[ldd987]

Following is a copy of the on-line submission process that I sent to Airtran. I doubt I'll get a response.....

My flight experience for flight # 1609 from Orlando to Reagan National was a horrific experience to put it lightly. Altogether there were 7 people in my party. I booked 5 of us on January 20 and the other 2 on January 21, 2011. Confirmation numbers Y38ZYE and FEIH6H. All of the seven tickets purchased were regular tickets and not stand-bys. So this entire scenario following is contradictory to your posted “CONTRACT OF CARRIAGE” updated August 17, 2010. The airline check-in at our resort was not able to check in Henry and Jamie Weitzel and from there things just got worse. At the airport check-in they were only issued boarding passes and no seat #. When we approached the podium at the assigned gate, the female agent was very rude and said she would “work on it”. She never did! Come to find out the flight was overbooked! How does this happen? It is appalling to me to find out that this is a common practice. Then, the flight is delayed almost 2 hours and still Henry and Jamie have no seat assignments and the customer service rep is holding their boarding passes and refuses to give them back! The new gate was assigned and when we approached the podium, the new agent stated “I’m dealing with this flight that’s leaving now and that’s not my problem!” (The previous very rude female agent was nowhere to be found.) His attitude was unprofessional and uncaring. All we wanted was an answer as to where the boarding passes were and what their status was on flight 1609. Finally the new plane arrives and still no seats for them. Eventually another couple gave up their seats and took a deal from Airtran so my in-laws could be with us on this flight. I am so infuriated at the entire situation that I can't see straight! This is terrible business practices! After I submit this e-mail I am e-mailing my entire contact list and posting it on Facebook and wherever else I can get people to listen! Our first experience with Airtran will definitely be our last! Every Airtran employee we had contact with on the ground were very rude and unprofessional. I'm hoping this message reaches those individuals in your company who can ensure that situations like this never happen again. No one should go through what we had to endure! After all the pre-flight drama, the flight itself was the 2nd worse flight I’ve ever been on. We rocked like a ship the entire flight.

[jimworcs]

You have a valid complaint, particularly in relation to how staff treated you. However, you don't think AirTran are responsible for turbulence are you? Is the airline managed by God?

[azstar]

There are federal guidelines airlines must follow when flights are overbooked. They must ask for "volunteers" who would be willing to give up their seats for a later flight, plus compensation. If they do not get volunteers, they must bump the last person/people who checked in, with certain exceptions such as military personnel.You cannot be bumped just because you do not have a confirmed seat assignment. If these guidelines were not followed, you are entitled to a full refund on unused transportion or a travel voucher up to $800.00 per person. You should complain to the D.O.T. (I'm sure they have a website).