Southwest Airlines in a nationwide meltdown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worse is the people who undertook a new trip starting the 24th or later, when this was already a known big problem. I don’t feel sorry for them.

By the 24th, most airlines had their mess cleaned up. If you were flying out of Chicago, new York, or other snowbound cities...yeah. You weren't getting anywhere since the airports were basically closed.

PP here. We flew home on the 24th. Southwest had already been in the news for days at that point and we were very nervous about our flight being cancelled. When we got to the airport 2/3 of the departure board was cancelled or delayed. Our flight thankfully took off but we were going home. No way I would have undertaken a new trip at that point. When we arrived at DCA, the line to check bags was all the ways outside and delays were rampant. As we walked out I heard them announce a flight cancellation and tell those people to just go home. It was foolish to embark on a new trip at that point.

I also flew home on the 24th and into DCA, and maybe it was because it was later, but I did not see those delays at all. But also, the 24th is a very busy travel day under normal circumstances.

Also, SW was a problem, yes. But other airlines were mostly fine. Air Canada an exception. Why would you not try to leave on the 24th on another airline if you are going to be gone several days after all this clears up.

At any rate, this is just shifting the issue--SW is effing p royally, not travelers who are stranded in Mexico or wherever.

Huh? We flew that day and it was a mess. Our flight was cancelled and it took 6 hours to rebook. My cousin’s flight yesterday was cancelled and she ended up completely canceling her trip to see family. Neither were SW.

Go look at flight aware. There have been MANY delays, even after Xmas.

Southwest’s system breakdown was even worse, but flights were a mess even before that.

It took you SIX hours to rebook. NOT 5 DAYS. At any rate, if your flight is not delayed or cancelled, and you are not on SW, and you are staying where you are going for several days, why would you not go?

Today and yesterday, out of 2700 flights, 2500 were from SW alone. On the 24th, about half of the cancelled flights were from Delta and SW.

My original Q remains...why are you blaming travelers for SW's continued systemic issues days after airlines have cleared most of the flights.

You are confusing posters. I haven’t blamed any SW travelers. I was empathizing with them because we also had travel issues this week. My cousin wasn’t able to rebook her trip at all - the flights for her non-SW airline were all full for the following two days. Just because there are fewer delays/cancellations now doesn’t mean everything is all “fixed” on other airlines. There are still tons of delays that affect travel - missed connections, etc.

Anyway, the Southwest system breakdown was unexpected and much more of a mess than storm delays/cancellations from this past week. They should be forced to provide compensation for people who were stranded for days at the airport.

See, this is what I mean. No one is "stranded for days" at an airport. There are people willingly choosing to stay at the airport hoping to get a standby seat. That is their choice. They could also choose to uber to a hotel, or rent a car and drive home. Stop with the hyperbole. SW will reimburse hotels and rental cars. They aren't going to reimburse someone for their time spent sitting at the airport.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:When you travel often enough, you learn that when they are cancellations you need to pivot and pivot quickly before your best options disappear. People are wasting too much time Hoping for a convenient nonstop flight home. Move on from that dream.

This!

Oh but dahling…that only leaves you exposed to more cancellations, over booked flights, time outs.

The best option is to get on the app and rebook as soon as you know you’re going to miss your connection.

I’m stuck in Dallas and I’m jumping from one flight to the next. You can only get on one standby at a time.

Did you know Einstein Bagels are not good when they’re stale?

I would just rebook for several days into the future and go chill at a hotel. How long do you plan to torture yourself at the airport?

How lovely that you can are willing to spend a few days in a filthy dump of an airport hotel.

Some people are not lazy and have a life.

Some people are flexible under suboptimal conditions and are not spoiled princesses like you are.

When I was 25 and single I could be “flexible.”

Now? With a toddler and pregnant wife who can’t stand for long periods of time, my life is different and a lot less flexible.

Older individuals and those with disabilities have limited “flexibility.” Lower income people who rarely fly to see beloved family members can’t afford to be “flexible” when they get stranded by an airline.

