Sunday, May 22, 2011

@ Springfield-Branson National Airport - Allegiant Flight Catastrophe

So funny story, I was late to the Springfield, MO airport because Tyler Coquillard and I were running late and also got some lunch on the way. I was about 5 minutes late getting to the front check-in so Allegiant didn’t hold the plane for me, even though the plane was still connected to the terminal. I was livid at Allegiant because the next flight was Thursday, I had work on Wednesday and they said I had to forfeit my seat with no transferability.


I called Tyler back and he came and hung out with me to try to find an alternative way home. I called my mom because she was going to pick me up at the airport in Mesa, AZ. She was trying to find me flights to get there before Wednesday so that I could work on time. I started calling friends that might be driving back to Arizona, so I could help them with their road trip to keep costs down. Martin Russo was the kindest and said we could probably work something out. I was also on the phone with Allegiant Customer support and the lady said that there was nothing they were going to do to help me out. This was the first time I took Allegiant AND now the last time.


Tyler and I started back to the car to get back home and figure things out, because he’s a stud like that. I then got in the car and received a call from the Springfield airport and the lady asked if I was still there at the airport. She explained that it was my lucky day and that I the plain was coming back for maintenance and that I could come back and board. I thanked Tyler for his awesomeness and sprinted back to front, to check in. I ended up talking with the lady that just called me and she said that she had called several times. I was very lucky, so I ran through security and got to the gate and boarded the plane in the front where there was an open seat. We all sat there for about 30 minutes and they said they were still working on the plane, but had to let us off (with our luggage).


Now I am sitting in the nice air conditioned airport gate while they are fixing the plane. They don’t offer free beverages during flight, but they are offering free sodas right now. Although I have no reason to complain, I am complaining on behalf of all the other passengers that were on time. A gentleman next to me said that he has flown Allegiant a few times and every time he leaves from the Springfield airport he has encountered delays. The last one he said was a 3 hour delay. Another gentleman next to me said that this was his first time using Allegiant, and it was because of the cost (which was my primary reason), and agreed with me that you get what you pay for. Who knows how long this will take. I guess the reason I am writing this is to ask if anyone else has had a similar flying experience???


~Chris Ryan~