Southwest Airlines in a nationwide meltdown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is TIME for Congress to either approve fast speed cross country rail or make air travel a public utility. It cannot be that in the “wealthiest” nation on earth one of the six private air carriers can go down like this leaving people stranded across the country until Thursday / Friday at the earliest.

It's about 2,300 miles from DC to LA as the crow flies. The fastest high-speed trains under consideration in the US go about 130mph, so assuming no stop, no mountains, and a direct path from DC to LA, will anyone sit on a train for 18 hours?

Yes they would, especially if the airline they booked through cancels their flight on Monday, won’t answer phones, and can’t rebook you on another flight until FRIDAY.

I would. We are spoiled in our time frames because of airplanes. This is still faster than driving and I could get some sleep, watch movies, etc. I used to take trains all over Europe and it’s wonderful rhythm once you get into it. And you don’t have to sit! You can get up and walk around far more freely than on an airplane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is crazy is that Southwest is no longer a low cost carrier. Prices are generally on par with American, United, etc There is no excuse for this.

Prices have been crazy on SWA whenever I check for their flights out of any of the DC area airports.

If you have an airline branded credit card or the lowest tier of status, that helps replace any of the “free” baggage perks on Southwest.

I’m convinced that so many people have the Southwest Companion Pass that the company prices flights based on that model (eg, 2 for the price of 1). If you are not playing the Companion Pass game, you’re SOL on Southwest and are better off flying a legacy carrier + getting a branded credit card.

[Anonymous]

We did an Airbnb within driving distance and everyone flew in last week. Much better idea.

[Anonymous]

Neat time do an Airbnb , everyone thought air travel was going to be a hit lol, come back lol

[Anonymous]

Like I said, SWA used to be a treasure when they were smaller
for us Texans. Herb K was a hero. It is a totally different airline now.

Once he left and the Wright Amendment was appealed they never invested in the infrastructure (IT and staff processes) to grow and now here we are.

[Anonymous]

NP who hadn't followed this story until I saw this thread. Any operations experts who have thoughts on how SW can dig out from under this mess?

Cancel all flights for the next 3 days and use those dayso reposition planes and crews? Then let's say December 31st they start flying normal routes with passengers already booked on those flights - i.e. no bumping people like the family with kids earlier in this thread. Meanwhile, offer refunds to any passengers from this week who agree to find alternative transportation (rebook on other airlines, drive, train, etc). You could also offer refunds or other perks to people on those flights scheduled Dec 31st or later who are willing to be bumped.

Is that a way out?

[Anonymous]

It sounds like their scheduling system is an outdated disaster. They dont know where staff actually are or if they flew, and staff have to call in and wait on hold for hours to be scheduled. How is this the system in 2022

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neat time do an Airbnb , everyone thought air travel was going to be a hit lol, come back lol

Hard pass on Airbnb.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to get back from Chicago to DCA; flight today (Tuesday) was cancelled, can't rebook until Saturday. I booked a car and am just driving. I was able to rent a car because I got one from a place NOT at an airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like I said, SWA used to be a treasure when they were smaller
for us Texans. Herb K was a hero. It is a totally different airline now.

Once he left and the Wright Amendment was appealed they never invested in the infrastructure (IT and staff processes) to grow and now here we are.

OK, I let the first time go, but I can't this time. First, the word is repealed, not appealed. Second, the Wright Amendment was protectionist crap, and it's repeal can in no way be blamed for the has that SWA has created.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like I said, SWA used to be a treasure when they were smaller
for us Texans. Herb K was a hero. It is a totally different airline now.

Once he left and the Wright Amendment was appealed they never invested in the infrastructure (IT and staff processes) to grow and now here we are.

OK, I let the first time go, but I can't this time. First, the word is repealed, not appealed. Second, the Wright Amendment was protectionist crap, and it's repeal can in no way be blamed for the has that SWA has created.

+1.

[Anonymous]

I’m in Upstate NY and our airports aren’t even opening until tomorrow. All the planes here are stuck here until the airports open. Buffalo has a big SW fleet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Like I said, SWA used to be a treasure when they were smaller
for us Texans. Herb K was a hero. It is a totally different airline now.

Once he left and the Wright Amendment was appealed they never invested in the infrastructure (IT and staff processes) to grow and now here we are.

OK, I let the first time go, but I can't this time. First, the word is repealed, not appealed. Second, the Wright Amendment was protectionist crap, and it's repeal can in no way be blamed for the has that SWA has created.

If you're going to be snarky about grammar, you may want to proofread your own post. "its repeal". it's is the contraction, its is the possessive. Also "...for the has that SWA has created" is not a complete phrase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in Upstate NY and our airports aren’t even opening until tomorrow. All the planes here are stuck here until the airports open. Buffalo has a big SW fleet.

This has a huge impact on the situation. People look out the window, think "Well the weather's nice here, there's no reason the plane can't be flying," without thinking about the systemic impact of a huge weather event in another city. And it's exacerbated by SWA not operating a hub system like other airlines.

The hilarious thing (if there's anything really funny here) is that the people who now are complaining that SWA doesn't operate like other airlines are the same people who previously flew and promoted SWA precisely *because* it doesn't operate like other airlines.

[Anonymous]

To anyone caught up in this mess (my family was), if you charge travel to Amex (great customer service), they will dispute the charge for you to obtain your refund.

This is after waiting in lines for hours yesterday and being told they “couldn’t refund” us and then trying to get through on the phone and never reaching anyone. Done pursuing any resolution directly with southwest and will never fly them again. Worse experience I’ve ever had flying and am a frequent traveler.