Southwest has a serious responsibility: to honor their promises and to do so safely. They failed and there should be consequences, the first of which should be the replacement of the executive team.

Me too. So when i was no longer 25 and had babies I stopped traveling at the holidays. If people wanted to see is they came to is because they coild be flexible with the inevitable delays that happen. You learned the hard way.

You really think what is happening with Southwest is inevitable and expected? Maybe insomuch as pilots and employees have seen this coming, but it is not normal AT ALL. The DoT is going to investigate, nompother airline has 5 days of delays.

Why on earth are people here blaming travelers for SW's systemic, internal failures?

Because it is known that any small hiccup can cause massive issues in travel at this time of year. When you have babies and are pregnant, traveling at this time of year is not for you. A lot of people just don't do it for these reasons. It's possible to just avoid it all together.

No, it is NOT known that an airline will still have troubles for days after other airline because of a "hiccup." Of course you have to be flexible when traveling, but you are completely disingenuous if you expect people to plan for the days and days of failures from Southwest.

Look, I have some schadenfreude. I have some people I absolutely hate stranded by Southwest and their holiday is ruined. Personally, I am enjoying this development, but I do not blame them at all for what is happening with Southwest. I just got lucky in my pettiness.

How is anyone blaming the travelers for SW problems? Their decision to travel at all was their choice. Their shock and outrage that it got disrupted is totally naive. How is it that some people just know not to travel this time of year? The choice has been made, but howling with rage about it like a toddler isn't going to do anything. I can't muster up much sympathy for those caught up in it because not traveling at all was always an option. Lots of people are being resourceful, and finding alternate ways to get home without melting down and demanding payment. They seem to better understand the risks involved and have better problem solving skills.

You should. The Southwest system breakdown goes way beyond the chaos and delays from winter storms.

What is the death toll on this horrific nightmare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you travel often enough, you learn that when they are cancellations you need to pivot and pivot quickly before your best options disappear. People are wasting too much time Hoping for a convenient nonstop flight home. Move on from that dream.

This!

Oh but dahling…that only leaves you exposed to more cancellations, over booked flights, time outs.

The best option is to get on the app and rebook as soon as you know you’re going to miss your connection.

I’m stuck in Dallas and I’m jumping from one flight to the next. You can only get on one standby at a time.

Did you know Einstein Bagels are not good when they’re stale?

I would just rebook for several days into the future and go chill at a hotel. How long do you plan to torture yourself at the airport?

How lovely that you can are willing to spend a few days in a filthy dump of an airport hotel.

Some people are not lazy and have a life.

Some people are flexible under suboptimal conditions and are not spoiled princesses like you are.

When I was 25 and single I could be “flexible.”

Now? With a toddler and pregnant wife who can’t stand for long periods of time, my life is different and a lot less flexible.

Older individuals and those with disabilities have limited “flexibility.” Lower income people who rarely fly to see beloved family members can’t afford to be “flexible” when they get stranded by an airline.

Southwest has a serious responsibility: to honor their promises and to do so safely. They failed and there should be consequences, the first of which should be the replacement of the executive team.

Me too. So when i was no longer 25 and had babies I stopped traveling at the holidays. If people wanted to see is they came to is because they coild be flexible with the inevitable delays that happen. You learned the hard way.

You really think what is happening with Southwest is inevitable and expected? Maybe insomuch as pilots and employees have seen this coming, but it is not normal AT ALL. The DoT is going to investigate, nompother airline has 5 days of delays.

Why on earth are people here blaming travelers for SW's systemic, internal failures?

Because it is known that any small hiccup can cause massive issues in travel at this time of year. When you have babies and are pregnant, traveling at this time of year is not for you. A lot of people just don't do it for these reasons. It's possible to just avoid it all together.

No, it is NOT known that an airline will still have troubles for days after other airline because of a "hiccup." Of course you have to be flexible when traveling, but you are completely disingenuous if you expect people to plan for the days and days of failures from Southwest.

