AirTran Airways: Insulted by Air Tran
 

Our 8:46 am flight out of Fort Lauderdale (2/24/08) was delayed because the attendant crew was an hour and a half late-- but not because they were coming from another flight, they we coming from their hotel! The flight attendants arrived at the gate at 9:52 for their 8:46 flight. As they passed the gate supervisor I heard the senior flight attendant tell him "And if we hear any complaints from them, we're not leaving!" Whereupon the gate supervisor announced to all of us who had been waiting in the departure lounge: "If anyone says anything unkind, the plane will be brought back to the gate, the flight will be canceled, and the passenger will be dealt with!"

How insulting for us to be so threatened, as if we caused the problem! It was AirTran's fault that their crew was not there, this was not an unexpected malfunction or weather delay. Because of AirTran's failure, we were threatened if we were to complain?! And not until the flight was landing (3 hours later) did the attendant announce "we are sorry about the mix-up back there."

After speaking at length with "Customer Relations" they offered a $50 reduction on my next flight. How insulting.

late crew
 

This sounds like a totally unfounded and unprofessional way in which this was dealt with. However, just FYI..... what probably happened is the last flight in the previous night was late on arrival. This is the same crew to fly early AM flight out. If they arrived late, then there is a certain amount of FAA mandated rest time that crews have to abide by. However, the comments that were made were completly uncalled for.

First of all, the flight attendants have zero control over an aircraft departure so why would a flight attendant say something so stupid.....and in front of passengers???? Second, I have worked for 11 years in the airline industry and have flown all over the world, and I can not imagine any agent or supervisor saying something like that. Supervisors and agents have no control over or power to cancel flights so I really can not believe that these comments were made. Just doesn't add up.

That is absolutely ridiculous and insulting, they should have apologized for the delay right at the start. I hope everyone on that flight files complaints. Airtran gives that little speach at the end of their flights that includes the words "we realize you have a choice when you fly", well apparently they don't care if we choose the options.

I hate when they offer the gift card. Why would we want to give them more business and be screwed over another time?

So, lets get this straight bah humbug. Everything is tickety boo in the airline world, and if a customer points out something that is unacceptable, then they must be lying... can't wait to get you next time I am flying..must be a wonderful customer service experience.

Unacceptable is one thing, an out right whale of a tail is another. Someone saying something rude under their breath and a passenger overhearing it is believable, but to say someone made an announcement like over the michrophone is just unbelievable. I hope I do have you as a customer one day. I can promise you a very helpful and pleasant customer service experience.
Hope to see you soon.