OK, so Allegiant is a low-budget airline that flies rickety MD-80s from Las Vegas, Phoenix-Mesa and Orlando to a smattering of small markets. I have flown on it several times between Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport and Rapid City.
On the most recent trip, to attend my father's funeral, the counter agent looked at my carry-on, tried to fit it into a very skinny-looking PVC pipe construct of an overhead bin, and decreed that the bag would have to be checked and I would be charged $30.
This is the very same bag that I carried onboard for the flight TO Rapid City, with no fanfare, no problem, no questions asked.
I travel frequently for my job and other than the Allegiant counter agent at "Rapid City International, " I have never had any airline tell me I could not carry this bag onboard.
I had just seen one of the counter agents OK a couple of carry-ons that were larger than mine for an elderly couple. But this couple had already checked two bags — for $60 bucks, one-way, ka-ching — and the counter agent apparently didn't feel like gouging them beyond what she already had.
When I pointed out the inconsistency, both counter agents (who'd let about 50 people stand in line unattended well past the 2 hours prior to departure time passengers were told to be at the airport) responded like rabid wolverines, hissing and defensive. It was clear they'd dealt with this problem before, and are on the defenstive and ready to respond to objections from fliers about their own airline's inconsistent carry-on policies.
Furthermore, be warned that Allegiant is the king of unseen fees. For example, on my recent trip the quoted Airfare was $165. The final tab, including my late bag-check was $287.70.included on my statement were charges for "segment fees, " "PFC, " "Seat Selection Fee, " "Convenience Fee" and "Travel Protection."
I won't be flying Allegiant Air again anytime soon. Neiither will anyone who values my opinion, and I have lots of friends and relatives who do.
Airfare: $165.58
federal taxes: $12.42
segment fees: $7.20
pfc: $9.00
911 security: $5.00
seat selection fee: $30.00
convenience fee: $13.50
travel protection $15.00
total: $257.70
paid: $257.70
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