Look, I have some schadenfreude. I have some people I absolutely hate stranded by Southwest and their holiday is ruined. Personally, I am enjoying this development, but I do not blame them at all for what is happening with Southwest. I just got lucky in my pettiness.

How is anyone blaming the travelers for SW problems? Their decision to travel at all was their choice. Their shock and outrage that it got disrupted is totally naive. How is it that some people just know not to travel this time of year? The choice has been made, but howling with rage about it like a toddler isn't going to do anything. I can't muster up much sympathy for those caught up in it because not traveling at all was always an option. Lots of people are being resourceful, and finding alternate ways to get home without melting down and demanding payment. They seem to better understand the risks involved and have better problem solving skills.

You should. The Southwest system breakdown goes way beyond the chaos and delays from winter storms.

I have sympathy for their original predicament. I don't have sympathy for those doing nothing about their current situation except complaining. Several options - take one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you travel often enough, you learn that when they are cancellations you need to pivot and pivot quickly before your best options disappear. People are wasting too much time Hoping for a convenient nonstop flight home. Move on from that dream.

This!

Oh but dahling…that only leaves you exposed to more cancellations, over booked flights, time outs.

The best option is to get on the app and rebook as soon as you know you’re going to miss your connection.

I’m stuck in Dallas and I’m jumping from one flight to the next. You can only get on one standby at a time.

Did you know Einstein Bagels are not good when they’re stale?

I would just rebook for several days into the future and go chill at a hotel. How long do you plan to torture yourself at the airport?

How lovely that you can are willing to spend a few days in a filthy dump of an airport hotel.

Some people are not lazy and have a life.

Some people are flexible under suboptimal conditions and are not spoiled princesses like you are.

When I was 25 and single I could be “flexible.”

Now? With a toddler and pregnant wife who can’t stand for long periods of time, my life is different and a lot less flexible.

Older individuals and those with disabilities have limited “flexibility.” Lower income people who rarely fly to see beloved family members can’t afford to be “flexible” when they get stranded by an airline.

Southwest has a serious responsibility: to honor their promises and to do so safely. They failed and there should be consequences, the first of which should be the replacement of the executive team.

Me too. So when i was no longer 25 and had babies I stopped traveling at the holidays. If people wanted to see is they came to is because they coild be flexible with the inevitable delays that happen. You learned the hard way.

You really think what is happening with Southwest is inevitable and expected? Maybe insomuch as pilots and employees have seen this coming, but it is not normal AT ALL. The DoT is going to investigate, nompother airline has 5 days of delays.

Why on earth are people here blaming travelers for SW's systemic, internal failures?

Because it is known that any small hiccup can cause massive issues in travel at this time of year. When you have babies and are pregnant, traveling at this time of year is not for you. A lot of people just don't do it for these reasons. It's possible to just avoid it all together.

No, it is NOT known that an airline will still have troubles for days after other airline because of a "hiccup." Of course you have to be flexible when traveling, but you are completely disingenuous if you expect people to plan for the days and days of failures from Southwest.

Look, I have some schadenfreude. I have some people I absolutely hate stranded by Southwest and their holiday is ruined. Personally, I am enjoying this development, but I do not blame them at all for what is happening with Southwest. I just got lucky in my pettiness.

How is anyone blaming the travelers for SW problems? Their decision to travel at all was their choice. Their shock and outrage that it got disrupted is totally naive. How is it that some people just know not to travel this time of year? The choice has been made, but howling with rage about it like a toddler isn't going to do anything. I can't muster up much sympathy for those caught up in it because not traveling at all was always an option. Lots of people are being resourceful, and finding alternate ways to get home without melting down and demanding payment. They seem to better understand the risks involved and have better problem solving skills.

You should. The Southwest system breakdown goes way beyond the chaos and delays from winter storms.

What is the death toll on this horrific nightmare?

