reservations set. We will be able to get a refund. But this is very short notice to get new flights.

 

[disneyatheart]

flmlars-

Thank you so much for posting. We almost considered using that airline from Rockford too, but in October. Im so glad we didn't go that route. Im so sorry for your inconvenience. What did you end up doing?

Did they tell you why they cancelled?

Thanks,

liz

 

[Prince Eric1]

DO NOT FLY THIS AIRLINE IF YOU HAVE ANY CHOICES!!!!!

My flight is at the moments still booked on this airline, but I just heard on our local news last night that they are already cutting back and cancelling flights that were already booked. The flights to Vegas are still Ok at the moment, but the flights to Florida are being cut back and cancelled. The news said that the airline will contact people within a few days to let them know if their flights have been cancelled. Thats a whole heck of a lot of notice for people leaving in a few weeks to have to rebook. AND AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, they are a charter flight company (which i did not know when i booked, thought they were just an up and coming like southwest once was in our area) and are not responsible for placing you on another flight. Bottom line is, if our flight is one of the many being cancelled, we are given our money back with a $30 voucher towards a future flight we will never use and now pay a fortune for a last minute flight to meet our schedule since rates just went back up and were so low two weeks ago. I have to fly them this time if my flights not cancelled, but never again.

 

[Prince Eric1]

Final update for those considering flying TMA, I did actually get ahold of a customer service rep today and she stated my flight was ok, but also stated that she didn't have the actual list in front of her but that she would know if ours was one cancelled. She stated most flight being cancelled were mid week flights to florida in September, October, and November. She apologized for the way the news situation was handled throught the media, but I would hate to be one of those people flying in September or October and all of a sudden have my flight cancelled with minimal notice and learn about it on television. Some flying may still not know, as they stated it will be two or three days before they notify customers if their flights are cancelled (on tv this was stated). I'm not trying to rip down a small airline here, I just don't want someones vacation ruined by a mess like this. I will pay a little extra in the future and stick with names I know, which is what i should have done to begin with.

 

[Prince Eric1]

As originally posted by FLMARS -My family was scheduled to fly out of the Rockford,IL airport on TMA on September 17. We were just notified today on September 7 that our flight was canceled. We could fly out on Sep. 15 or Sep 19. We have all of our other reservations and could not juggle to switch these. Lucky got another flight out on Southwest leaving the Chicago airport. Be very careful of TMA. I know I will never try to use them again and I will be telling everyone I know the same thing.

 

[Disneyolic]

Yes, I heard the same thing on the news last night. It's just for the fall season but it really does stink for people like Prince Eric1. My assumption is that they will probably keep weekend flights and cut back on the weekday flights.

I am not sure about using this airline in the future but my BIL lives in Vegas and TMA is the cheapest by far so I'll have to give it a lot of thought when the day comes we go to Las Vegas.