Southwest Airlines in a nationwide meltdown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure situation dependent.

Let's say you were at a hotel on vacation. You've checked out, returned the rental car and you're at the airport. Luggage is checked in and now you're stuck. I can see one family member standing in the hellacious line trying to get help from SW staff in the airport while the other parent is trying to get kids to sleep. Awful but feeling like they wanted to stay onsite in case there was any chance of getting on a flight.

Exactly. I’m sure most people actually can afford an airport hotel if there’s availability or they don’t feel they have to be tethered to the airport but I’m this case many:most probably felt they couldn’t or shouldn’t leave.

[Anonymous]

If we have flights with SW at the end of January, should we rebook it with another airline?

[Anonymous]

Plus, once your flight is canceled you no longer have a valid ticket. If you leave the secured area of the airport, you likely will not be able to get back in without a new ticket issued. If you’re waiting by the gates, even sleeping, there’s a greater chance you can hop a flight if a seat opens up.

[Anonymous]

I wonder how many laws and regulations SWA has broken in the past week?

The FAA really needs to step in and take over the airline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plus, once your flight is canceled you no longer have a valid ticket. If you leave the secured area of the airport, you likely will not be able to get back in without a new ticket issued. If you’re waiting by the gates, even sleeping, there’s a greater chance you can hop a flight if a seat opens up.

Maybe as a solo traveler. And maybe when all of this first started.

At this point, many days into this mess, its totally unrealistic to think 4-5 seats will just magically "open up" for your family if you wait at the airport long enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we have flights with SW at the end of January, should we rebook it with another airline?

No, they’re in full on PR damage control. Once this mess is handled they’ll run a tight ship until the next disaster. End of January should place you in a sweet spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we have flights with SW at the end of January, should we rebook it with another airline?

Nah it will be fine by then. We are booked for spring break and have no plans to switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we have flights with SW at the end of January, should we rebook it with another airline?

I did book a refundable flight on another airline for my SW flight beginning of February just to have a backup. It's a one way return flight after a trip. The price was not too bad, but it's also not during a peak time or day of the week.

[Anonymous]

Should I be worried about our SW flight from BWI - Tampa on Friday, 12/30?

[Anonymous]

I feel so sorry for the employees who have to bear the brunt of travelers' understandable anger. What a debacle!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should I be worried about our SW flight from BWI - Tampa on Friday, 12/30?

Absolutely. Have a backup plan. It's going to take all week to sort this out. On top of that, see the PP from a few pages ago where their kids were getting bumped from flights to make room for people who had originally been on earlier flights. Unless you're in some premier tier with SW (is there such a thing), they could easily bump you to give the seats to some family that's been stuck since yesterday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should I be worried about our SW flight from BWI - Tampa on Friday, 12/30?

Definitely have a backup plan. Guessing they will still be running a reduced schedule at that point but hopefully more than the 30-40% they are running today.

[Anonymous]

If you’re supposed to start a trip with Southwest this week be thankful you’re still at home. The trip isn’t happening anymore, unless you drive. That’s the end of the story.

[Anonymous]

I am in Dallas/Fort Worth right now. Missed my connection and they are telling me they can’t get me on a flight until Thursday. This is on American.

The staff is rude. There is a 4 hour line for customer Svc.

It’s like the hunger games.

People are walking around crying.

I hate people.

And….no it’s not because people are traveling for the holidays. The entire system is broken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re supposed to start a trip with Southwest this week be thankful you’re still at home. The trip isn’t happening anymore, unless you drive. That’s the end of the story.

My DD is scheduled to fly back to school on Tuesday Jan 3. Hopefully this will be sorted by then.