From the storm? I think its up to about 65. From being "stranded" at an airport? Zero.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully at this point anyone who has not yet departed on a trip on SW or has one scheduled in the next week will preemptively rebook if they have any flexibility. Going to visit family - it can wait for three weeks. Obviously that's different if you're booked on a cruise, or you're flying home to see a dying parent or something else that will cost you a significant loss.

People who voluntarily postpone will free up seats for those who are still stuck once SW gets up and running. They also won't become part of the problem when they're stuck on the backend trying to get home.

One thing I haven't seen in the news is the status of their system for managing crew and planes. Is it up and running such that they can start positioning them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SW had a smaller meltdown over a year ago (Oct 2021). Weather delay, but then it took days to recover. Not sure where the issues are but SW needs to address them. Usually they are fine and they are the only airline flying direct to the cities where we usually travel.

Wasn't this current issue more of a "sick out" - their whole staff calling in sick? Did you see the internal memo?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worse is the people who undertook a new trip starting the 24th or later, when this was already a known big problem. I don’t feel sorry for them.

By the 24th, most airlines had their mess cleaned up. If you were flying out of Chicago, new York, or other snowbound cities...yeah. You weren't getting anywhere since the airports were basically closed.

PP here. We flew home on the 24th. Southwest had already been in the news for days at that point and we were very nervous about our flight being cancelled. When we got to the airport 2/3 of the departure board was cancelled or delayed. Our flight thankfully took off but we were going home. No way I would have undertaken a new trip at that point. When we arrived at DCA, the line to check bags was all the ways outside and delays were rampant. As we walked out I heard them announce a flight cancellation and tell those people to just go home. It was foolish to embark on a new trip at that point.

I also flew home on the 24th and into DCA, and maybe it was because it was later, but I did not see those delays at all. But also, the 24th is a very busy travel day under normal circumstances.

Also, SW was a problem, yes. But other airlines were mostly fine. Air Canada an exception. Why would you not try to leave on the 24th on another airline if you are going to be gone several days after all this clears up.

At any rate, this is just shifting the issue--SW is effing p royally, not travelers who are stranded in Mexico or wherever.

Huh? We flew that day and it was a mess. Our flight was cancelled and it took 6 hours to rebook. My cousin’s flight yesterday was cancelled and she ended up completely canceling her trip to see family. Neither were SW.

Go look at flight aware. There have been MANY delays, even after Xmas.

Southwest’s system breakdown was even worse, but flights were a mess even before that.

It took you SIX hours to rebook. NOT 5 DAYS. At any rate, if your flight is not delayed or cancelled, and you are not on SW, and you are staying where you are going for several days, why would you not go?

Today and yesterday, out of 2700 flights, 2500 were from SW alone. On the 24th, about half of the cancelled flights were from Delta and SW.

My original Q remains...why are you blaming travelers for SW's continued systemic issues days after airlines have cleared most of the flights.

You are confusing posters. I haven’t blamed any SW travelers. I was empathizing with them because we also had travel issues this week. My cousin wasn’t able to rebook her trip at all - the flights for her non-SW airline were all full for the following two days. Just because there are fewer delays/cancellations now doesn’t mean everything is all “fixed” on other airlines. There are still tons of delays that affect travel - missed connections, etc.

Anyway, the Southwest system breakdown was unexpected and much more of a mess than storm delays/cancellations from this past week. They should be forced to provide compensation for people who were stranded for days at the airport.

See, this is what I mean. No one is "stranded for days" at an airport. There are people willingly choosing to stay at the airport hoping to get a standby seat. That is their choice. They could also choose to uber to a hotel, or rent a car and drive home. Stop with the hyperbole. SW will reimburse hotels and rental cars. They aren't going to reimburse someone for their time spent sitting at the airport.

Huh?

People flying home were stranded.

People who missed connections from delayed flights were stranded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worse is the people who undertook a new trip starting the 24th or later, when this was already a known big problem. I don’t feel sorry for them.

By the 24th, most airlines had their mess cleaned up. If you were flying out of Chicago, new York, or other snowbound cities...yeah. You weren't getting anywhere since the airports were basically closed.

