What? Again? After all of their self inflicted wounds, who would want to risk flying them? There are low price carrier alternatives...
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Southwest requests the FAA ground all of their flights today.
- Thread starter PinkyMacGodess
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And, it's lifted, but expect HUNDREDS of delays. (So far, over a thousand, and likely to stretch through the day, into the evening.
No idea what happened.
(Their OS2 based token ring network crashed?)
No idea what happened.
(Their OS2 based token ring network crashed?)
More on this issue...
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/southwest-airlines-flight-delays/index.html
I don't mind flying them... low costs is what I am usually looking for in a flight that is 1-3 hours, which is the bulk of my Southwest flying anyways.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/southwest-airlines-flight-delays/index.html
I don't mind flying them... low costs is what I am usually looking for in a flight that is 1-3 hours, which is the bulk of my Southwest flying anyways.
HAHA... I bet... I can only imagine the amount of complaints that have fielded over the past six months.
I want to know what kind of deals they have to give anymore to keep customers. Even with those, I wouldn't trust them with anything that has a tight schedule.
I have a gf that works for SW and she told me it was a nightmare born in hell.
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But even Delta, I always fly a day early for anything that I will have to be there or lose out. Cruise in Italy, I flew in a day early, and spent a relaxing afternoon and evening bumming around the outskirts of Rome, sampling the local food and drink, and some of the amazing sights. (And experienced their highway system and the insane speeds they drive on them)
An Australian cruise, I was just hoping to not miss the cruise due to the dateline issue. (Over 20 people DID miss the cruise and had to pay to fly to the next stop, and STILL some missed that sailing too! OUCH!!) And actually the cruise company had a 'stay aboard night' staying in port for 2 days and allowing people to check in to their floating hotel a day early. LOVED IT! Sydney was a TOTAL BLAST! I'd go back in a heartbeat.
But the thing is, if you absolutely have to be there for *something*, FLY A DAY EARLY! *Stuff* happens, and with weather delays and other possibly issues, missing things is just ridiculous. Flying back isn't as much of an issue, but be there early. Being late for a cruise means you fly to the next port YOURSELF. If you miss a wedding because Southworst has a stroke, YOU DID IT TO YOURSELF. Oy...
And an unforced error. They haven't updated their IT in decades apparently. They were ASKING for that to happen. Build a house on a bad foundation and when it falls down, you only have yourself to blame. In an industry so IT dependent, not spending money on IT is suicide. There is NO WAY I'LL EVER FLY SOUTHWEST, EVER.
And part of that is safety: They have been sanctioned in the past for plying planes that were deemed 'not fit for fare paying use'. One report was they flew a plane with passengers that was supposed to be a ferry flight of the plane for maintenance. You just can't imagine the comments over that accusation. Ferrying a plane for repair/maintenance is something the FAA takes pretty seriously. YIKES! Their apparent disregard for their paying customers is amazing. Hmm...
But wait, there's more!
FAA did not properly oversee Southwest Airlines, U.S. watchdog says
An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found that the agency failed to conduct proper safety oversight of Southwest Airlines , a federal watchdog said Wednesday.
that's really true.
I work in a different department and I do not have much contact with flying customers but the ramification of that situation affected the whole airline, and its reputation.
But wait, there's more!
FAA did not properly oversee Southwest Airlines, U.S. watchdog says
An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) found that the agency failed to conduct proper safety oversight of Southwest Airlines , a federal watchdog said Wednesday.www.reuters.com
It's called 'sequestration'!
Back when Obama was president, Congress forced major cost cutting across the board, and that kind of 'we're letting you regulate yourself' happened in so many agencies. FDA, FAA, EPA, and on and on.
And, as you would think, they LOVED the idea, and 'under regulated themselves'. There was an article, years ago, about how 'meat companies' had gotten the FDA to allow them to ship freshly killed animals to China, so the meat can be 'prepared', and then shipped back here, packaged and ready for sale. Their concern was that a scant percentage of imports are tested when they enter the country, and the who process they proposed would mean 'a lot' of meat would be reentering the country with little or no testing, and coming from a country with a 'less than stellar' reputation for food safety. But Chinese 'butchers' would be cheaper than paying American butchers, so it was approved. I heard nothg since. I would certainly not want to buy ANY food that was processed, grown, or manufactured in China (and a few other countries), especially since inspectors are at a premium and the processors know it.
So the 737-MAX jet disaster was very much the result of rabid cost cutting. *Someone* has to inspect the planes. Why not trust the corporations?
At one point, I wanted to be a pilot. Then I ran into someone and we hit it off. Same goofy sense of humor and love of flying. Then he told me he was an actual international pilot for a big airline. Wow...
I said 'I'd love to be a pilot', and he said 'well, I love the money, but being a commercial pilot is not fun most of the time'. Oh... He said 'Keep your love of flying, and if you need to make money at it, be a contract pilot with a group that has enough other pilots to give you some time off. Flying for the biggies is you fly when and where they tell you. No matter the weather (within reason). I went into IT instead. *shrug*
What is going on with Southwest. The once reliable airline has taken reputation hit after reputation hit for the last few months.
Hard to believe I've been in this crazy industry for 20 years now, but I still love the job. Certainly beats working for a living!
Not really... airlines use a preferential bidding system based on seniority. You bid the schedule and routes that you want.