Spirit Airlines Class Action Says ‘Shortcut Security’ is Complete Sham

Passengers have lodged a class action lawsuit against Spirit Airlines alleging an offer by the company to “skip” the general security line in airports is merely a marketing ploy.

Lead plaintiffs, Yarinell Román, Paul Roberts II, and Joaquin Rivera, allege in their class action lawsuit that they each purchased a “Shortcut Security” option from the notoriously tight-fisted Spirit Airlines for use at the Orlando Airport.

According to the Spirit class action lawsuit, the airline advertises that for a mere $6, passengers could use a separate security line at the airport, rather than the general, often very congested, security line.

“Anyone who has traveled through the Orlando Airport during a holiday or Spring Break can attest to what a huge value such a benefit would be,” say the plaintiffs. “As a result, thousands of Spirit customers gladly pay a mere $6 to skip the long security line at Orlando International Airport.”

The Spirit Airlines class action lawsuit alleges that customers were taken for a ride with the $6 shortcut.

“The reason that no other airline offers such a service and the reason Spirit can offer it so cheap is because the fee is a complete sham,” continues the complaint. “There is no way to skip the general security line at the Orlando International Airport. Spirit is simply contracting for something that does not exist.”

According to the Spirit Airlines class action lawsuit, the company offered the Shortcut Security feature to passengers online and using electronic and staffed kiosks at the airport. The plaintiffs say that after purchasing the option and attempting to use it at the security checkpoint, TSA agents laughed in their face.

“Spirit’s failure to provide ‘Shortcut Security’ is not limited to Orlando International Airport,” contends the Spirit class action lawsuit. “Instead, it is Spirit’s systematic company-wide practice to repeatedly enter into agreements and to have customers pay for its ‘Shortcut Security’ option even where the airport the customer is traveling from does not actually provide the service.”

More than 20 major airports are listed as offering the Shortcut Security option, according to the Spirit Airlines class action lawsuit.

The Spirit Airlines class action lawsuit notes that airline is considered a budget airline that touts its cheap basic airfares. Anything, from storing luggage, seat selection, and food and beverages, results in an extra fee on Spirit Airlines in order to account for the lost profits on the low cost of the plane ticket.

The plaintiffs contend that Shortcut Security is Spirit’s attempt at generating additional fees by providing an alternative to TSA’s “Precheck” line.

The difference, says the Spirit Airline class action lawsuit, is that TSA, which runs airport security, can actually offer a separate line that allows airline passengers to pay a fee to bypass the general security line.

“Spirit has no ability or authority to bypass the security line,” notes the Spirit Airlines class action lawsuit, however, the airline preys upon those who are running late for flights by waiving a falsely advertised option to bypass long general security boarding lines.

The plaintiffs say they are seeking a refund for all customers who were duped by the allegedly false Security Shortcut offered by Spirit Airlines.

The Spirit Airlines passengers are represented by Brian W. Warwick and Janet R. Varnell of Varnell & Warwick PA and Gregory P. Smith of Oldham & Smith.

The Spirit Airlines Class Action Lawsuit is Román, et al. v. Spirit Airlines Inc., Case No. 0:19-cv-61461-RAR, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

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