Indeed, spirit ran the cheapest service on the route on our itinerary.
At least when tix were booked far in advance.
The airlines at the neighboring boarding counters saw the stranded spirit passengers and sprang immediately to help us all. (Since there were no spirit employees in the terminal). They got me on another airline’s flight in time for me to give the funeral eulogy I’d been asked to deliver. However, the last- minute alternate tix etc added over $2000 to our expenses. A fine example of the wisdom of carrying a couple credit cards even if you have no plans or foreseeable needs to use them.
Traveling is never fun. Sorry about that experience. Direct flights are the way to go I have learned the hard way