This happened to me twice last year...I was flying Spirit, and Buzzfla and Royboy were flying Jet Blue. Leaving SJO, we entered the waiting lines at the same time. Our flights were leaving within 20 minutes of each other. On both occasions it took me about 40 minutes longer to 'check thru'. On both occasions, I arrived at the food court and they had already finished eating! I did not renew my membership in Spirit's '$9 club'. It used to be $40 or $45, now it's $60. I would have to fly them on three trips to break even. Next month I'm driving to Orlando and flying JB nonstop to SJO. Screw Spirit. They 'nickel and dime' you to death, and they still are not relatively efficient at the check-in in SJO compared to other airlines.

It took me two years to get the courage to book on Spirit. I finally did and flew into MDE last Friday on a Spirit itinerary. Knock on wood...it was pretty good, departures & arrivals on time. All flights full with the A-320 cramped and a 30 pitch between the seats. I'll see how the flight back is tomorrow.

Well, the jury was still out until yesterday. The flight back from MDE to ACY via FLL sucked. Spirit is my airline of last resort. The planes are new, the crew does what it has to do with amicable indifference, flights are packed full, the passengers are miserable, and the business model reminds me of a "flying vending machine." Another factor that turns me off big time is Fort Lauderdale Airport (which is no fault of Spirit). I hated it when I last past through it 5 years ago... and I hate it even more after yesterday. For me, FLL is a municipal airport trying to handle international air traffic. It reminds me of an oversized hamster cage inhabited by forsaken Spirit passengers who scurry about the facility frantically looking for shelter. Yes, you get what you pay for... and "$9" does not get you much! If anyone wants to know how I really feel about Spirit... please feel free to PM me.