Comments on: Spirit Airlines smacked with record $375,000 fine for consumer rules violations http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kampro01 http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-88221 Kampro01 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:02:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-88221 Spirit Airline should not be in business they are cheats .  Booking time customer does not know that there will be additional charge for seats and more for one little bags which goes over the seat.  People sitting in India do not know what they are talking about.  They take our personal information again and again for every thing .  It is not safe to give away your information to these Indians sitting somewhere in Indian village. They sell everything on board if you do not have credit card you can't buy anything no cash.  Spirit staff is very rude and you cannot talk to them other wise they will call marshal and have you arrested. This airline should not be business in America atleast. Spirit Airline should not be in business they are cheats .  Booking time customer does not know that there will be additional charge for seats and more for one little bags which goes over the seat.  People sitting in India do not know what they are talking about.  They take our personal information again and again for every thing .  It is not safe to give away your information to these Indians sitting somewhere in Indian village. They sell everything on board if you do not have credit card you can’t buy anything no cash.  Spirit staff is very rude and you cannot talk to them other wise they will call marshal and have you arrested. This airline should not be business in America atleast.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-85686 Anonymous Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:08:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-85686 Hmmm, what's 50,000n in US currency? Hmmm, what’s 50,000n in US currency?

]]> By: Dominican_g23l http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-82760 Dominican_g23l Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:17:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-82760 they are fined 50,000n per passenger they are fined 50,000n per passenger

]]> By: Barb Dawe http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-36433 Barb Dawe Thu, 25 Mar 2010 01:28:03 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-36433 Another unhappy spirit customer, as of last week-end March 13th 2010. My husband and I were thrilled to be taking our 3 grandchildren to Disney in Orlando for 6 days after much planning and saving .Our flight was scheduled to leave Detroit at 7:47 pm, March 13th arriving in Orlando at 10:13 pm.We arrived 3 hrs ahead of flight time, after several hrs of waiting, we were repeadily told that they didn't have a first officer and were trying to locate one, at 2:30 am...they cancelled the flight until Monday night March 15th, same departure time. With our vacation cut short by 2 days and having rented a vacation home that we would now lose 2 days rent on, we extented our time in Orlando to return on the 22ND of March, instead of original date of March 19th,which meant Hotel rooms for 3 nights in Orlando and 2 Nights in Detroit plus other expenses in restaurants, park n fly, shuttle tips etc etc. We did take the flight insurance and like all other insurance companies, what you think you're buying and what you actually get are 2 very different things. The woman on the phone today explained how they would only pay the 2 nights in Detroit in the amount of $49.99 per person for accomodations and meals for the 2 days, nothing for any other expenses as the scheduled flight did return back to Detroit on March 19th and it was our choice to stay 2 days longer. This delay with Spirit through their lack of personnel to fly the aircraft cost us over $1100 over our vacation budget. Coming form Ontario Canada, it is way too much money for just 3 days in Orlando. After reading all the negativity around lack of customer service with spirit, I'm not sure, I'll get anything out of them but am sure going to give it my best shot. Thanks for letting me vent...I'm furious!!!! Another unhappy spirit customer, as of last week-end March 13th 2010.
My husband and I were thrilled to be taking our 3 grandchildren to Disney in Orlando for 6 days after much planning and saving .Our flight was scheduled to leave Detroit at 7:47 pm, March 13th arriving in Orlando at 10:13 pm.We arrived 3 hrs ahead of flight time, after several hrs of waiting, we were repeadily told that they didn’t have a first officer and were trying to locate one, at 2:30 am…they cancelled the flight until Monday night March 15th, same departure time.
With our vacation cut short by 2 days and having rented a vacation home that we would now lose 2 days rent on, we extented our time in Orlando to return on the 22ND of March, instead of original date of March 19th,which meant Hotel rooms for 3 nights in Orlando and 2 Nights in Detroit plus other expenses in restaurants, park n fly, shuttle tips etc etc.
We did take the flight insurance and like all other insurance companies, what you think you’re buying and what you actually get are 2 very different things.
The woman on the phone today explained how they would only pay the 2 nights in Detroit in the amount of $49.99 per person for accomodations and meals for the 2 days, nothing for any other expenses as the scheduled flight did return back to Detroit on March 19th and it was our choice to stay 2 days longer.
This delay with Spirit through their lack of personnel to fly the aircraft cost us over $1100 over our vacation budget.
Coming form Ontario Canada, it is way too much money for just 3 days in Orlando.
After reading all the negativity around lack of customer service with spirit, I’m not sure, I’ll get anything out of them but am sure going to give it my best shot.
Thanks for letting me vent…I’m furious!!!!

