My Trip Home
Tuesday, July 27th, 1999Well, let me explain this horrendous trip I had the displeasure of having yesterday. M&D dropped me off at the airport at 4:30, one hour prior to my (supposed) departure, according to the Spirit’s recommendation. We said our goodbyes and I waited in line.
I heard something about a voucher, but didn’t think much of it. It may have been in the Detroit line. I was concentrating on ‘Nado who had been in the box for 30+ minutes at this time.
My time came to check in. All went well. I paid the $30 for ‘Nado to sit in the cabin, I checked my suitcase, etc. Then I was told the plane was delayed until 7:10 (she wrote it on my bording pass). Then, this little girl of a ticket checker commented about the cat in the box. She stated that the cat could not stand in the box. I said she had plenty of room and was just “puffed” up because she was scared. Even so, she was not going to be allowed in the cabin. I explained that I had traveled with her like this before on this airline. In fact, Spirit had flown the cat to Florida just a couple weeks earlier in this same box. Nothing doing to this bleeched-blonde bimbo. She got her supervisor.
Her supervisor is some guy who wears a tag. He knows nothing, is nothing, etc. He flat out stated the cat could not go in the cabin. At that point I explained to him I had a bording pass, a pass for the cat, and he would have fun stopping me. He promised that he would at the top of his lungs. The prick. I stormed away with the cat. At some point in there I demanded a refund. They were ready to give me one. Then I said for the entire trip. Nothing doing.
I called M&D to prepare them that I might need some assistance.
I calmed down a bit. I went back and asked where they would put ‘Nado if she were not in the cabin. The supervisor explained that she would be in the luggage hold. I said that was unacceptable. Their whole point is that the FAA requires the cat be able to walk around in the cage. Admitedly, ‘Nado cannot stand in her cage, but for a cat who only wants to sleep, who cares? They further explained that the regulation was to prevent cruelty to animals. By this time a second *supervisor* had come. We were all in agreement that I was not being cruel and had the cat’s best interests at heart. I asked how putting the cat in luggage would change the fact that she cannot stand. That was NEVER answered.
Finally, after a long plea, they agreed to let the cat on if the crew did not object. I pressed hard for them not to inform the crew.
I also explained that given Spirit’s recent public-relations problems as well as tonight’s delay, perhaps this isn’t the best thing for them to be picking on.
I was also informed that the plane would be later than 7:10. Later it was changed to 8:00. Then 8:30ish. Then 9:00. We left a minute or two after 10:00. I had a beer. I was not charged. The crew loved the kitty. One attendant offered to show the cat her snake. ‘Nado declined. We were all given a $100 credit on our next Spirit flight. I am not certain I will fly Spirit again. I am rathr certain ‘Nado will never fly with me. She was ten hours in the box. That is not fair to her. She did well. She is fine now, but I have a feeling a notation was made beside my name on Spirit’s computer.
Oh well . . .