Misty Pinson is a/an;

A) Stripper
B) Air freshener
C) Airline spokesperson
D) Brand of wine cooler.

I guess we know which airline won't be getting a penny from me, ever again.

if you do not believe this is all to keep spirit in the headlines, you clearly underestimate their marketing department.

he will get the refund once this headline starts to subside, and they will roll it into some memorial day special sale.

/ryanair of the states

and this is why you don't fly spirit.

I flew them ONCE and only once. No leg room, poor CS, and I never have flown them again. Sort of like bus service, though Greyhound is actually nicer

Jagoffs!

That's (NOT) the Spirit!

I guess the rules apply to everyone

Bottom Feeders.

Why would you fly them?

Sounds like a liberal policy.

One has to wonder whether Spirit decides from a business standpoint if the bad publicity is worth whatever they got selling a ticket to one guy - and if they do, why the person making business decisions still has a job.

If they make an exception for him, they'll have to make an exception for everyone. Rules are rules. Besides, it's not like he can take the money with him when he's gone.

On the one hand, aren't we all technically dying?

On the other hand, how much does it REALLY cost to refund the farking ticket? Take out a 5% surcharge and you still make a profit on providing no service what so ever you cheap farking pricks.

Smells like Mean Spirit

I guess he should have flown first class on Virgin.

Can't take it with him..

It's clearly stated in the purchase agreement of the tickets that refunds are allowed for terminally ill Vietnam Vets. I don't know what their problem is with upholding their side of the agreement.

I'd be willing to bet they say no ten times a day. It's just rare they get any press out of it.

38 bucks each way to Las from sjc but it costs 33 bucks to check a bag, a dollar for a drink (no complimentary drinks) etc.

I'd rather just plan ahead with southwest or shell out a bit more for better accommodations on a bigger airline like delta

Spirit Airlines, for when you can't afford the bus.

I know of a way he could go out and make the world a better place on the way out...

Trance750: I guess we know which airline won't be getting a penny from me, ever again.

I avoid flying any airline at all costs since the establishment of the TSA. They can all GEABOD.

When I die and they lay me to rest,
Gonna go to the place that's the best.
When I lay me down to die,
Goin' up to the Spirit in the sky.

Also, my g/f and I just bought tickets to go to NY to visit her parents and we discussed and specifically declined travel insurance. We know full well that if we can't make the flight or the return flight, we are screwed.

I will be sure to raise a stink with the airline if that situation were to happen and we are refused a refund.

Why people still fly the nickel and dime your costumers to death airlines boggles my mind. In addition to this kind of crap, they are one surcharge from having coin-operated bathrooms after you've eaten their food with the amazing food additive called soap.

buy a cheap ass ticket and there are no refunds.
this a universal truth.
no, not even if your plans change. no, not even if you get a cold.
that's not heartless, that's part of the pricing strategy that allows someone to buy a ticket from tampa to atlantic city and back for $197 in the first place.
don't spend your dying days on this planet being the miserly old dude trying to talk an airline out of the contract you singed.

Why does it matter that he's a vet? He's receiving plenty of benefits for that already (healthcare, etc), Why does a private company have any more obligation to waive their rules for a veteran than, say, Octomom? This is an excellent example of what travel insurance was made for.

I doubt Spirit will refund it. They'll get more marketing airtime by not refunding it, reinforcing their image as the cheapest of the cheap (like Ryanair).

Flew Spirit in April for first time from Ft. Lauderdale to San Jose, Costa Rica. Bag was 3 lbs over - $40. Want a soda $3, bag of chips $3.. Good thing I got the Jack and coke special for $11.

/will never fly spirit again

slanderous: Why does it matter that he's a vet? He's receiving plenty of benefits for that already (healthcare, etc), Why does a private company have any more obligation to waive their rules for a veteran than, say, Octomom? This is an excellent example of what travel insurance was made for.

Because PATRIOTIC OUTRAGE, that's why.

