With possible U.S. Dept. of Transportation and Congressional actions looming, Spirit Airlines President and CEO Ben Baldanza finds himself in a tight spot.
Just look at the following YouTube video in which Baldanza, lying in an overhead bin, defends the airline’s pending action to charge passengers up to $45 to bring a carry-on bag onboard Spirit’s fleet.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omYDG-YuSxI
Spirit today sent an email to customers, signed by Baldanza, with a link to the video.
Clearly on the defensive as DOT Secretary Ray LaHood says the department is looking into ways to “mitigate” Spirit’s announced policy, Baldanza defends Spirit’s carry-on policy, points to its innovative new “free personal item allowance,” and characterizes the initiative as a “win” for everyone, leading to “happier customers that pay less!”
The text of the Spirit email follows.
To our valued customers,
We have all seen how carry-on baggage has gotten out of control. Longer security lines and boarding process, injuries due to overcrowded overhead bins, delayed flights and passenger frustration has become commonplace.
At Spirit, we are always looking for new ways to save you money and improve the customer experience. We recently announced our latest innovation, which is designed to relieve the carry-on crisis, saving you time and money.
Our solution to the carry-on crisis:
- Lowered fares
- Lower checked bag fees
- Give everyone a free personal item allowance
- Allow customers to carry on an additional bag for a fee and give them
priority boarding so they have time and space to stow their extra bag
Everyone Wins!
- We expect total prices to be lower
- Security lines will move faster
- The boarding process will be smoother
- Deplaning will be faster
- Passenger and employee safety is improved with less over-stuffed bins
What to expect for travel after August 1st:
- We have introduced PENNY PLUS™ fares available to our $9 Fare Club members** that are 1¢ each way plus fuel, taxes and fees*. If you are not already a member, click here to join.
- We have lowered checked bag fees for $9 Fare Club members. A family of four checking four bags round-trip will save $80. Double the cost of being a $9 Fare Club member. Another reason to join now.  Click here to join.
- You can bring a FREE personal item onboard, such as a purse, briefcase, backpack or laptop computer. Other exceptions are: assistive devices, medicine, umbrella, outer garments (coats, hats, wraps), camera, car seat/stroller, infant diaper bag, reading material for the flight, or food for immediate consumption.
- If you choose to bring an extra carry-on bag, you may do so for $20 if purchased online as a $9 Fare Club member or $30 online, at the airport ticket counter or kiosk for non-members. If you choose to wait until the gate to pay, the fee will be $45 which is not preferred since it will slow the boarding process.
- Shorter, faster security and boarding lines. Less frustration while boarding and deplaning. Fewer delays.
- Happier customers that pay less!
See you onboard soon! We’ll keep working to improve your experience and lower your fare.
Ben Baldanza
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spirit Airlines
good luck with that
To:
Ben Baldanza
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spirit Airlines
Everybody wins my ass!!! Just like self service gas stations will reduce the price of a gallon (OOPS…I guess I’m not supposed to know that a gallon of gas in Oregon, where self service pumping is illegal, costs the same as a gallon of gas across the border in Caifornia, Washington, or Idaho where if it allowed)
You must think the average American is pretty stupid. I recently made my first – and last reservation with Spirit Airlines.
My next email will be to my congressman, enthusiastically supporting legislation to kick your butt for this absurd idea. You deserve to be regulated like a public utility.
By the way, in the last three months I have flown on Delta, Midwest Air, and Allegiant. I can assure you that if you are having a carry on luggage crisis, your competition isn’t.
Email sent to Spirit Air 8/30/2010
I have been a frequent flyer on Spirit Airlines for years and would like it if someone would have the courtesy to answer my questions.
First of all, why are the fares for pets so high when they don’t take up a seat?
A baby flies for free so why penalize us pet owners?
If you must charge, why can’t pets accumulate frequent flyer miles? I have two pets that fly with us “in-cabin” so their fares total $400, way more than our fares. This makes absolutely no sense!
I have spoken with other passengers and they also can’t figure this out. Can you please answer these questions or, if you can’t, can you please forward this message to the President? If he has time to make commercials regarding carry-ons, I hope he has the time to answer my questions.
Again, I hope someone finds the time to answer these questions.
Oh, and by the way. I’ve been informed that if my shoulder bag does not fit under the seat with my pet, I have to pay a $25.00 fee, because it will be considered a carry-on!! That does it. I’ll be traveling with another airline that does not insult my intelligence and will just give me a set price without all these ridiculous extra charges. Not that I guess it matters.
spirit is the worse airline to fly with. At the end of the day,we paid more money for the tickets because they charge too much for bags and now carry-on fees. This is crazy. If no one flies with spirit, they will change their policy or go bancrupt. So please,everyone, for the sake of the next generation, let stop this nonsense. Please stop flying with spirit