News

[Rollie Forbes]

This is crazy! How did this mess happen?

 

[Banks]

And this is why I don't bother traveling during the holidays or during a massive winter storm that took up most of the US. I'm going to guess most of these people are going to get some kind of deal on future tickets, maybe be reimbursed.

I figure it's mostly due to the weather as of late.

 

[Sovereign]

Southwest is using an old tracking system and it failed which caused a vast amount errors. To make matters worse, a huge amount of their employees called in sick and things spiraled out of control. I heard they have issued an “emergency operating procedure” and any employee calling out sick has to have a doctor’s note or they’re fired.

 

[The Honorable]

Southwest is using an old tracking system and it failed which caused a vast amount errors. To make matters worse, a huge amount of their employees called in sick and things spiraled out of control. I heard they have issued an “emergency operating procedure” and any employee calling out sick has to have a doctor’s note or they’re fired.

I read this very exact thing on CNN.

"On a call with employees Tuesday, Southwest Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson explained that the company’s outdated scheduling software quickly became the main culprit of the cancellations once the storm cleared, according to a transcript of the call that was obtained by CNN from an aviation source."

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/27/business/southwest-airlines-service-meltdown/index.html

 

[RCNAL]

Not always possible, but I try to plan any holiday travel minimally 3 months in advance. And depending on the cost try to fly business class (using points, etc, if its expensive). Other than that I pay extra for the window seat in front of the emergency exit in economy. Always more leg room and you don't have to crawl over others to get out and you can get off the plane easier and sooner than the rest in economy. Again, not always possible.

The airline industry in America SUCKS if you have experienced overseas airlines. Even low budget overseas airlines (Ryan Air, Air Arabia, Air Asia) are better.

The worst part is we charge for everything, the slightest thing and our tax dollars bailed them out twice (after 911 and after the 2008 recession). We paid to help them take further advantage of us. Paying for checked in luggage isn't done overseas. But its normal in America.

Next time there is an economic turndown I really hope the American people collectively stop the politicians paid off by the airline industry, doesn't bail them out. Let 'capitalism' happen or at least tell them they can't 'fee' us to death after getting bailed out.