Sock Ruh Tease: One has to wonder whether Spirit decides from a business standpoint if the bad publicity is worth whatever they got selling a ticket to one guy - and if they do, why the person making business decisions still has a job.

I don't know, it is like wal-mart. Everyone says they are too good to shop there, but the place is still packed. Spirit Air could take a dump on the chest of a random passenger on every flight and they would still be packed because the American consumer would trade a savings of $5 for "only" a one in 100 chance of literally being crapped on.

slanderous: Why does it matter that he's a vet? He's receiving plenty of benefits for that already (healthcare, etc), Why does a private company have any more obligation to waive their rules for a veteran than, say, Octomom? This is an excellent example of what travel insurance was made for.

I doubt Spirit will refund it. They'll get more marketing airtime by not refunding it, reinforcing their image as the cheapest of the cheap (like Ryanair).

And this, friend and neighbors, is why, as a VN vet with fifteen years invested in the Army, every time somebody says, "thank you for your service," I want to hack up a furball. It's almost as meaningful and heartfelt as "I will pray for you." Yes, there are some people who do genuinely respect those who served, but the overwhelming majority of Americans do not give a mouse fart in a hurricane about the nation's military or the soldier, sailors, airmen, or Marines.

/end of rant.

The saddest thing is that the poor old veteran is so destitute that he has to go to this level of hassle over a ticket that is very likely under 300 dollars total. I would imagine he has wasted that amount of time-dollars already.

If this happened to me, sure I'd try to get a refund, or partial refund. But I would not expect it.

maliklockett: I guess the rules apply to everyone


new Spirit spokesperson

I guess I have to side with the airline, if they have a no refund policy they have a no refund policy.

They could have bought the guy a train ticket and made more good publicity than millions of dollars of advertising.

The airline issued a statement on Friday saying it sympathized with Meekins, but that making an exception to its well-known policy would force the cost of providing refunds on to other customers

Because the rules are the rules and it's much easier to stick to the rules than to make an exception once and then grow some balls and tell the next person who asks "I'm sorry, we granted an exception in that one unique case, and unless you also have a unique, exceptional case--such as if you're about to die and your doctor has forbidden you to travel--we will not refund your ticket." I'm sure such cases happen every single day in the airline business.

Rules were invented to save people the trouble of thinking and the later unpleasantness of telling someone else No. Where did we get this idea that if you make an exception once you have to do it for everyone who subsequently asks? That's why it's called AN EXCEPTION.

Travel insurance is a huge scam, and it basically turns your customer service into a health care style decision, and removes responsibilities that airlines really should have in customer service.

Sorry that didn't work out for you, did you buy insurance? Oh, I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do. You should have bought insurance. Next customer!

Gyrfalcon: The airline issued a statement on Friday saying it sympathized with Meekins, but that making an exception to its well-known policy would force the cost of providing refunds on to other customers

Because the rules are the rules and it's much easier to stick to the rules than to make an exception once and then grow some balls and tell the next person who asks "I'm sorry, we granted an exception in that one unique case, and unless you also have a unique, exceptional case--such as if you're about to die and your doctor has forbidden you to travel--we will not refund your ticket." I'm sure such cases happen every single day in the airline business.

Rules were invented to save people the trouble of thinking and the later unpleasantness of telling someone else No. Where did we get this idea that if you make an exception once you have to do it for everyone who subsequently asks? That's why it's called AN EXCEPTION.

Because if you don't someone will sue you.

TysDaddy: Flew Spirit in April for first time from Ft. Lauderdale to San Jose, Costa Rica. Bag was 3 lbs over - $40. Want a soda $3, bag of chips $3.. Good thing I got the Jack and coke special for $11.

/will never fly spirit again

That's about what they charge at Major Leauge ballparks.

Diagonal: slanderous: Why does it matter that he's a vet? He's receiving plenty of benefits for that already (healthcare, etc), Why does a private company have any more obligation to waive their rules for a veteran than, say, Octomom? This is an excellent example of what travel insurance was made for.

