Jun. 8—COLONIE — For dozens of passengers it was a vacation gone terribly awry. And it apparently started with a minor mechanical issue.
Allegiant Air Flight 2830 was preparing to leave Friday shortly after noon for a quick nonstop flight to Nashville. The carrier had launched the twice-weekly service just three weeks earlier, with fares as low as $61 one-way.
But the mechanical problem turned into a major headache when repairs couldn't immediately be made. Seven hours passed before the flight finally was canceled. Passengers on social media said there was just one gate attendant handling the flight, who was quickly overwhelmed.
After all, there was luggage to be retrieved, vouchers issued, and a need to find hotels for out-of-town passengers.
Sheriff's deputies, according to another person, pitched in along with airport personnel to unload luggage from the plane. In the meantime, one passenger who managed to slip out onto the airport apron ended up under arrest after she allegedly assaulted a deputy.
"This was way out of control," said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple on Saturday.
Allegiant is one of a number of "ultra-low fare carriers," with prices that make quick weekend getaways affordable. Often, though, these carriers operate only two or three flights a week, scheduling them for the heaviest travel days.
Unlike so-called legacy carriers, which may operate several daily flights to the same destination, they don't have that backup.
Veteran Capital Region travel agent Jean Gagnon said passengers need to "accept the inevitable that stuff might happen" when they travel.
"If you're going to an important event, go even more than a day earlier," Gagnon said. And you should also buy travel insurance, even if it's only to cover an airline ticket.
"I will not fly an airline that only has one flight a day," she said, adding "it's a real good idea to call a travel agent. It will be worth the modest fee."
Allegiant's appeal, in addition to low fares, is its nonstop flights to popular destinations in Florida as well as to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and now, Nashville.
"We deeply regret the inconvenience to our passengers and stress, but unruly behavior or violence of any kind is never acceptable and endangers everyone," the airline said Saturday. "We appreciate law enforcement's steps to deescalate this incident and share their frustration."
On Monday, airport spokesman Doug Myers said airport officials had been in touch with Allegiant.
"They are forming an action plan," Myers said. "We will be discussing it further."
On Monday, Allegiant declined any further comment.
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