“The Worst Experience I've Ever Had w/ an Airline. Beyond Pathetic.”
by JessicaEd on January 23, 2013
Flight from Las Vegas to Bellingham
- Airline:
-
Allegiant
- RT/OW
- Round Trip
- Number of Stops:
- No stops
- Date of Flight:
- January 2013
- Seat Class:
- economy
My family & I took Allegient to Las Vegas from Bellingham, & back to celebrate my husbands, my sons, & my son-in-laws Birthday. On our return flight, we checked in and boarded without event. Although we didn't know it at the time, there was a weather advisory in affect at Bellingham. When we boarded, we were informed that the Captain was hoping to take off early due to expected fog in Bellingham that would prevent us from landing, however, several minutes later, it was announced that there was a tug "stuck" on the plane, & that our flight would be delayed. At the time, my assumption was that the fog issue must not be that bad, otherwise, Allegient wouldn't take off, however, I now know that wasn't true. Allegient knew that the chances of landing in Bellingham were slim to none at that point, yet they took off anyway. Upon arrival at Bellingham, we flew in circles for a bit when the Captain announced that he was unable to land due to the fog/visability, but he would circle for 20 more minutes on the off chance that they might be able to land, which of course, didn't happen. After 20 minutes, it was announced that we could not land in Bellingham & was deverted to Pasco. When we landed in Pasco, it was announced that, because passengers boarded the plane "knowing" there was a weather advisory, that passengers were "on their own" (this is, literally, what was announced over the intercom). They said there were a couple hotels & handed out slips of paper to dial a number for "assistance" (which was a recorded message that provided a fax number to submit a claim for review. Whoopie ding). They also announced that we could not stay at the airport because the airport was closed from 1am - 3am. Allegient abandoned its customers in the middle of a small town for a night where temperatures were below freezing due to Allegients choice to travel to a destination that they knew full well they would, more likely then not, be able to land. I will NEVER fly Allegient again. As a consumer, I am appalled. As a QA professional in the aerospace industry, I will be reporting this to the FAA and to the DOT for Allegient's violation to federal regulations (do a websearch - you'll see that it's not their first). I have never in my life seen a company, airlines or not, treat it's customers with such little regard or respect.