SW Airlines sucks

[imw8n4u]

Today's cancelled flights: Spirit - 100; United - 78; American - 25; Southwest 2688

SW has problems. Many people are having unnecessarily rough weeks. What is the cause? Why are bags flying without people?

This is what I don't understand either. How are so many people getting separated from their luggage if the flights are being canceled? How can the bags make it and they don't or vice-versa?

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Flying has become so tedious, expensive, and unreliable that people will get fed up with flying and drive more.

Expensive? I just pulled up a random city pair: TYS to LAX. right around $400 on several carriers. I challenge you to start driving with $400 and let me know how close you get.

 

[davethevol]

https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-new...lice-officer-threatening-to-arrest-customers/

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

The SWA meltdown from what I can tell is caused be a few different things combining to form that perfect storm. First is the storm, and that was amplified by the way that SWA operates in the point to point manner. They have no way to quickly rebuild the airline schedule after their planes and crews are scattered to the four winds by diverts caused by the storm. The hub and spoke airlines have that ability. I can only speak about Delta, but after the NWA merger, we went from 4-6 days to rebuild things to something like 3 when a major IROPS (irregular operations) occurs. When you move 100 million people/year, that's significant.

Another thing is that (apparently) SWA didn't spend much on IT upgrades. (that's anecdotal) That seems to be fairly typical of airline managements because it isn't sexy and you don't need it until you need it. But whoa Nellie when you do, you really do. SWA is finding this out the hard way. We are at Delta, but it is at a disgustingly glacial pace.

Somebody mentioned something about pilots leaving for greener pastures. While some junior pilots have left for DAL/AA/UAL, money is not the reason that they have. Some of the early SWA pilots retired multi millionaires by the time you factored in their stock that they got. Those days are gone though. Usually young pilots leave because of basing options and QOL issues. I had no desire to work there when I was looking for an airline job because they only fly 737s, and after 6 years of that at DAL I had had enough and confirmed that I made the right decision. I like my ultra long haul international thing. So while this was exacerbated by 'staffing', it was mainly because they were out of place, and the existing SWA IT didn't allow quick rerouting of those crews.

What I find comical about the whole thing is the outrage shown by the politicos. Bootyjudge is gonna get to the bottom of this I am sure. Heads will roll (not) and this industry will go back to being vilified for something that started with an act of God. please don't take any of it out on the front line workers though. It isn't their fault. We can only work with the tools management gives us.

 

[joevol33]

The SWA meltdown from what I can tell is caused be a few different things combining to form that perfect storm. First is the storm, and that was amplified by the way that SWA operates in the point to point manner. They have no way to quickly rebuild the airline schedule after their planes and crews are scattered to the four winds by diverts caused by the storm. The hub and spoke airlines have that ability. I can only speak about Delta, but after the NWA merger, we went from 4-6 days to rebuild things to something like 3 when a major IROPS (irregular operations) occurs. When you move 100 million people/year, that's significant.

Another thing is that (apparently) SWA didn't spend much on IT upgrades. (that's anecdotal) That seems to be fairly typical of airline managements because it isn't sexy and you don't need it until you need it. But whoa Nellie when you do, you really do. SWA is finding this out the hard way. We are at Delta, but it is at a disgustingly glacial pace.

Somebody mentioned something about pilots leaving for greener pastures. While some junior pilots have left for DAL/AA/UAL, money is not the reason that they have. Some of the early SWA pilots retired multi millionaires by the time you factored in their stock that they got. Those days are gone though. Usually young pilots leave because of basing options and QOL issues. I had no desire to work there when I was looking for an airline job because they only fly 737s, and after 6 years of that at DAL I had had enough and confirmed that I made the right decision. I like my ultra long haul international thing. So while this was exacerbated by 'staffing', it was mainly because they were out of place, and the existing SWA IT didn't allow quick rerouting of those crews.

What I find comical about the whole thing is the outrage shown by the politicos. Bootyjudge is gonna get to the bottom of this I am sure. Heads will roll (not) and this industry will go back to being vilified for something that started with an act of God. please don't take any of it out on the front line workers though. It isn't their fault. We can only work with the tools management gives us.

Listen man, we're waiting to hear from someone who knows about flying .

I do feel for the workers like you said, they are likely getting crapped on, and it's not their fault

 

[Jackcrevol]

Expensive? I just pulled up a random city pair: TYS to LAX. right around $400 on several carriers. I challenge you to start driving with $400 and let me know how close you get.

It isnt the cost. its the entire experience. Some of the behaviour of those workers is terrible. Which is how people behave when they're overworked, underappreciated, and underpaid.

 

[Godfatha]

Expensive? I just pulled up a random city pair: TYS to LAX. right around $400 on several carriers. I challenge you to start driving with $400 and let me know how close you get.

Of course it would be cheaper to fly to LA than drive, for one person.

Just pulled up TYS to DFW, $646 round trip per person. Chicago $574. DC $574.

So yeah LAX is a great deal but that’s a place you won’t drive. That also doesn’t include checked bag add on

 

[C-south]

Nashville to Myrtle, isnt that bad of a drive. Always prefer to drive myself.

Only about an 11 hour drive.

 

[jp1]

Of course it would be cheaper to fly to LA than drive, for one person.

Just pulled up TYS to DFW, $646 round trip per person. Chicago $574. DC $574.

So yeah LAX is a great deal but that’s a place you won’t drive. That also doesn’t include checked bag add on

SWA doesn't charge for checked bags. You are allowed 2.