PP here. We flew home on the 24th. Southwest had already been in the news for days at that point and we were very nervous about our flight being cancelled. When we got to the airport 2/3 of the departure board was cancelled or delayed. Our flight thankfully took off but we were going home. No way I would have undertaken a new trip at that point. When we arrived at DCA, the line to check bags was all the ways outside and delays were rampant. As we walked out I heard them announce a flight cancellation and tell those people to just go home. It was foolish to embark on a new trip at that point.

I also flew home on the 24th and into DCA, and maybe it was because it was later, but I did not see those delays at all. But also, the 24th is a very busy travel day under normal circumstances.

Also, SW was a problem, yes. But other airlines were mostly fine. Air Canada an exception. Why would you not try to leave on the 24th on another airline if you are going to be gone several days after all this clears up.

At any rate, this is just shifting the issue--SW is effing p royally, not travelers who are stranded in Mexico or wherever.

Huh? We flew that day and it was a mess. Our flight was cancelled and it took 6 hours to rebook. My cousin’s flight yesterday was cancelled and she ended up completely canceling her trip to see family. Neither were SW.

Go look at flight aware. There have been MANY delays, even after Xmas.

Southwest’s system breakdown was even worse, but flights were a mess even before that.

It took you SIX hours to rebook. NOT 5 DAYS. At any rate, if your flight is not delayed or cancelled, and you are not on SW, and you are staying where you are going for several days, why would you not go?

Today and yesterday, out of 2700 flights, 2500 were from SW alone. On the 24th, about half of the cancelled flights were from Delta and SW.

My original Q remains...why are you blaming travelers for SW's continued systemic issues days after airlines have cleared most of the flights.

You are confusing posters. I haven’t blamed any SW travelers. I was empathizing with them because we also had travel issues this week. My cousin wasn’t able to rebook her trip at all - the flights for her non-SW airline were all full for the following two days. Just because there are fewer delays/cancellations now doesn’t mean everything is all “fixed” on other airlines. There are still tons of delays that affect travel - missed connections, etc.

Anyway, the Southwest system breakdown was unexpected and much more of a mess than storm delays/cancellations from this past week. They should be forced to provide compensation for people who were stranded for days at the airport.

See, this is what I mean. No one is "stranded for days" at an airport. There are people willingly choosing to stay at the airport hoping to get a standby seat. That is their choice. They could also choose to uber to a hotel, or rent a car and drive home. Stop with the hyperbole. SW will reimburse hotels and rental cars. They aren't going to reimburse someone for their time spent sitting at the airport.

Huh?

People flying home were stranded.

People who missed connections from delayed flights were stranded.

^^ And staying at an airport hotel for several nights is still “stranded”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worse is the people who undertook a new trip starting the 24th or later, when this was already a known big problem. I don’t feel sorry for them.

By the 24th, most airlines had their mess cleaned up. If you were flying out of Chicago, new York, or other snowbound cities...yeah. You weren't getting anywhere since the airports were basically closed.

PP here. We flew home on the 24th. Southwest had already been in the news for days at that point and we were very nervous about our flight being cancelled. When we got to the airport 2/3 of the departure board was cancelled or delayed. Our flight thankfully took off but we were going home. No way I would have undertaken a new trip at that point. When we arrived at DCA, the line to check bags was all the ways outside and delays were rampant. As we walked out I heard them announce a flight cancellation and tell those people to just go home. It was foolish to embark on a new trip at that point.

I also flew home on the 24th and into DCA, and maybe it was because it was later, but I did not see those delays at all. But also, the 24th is a very busy travel day under normal circumstances.

Also, SW was a problem, yes. But other airlines were mostly fine. Air Canada an exception. Why would you not try to leave on the 24th on another airline if you are going to be gone several days after all this clears up.

At any rate, this is just shifting the issue--SW is effing p royally, not travelers who are stranded in Mexico or wherever.

Huh? We flew that day and it was a mess. Our flight was cancelled and it took 6 hours to rebook. My cousin’s flight yesterday was cancelled and she ended up completely canceling her trip to see family. Neither were SW.

