www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Since the majority of CRT members don’t live in CR, and driving (car or boat) from the U.S.A. to CR is not really an option, we have no choice but to FLY to CR for all of our eco-tourism needs. That in itself can pose all sorts of problems.

Going back through many pages of this forum, I noticed a lot of different threads about American Airlines, Delta, Copa, Taca, Continental, US AIR, Frontier, and of course, the new K*D on the block… Spirit Airlines. As usual, all of the airlines have both positive and negative remarks about them, but Spirit seems to stand out above the rest, and not in a good way. Most of their “positive” remarks are in regards to their pricing, and a few other “positives” regarding customer experience(s). But the negative comments are pretty brutal!

Since Spirit received permission to fly in/out of SJO in April ‘07, I’ve been watching and reading all the various threads, regarding their “customer service”. Here’s the original thread, where Spirit got permission to fly into SJO:
https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=16119

Based on things that I’d already read about Spirit Airlines, I was very curious to see if they would be able to compete with the majors. Here’s a comment from that original thread:



Well, after their first 3 months of service into SJO, things are starting to unfold. Here’s some of the follow-up threads about Spirit, since April ‘07.

https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=17078
https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=17132
https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=17373
https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=17363
https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=17582
https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=18133
https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=18101

A lot of guys rave about Spirit’s low price airfares, but unfortunately, price is not everything. I have nothing against Spirit, especially since I’ve never flown with them, but it looks like they still have a long way to go. This thread is simply a follow-up to the original thread from April.……

Pura Vida,
Mucho Gusto

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Unfortunately they are the only game in town for direct from FLL until AA starts up around the first of the year. It already takes me an hour to get to FLL, so I am not too keen on the additional time to drive to MIA.

I would find it very hard to consider them again.

The fact that they oversold my seat 5 times AFTER I had checked in in NY. The fact that they got my bag taken off the plane, and had no way of getting it to me.

The fact that nobody knew ANYTHING when I asked questions.

The fact that communication between people working side by side was non-existent.

No, they would have to be multiple 100 lower than the next guy, AND I would have to be very flexible with my schedule.

I usually am not all that flexible with my schedule, and I want customer service to be existent. I don't need good, just existent.

AND ONE MORE THING... the legroom. I don't mind if it's not a lot, BUT I STILL HAVE TO FIT, and except for the first 3 rows, and the exit row, I don't fit.

My sister just flew on Spirit Airline from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale. She told me that the customer service totally sucks ass. She said that in Chicago, there were only two agents working the check-in counter with about 80 people in line. She was still in line to check her baggage at the time that the airplane was supposed to take off! Then there was the $10 charge per checked bag and no free beverages (cokes). They need to improve...

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I will travel the world over to find a better latina! Gringas have flat asses..

Simple equation really: Its called the time value of money. If you think that all the hassles you experience dealing with such a shit heel airline is worth the hassle, then by all means, tee it up; If you have some insight into the matter and see these annoyances as a possible "facial tic" on the body that is the airline, you should give it a wide birth. I seem to remember a similar low fare airline that thought it would be a really could idea transporting combustible oxygen generators on one of their flights without following proper safety precautions; but heck, I'll bet the passengers saved tons of money on their tickets!!

I have flown spirit now twice into San Jose, and I have yet to find fault with them. Of course I would not even think of booking a flight that arrives in the evening during the rainy season, and then blame the airlines when it cannot land because of weather. As for customer service, I grant you they could improve in that respect. But a lot of what I read from reports on Spirit is the individuals thinking they are going to fly first class for $300 or less. thats not going to happen, its a cheap airline and there are no extra's. I think it is the offical airline of Circus Cardboard Inns.

If you want to single out the airline as being bad, please post all the bad reports on AA as well. I think you will find they balance out.

I just love it when people who have never experienced something, have to post something like this. I love this site, there is a lot of good information to be found here, but also there is a lot of disinformation as well.

If you don't check bags and don't expect food and beverage, they are not that bad. Be sure to allow extra time when flying and you'll be fine. Plus, you'll save $$$$. Tried them twice and no major problems. Have another trip schd. for Thanksgiving time.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

In all fairness to Spirit, it is not the pilot or personnel's fault that they get late or re-routed on the night flights. that's purely a business decision to fly into a place like SJO that late, and deal with the consequences.

HOWEVER, on my particular flight, it was ENTIRELY Spirits fault that:
1) they overbooked the flight and couldn't deal with the consequences:
a) They left the gate 1.5 hours late
b) My bag was taken from the overhead compartment by a flight attendant and left at FLL
c) We arrived so late at SJO that the fog had settled in for the night, and we got rerouted
d) When we did get re-routed they didn't bother telling us until 10 min before we landed in El Salvador that we weren't going to be in SJO.

2) Nobody knew ANYTHING EVER about any question I asked. (on either leg of the trip).

3) They don't know how to handle problems in any way that would even remotely show competence.

Gringobill,
Since I’m the one who started this thread, I can only assume that your above comment(s) are towards me. Why did I post “something like this” ? A person doesn’t have to “experience” something, in order to cut ‘n’ paste the FACTS, as documented by numerous CRT members. You’ve flown Spirit Airlines into San Jose TWO WHOLE TIMES without problems?!?!?!? Congratulations. There are a few other members who’ve flown Spirit without problems as well.

