An update to my ordeal with AirTran.  After a couple of emails to their customer service, we were given a courtesy refund of our $98 fees.  Also, when I checked us in for the return, I was credited with $18 back on the reserved seats because I changed our seats.  So, pack light or take more bags and don’t reserve your seats in advance, unless you absolutely must.  If you do reserve seats in advance, check seating at check-in and change them if you can.  I still think it is absurd that an airline charges you for seats to ensure you can sit together, period.  NO other airline I have flown has such a ridiculous fee.  As such, we won’t be flying AirTran again.  The flights and the crews were good. However, the fees outweigh any good part of the trip.