]]> By: BILL BELL http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-27160 BILL BELL Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:49:03 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-27160 I have tried to stop Spirit from renewing my membership, to no avail. Can not reach a live rep. I will have to wait for them to renew and then I will have to contact my credit card co. They should be put out of buisness. I have tried to stop Spirit from renewing my membership, to no avail. Can not reach a live rep. I will have to wait for them to renew and then I will have to contact my credit card co. They should be put out of buisness.

]]> By: Worst Airline Rule Breaker | The Titanic Awards http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-26863 Worst Airline Rule Breaker | The Titanic Awards Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:46:22 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-26863 [...] Spirit Airlines is still feeling the sting after getting bitch slapped by the Department of Transportation last month with a $375,000 fine for all sorts of dubious deeds. The long list includes bumping passengers without compensation, taking too long to resolve baggage claims, and refusing to accept responsibility when certain expensive items went missing, like laptop computers.  For more details, check out Christopher Elliott’s piece [...] [...] Spirit Airlines is still feeling the sting after getting bitch slapped by the Department of Transportation last month with a $375,000 fine for all sorts of dubious deeds. The long list includes bumping passengers without compensation, taking too long to resolve baggage claims, and refusing to accept responsibility when certain expensive items went missing, like laptop computers.  For more details, check out Christopher Elliott’s piece [...]

]]> By: Sky-high government fines against United, US Airways for safety violations http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-25409 Sky-high government fines against United, US Airways for safety violations Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:20:18 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-25409 [...] — or less — safe. It does, however, suggest that some of the recent government steps to clamp down on airline misbehavior may not be a [...] [...] — or less — safe. It does, however, suggest that some of the recent government steps to clamp down on airline misbehavior may not be a [...]

]]> By: Government to airlines: limiting lost-luggage compensation “a violation” of regulations http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-25226 Government to airlines: limiting lost-luggage compensation “a violation” of regulations Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:40:08 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-25226 [...] will take enforcement action if they do not.” LaHood’s tough talk comes on the heels of a record $375,000 fine against Spirit Airlines last [...] [...] will take enforcement action if they do not.” LaHood’s tough talk comes on the heels of a record $375,000 fine against Spirit Airlines last [...]

]]> By: Mike http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-24640 Mike Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:59:34 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-24640 Spirit made more than 36 million so far this year which is remarkable. Very few have generated positive numbers. The fine is nothing more than the cost of doing business. Spirit's management is clever and know what they are doing... Spirit made more than 36 million so far this year which is remarkable. Very few have generated positive numbers. The fine is nothing more than the cost of doing business. Spirit’s management is clever and know what they are doing…

]]> By: Matt http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-24332 Matt Sun, 20 Sep 2009 09:24:42 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-24332 This couldn’t happen to a better airline. I have such distain for Spirit Air. They will never get my business. The way they treat their customer is not only bordering on criminal, but their policies are so bizarre the airline themselves don’t know what to make of it. The India call center can’t answer a basic question, either out of incompetence or they really don’t know the answer to the most basic questions I feel the travel industry as a whole would sleep much better if Spirit Air went belly up. This couldn’t happen to a better airline.
I have such distain for Spirit Air.
They will never get my business. The way they treat their customer is not only bordering on criminal, but their policies are so bizarre the airline themselves don’t know what to make of it.
The India call center can’t answer a basic question, either out of incompetence or they really don’t know the answer to the most basic questions
I feel the travel industry as a whole would sleep much better if Spirit Air went belly up.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-24321 Jamie Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:43:40 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-24321 The fine is the equivalent to an ordinary citizen getting a $20.00 parking fine. I doubt Spirit Airline will even notice the chub change missing from their pocket. It is obvious that they certainly don't care about the bad publicity either. The fine is the equivalent to an ordinary citizen getting a $20.00 parking fine. I doubt Spirit Airline will even notice the chub change missing from their pocket. It is obvious that they certainly don’t care about the bad publicity either.

