I am writing to express my extreme disappointment with Allegiant Air. Hopefully, my mistakes will serve as a warning to others who are lured to use this discount airline to save a few bucks. Remember, “You get what you pay for.” I missed my return flight from Springfield, MO to Orlando, FL because the ticket counter was closed 30 minutes before the flight even departed! Don’t be late for this airline. In spite of a Delta Airline employee calling to let someone know that I was waiting at the Allegiant counter, no one cared enough to come and check me in for the flight. Apparently, all the Allegiant air personnel were out preparing the plane for departure. As I waited impatiently at the empty Allegiant counter hoping someone would come and let me on the flight, I looked around and saw that other airline counters were open and ready for business. Had I not tried to save a few bucks and flown with Continental, American, or Delta I would be home or well on my way by now and not worried about rescheduling appointments with customers next week and contemplating the possibility of financial losses because of this Podunk airline. Once there was absolutely no chance of making my flight, Tom came to the counter to offer assistance. He was able to get me on the next Allegiant air flight which is scheduled FOUR DAYS LATER! He also boasted that he was able to make these changes without charging me any fees. Wow! Thanks Tom. Allegiant air does not have good policies to protect and accommodate passengers. They have no contingency plan for people who arrive late for a flight. I acknowledge that it is not good to check in 30 minutes before a flight, but sometimes it happens. Reputable airlines have the financial wherewithal, plan of action, and employees who can accommodate a passenger when he/she arrives late. Additionally, the maintenance of Allegiant airplanes did little to build a good first impression. The condition of the plane on the flight from Orlando, FL to Springfield, Mo was discouraging. The exterior of the plane seemed to be missing paint. The first aircraft I boarded had a distracting foul almost urine smell to it. Before take off a member of the flight crew mentioned that “pesky lights” were being worked on. Later, it was determined that a computer needed to be replaced. Finally, all the passengers were deboarded and had to wait for another plane. Thankfully, we did not have to wait FOUR DAYS for that other plane. Because of the inconvenience passengers were given a complimentary cup of soda (can not included). So, I guess my hour or so of a delay waiting for a different plane is worth a cup of soda. Thanks Allegiant Air. If all goes well, you may save money flying on this airline. If something goes wrong, you may be in trouble. The initial savings may not be worth the possible stress and eventual loss of time and money that could result from flying with Allegiant Air. On a positive note, there were no chickens or farm animals on the first flight. We will see what happens on the flight back home.