I doubt Spirit will refund it. They'll get more marketing airtime by not refunding it, reinforcing their image as the cheapest of the cheap (like Ryanair).

And this, friend and neighbors, is why, as a VN vet with fifteen years invested in the Army, every time somebody says, "thank you for your service," I want to hack up a furball. It's almost as meaningful and heartfelt as "I will pray for you." Yes, there are some people who do genuinely respect those who served, but the overwhelming majority of Americans do not give a mouse fart in a hurricane about the nation's military or the soldier, sailors, airmen, or Marines.

/end of rant.

You must really get annoyed at people who hold the door open for you, or say "thanks" - what with common courtesy pissing you off and all.

You get what you pay for. If you buy a non-refundable cheap ticket, you get non-refundable cheap service.

Gyrfalcon: The airline issued a statement on Friday saying it sympathized with Meekins, but that making an exception to its well-known policy would force the cost of providing refunds on to other customers

Because the rules are the rules and it's much easier to stick to the rules than to make an exception once and then grow some balls and tell the next person who asks "I'm sorry, we granted an exception in that one unique case, and unless you also have a unique, exceptional case--such as if you're about to die and your doctor has forbidden you to travel--we will not refund your ticket." I'm sure such cases happen every single day in the airline business.

Rules were invented to save people the trouble of thinking and the later unpleasantness of telling someone else No. Where did we get this idea that if you make an exception once you have to do it for everyone who subsequently asks? That's why it's called AN EXCEPTION.

really? absolutely arbitrary decision making and anarchy don't pose any problems?

I flew Spirit 3x last month, had zero problems, and will likely continue to use them. Spirit is not for everyone, but is an economical option for travelers who meet these criteria:

1) Can fit everything for their trip (including purse) into a medium-to-small backpack.
2) Have the foresight to pack their own food and bring an empty bottle to fill with water at an airport drinking fountain after they've cleared security.
3) Can print their own ticket at home or are able to arrive 5 minutes early and are intelligent enough to operate a self-serve kiosk.
4) Have zero expectations of being pampered.

It does suck that they can't help this guy out, but on the other hand, Spirit does not pretend to be anything other than what it is: a no-frills bargain-basement airline. They don't tout their customer service or make any claims to caring at all about anything except selling seats on their planes. They have their rules, clearly stated, which apply to everyone equally. If you decide to opt-out of travel insurance, you are taking your chances.

relcec: Gyrfalcon: The airline issued a statement on Friday saying it sympathized with Meekins, but that making an exception to its well-known policy would force the cost of providing refunds on to other customers

Because the rules are the rules and it's much easier to stick to the rules than to make an exception once and then grow some balls and tell the next person who asks "I'm sorry, we granted an exception in that one unique case, and unless you also have a unique, exceptional case--such as if you're about to die and your doctor has forbidden you to travel--we will not refund your ticket." I'm sure such cases happen every single day in the airline business.

Rules were invented to save people the trouble of thinking and the later unpleasantness of telling someone else No. Where did we get this idea that if you make an exception once you have to do it for everyone who subsequently asks? That's why it's called AN EXCEPTION.

really? absolutely arbitrary decision making and anarchy don't pose any problems?

Yes this is exactly an example of absolutely arbitrary decision making and total anarchy. Obviously making an exception means the ruin of life as we know it.

You're really stupid, I think I haven't mentioned that this week.

Gyrfalcon: The airline issued a statement on Friday saying it sympathized with Meekins, but that making an exception to its well-known policy would force the cost of providing refunds on to other customers

Because the rules are the rules and it's much easier to stick to the rules than to make an exception once and then grow some balls and tell the next person who asks "I'm sorry, we granted an exception in that one unique case, and unless you also have a unique, exceptional case--such as if you're about to die and your doctor has forbidden you to travel--we will not refund your ticket." I'm sure such cases happen every single day in the airline business.

Rules were invented to save people the trouble of thinking and the later unpleasantness of telling someone else No. Where did we get this idea that if you make an exception once you have to do it for everyone who subsequently asks? That's why it's called AN EXCEPTION.

