[Matt_FLL]

Rowdy, you’re preaching to the choir. I’m so sorry that you learned the hard way.

Spirit Airlines provides an excellent opportunity for the most financially-constrained persons to travel via air. Aside from an overwhelming number of ancillary fees for “optional” services (e.g., even a fee for buying your tickets online!), they still do come out cheaper than the other guys.

Regardless, never expect the same quality for a lower price. How do they do it? Cut every possible corner. One way is to have the planes flying all the time. In fact, their schedules generally include a measly 30 minutes for deplaning, cleaning, and boarding after a plane lands. There is no time built in for routine delays. This in combination with other operational corner cuts, you’ll find profound delays complimented by the beat-up and unhappy staff at FLL, my home airport.

I wish that travel sites (e.g., Travelocity and Kayak) would give a warning before you buy a Spirit ticket.

How did you score the food vouchers? Way to go!