]]> By: Robin http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-24288 Robin Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:20:25 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-24288 This is the very least the DOT should have socked Spirit with. I have personally been on the receiving end of at least 6 of the infractions that the DOT is fining them for. I hope that my complaints to the DOT are part of the reason this fine was inflicted. I've tried numerous times to get a response from Spirit about a concern using a very calm, concise and direct letter to no avail. Their complete lack of respect for the customer is finally coming back to them. I forwarded my concerns to the DOT as I could not stand idly by and be ignored by the airline. However, I got the best resolution to my problems. I simply will not fly them any longer. I don't care how much money I can "save", it is not worth the hassle of dealing with their non-existent customer service department, the constantly canceled flights (with NO compensation), the inability to speak with an agent when the website doesn't work, the inability to purchase a ticket online if you uncheck the insurance box, and the price to replace all of the luggage that they ruin and blame on me. Flying Delta/Northwest in/out of Detroit has been far more pleasant, reliable, convenient and cheaper. Yes, cheaper. I can only hope the DOT continues to look into this airline and keep up the fines for such utter disregard for the laws of the land & air. This is the very least the DOT should have socked Spirit with. I have personally been on the receiving end of at least 6 of the infractions that the DOT is fining them for. I hope that my complaints to the DOT are part of the reason this fine was inflicted.

I’ve tried numerous times to get a response from Spirit about a concern using a very calm, concise and direct letter to no avail. Their complete lack of respect for the customer is finally coming back to them. I forwarded my concerns to the DOT as I could not stand idly by and be ignored by the airline.

However, I got the best resolution to my problems. I simply will not fly them any longer. I don’t care how much money I can “save”, it is not worth the hassle of dealing with their non-existent customer service department, the constantly canceled flights (with NO compensation), the inability to speak with an agent when the website doesn’t work, the inability to purchase a ticket online if you uncheck the insurance box, and the price to replace all of the luggage that they ruin and blame on me.

Flying Delta/Northwest in/out of Detroit has been far more pleasant, reliable, convenient and cheaper. Yes, cheaper.

I can only hope the DOT continues to look into this airline and keep up the fines for such utter disregard for the laws of the land & air.

]]> By: Alan Nimby http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-24279 Alan Nimby Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:45:31 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-24279 What's a few hundred thou when you can up the baggage fees. What we need is a DOT that cares about the passenger and will implement a standard set of rules all airlines will have to adhere to and then enforcement to make sure they do! And fines are not enough. If the airlines are abusing their "monopolies" on certain routes, the DOT should encourage a competitor to fly the same route. Let the better service win! What’s a few hundred thou when you can up the baggage fees.
What we need is a DOT that cares about the passenger and will implement a standard set of rules all airlines will have to adhere to and then enforcement to make sure they do! And fines are not enough. If the airlines are abusing their “monopolies” on certain routes, the DOT should encourage a competitor to fly the same route. Let the better service win!

]]> By: ed http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-24278 ed Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:38:05 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-24278 What I find offensive is that the airlines are fined for not informing passengers of some trivial issues such as baggage liability and not making documentation readily available, yet *NOBODY* gets in trouble for passengers sitting on planes on the runway for 7 hours...What's wrong with this picture folks! Ed What I find offensive is that the airlines are fined for not informing passengers of some trivial issues such as baggage liability and not making documentation readily available, yet *NOBODY* gets in trouble for passengers sitting on planes on the runway for 7 hours…What’s wrong with this picture folks!
Ed

]]> By: Joel Wechsler http://www.elliott.org/blog/spirit-airlines-smacked-with-record-375000-fine-for-consumer-rules-violations/comment-page-1/#comment-24266 Joel Wechsler Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:02:13 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8477#comment-24266 It's a pretty safe bet that Spirit weighed the profit from non-compliance against the possible fine and concluded that they would come out ahead. As said before, only a really stiff penalty is going to get Spirit and other offenders to obey the rules. It’s a pretty safe bet that Spirit weighed the profit from non-compliance against the possible fine and concluded that they would come out ahead. As said before, only a really stiff penalty is going to get Spirit and other offenders to obey the rules.

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