nothing free about this Spirit (Airlines, that is)

So, I just finished my first and last trip using Spirit Airlines. In the hopes of saving a buck, I ended up paying just as much if not more than a flight on Delta. How did that happen? In all the extra fees.

I'm a veteran flyer on the big carriers - Delta and United - where you don't get charged to gate check a small bag. And, you get a free can of soda and a bag of pretzels. When I fly Delta, I always get the Biscoff cookies. Nice little bonus.

On Spirit, you can pay for just about everything. Even for a cup of ice if you thought ahead to bring a drink to avoid the extra charge. Oddly, you can also buy a Cup of Noodles for $3 as a snack.

On Spirit, it cost $28 to gate check my bag on the front end and I had to retrieve it at baggage claim once I arrived. On my return flight home, I paid in advance on the website and got to actually take my bag and briefcase onto the plane and stow it away in the overhead bin.

The hardest part of traveling on Spirit had to be the substandard seating arrangement. On a small, older model plane, Spirit managed to cram 25 rows of seats into it. Three seats on either side of the narrowest aisle you have ever seen. I'm not a tall man, but I was absolutely crammed into this seat that nearly took the jaws of life to get me out once I arrived at my destination.

My intention was thrift but the finished result was anything but. Next time, I'll fly a proper airline. Even economy on Delta or United suddenly looks like First Class when compared to my experience on Spirit Airlines.