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shenanigan
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« on: May 19, 2008, 02:37:41 PM » |
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Can anyone share some info on AirTran (I think it used to be ValuJet)? They are pretty darn cheap, but that also scares me a bit. The flights I'm looking at are about $50 below American, so enough to make it worthwhile if AirTran isn't god-awful, but not enough to risk my life...
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magistra
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« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2008, 02:42:22 PM » |
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Their service sucks. The way the airlines are going, no worse than most, I suppose, but they were a leader in the "it's not our fault -- it's not in the computer" line of reasoning.
I don't know about safety -- they pulled out of the local airport after sucking up the incentives the city had given them to come in. But I"m not dead, for what it's worth.
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First it was Wolfram and Hart, now it's Blackboard. There's not much moral difference, if you ask me. -- Malcha
Grammar is the chocolate in the buttery croissant of life. -- Yellowtractor
Okay, so that was petty. Today, I feel like embracing pettiness. -- Mended Drum
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scheherazade
1/3 of the Triumvirate of Evil and the Most Delicious
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,105
Running feminist prostitution rings since 1998
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« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2008, 02:49:25 PM » |
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Well, ValuJet had a crash a ways back, and they were forced to close shop over "systemic safety issues." They were allowed to fly again after fixing the problems. However, Air Safety Online gave AirTran an F for safety, citing numerous incidents. |
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You historians disturb me sometimes. |
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magistra
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« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2008, 02:53:35 PM » |
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Thanks! That looks like a good resource. I wish it had numbers of flights/passengers, though -- that could up your number of violations, I suppose (not that any are good).
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First it was Wolfram and Hart, now it's Blackboard. There's not much moral difference, if you ask me. -- Malcha
Grammar is the chocolate in the buttery croissant of life. -- Yellowtractor
Okay, so that was petty. Today, I feel like embracing pettiness. -- Mended Drum
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amiens
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« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2008, 09:14:46 PM » |
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This Frommer's article looks like a good jumping off point for the question of air safety (esp. look to www.airsafe.com). For general airline/travel scuttle, check out http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ and then go to the appropriate airline board. http://www.airlinequality.com/index.htm provides ratings for service quality (most American airlines are in the three star category). I recommend reading the reviews for the one-star airline and the reviews for "beloved" airports like JFK, PHL, etc. if you're looking for a laugh. If you want to check out the on-time stats and extra info on a particular flight, register at www.flightstats.com and all that information will be at your fingertips (this site also allows you to check average security wait times by time of day). |
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« Last Edit: May 19, 2008, 09:15:35 PM by amiens »
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patchouli
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« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2008, 11:53:29 PM » |
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I swore I'd never use them again when I was late for my flight and I had to pay for a completely new ticket, return flight.
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Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things. --Diderot
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noof_
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« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2008, 12:24:34 AM » |
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I used AirTran a number of years ago. No complaints.
Ask me about American?
I agree with Magistra. They pretty much all suck these days.
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amiens
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« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2008, 04:02:34 PM » |
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Type of aircraft is another question to consider--will you be flying AA or American Eagle, its regional shuttle affiliate? If your routing will be via American Eagle, you should be aware that AE uses the smaller ERJs, which can be a bit of a tight squeeze if you're over 5'10" (ask me--I was on one for a 2hr30m flight last week). Also, you have to gate-check (which doesn't bother me at all, but some people hate it). IIRC, AirTran flies only B-717 and B-737 planes, which are larger. Carry-ons can be stowed and folks who don't like turbulence often find larger jets more pleasing.
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thenewyorker
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« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2008, 04:12:37 PM » |
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Ah Airtran. Delayed my flight from FL to NYC from 5 pm until 10 pm. Spoke to attendant at counter. Confirmed later departure. Went for dinner. Returned at 7. Flight ldoor had closed for departure minutes earlier. Plane still very much at the gate. Would not let me board. The time for departure was still listed for 10 pm. Tried to make me buy a new ticket since I had "missed my flight."
Second flight. Confiscated my 3 oz jar of shampoo because the person could not read the tiny numbers and letters that said "3 oz."
By the by...anyone see the recent cover of The New Yorker (the magazine, not me).
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When You Snark You Can Really Love
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jwormold
Gin-swillin'
Senior member
Posts: 706
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« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2008, 05:00:25 PM » |
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Gulp.
I bought my first AirTran ticket three days ago (but I'm not flying until mid-June). Can they really be any worse than American or any of the others?
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Be Bulgarian, Jeeves.
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canadatourismguy
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« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2008, 05:12:05 PM » |
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I have actually had better experiences with AirTran than American. I think all the airlines are trying to cut corners every way possible and it is really hurting the industry as a whole. There is a belief in the industry that if they raise ticket prices, people will just choose the competitor, so they are keeping the prices artificially low on the orad to either a major disaster or bankruptcies. It is a bad, bad industry to be in right now.
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On preview: Candadiantourismguy is a subversive of the first order.
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magistra
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« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2008, 05:52:48 PM » |
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Oh yes. AirTran is famed for closing flights before the stated time.
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First it was Wolfram and Hart, now it's Blackboard. There's not much moral difference, if you ask me. -- Malcha
Grammar is the chocolate in the buttery croissant of life. -- Yellowtractor
Okay, so that was petty. Today, I feel like embracing pettiness. -- Mended Drum
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dysnomia
Wait, when did I become a
Senior member
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« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2008, 06:51:50 PM » |
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I also missed an Airtran flight recently, a combination of not enough time between the two flights to run all the way to a terminal in another galaxy and the fact that they closed the doors early on me. However, I should add that they rebooked me with little fuss and I still made it home that evening.
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scheherazade
1/3 of the Triumvirate of Evil and the Most Delicious
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,105
Running feminist prostitution rings since 1998
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« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2008, 07:58:49 PM » |
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Gulp.
I bought my first AirTran ticket three days ago (but I'm not flying until mid-June). Can they really be any worse than American or any of the others?
OH MY GOD!!!! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!!!! |
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You historians disturb me sometimes. |
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jwormold
Gin-swillin'
Senior member
Posts: 706
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« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2008, 10:56:32 PM » |
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Gulp.
I bought my first AirTran ticket three days ago (but I'm not flying until mid-June). Can they really be any worse than American or any of the others?
OH MY GOD!!!! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!!!! I'll update my will before I fly. Scheherazade, you want my books? I've got a copy of "Getting to Yes" I can leave to some new tenure-tracker... |
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Be Bulgarian, Jeeves.
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