Go look at flight aware. There have been MANY delays, even after Xmas.

Southwest’s system breakdown was even worse, but flights were a mess even before that.

It took you SIX hours to rebook. NOT 5 DAYS. At any rate, if your flight is not delayed or cancelled, and you are not on SW, and you are staying where you are going for several days, why would you not go?

Today and yesterday, out of 2700 flights, 2500 were from SW alone. On the 24th, about half of the cancelled flights were from Delta and SW.

My original Q remains...why are you blaming travelers for SW's continued systemic issues days after airlines have cleared most of the flights.

You are confusing posters. I haven’t blamed any SW travelers. I was empathizing with them because we also had travel issues this week. My cousin wasn’t able to rebook her trip at all - the flights for her non-SW airline were all full for the following two days. Just because there are fewer delays/cancellations now doesn’t mean everything is all “fixed” on other airlines. There are still tons of delays that affect travel - missed connections, etc.

Anyway, the Southwest system breakdown was unexpected and much more of a mess than storm delays/cancellations from this past week. They should be forced to provide compensation for people who were stranded for days at the airport.

See, this is what I mean. No one is "stranded for days" at an airport. There are people willingly choosing to stay at the airport hoping to get a standby seat. That is their choice. They could also choose to uber to a hotel, or rent a car and drive home. Stop with the hyperbole. SW will reimburse hotels and rental cars. They aren't going to reimburse someone for their time spent sitting at the airport.

Huh?

People flying home were stranded.

People who missed connections from delayed flights were stranded.

The point of previous posters is that if you had a flight cancelled and watched the news you likely figured out that you were screwed. Unless you're weather-bound in Buffalo or something, there was no reason to keep hanging out at the airport for more than maybe a few hours. If you couldn't even get to the reservation desk or get through on the phone, you weren't going anywhere. Time for Plan B.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worse is the people who undertook a new trip starting the 24th or later, when this was already a known big problem. I don’t feel sorry for them.

By the 24th, most airlines had their mess cleaned up. If you were flying out of Chicago, new York, or other snowbound cities...yeah. You weren't getting anywhere since the airports were basically closed.

PP here. We flew home on the 24th. Southwest had already been in the news for days at that point and we were very nervous about our flight being cancelled. When we got to the airport 2/3 of the departure board was cancelled or delayed. Our flight thankfully took off but we were going home. No way I would have undertaken a new trip at that point. When we arrived at DCA, the line to check bags was all the ways outside and delays were rampant. As we walked out I heard them announce a flight cancellation and tell those people to just go home. It was foolish to embark on a new trip at that point.

I also flew home on the 24th and into DCA, and maybe it was because it was later, but I did not see those delays at all. But also, the 24th is a very busy travel day under normal circumstances.

Also, SW was a problem, yes. But other airlines were mostly fine. Air Canada an exception. Why would you not try to leave on the 24th on another airline if you are going to be gone several days after all this clears up.

At any rate, this is just shifting the issue--SW is effing p royally, not travelers who are stranded in Mexico or wherever.

Huh? We flew that day and it was a mess. Our flight was cancelled and it took 6 hours to rebook. My cousin’s flight yesterday was cancelled and she ended up completely canceling her trip to see family. Neither were SW.

Go look at flight aware. There have been MANY delays, even after Xmas.

Southwest’s system breakdown was even worse, but flights were a mess even before that.

It took you SIX hours to rebook. NOT 5 DAYS. At any rate, if your flight is not delayed or cancelled, and you are not on SW, and you are staying where you are going for several days, why would you not go?

Today and yesterday, out of 2700 flights, 2500 were from SW alone. On the 24th, about half of the cancelled flights were from Delta and SW.

My original Q remains...why are you blaming travelers for SW's continued systemic issues days after airlines have cleared most of the flights.

