Most of us like to journey, however it’s beginning to change into not definitely worth the hassle as airways always come up with ever extra methods to make journey a nightmare. One low cost airline has taken that observe to an entire new degree that looks like an outright rip-off to many shoppers.
Cassie, a TikToker recognized as @cassandrabotnick on TikTok, made the declare after her sister was charged a whopping $100 to deliver a backpack on a current Frontier Airways flight after telling her it was too massive regardless of it clearly being the proper dimension.
However she says that is all a part of the airline staff’ plot to make more cash.
Frontier Airways is accused of paying its staff a $10 incentive to inform passengers their baggage are too massive.
Cassie first mentioned the inducement in a TikTok video after her sister was hit with a $100 price by Frontier Airways regardless of her bag becoming right into a measurement field within the airport. She even videoed it to show it, and the backpack slid proper into the field with room to spare.
Photograph: TikTok
However, Cassie says, “They would not let her on the flight. The man was like, ‘Your bag’s too massive.'” Even when her sister protested and stated that she had video proving the bag match simply high quality, the Frontier agent refused to let her on the flight together with her backpack until she paid a $100 oversize baggage price.
After a back-and-forth with the agent, her sister lastly relented and agreed to the price, solely to be instructed by the Frontier agent that it was “no, sorry, it is too late.” She was pressured to e book herself a brand new flight dwelling, and was provided no help or compensation from Frontier, Cassie says.
Frontier has admitted that staff are incentivized to inform passengers their baggage don’t match.
TikTok is filled with movies of different passengers filming exactly the identical incidents as Cassie’s sister. A lot in order that Frontier confirmed the inducement program after getting accused of “gaslighting” prospects.
Frontier Airways says its $10 fee is “designed to incentivize our workforce members to make sure compliance with the bag dimension necessities to make sure all prospects are handled pretty, together with the bulk who adjust to the principles.”
Photograph: Sharkshock / Shutterstock
“Previously, our carry-on bag dimension requirement was not constantly utilized, which was unfair to the vast majority of prospects who do pay for his or her carry-on baggage upfront and adjust to this requirement.”
“We’ve on numerous events investigated particular claims by prospects who say they have been unfairly charged for a bag on the gate and sometimes discover there may be extra to the story. All complaints are taken significantly and shoppers are inspired to contact our Buyer Care workforce with any issues,” the spokesperson stated.
After her TikTok went viral, Cassie was contacted by Frontier Airways to rectify her sister’s scenario, however different prospects have not been so fortunate.
Frontier reached out to her “for my sister’s e mail tackle so they may e mail her and make issues proper.” Cassie applauded the airline for doing so. “We’re very grateful for that,” she stated. “My sister had to purchase a brand new flight, wasn’t allowed on the flight that she paid for, missed work that day—it was identical to a fiasco that ought to not even have been a factor to start with.”
However Cassie’s sister’s “fiasco” is hardly an remoted incident. After her video went viral, Cassie stated she was flooded with messages from “lots of of individuals…saying they’re having the identical points” with dishonest baggage charges on Frontier, and that the airline itself turned off its personal feedback on TikTok as a result of it was receiving so many complaints from different passengers.
Cassie herself is flying Frontier quickly for a visit to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and is now deeply anxious about what’s going to occur when she tries to board her flight. A lot so, she’s narrowed herself down to 2 choices—taking solely her younger daughter’s tiny backpack with “simply my bra and underwear” inside after which shopping for an outfit when she lands, or hiding her common backpack below her accomplice’s large sweatshirt.
Photograph: TikTok
“I do not assume I am ever going to e book Frontier once more,” she stated. “Touring already creates a lot room for anxiousness… Am I going to must pay $100 for a bag that’s the right dimension? No, thanks. I am going to fly with a unique airline.”
John Sundholm is a information and leisure author who covers popular culture, social justice and human curiosity subjects.
