News that Spirit Airline will start charging up to $45.00 for the privilege of carrying luggage on to its planes is not surprising. It's an abuse, but they've been heading in that direction for a long time. What is shocking is Spirit's attitude. "Bring less, pay less" is how one Spirit executive sums it up.
In other words, the customer be damned. Remember when passengers determined when, where and how they traveled. Then airlines started crying that they can't make a profit. So they began charging extra for everything in sight. Want a soda, that's extra; chips, extra; seat-selection, extra. A British airliner is said to be charging for the use of the "luv," which is the toilet in the King's English. Next, possibly, toilet paper will be purchased by the sheet and flushing will be optional with a fee.
Clearly, the airline industry is free to charge whatever it wants for its services. Likewise, the traveler can opt to take the scenic route in a train, bus or car and pack to the hilt. Spirit is a no-frills carrier that prides itself for its low fares. Its customers will have to start taking a calculator with them online when they make reservations to see if that is still true after all the extra charges are factored in.
By the way, if you deal with Spirit, you have to do so online, because they don't answer their 800-number and it's almost impossible to talk to a real person if you do get through. But, I just found another avenue to get through to Spirit's team. Consumerist.com tells us that Tony Lefebvre is senior vice president for customer service. Corporate headquarters is at 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, Florida 32025. Tony's email address is tony.lefebvre@spiritair.com and his phone number is 954.447.7965.
If this latest outrage from Spirit bites you in the behind, write to Tony or give him a call and tell him how you feel. You probably won't get through because he and his cohorts are trying to figure out what they can do next to make your travel experience less enjoyable and more costly. Although, I must admit their "Big Front Seat" is more comfortable than first class on most other airlines at a substantially lower fare.
Notwithstanding that plus, Spirit's lack of sensitivity, at a time when people are still smarting from economic depression, deserves the ire of its customers and ultimately they will decide, who, if anyone, fills their seats and overhead bins.
And, That will be That !
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