You are confusing posters. I haven’t blamed any SW travelers. I was empathizing with them because we also had travel issues this week. My cousin wasn’t able to rebook her trip at all - the flights for her non-SW airline were all full for the following two days. Just because there are fewer delays/cancellations now doesn’t mean everything is all “fixed” on other airlines. There are still tons of delays that affect travel - missed connections, etc.

Anyway, the Southwest system breakdown was unexpected and much more of a mess than storm delays/cancellations from this past week. They should be forced to provide compensation for people who were stranded for days at the airport.

See, this is what I mean. No one is "stranded for days" at an airport. There are people willingly choosing to stay at the airport hoping to get a standby seat. That is their choice. They could also choose to uber to a hotel, or rent a car and drive home. Stop with the hyperbole. SW will reimburse hotels and rental cars. They aren't going to reimburse someone for their time spent sitting at the airport.

Huh?

People flying home were stranded.

People who missed connections from delayed flights were stranded.

^^ And staying at an airport hotel for several nights is still “stranded”.

You know who isn't stranded? People who took action and got themselves home another way, while others are still at the airport complaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People are not getting reimbursed for their frustration. Only their actual incurred expenses (if they are lucky.) This “SW owes me!” mentality is unrealistic.

And SW should be kissing the feet of airline lobbyists. They should be getting hammered with fines going to both passengers and the government, instead, they'll give refunds and evaluate expense claims on an individual basis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you travel often enough, you learn that when they are cancellations you need to pivot and pivot quickly before your best options disappear. People are wasting too much time Hoping for a convenient nonstop flight home. Move on from that dream.

This!

Oh but dahling…that only leaves you exposed to more cancellations, over booked flights, time outs.

The best option is to get on the app and rebook as soon as you know you’re going to miss your connection.

I’m stuck in Dallas and I’m jumping from one flight to the next. You can only get on one standby at a time.

Did you know Einstein Bagels are not good when they’re stale?

I would just rebook for several days into the future and go chill at a hotel. How long do you plan to torture yourself at the airport?

How lovely that you can are willing to spend a few days in a filthy dump of an airport hotel.

Some people are not lazy and have a life.

Some people are flexible under suboptimal conditions and are not spoiled princesses like you are.

When I was 25 and single I could be “flexible.”

Now? With a toddler and pregnant wife who can’t stand for long periods of time, my life is different and a lot less flexible.

Older individuals and those with disabilities have limited “flexibility.” Lower income people who rarely fly to see beloved family members can’t afford to be “flexible” when they get stranded by an airline.

Southwest has a serious responsibility: to honor their promises and to do so safely. They failed and there should be consequences, the first of which should be the replacement of the executive team.

Me too. So when i was no longer 25 and had babies I stopped traveling at the holidays. If people wanted to see is they came to is because they coild be flexible with the inevitable delays that happen. You learned the hard way.

You really think what is happening with Southwest is inevitable and expected? Maybe insomuch as pilots and employees have seen this coming, but it is not normal AT ALL. The DoT is going to investigate, nompother airline has 5 days of delays.

Why on earth are people here blaming travelers for SW's systemic, internal failures?

I’m only blaming the people who are acting like the extra cost of a hotel or rental car is going to send them into bankruptcy. Most people made alternate arrangements and will sort things out with SW later. It’s the ones who are crying and despairing like no one has ever been stuck at an airport before that are annoying.

We got caught up in the travel mess last summer - thankfully didn’t fly anywhere this month - but with so many cancelled flights it cost us $1000 to get a rental car for 3 hours, and we had to lie and say we were bringing it back to the same rental place in order to even get it. We paid it because I had a D&C scheduled for the next morning for my miscarriage. It was absolutely awful and of course I was complaining. Give people a break, you have no idea what they’re trying to get home for and the high cost of “alternate arrangements” absolutely can put someone in despair. You sound like an insufferable human.

Nope, just a practical, realistic one.

Who is probably single with no family or friends to travel with. Gee, wonder why.

