www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Maybe, but not if their financial statements are any indication - they are consistantly profitable.

I've posted about Spirit before - I live in S. FL and have flown them many times - in fact, I have a r/t tomorrow from FLL to Managua - with all fees, and a seat assigned, $220 - great fare.

However.....

Agree 100% that if you have to make connections I'd never fly them - period

Their customer service is an oxymoron - you want to open your veins, call their number and talk to Bombay or wherever in India they are located, and if you are not ready to take the pipe after your conversation, you have more paticence than Job

Really rigid, stupid rules and management - seems zero empowerment of employees

Too broad a statement you say? Look at the flap over refunding the vet w/ cancer w/ a Dr's letter stating he could not fly - the CEO paid the fee - while I could write a lot more, why bother having PR people if you are not going to listen to them - how do smart people let a situation get to the level this one did? (and spare me the wise guy answeres about maybe they are not smart - they changed - for the worse - the entire airline industries fee structure, as well as consitly profitable in a lousey economy w/ high fuel prices - so in some ways they are not stupid).

They sell based on price; that is their "value proposition" - and every mamagement consultant will tell you you can't long endure as a business by selling yourself as the "cheapest" or by "commoditizing" your product - but so far, seems to be working for Spirit.

I automatically add $100 to every fare to cover the BS - when you do this (for Christ sakes, come on - you can do w/out a pillow, a blanket, a meal, and maybe even something to drink, but you are going to have a bag, and you need a place to sit) many times Spirit is more expensive or the difference too little to worry about vs the competition.

There are times it makes sense to fly them - like tomorrow; I would have paid almost $200 more when I booked ; looked at TACA and AA - the $200 savings almost pays for my hotel, so sometimes they are the best option - certainly not all the time, or w/ fees, even the majority of the time

Scuba, is the $100 - $200 you saved really worth the potential -- probable! -- hassle? And don't you drive up from Miami to FLL (meaning now you have to add miles/gas/parking to the total cost)?

mh

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mh

Actually, MH, $200 is worth it (to me) - I don't like Spirit for reasons discussed above and in other posts, but in reality, in many flights with them, I have never had a problem - their policies, business philosophy, frequent flyer policies, customer service, sure - but never a problem with their actual flights - I've had more issues w/ AA, out of MIA, to be honest

Best customer service I've found to CR is TACA; however their fare, if I recall was almost $400 more. AA was similiary non competitive, but again, about $200 more.

The parking off site at FLL is less, and for me, its less than a 30 min drive from Coconut Grove to FLL - so - I know I'm being a tad long winded (no.... ) - for a $200+ savings, I'll fly them - up to $100; another carrier, but was not in the cards at least when I booked a month ago .

I suspect enforcement of this policy will be a fiasco, as what are they going to do to the passenger who does not have $100, a bank card, or speak English? The Clam flew to SJO from FLL last month for $136. Including taxes and fees he said. Landed early afternoon and flew back about noon. I have flown Spirit a few times on or before Sept '10, to SJO and MDE, and have never had a problem or paid for my bag (quick trips, travel light) and I paid $10 more for an aisle seat towards front of plane. However, I prefer to use American to SJO or Avianca to MDE because of the following experience: Memorial Day weekend '08 our AA flight could not land at SJO. Flight diverted to Panama City. After we sat on the plane awhile, we were unloaded into the PTY airport. After what seemed like an eternity we were put on buses to hotels in what was a good zone and provided dinner at the hotel restaurant at our convenience. The next morning, after being provided breakfast at the hotel, we were bused back to airport (no stamping of passport) and flown to SJO. First time in PTY and to Golden Time. I don't see Spirit making the same accomodations in that situation. YMMV.

MHO, to complain about Spirit if you are flying them, IS REALLY STUPID

They are what they are, low cost, horrid service, and upcharge for everything. Know that going in and deal. I will continue to fly them out of FLL to SJO. Just got back from a trip last weekend and was $245 all in, bags seats etc., including $25 each way to sit in the exit row. AA hasn't been near that price (or at least when I am looking) in a WAY long time.

Am I rolling the dice? Of course I am, but so far so good in over 15 trips the last 4 years. I have had horrific luck on AA, with either weather or plane issues.

Maybe the Spirit slogan shoule be...It is what it is

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In honor of Jimmy V week, "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"

Take a moment and just read the comments that have been posted.

Facts: THEY are a discount airline. Staying at the Plaza is going to be different than the Red Roof Inn.
you are buying the the price and the time. Read the rules and buy the damn insurance, not from them.
As I have preached to my clients for year bad things happen to good people. Prepare and no problem
don't bitch because you didn't.

Carry on cost them money. The time on the tarmac is money to them. Waiting for everyone to stack and pack
takes time. Plus time and paying for the ticketing people at check in as well as at the gate to do what should be don online.
So don't check it and pay more. Don't pay on line and pay even more. Wait till the gate and bitch and pay still more.
Anybody noticing a simple solution.{b}{u}

[b][u]Flight times. As I have stated in other posts it is the direct flights to MDE with the good arrival times I like. SJO
and others can be very cheap with a little planing. I am 6'2" in at 265 (See I am losing Bk) I book the front to MDE and to SJO
if the price is right.


Just my thoughts. Love em or leave em. The choice is always your.

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May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.

An Irish look at discount airlines. I suspect the target was Ryan Air but it would seem appropriate in a thread about Spirit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPyl2tOaKxM

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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

Love the spot-on music but Irish dancing makes me crazy--look like they have a barrel on the torso so only the lower half moves.
ADD this melody sounds a bit like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cs_es5DR8U

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I learned something else about Spirit. Never check in online. They will assign you bad seats in the rear of the plane. I made that mistake for my last flight to MDE. I called their "customer service", and asked if I could cancel those seat assignments. The answer was sure, for a fee. I told the person I will not pay an additional fee. When I got to the airport, I received the same response at the check in counter. Then, one of the two agents at the counter asked what seats I wanted. I told her something near the front of the plane because I had a 40 minutes connection in FLL. I was using a kiosk. After a moment, she told me to go ahead and select my seats. The flights from MCO to FLL and from FLL to MDE were very good. Both flights actually left the gate early. There were young, attractive female flight attendants on both flights. During six trips to MDE, I have never had a problem once I got on the airplane. I should just stop calling them, because I know it will be a frustrating experience. The only extra I pay for is one checked bag. Only one time have I been assigned a middle seat, and that was from FLL to MCO, so not an issue.

ID-
That was pretty damn funny!

kr

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When I was born, I was given a choice - a big pecker or a good memory.... I don't remember what I chose.

In many was, Spirit Air is like some chicas in SJ. They may charge less but then they upsell for bbbj and other stuff that are standard with most other chicas. And they usually provide bad service overall, but enough to get you there and not kill you. And yes, you have to pay extra to do her in an exit hole.

And I agree that to complain about these chicas when you are phucking them, IS REALLY STUPID

that's a very interesting analogy Orange!

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When I was born, I was given a choice - a big pecker or a good memory.... I don't remember what I chose.