bluestructure

I flew Airtran yesterday for the first time and I had the most upsetting experience ever on a flight.

I had to fly from Las Vegas to Atlanta & connect to another flight to Baltimore.

1st flight out of LAS was fine except that the Flight Attendants were a bit pushy and strict. What most upset me was that we left the gate on time down to the second. We had to stop near the runaway and power down because the captain said we couldn't take off due to wind conditions rolling in over the Mtns so we sat there while all the other planes taxied around us and took off for 40 minutes. The Capt kept saying we could use our electronic devices and urged us to use cell phones to call loved ones that we were going to be late BUT the Flight Attendants wouldn't let us use any devices of the sort because we were going to take off soon. WTF?! That did not make any sense to me really.

My main complaint is the connecting flight. ATL was very busy for a Sunday evening and I found out that my flight was delayed an hour. I was tired and hungry (I didn't eat because I saw a rat run across the terminal from one food joint into Popeyes). The ticket agent was in a hurry to get folks on the flight and he was calling out random rows, not back to front like they did in LAS (same airline). Someone said that works better but in LAS folks were backed up just outside the plane where in ATL this guy had the line backed all the way up to the terminal. Anyways, I was one of the last 20 folks to board and he stops me and 4 other guys and says we cant carry our suitcases on board because it's an sold out flight. Why he picked us, I don't know but I was the one who protested and he got very angry at me and said that he could have me taken off the flight for questioning his job. Almost every flight I've flown on is sold out and not having enough room in the overhead bin was never a problem. Folks in front of me and behind had 2 bags and he took my 1 suitcase. Aren't I guaranteed 1 carry on baggage?? So he puts green tags on and says to leave them at the end of the gangway and he'll put them under the plane. He says that if they arent there when he comes down there he'll remove us from the plane. Of course, nobody in front of me who had the green tags left their luggage and they took it right on. I was going to do the same but he came running down there to get my bag just so mine is put underneath. I was really upset at this and when I got on the plane i saw those green tags and lots of overhead space. The entire overhead space above me in row 23 was empty the entire flight. Before the flight took off, this agent (I refuse to say customer service like his name tag said) boarded and I told him there was plenty of room and why was my bag the only placed under the plane, look there is green tag there. He told me that if i said another word he'll have me removed in a very theatening voice in front of the entire plane. Not once did I ever raise my voice to him, as a customer was just questioning why and making a simple complaint about the situation. I plan on calling airtran tomorrow and writing a formal letter as well as sending this to the US Gov so its on public record. Has anyone ever had this happen to you?? I will never fly AirTran again, that is absolutely the worst experience I've ever had. I was so upset and couldn't sleep last night.

ipod_robbie

Too bad you had a bad experience. I've flown AirTran quite a bit and I have always really liked their service.

I'd be intersted to hear the other side of the story........ There's always an other side to a story like this.

boomerm3

I had an experience with this airline where I was 'required' to check my only carry-on as I entered the plane - there was no option. I had to re-claim my bag at baggage claim at my destination.

I decided never to fly with them again - never have & never will. It's a way to vote against the airline.

bluestructure

I called customer relations and filed a complaint with Airtran this morning. They took the time to document everything and gave me decent compensation ($200 for both passengers) for the trouble but to be honest that's not what I wanted. I want a formal apology from someone other than a phone rep and to be assured this doesn't happen again to someone else. I obtained an address to send an official letter and I'll be sending a complaint to the Aviation Consumer Protection.

Yes Ipod Rob, I know there is two sides of the story I have realized the agent has probably been doing his job for many years and he felt he knew exactly what he was doing and felt angered that someone would dare to question his job performance. I not once raised my voice but when you ask to file a complaint or talk to someone else and they threaten to have you removed from the flight if you do, that just isn't right. I was completely terrified and confused.

KT

Actually, I've seen gate-checking required a number of times when the overheads are full, unless the hbag will fit under the seat. In this case, they seem to have been mistaken, in that the overheads weren't actually full. But it's not limited to AirTran, nor is it that exceptional.

venusfan

I've traveled on airtran before and when the flight is full they usually tell the last people to board that if it's not going under the seat then it has to be checked. I find that not to be offended at all.. it's usually the hot headed people with no patience that finds that to be a problem. Again, two sides to every story.

ipod_robbie

Mr. (or is it Ms.) Bluestructure has stated that he never raised his voice, so we can take him on his word a that.

I have, however seen in my years many people who never raised their voice but managed through tone, words, and intonation to be a real PITA nonetheless.

Maybe the OP's initials say it all.

bluestructure

I must say that I would have been fine with this if someone told me this approaching the plane (and the overheads were actually full)but for a ticket agent who was never in contact with anyone on the plane and based his info solely on a sold-out flight I think was wrong. And what is wrong with a passenger who had only 1 carry-on questioning why? I wanted to avoid the 39 extra min I spent getting my "carry on" at BWI.

soccr

Sometimes the "two sides" to a story are the front side and the backside.

FainaAgain

Have you filed a complaint? Please keep us posted.

bluestructure

Yeah Faina, I called AirTran & was offered a credit. I also mailed a letter to their coporate office as well as a copy to the US DOT aviation consumer relations.

KatGio

I have noticed lately that many gate agents are really trying to show their authority. On a recent flight out of Ft. Myers, we were all delayed while the GA and a gentleman had a discussion over the number of carry-ons. I believe he might have had a tennis racket. The GA was the one who was rude, not the passenger and it was all so totally ridiculous as it was certainly not a full flight.