I've flown Spirit, Ryanair and many other airlines without any issues but Scoot got me. They had a $9 flight so I figured, why not? I looked at their policy and yeah I could only take a tiny bag on the flight. I had a bag that matched the dimensions for a Ryanair flight I took previously and its amazing how much you can fit if you just use vacuum sealed bags :) .. However, the wheels didn't fit by an amount less than 1cm so...
..... $80 for the baggage. I do know the pain of which you speak
Now I've switched to a backpack which matches the dimensions for "Personal Item" exactly and strategically pack things so if I can remove them and stuff them in m pockets if they bring out the stupid measuring box... then reload them into the bag after I pass screening.
It really is a good feeling beating the airline at their own stupid game.
However, the one thing that really got me on a flight two days ago? A four hour flight with seats that don't recline. Plus it was a middle seat (I dont pay extra for choosing a seat either). Plus it was delayed on the tarmac for maintenance issue. And they charged for everything on the food cart so not even water... after five hours a person can get pretty parched.
Anyways, great article, thanks for writing and don't write off Spirit airlines.. Just find ways to beat them at their own game :)
RE: For most airlines "personal item" is not what it sounds like