[Anonymous]

Are there any updates to when this will end? I’m supposed to fly out today and it’s showing on time…..but I’m terrified I won’t make it home on Friday especially since my flight is really late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any updates to when this will end? I’m supposed to fly out today and it’s showing on time…..but I’m terrified I won’t make it home on Friday especially since my flight is really late.

What time is your flight?

Check flightaware.com to see where your plane is right now.

You will need a plane, pilots, and flight attendants to fly. You can check on at least one of those now.

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Anonymous wrote:Worse is the people who undertook a new trip starting the 24th or later, when this was already a known big problem. I don’t feel sorry for them.

By the 24th, most airlines had their mess cleaned up. If you were flying out of Chicago, new York, or other snowbound cities...yeah. You weren't getting anywhere since the airports were basically closed.

PP here. We flew home on the 24th. Southwest had already been in the news for days at that point and we were very nervous about our flight being cancelled. When we got to the airport 2/3 of the departure board was cancelled or delayed. Our flight thankfully took off but we were going home. No way I would have undertaken a new trip at that point. When we arrived at DCA, the line to check bags was all the ways outside and delays were rampant. As we walked out I heard them announce a flight cancellation and tell those people to just go home. It was foolish to embark on a new trip at that point.

I also flew home on the 24th and into DCA, and maybe it was because it was later, but I did not see those delays at all. But also, the 24th is a very busy travel day under normal circumstances.

Also, SW was a problem, yes. But other airlines were mostly fine. Air Canada an exception. Why would you not try to leave on the 24th on another airline if you are going to be gone several days after all this clears up.

At any rate, this is just shifting the issue--SW is effing p royally, not travelers who are stranded in Mexico or wherever.

Huh? We flew that day and it was a mess. Our flight was cancelled and it took 6 hours to rebook. My cousin’s flight yesterday was cancelled and she ended up completely canceling her trip to see family. Neither were SW.

Go look at flight aware. There have been MANY delays, even after Xmas.

Southwest’s system breakdown was even worse, but flights were a mess even before that.

It took you SIX hours to rebook. NOT 5 DAYS. At any rate, if your flight is not delayed or cancelled, and you are not on SW, and you are staying where you are going for several days, why would you not go?

Today and yesterday, out of 2700 flights, 2500 were from SW alone. On the 24th, about half of the cancelled flights were from Delta and SW.

My original Q remains...why are you blaming travelers for SW's continued systemic issues days after airlines have cleared most of the flights.

You are confusing posters. I haven’t blamed any SW travelers. I was empathizing with them because we also had travel issues this week. My cousin wasn’t able to rebook her trip at all - the flights for her non-SW airline were all full for the following two days. Just because there are fewer delays/cancellations now doesn’t mean everything is all “fixed” on other airlines. There are still tons of delays that affect travel - missed connections, etc.

Anyway, the Southwest system breakdown was unexpected and much more of a mess than storm delays/cancellations from this past week. They should be forced to provide compensation for people who were stranded for days at the airport.

See, this is what I mean. No one is "stranded for days" at an airport. There are people willingly choosing to stay at the airport hoping to get a standby seat. That is their choice. They could also choose to uber to a hotel, or rent a car and drive home. Stop with the hyperbole. SW will reimburse hotels and rental cars. They aren't going to reimburse someone for their time spent sitting at the airport.

Huh?

People flying home were stranded.

People who missed connections from delayed flights were stranded.

^^ And staying at an airport hotel for several nights is still “stranded”.

You know who isn't stranded? People who took action and got themselves home another way, while others are still at the airport complaining.

You are ridiculous. There are so many reasons travelers might not have options to get themselves home, not the least of which is cost. Last-minute flights cost a fortune. Rental cars are very expensive, especially for one-way travel if they are available at all. Do you really expect people to have been prepared to rent a car and drive home from Dallas simply because they chose to travel during the holidays? That's a 20-hour drive that will take no less than two days if you are even able to drive 10 hours per day. Many people wouldn't even feel comfortable doing that drive. Southwest's cancellation of so many flights is unprecedented. I can understand why people are hoping against hope that the airline can get them home.