If you go back and read my original post, you’ll clearly see where I’ve stated that ALL airlines have positive AND negative feedback. And you will ALSO see that I only posted this as a follow-up to the original thread from April ’07.

Personally, I could care less about Spirit Airlines, as I have no desire to fly with them. But like you said, “I love this site, there is a lot of good information to be found here”. I agree, that there is a lot if good info on this site, and by posting this type of consolidated info on Spirit (BTW…my links / postings are based on ACTUAL EXPERIENCES, BY ACTUAL CRT MEMBERS), I’m hoping to give new members more information, to help them with their decision-making process, when they start wondering who’ll they’ll pick as their carrier for their flight to SJO.


Where is the “disinformation” in my post? Please show me. ALL THE LINKS IN MY POST ARE FROM THIS (CRT) SITE, WRITTEN BY CRT MEMBERS!


Let me repeat myself again! All airlines have had their problems, noone is disputing that. And AA is certainly one of them. But when a person is trying to consider which carrier would be best for his/her international travel, you’d think that they’d prefer an airline with a higher percentage of “consistency”, when it comes to flying into their destination country of choice.

I don’t care if my international flight is with AA, Delta, Continental, Lacsa, or any other airline. As long as I know that (if I have a problem) someone will answer their phone when I call. Or someone at the counter will be able to give me an intelligent answer. Incompetence by airline personnel is not something that I handle well. And furthermore, I was not trying to “single out” Spirit Airlines. I was just amazed at how many negative comments (by our own members) they’ve gotten in such a short period of time.

Gringobill, It’s apparent that you’re a fan of Spirit Air, so by all means – please continue to support them by giving them your patronage, and flying with them. But based on what many others have said, I won’t be flying with them anytime soon. To be honest, FLL is closer to my home than Miami, so I was hoping they’d be a good airline for my monthly trips to CR, but I’m still not convinced. When I start seeing more positive experiences with Spirit, I might give them a shot, but IMHO they’re not there yet. Naturally, YMMV!

Respectfully,
Mucho Gusto

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Damn MG, I guess we all take things personally... I thought he was talking about me...

He couldn't of been talking about you. You've got experience with Spirit Air. I'm the one that lacks experience with Spirit, therefore I must have no idea what I'm talking about !!! One doesn't need to fly Spirit to understand their problems. All you have to do is READ WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN WRITTEN!!!!! 'Nuff said........

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

I have NEVER flown Spirit Airlines but I do not think that should keep me from posting on the subject so please do not get upset Gringobill.

I read many other boards that have Costa Rica as the subject. Spirit has lately come under some very heavy criticism. There are few, if any, dealing with delays or overbooking but there are a number of complaints concerning lost/delayed baggage and the lack of Customer Service.

I am not sure why this suddenly has popped up as a major problem, but based on passengers comments regarding their experience, it certainly seems to have blossomed. Perhaps they have expanded quickly and can not hire and train adequate staff, perhaps they lack experienced line managers, perhaps they simply have a corporate mentality of "they get what they pay for" so let them bitch. Whatever the reason the problem is real and needs to be addressed and is a legitimate topic of conversation regardless of wheter you have actually flown them.

There is an old customer service axiom, a satisfied customer MIGHT tell another of his good experience while a dissatisfied customer WILL tell 10 others of his dissatisfaction.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I never stated there was any disinformation in your post, I was referring to the site as a whole. but you have no idea if there wasnt. your baseing your opinion, and you do have an opinion, on what others have written.

You chose to post a comment based soley about what you have read. not what you have actually experienced. Do you believe everything you read I think not, I have met you in CR, and I am sure you are more objective than that. And you chose to single one out, without comparing it equally to any of the others.

I see posts on here where people actually tell little white ones to either get back at someone, to embellish their experience, or to justify their poor planning and not paying attention to their surroundings. They are fairly easy to pick out and I am sure if I go back you have made comments on them. But I have better things to do with my time than to go back and do the research neccessary to find them.

If you wanted to do an objective post, if would have been about all the airlines, with links to all the comments about all the airlines, therefore allowing the readers to make their own opinions about which one they wanted to fly.

I dont ever get upset about anything on here Irish, there is just too much good information on here to get upset about a few posts. I will include myself in saying that there customer service does need a lot of work. But I do not fly them for their customer service, I fly them because:

1. They are CHEAP, leaving me many more trips to ZB or NF
2. They are convenient to where I live, I can either drive to FLL or take a connecting flight from Orlando.

They are convenient and cheap.....which is why I will be flying them come Labor Day weekend again. My wingman JC (who has another trip booked before Labor Day) flies them all over (Mexico, NYC, CR, I think he has to go to Honduras soon). The customer service sucks, the lines are long, etc, but until Dec. 14th when AA flies direct to SJO from FLL, I will continue to use them.
But I would not fly them domestically. I hear horror stories of the flight to NYC from FLL (which I think he paid $70 for round trip).