Rules gain their strength from the fact that they apply to everyone. Otherwise, you have to create a whole new process to assess each case that comes around and I'm sure that they are all special.

For instance, lets just go ahead and define the groups that we should consider making exceptions for:


Terminally ill - "C'mon, have a heart, he is dying"
Veterans - "He risked his life for his country, give him a break"
Police/Firefighters - "They put it on the line for the community, they deserve it"
Teachers - "All that they do for our children, you should cut them some slack"
Clergy - "Where is your heart, it's a priest"
Very young - "Awww, the cute little baby"
Very Old - "Honor your elders, you young whipper-snapper"
Women - "Is Chivalry dead?"
Black people - "Always tryin to keep a brotha down"
White people - "Well you let the black guy go, that's 'Reverse Racism'?"
Arabic - "You are discriminating against me because you think I'm a terrorist"



I'm sure that everyone has an excuse why their case is special

jst3p: Sock Ruh Tease: One has to wonder whether Spirit decides from a business standpoint if the bad publicity is worth whatever they got selling a ticket to one guy - and if they do, why the person making business decisions still has a job.

I don't know, it is like wal-mart. Everyone says they are too good to shop there, but the place is still packed. Spirit Air could take a dump on the chest of a random passenger on every flight and they would still be packed because the American consumer would trade a savings of $5 for "only" a one in 100 chance of literally being crapped on.

That depends on the hotness level of the flight attendant.

maliklockett: Gyrfalcon: The airline issued a statement on Friday saying it sympathized with Meekins, but that making an exception to its well-known policy would force the cost of providing refunds on to other customers

Because the rules are the rules and it's much easier to stick to the rules than to make an exception once and then grow some balls and tell the next person who asks "I'm sorry, we granted an exception in that one unique case, and unless you also have a unique, exceptional case--such as if you're about to die and your doctor has forbidden you to travel--we will not refund your ticket." I'm sure such cases happen every single day in the airline business.

Rules were invented to save people the trouble of thinking and the later unpleasantness of telling someone else No. Where did we get this idea that if you make an exception once you have to do it for everyone who subsequently asks? That's why it's called AN EXCEPTION.

Rules gain their strength from the fact that they apply to everyone. Otherwise, you have to create a whole new process to assess each case that comes around and I'm sure that they are all special.

For instance, lets just go ahead and define the groups that we should consider making exceptions for:


Terminally ill - "C'mon, have a heart, he is dying"
Veterans - "He risked his life for his country, give him a break"
Police/Firefighters - "They put it on the line for the community, they deserve it"
Teachers - "All that they do for our children, you should cut them some slack"
Clergy - "Where is your heart, it's a priest"
Very young - "Awww, the cute little baby"
Very Old - "Honor your elders, you young whipper-snapper"
Women - "Is Chivalry dead?"
Black people - "Always tryin to keep a brotha down"
White people - "Well you let the black guy go, that's 'Reverse Racism'?"
Arabic - "You are discriminating against me because you think I'm a terrorist"

I'm sure that everyone has an excuse why their case is special

You sound like an unhappy person.

Stop flying Spirit!

Christ on a cracker people, it's like Bank of America. We all know they suck, stop being surprised when they suck. If you want decent service and a ticket you can change buy a ticket on Southwest, Jetblue, or Virgin America. (I included Southwest so you can't say "They don't fly where I live, merr").

You don't care about shiatty service but care more about your dollar going further book Spirit. Otherwise do a little bit of research before buying a ticket and pony up for something a bit better. it's not like this shiat is secret.

I take a very dim view of these "discount airlines". There was an outfit flying out of here called Pinnacle Air which recently declared bankruptcy...but not before their execs helped themselves to hundreds of thousands of dollars from the company's coffers. Meanwhile, someone I know who had a ticket on the airline before the company went bust and stopped flying is out a couple hundred bucks and has given up trying to get their money back.

"I just want to be treated like everyone else until it is to my advantage to get special treatment"