Southwest Airlines in a nationwide meltdown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?

DP here. There are definitely benefits. I get why people are beyond pissed - I would be too - but it seems like they just need a major software overhaul. I hope they don’t get rid of point to point flights!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?

DP here. There are definitely benefits. I get why people are beyond pissed - I would be too - but it seems like they just need a major software overhaul. I hope they don’t get rid of point to point flights!

That was a major factor in this breakdown. Point to point isn’t robust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?

DP here. There are definitely benefits. I get why people are beyond pissed - I would be too - but it seems like they just need a major software overhaul. I hope they don’t get rid of point to point flights!

That was a major factor in this breakdown. Point to point isn’t robust.

I think the biggest factor is that they didn’t know where crew and planes were. If they did, they could have cancelled flights for one day and reset.

[Anonymous]

We were majorly impacted by Southwest's meltdown and had to drive home over a thousand miles because one flight was canceled and then another. But, we're not majorly angry. Only not thrilled by our experience. We will definitely fly Southwest again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?[b]

That has not been my experience. I rarely even look at SW because any flight I want involves connections and the price difference is minimal. Family of 5 and we won’t do SW unless the price difference is several hundred dollars different. We won’t ever fly them now.

My family was here over Christmas and ended up driving 38 hours home-2000 miles. That was a better option than waiting for SW so get their sh1t together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?

DP here. There are definitely benefits. I get why people are beyond pissed - I would be too - but it seems like they just need a major software overhaul. I hope they don’t get rid of point to point flights!

That was a major factor in this breakdown. Point to point isn’t robust.

People use them because their flights are direct. If they move to hub and spoke, that advantage disappears

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?

DP here. There are definitely benefits. I get why people are beyond pissed - I would be too - but it seems like they just need a major software overhaul. I hope they don’t get rid of point to point flights!

That was a major factor in this breakdown. Point to point isn’t robust.

People use them because their flights are direct. If they move to hub and spoke, that advantage disappears

Not all SW flights are direct. I always check theirs to price compare when booking and they’re often multi stop fares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

What now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?

DP here. There are definitely benefits. I get why people are beyond pissed - I would be too - but it seems like they just need a major software overhaul. I hope they don’t get rid of point to point flights!

That was a major factor in this breakdown. Point to point isn’t robust.

People use them because their flights are direct. If they move to hub and spoke, that advantage disappears

Well at least they’d have a flight. Pick your poison. Is direct worth this complete breakdown?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?

DP here. There are definitely benefits. I get why people are beyond pissed - I would be too - but it seems like they just need a major software overhaul. I hope they don’t get rid of point to point flights!

That was a major factor in this breakdown. Point to point isn’t robust.

I think the biggest factor is that they didn’t know where crew and planes were. If they did, they could have cancelled flights for one day and reset.

If they had a hub & spoke it’d be easier to account for everything and reshuffle on the fly. No need to fly everyone around the country to “reset”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?

DP here. There are definitely benefits. I get why people are beyond pissed - I would be too - but it seems like they just need a major software overhaul. I hope they don’t get rid of point to point flights!

That was a major factor in this breakdown. Point to point isn’t robust.

People use them because their flights are direct. If they move to hub and spoke, that advantage disappears

Flights are direct one if you’re going between 2 of their points. Not very helpful from where I live. If I’m going to have to connect any other airline would be my top choice. We rarely even look at SW flights because of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To those affected by SW and their incompetence, you have my sympathies. Weather happens, mixups happen, stuff happens, but Southwest and their efforts in the last week are not acceptable.

I live equal distance from BWI and Dulles- near Frederick, while I favor IAD and United, I have flown Southwest plenty and never had any serious issues. Like many, I don’t like their checkin and boarding process, but if the fare is a lot cheaper I’m ok with SW. This latest debacle with SW will probably change my mind when considering them. Also, for all their talk about “low fares,” it’s just talk. Their pricing is pretty similar to all the other carriers.

Maybe I’m flying different routes, but I live near IAD and almost always take SW out of DCA because United is usually $50-$100 per ticket more, and we have 4 tickets to buy.

^^^plus United like to change their flight schedule a bunch of times until the nonstop flight you bought no longer exists and your other options are limited. I agree SW screwed the pooch here but don’t act like United is a paragon of virtue.

Everyone’s experience is different but I have never had an issue with United. We’ve changed our tickets with ease, got credits when we canceled that were easy to use to rebook, no delays or cancellations . I almost always book United. Last week when the storm was forecast they offered free flight changes if you were worried your day/time would be impacted and could move it, which we did. I know this isn’t the case for everyone but truly United is our choice airline for these reasons.

There was definitely a period of time where every flight I booked on United got changed/altered so many times before I actually flew that the schedule was unrecognizable. I’d go from a 9am nonstop to an 8pm with a connection. And this happened over and over again to where we just gave up flying them.

Southwest screwed up this holiday season, no doubt, and I understand why their system of circular travel was most impacted by the storms and then completely destroyed when there were software problems. At the same time, with everyone screaming about Southwest's inefficient system, aren't we overlooking the benefits of that system, which in my experience, is fewer connections and more direct flights?[b]

That has not been my experience. I rarely even look at SW because any flight I want involves connections and the price difference is minimal. Family of 5 and we won’t do SW unless the price difference is several hundred dollars different. We won’t ever fly them now.

My family was here over Christmas and ended up driving 38 hours home-2000 miles. That was a better option than waiting for SW so get their sh1t together.

I think it depends on what airport you fly out of. I live close to BWI, a Southwest hub, There are so many destinations that SW files direct that United does not.

[Anonymous]

As of 10:00 am, 236 flights have already been delayed.

[Anonymous]

I fly Southwest because of companion pass and because they don't limit how many seats can be booked with points on a flight. I will still fly yh.butay think twice if flight has a connection and it would be a crisis if we missed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As of 10:00 am, 236 flights have already been delayed.

Delayed, but not cancelled?