Will Spirit leave us stranded on St. John?

cmw5682 · Post by **cmw5682** » Mon May 31, 2010 11:15 am

Spirit Air is threatening strike June 12. The good news is we arrive the 9th, but how in the world are we supposed to get home the 15th if they strike? My sister and I can barely afford our vacation as it is and don't have the cash to buy another ticket home. Does anyone have experience with this? Will we be sleeping in the airport until the strike is over? I guess of all places to be stranded, this is as good as it gets!

Carole_R · Post by **Carole_R** » Mon May 31, 2010 12:02 pm

We are wondering the same thing. Our flight to STJ is scheduled for June 13. So we're changing our flight to the 12th since they don't strike until midnight but have no idea how we'll get home. I found this website which gave some options but none of them sound definite. Let me know how you get back home!

http://airtravel.about.com/od/delayscan ... advice.htm

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Mon May 31, 2010 12:06 pm

Lordy.

When Skybus went under, we were in Columbus Ohio (traveled from Charlotte). We flew in Friday night and our friend woke us up laughing Saturday morning with a newspaper with giant headlines saying "Skybus Folds".

What could we do but laugh. The worst part was that we had been patting ourselves on the back for this fabulous deal we had gotten on the tickets.

Anyways, there were other airlines that I believe did something to help people get home. I don't think it was free, but I remember them offering something, I think.

We rented a car.

A car isn't going to do you much, though.

We did get a refund on our credit card, which was a pleasant surprise.

I would check and see how full the other airlines' flights are getting out that day. That will give you an idea of what trouble you might have getting home.

And I guess read the fine print on their website to see what else might happen....

I can't imagine a strike happening or lasting very long as in this economy that would be a death sentence to the airline.

NCSue · Post by **NCSue** » Mon May 31, 2010 12:44 pm

I'm starting to panic ! Our flights are for Jul 5th. I need someone to talk me off the ledge!

17th Hole · Post by **17th Hole** » Mon May 31, 2010 2:15 pm

We fly 6/22. I thought about booking some refundable tickets on another airline just in case, but they are way too expensive! I guess we are just going to have to chance it and hope we can get tickets on another flight should it come down to it. This sucks but at this point I'm going to hope for the best and try to be ready for the worst.

Timethief · Post by **Timethief** » Mon May 31, 2010 3:34 pm

cmw5682 wrote:Spirit Air is threatening strike June 12. The good news is we arrive the 9th, but how in the world are we supposed to get home the 15th if they strike? My sister and I can barely afford our vacation as it is and don't have the cash to buy another ticket home. Does anyone have experience with this? Will we be sleeping in the airport until the strike is over? I guess of all places to be stranded, this is as good as it gets!

We get in the 5th (last minute trip), and are there til the 18th, staying at Cruz Views. You guys could crash at our place if you get stranded! Not promising a whole lot of room (first time staying on the island, so not sure how big it is - but the price was right), but the views are great, and my wife and I don't snore *too* loudly! It would be better than sleeping at the airport!

Keep Smiling!!!

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Mon May 31, 2010 3:51 pm

I too am trying not to panic..we fly in on the 16th and out on the 22nd...I have read they have been trying to settle this for 3 yrs... so maybe before the 12th we will know whats going on. I figure worse case scenario we will get vouchers for future trips if we are not available to fly that day..and I wanted to stay longer anyway so I'll just schedule a longer trip...I certainly feel for those flying that day...or a few days before not knowing exactly whats going to happen.

Carole_R · Post by **Carole_R** » Mon May 31, 2010 9:14 pm

djmom wrote:The worst part was that we had been patting ourselves on the back for this fabulous deal we had gotten on the tickets.

Too funny! We too thought we had such a good deal! Driving 8 hours to ATL to save $1500 which we will now spend on another day at the villa, another day of car rental and rearrangement of flights. Oh well. As long as we get there, I'm good!

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:10 am

Hoping all goes beautifully for this trip that you two so need! Somehow, things will work out.

BillyD · Post by **BillyD** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:02 pm

We "survived" an American Airlines strike in 1999 - stranded in the Virgin Islands! Didn't even realize that there was a strike until the day before we were supposed to leave. We ended up staying on St John at the Westin since the Villa was booked (someone with AA corporate said to stay where we were and they'd take care of it....of course the people at the airport told us something completely different - something about having to stay on St Thomas and vouchers and such - which of course they didn't have when I got to the airport to inquire). In the end it turned out great - an extra 3 days on island. We "negotiated" a deal at the Westin and got a flight voucher from AA after a persistent letter writing campaign. Ate mostly bread and cheese since our food money was gone, but had a great time.
I would expect chaos, but calmly work out a plan B and you'll be fine!!

NCSue · Post by **NCSue** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:57 pm

My plan - ANOTHER CREDIT CARD!!! What the hell, right?

cmw5682 · Post by **cmw5682** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:11 pm

BillyD wrote:In the end it turned out great - an extra 3 days on island. We "negotiated" a deal at the Westin and got a flight voucher from AA after a persistent letter writing campaign. Ate mostly bread and cheese since our food money was gone, but had a great time.
I would expect chaos, but calmly work out a plan B and you'll be fine!!

You gave me some hope this might turn into an extended vacation instead of a nightmare! We're going to St. John to revive ourselves after Mom's death, being stuck in an airport is the last thing we need!

Timethief- We may end up on your doorstep, begging to sleep on the floor or porch!
NCSue- That's a great idea, too bad I don't have time to get another one now!

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:30 am

I found this information on line and it seems to be helpful: http://www.travelsense.org/tips/airlinestrike.cfm

Bottom line is you need to have a back up plan and be prepared to cover those costs yourself.

KNOW what flights you would need on another airline to get home (know the flight numbers and schedules) in advance. So when push comes to shove you can call them and tell them what you want.

Put a little extra cash aside just in case!

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:42 pm

Whatever you do, don't let whatever happens ruin your time. It is OUT OF YOUR CONTROL.

Make the best out of whatever happens-and if all else fails you will have stories to tell!

lsugolfer · Post by **lsugolfer** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 4:04 pm

Too funny! We too thought we had such a good deal! Driving 8 hours to ATL to save $1500 which we will now spend on another day at the villa, another day of car rental and rearrangement of flights. Oh well. As long as we get there, I'm good!

You couldn't get anything out of MSY?? Delta was very reasonable when we went down a few months ago.

Great to see someone else from BR on here!

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