***WARNING***DO NOT FLY spirit airlines

[aaagtjr]

My wife and I purchased tickets from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale on Spirit Airlines (the first and last time we will purchase tickets for Spirit Airlines). We were catching a Cruise in Fort Lauderdael. When we arrived at the airport (approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes early), we were informed that our flight was delayed due to mechanical issues. The delay would have put us in Fort Lauderdale 40 minutes after we were suppose to board our cruise ship. The Spirit representative informed us that she could refund our payment, but we were on our own to find transportation to Fort Lauderdale (not exactly the way I wanted to start my vacation). I have NEVER had this problem on other airlines. Whenever there was a mechanical issue, the airline with the mechanical issue would make arrangements with another carrier to ensure that I arrived at my destination in time to meet my requirements. My wife and I had to find another airline and purchase tickets at the same day ticket prices (obviouisly much more than we originally paid). Has anyone else experienced this problem with Spirit Airlines? If so, what did you do?

[QuitURwhining]

quote]My wife and I purchased tickets from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale on Spirit Airlines (the first and last time we will purchase tickets for Spirit Airlines). We were catching a Cruise in Fort Lauderdael. When we arrived at the airport (approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes early), we were informed that our flight was delayed due to mechanical issues. The delay would have put us in Fort Lauderdale 40 minutes after we were suppose to board our cruise ship. The Spirit representative informed us that she could refund our payment, but we were on our own to find transportation to Fort Lauderdale (not exactly the way I wanted to start my vacation). I have NEVER had this problem on other airlines. Whenever there was a mechanical issue, the airline with the mechanical issue would make arrangements with another carrier to ensure that I arrived at my destination in time to meet my requirements. My wife and I had to find another airline and purchase tickets at the same day ticket prices (obviouisly much more than we originally paid). Has anyone else experienced this problem with Spirit Airlines? If so, what did you do?/quote]

***WARNING***Learn how to plan a cruise
Why didn't you go the night before, like most cruise travelers, and stay in a hotel near the port? Did you purchase insurance? (I'm thinking not) Did you plan for the unexpected? (obviously not) You should know who your booking on. Spirit does not have any 'code-share' or interline agreements with other airlines. Spirits Airplanes are among the newest fleet flying around, but airplanes are machines and they do break from time to time. Also, Spirit has some 30 or so aircraft so its not like they can put a call into the hanger to bring out a replacement. I think you mismanaged you planning and warning others not to fly a particular airline due to you misfortune is misplaced anger. Did you ask the 'what if' question before your travel date? You show up at one of the world's busiest airports and expect everything to go flawlessly to board your cruise the same day, across the country. I always have a backup plan that gives me at least two shots to get to my destination. It seems as if you don't travel on airlines very often or at least have a sub-standard knowledge of how the system works. A little DD on your part may have avoided this whole situation.
Cheers

[aaagtjr]

Not sure how flying out the night before would have helped??? Even with being stranded by Spriit without a cell phone or computer, we were able to book another flight and arrive at the port 2 1/2 hours before our departure. Even if we had booked a flight the night before and Spirit refused to do anything but reimburse us the original ticket amount, we still would have had to purchase another airline ticket at an unreasonable price.

Also, I believe you are saying that if I had done my DD, I would not have flown Spirit??? If this is what you are saying, why shouldn't I warn others not to fly Spirit?