 

[Go aeiou]

https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-new...lice-officer-threatening-to-arrest-customers/

It seems like I am constantly taking and picking up passengers at BNA. The security people there are just waiting for you to stop so they can harass you, and tell you you can't stop. I don't think these are real cops. These guys are scary.

 

[Velo Vol]

 

[hog88]

Expensive? I just pulled up a random city pair: TYS to LAX. right around $400 on several carriers. I challenge you to start driving with $400 and let me know how close you get.

While it’s true that flying can sometimes be less expensive than driving I still avoid flying whenever I can. It’s just not enjoyable anymore. If it’s a 10hr or less drive and I’m not crunched for time I’ll drive it anymore.

 

[hog88]

It seems like I am constantly taking and picking up passengers at BNA. The security people there are just waiting for you to stop so they can harass you, and tell you you can't stop. I don't think these are real cops. These guys are scary.

They’re jackasses, just ignore them for up to 10 minutes.

 

[Go aeiou]

While it’s true that flying can sometimes be less expensive than driving I still avoid flying whenever I can. It’s just not enjoyable anymore. If it’s a 10hr or less drive and I’m not crunched for time I’ll drive it anymore.

My first flight was in 1968 when I was 16. That was the best one.
I had several clients in Memphis In the 80s and 90s, and flew Tri Citi-Mem on Piedmont/Northwestern often. It was a prop.
Shorter distance to Canada from Tri Cities than Memphis. but not shorter time.
Probably drove half the time.The problem with driving when working is you drive all day Sunday and typically leave Friday at lunch I worked 10 hour days M-Thur if allowed.

Wife and I love to travel, but we hate to fly.
8 hours +- is my limit driving.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

I have never had a single issue with Southwest. American left me stranded and so did Delta. Neither offered so much as a cheeseburger for the trouble.

I got stranded on Delta once. Bags went home we didn't make it. Our plane was late arriving and the pilot wouldn't wait 10 minutes for us to get through security.
They gave us hotel rooms for the night and a ton of food vouchers to use in the airport.

 

[Go aeiou]

I got stranded on Delta once. Bags went home we didn't make it. Our plane was late arriving and the pilot wouldn't wait 10 minutes for us to get through security.
They gave us hotel rooms for the night and a ton of food vouchers to use in the airport.

Simiar circumstances (mechanical problems cancelled flight) here, but that was probably 20 years ago.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Same here, but that was probably 20 years ago.

Same. I think when all that happened it was back in 04 ish. A lonnnnngggggg time ago.

 

[superdave1984]

I got stranded on Delta once. Bags went home we didn't make it. Our plane was late arriving and the pilot wouldn't wait 10 minutes for us to get through security.
They gave us hotel rooms for the night and a ton of food vouchers to use in the airport.

I wss flying out of Austin and we had to deboard due to weather in Dallas. Did this twice. Third time boarding they couldn't get the plane to start sp they just canceled the flight. No flights out that night so I had to spend the night in the terminal and get on a 6 am flight. They never offerd food or a hotel or a rental car or anything.

 

[hog88]

My first flight was in 1968 when I was 16. That was the best one.
I had several clients in Memphis In the 80s and 90s, and flew Tri Citi-Mem on Piedmont/Northwestern often. It was a prop.
Shorter distance to Canada from Tri Cities than Memphis. but not shorter time.
Probably drove half the time.The problem with driving when working is you drive all day Sunday and typically leave Friday at lunch I worked 10 hour days M-Thur if allowed.

Wife and I love to travel, but we hate to fly.
8 hours +- is my limit driving.

Late 90s I had a project in Raleigh so for 6-8 months I was flying back and forth every week. American Eagle had a 7something direct out of BNA on Monday and a 3 or 4 direct back on Friday. That wasn’t bad, pre TSA so could get to the airport 20-30 before takeoff and be fine.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

I wss flying out of Austin and we had to deboard due to weather in Dallas. Did this twice. Third time boarding they couldn't get the plane to start sp they just canceled the flight. No flights out that night so I had to spend the night in the terminal and get on a 6 am flight. They never offerd food or a hotel or a rental car or anything.

We were flying out of Orlando to Atlanta to get on a small plane to come home. The plane taking us to Atlanta was late coming from Paris. It was one of those huge ones that had 2 aisles and 2 3 2 seating arrangements. The pilot in Atlanta was told we were coming when we landed and basically just said too bad.

 

[LittleVol]

People are stranded. No telling where their luggage is. Our niece had a flight to Myrtle Beach today, and they changed her to a 12-31 flight. She didn't get her luggage when she flew here(Nashville), and they are saying she can't get it. It will be in MYR when she gets home.
So, every other airline is now sky high, but what are you gonna do. Bit the bullet and booked a AA flight tomorrow morning $$$$.

Sorry to hear that!
That's awful.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Late 90s I had a project in Raleigh so for 6-8 months I was flying back and forth every week. American Eagle had a 7something direct out of BNA on Monday and a 3 or 4 direct back on Friday. That wasn’t bad, pre TSA so could get to the airport 20-30 before takeoff and be fine.

I used to fly Coporate Air twin turboprops from BNA to ATL and back on weekends. I can remember parking about 10 minutes before takeoff and still making my flight. Literally, running through the terminal. I'm sure there was a metal detector but I don't recall ever being slowed down by security check.

 

[GVF]

Awfully curious downward spiral for SW. Our company used them for travel when we had to go to jobs. Flew Nashville to Miami several times with zero issues. this was aorund 2017ish.