[annieruck]

Just a lil heads up . Dont get starry eyed, about low air fare prices from Allegiant Air. My daughter was invited on a trip to Florida with a friend, who has flown many times before and knows the ropes.. Well.. Tickets were cheap enough, so what the heck, Becky is 17 and they will be staying with family member of her friend.

Well the trip down seemed to go flawless.. The plane was to leave at 7:20 we arrived at 6 pm got in line for the check in procedure, all went with out a hitch.. checked in approx. 6:50 she was on the plane at 7 and it took off at 7:20 like clock work!

She had a great time, took lots of pictures got to watch the sunset on the beach... then the time comes to come home...

I talked to her via text message at about 3:20, she had just arrived the St Petersburg airport and was standing in line along with all the other travelers, they notice as they inch along (about an hour or so) that the counter at Allegiant air had shut off its lights, well the freinds Aunt ran up and approached the counter to ask what was up that there were people in line waiting to be checked and that she had a Kid that had a ticket and needed on the flight. The counter employee told her that the flight had already boarded and left 20 mins prior. At 5:13 my daughter phones me from the Allegiant air counter and I coule hear the employee giving her the too bad so sad routine. I asked to speak with them and they gave me the routine i apologize crap and said the plane had already left WHEN it wasnt scheduled to leave UNTIL 5:15. So now I have a hysterical daughter who needs to get home standing in an airport 800 some odd miles away sobbing because she just wants to come home.

I call the main number for allegiant air and they FLAT REFUSED to help us at all.. I tried to explain as calmly and maturely as I possibly could what happened and could they please make her ticket good for the next flight into lexington, I was told that her ticket was regaurded as a no show and that it was non refundable and they could not do anything. I tried to reason with them telling them that she was a minor stranded because their plane left early and that the counter people didnt do enough to make sure passengers were on the plane.

So now my dilemma is how to get her home. I checked out other flights different airlines, and everything was way to expensive. So my husband and I thought about a bus ticket. I go on line purchase her a ticket and she is now on the Bus and I have to travel to Atlanta to pick her up. I will be leaving about 2:30 in the morning.

Now if you think all this was bad.. HERE is the kicker, for poops and giggles I go on the Allegiant air site and track her flight... according to the web site.. the flight did NOT DEPART UNTIL 5:27 pm.. So that tells me while I was on the phone with the counter employee at 5:13, the plane had not left.. more than likely it was still boarding!!!!!! Their people in my opinion are VERY incompetent!! They've cost me double what it should have and their customer service is Terrible and uncaring. This has been a nightmare. Please pray that I make to Atlanta and back safely!!