Be Warned - Frontier Baggage Police Activity
Dec 13, 2022 | 11:01 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
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I flew them a few weeks ago and other than the miserable crew, it was a perfectly acceptable experience. If I can do another $46 ticket to Florida you bet I'll be on that plane. They serve a particular market segment and they do it pretty well.Spirit is planning to be acquired by JetBlue, at which time the brand will be sunsetted and transitioned to JB standards, leaving F9 as the largest ULCC in the country (along with Allegiant and a handful of other smaller operators). I'm not really sure what you're getting at when you say, "they are trying to compete with Spirit" since that has been their M.O. for around a decade.
-J.
Dec 13, 2022 | 11:22 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Federal Way, WA
Programs: Many, but completely free agent now
Posts: 1,675
My thoughts exactly. When I flew BMI several years ago the weight limit for carry-on items was 9 pounds. I knew that and stuck to the limit. Of course, they didn't charge for checked bags in addition, but that's a separate issue.
Dec 15, 2022 | 2:41 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA Frmr AA Plat AW Plat Frmr UA 1K Frmr HGP Plat now just UA 1MM/1P
Posts: 334
Also, if they were smaller sized raccoon, the vulture should just tape them together.
Dec 16, 2022 | 7:21 am
#36
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: Frontier (50k), Southwest, Wyndham (Diamond), Hyatt (Discoverist), National (Executive), Amex (Plat)
Posts: 187
It's so hit or miss, though. There are all these horror stories about being 0.00001" over the limit and having to pay, but I've been on plenty of flights where people walk on with full-sized suitcases clearly not designed as carry-ons and don't have a bit of trouble. I don't think there's any standard consistently enforced across F9, so a lot of it depends on what kind of day the GA is having.
Personally, I use a small travel backpack with fully loaded dimensions that comply with "personal item" standards and a properly-sized carryon because I want to comply, but there seem to be a LOT of people who push their luck.
Personally, I use a small travel backpack with fully loaded dimensions that comply with "personal item" standards and a properly-sized carryon because I want to comply, but there seem to be a LOT of people who push their luck.
Dec 16, 2022 | 9:28 am
#37
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 605
Reading a lot of reports about how arbitrarily this is being enforced.
Reasons people have been made to pay $100:
- It doesn't slide all the way into the sizer without pushing
- You can only give it one push
- It can't touch the sides of sizer
- The bag has wheels, even if it fits in the sizer
- Item fits nicely, but bag handle/strap sticks out slightly
Seems like with all this going on, best not to fly Frontier for the time being until things calm down.
Reasons people have been made to pay $100:
- It doesn't slide all the way into the sizer without pushing
- You can only give it one push
- It can't touch the sides of sizer
- The bag has wheels, even if it fits in the sizer
- Item fits nicely, but bag handle/strap sticks out slightly
Seems like with all this going on, best not to fly Frontier for the time being until things calm down.
May 2, 2023 | 10:33 pm
#38
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: USA
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I often travel with a max-size rollaboard and nothing else. Does Frontier also use a sizer for carry-on bags or do they just make sure you paid for a carry-on? Thanks.
May 3, 2023 | 6:52 am
#39
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,297
I wouldn't press my luck if the bag is obviously oversized. The sizer by the gate has boxes for both carryon and personal
May 3, 2023 | 6:59 am
#40
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: Frontier (50k), Southwest, Wyndham (Diamond), Hyatt (Discoverist), National (Executive), Amex (Plat)
Posts: 187
They do have a sizer, but I rarely see it used. Given that carry-ons now have a higher price tag than checked bags, I doubt they'll try to get you to change from one to the other. Your experience could be different, though, and it's hard to predict when they will have an enforcement effort or some random GA will be having a bad day.
May 4, 2023 | 9:40 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
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Posts: 5,489
the contract of carriage has been updated to essentially say it must fit without force and if it fails on first attempt , the fee is charged.
Fronter is a fee based airline. penny base fares, all you can fly passes, etc are all built on the fact that their average passenger pays $80 in incremental revenue for seats, bags, paid drinks onboard, etc9
Fronter is a fee based airline. penny base fares, all you can fly passes, etc are all built on the fact that their average passenger pays $80 in incremental revenue for seats, bags, paid drinks onboard, etc9
May 11, 2023 | 9:05 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: Frontier (50k), Southwest, Wyndham (Diamond), Hyatt (Discoverist), National (Executive), Amex (Plat)
Posts: 187
It seems like F9 is paying a bonus to agents who get you to pay for your bag...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffwh...h=51762a2c7e51
If that's true, that could be why it's arbitrarily enforced. GA is a little short on cash? Has a date night coming up? Just hassle a few people and say their bag doesn't fit, and it's all covered. Since GAs have the final say about who gets on board and who doesn't, what's the traveling public going to do about it? Nada.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffwh...h=51762a2c7e51
If that's true, that could be why it's arbitrarily enforced. GA is a little short on cash? Has a date night coming up? Just hassle a few people and say their bag doesn't fit, and it's all covered. Since GAs have the final say about who gets on board and who doesn't, what's the traveling public going to do about it? Nada.
May 12, 2023 | 2:48 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 605
the contract of carriage has been updated to essentially say it must fit without force and if it fails on first attempt , the fee is charged.
Fronter is a fee based airline. penny base fares, all you can fly passes, etc are all built on the fact that their average passenger pays $80 in incremental revenue for seats, bags, paid drinks onboard, etc9
Fronter is a fee based airline. penny base fares, all you can fly passes, etc are all built on the fact that their average passenger pays $80 in incremental revenue for seats, bags, paid drinks onboard, etc9
3) The size and weight of an item may be measured using manual or automated methods. If a bag sizer is
used, items must fit completely into the applicable portion, including any wheels and handles, and
without the passenger using undue force, as determined at Frontier’s sole direction. If an item exceeds
allowed dimensions, the item may be gate checked or considered to be a carry-on item, in each case to
which the applicable fee will apply. Any fees owed may be unilaterally charged by Frontier using the card
or other method of payment that is on file with Frontier.
used, items must fit completely into the applicable portion, including any wheels and handles, and
without the passenger using undue force, as determined at Frontier’s sole direction. If an item exceeds
allowed dimensions, the item may be gate checked or considered to be a carry-on item, in each case to
which the applicable fee will apply. Any fees owed may be unilaterally charged by Frontier using the card
or other method of payment that is on file with Frontier.
May 23, 2023 | 5:17 pm
#44
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This is why I will never fly Frontier, Spirit or any other airline with bogus fees:
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/articl...y-18113158.php
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/articl...y-18113158.php
May 25, 2023 | 9:11 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: KUSA
Programs: Whatever AMEX Plat comes with... I buy on price.. Spirit Big Front Seat, want First/buy First
Posts: 1,889
the contract of carriage has been updated to essentially say it must fit without force and if it fails on first attempt , the fee is charged.
Fronter is a fee based airline. penny base fares, all you can fly passes, etc are all built on the fact that their average passenger pays $80 in incremental revenue for seats, bags, paid drinks onboard, etc9
Fronter is a fee based airline. penny base fares, all you can fly passes, etc are all built on the fact that their average passenger pays $80 in incremental revenue for seats, bags, paid drinks onboard, etc9