maybe somewhere while you’re still stuck in a busy airport police say you are trespassing — The apology has begun.
technically incorrect
Southwest Airlines CEO Robert Jordan has provided a heartfelt apology video after more than two days of disruption.
sorry.in short Fully robotic video of apology It seems to have been written by a lawyer whose hemorrhoid surgery was postponed several times.
Following the massive disruption, we are working diligently to safely restore operations and accommodate evacuated customers and crew. If your trip is affected, please consider self-service options at https://t.co/B6L8HR9Yqc. pic.twitter.com/mLWndYMned
— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) December 28, 2022
Of course, when apologies rained down in an unconvincing squall, so did the apologists. Perhaps he had 500,000 customers ruin their trip, which they declared was “the perfect storm.”
Yes Yes. So perfect. Poor Southwest Airlines.
The weather was far more brutal than the airlines expected. Who would have thought places like Chicago and Denver could be so cold in December? In fact, who could have imagined that some employees wouldn’t want to work in such cold weather, or might get sick while doing so?
And who could have imagined that airline management would take these employees seriously and demand that they bring a doctor’s note?
Other airlines are not unaffected.wait, but southwest American Airlines canceled 12 flights on Dec. 26, compared with 2,293 flights.?
software? what software?
But there was software.
This airline has a software system from the 1990s. Southwest Airlines had to try to reach pilots and crew by phone last week. Because there were no apps or other more advanced means of knowing where they were. Some crew members say they didn’t get through for ten hours.
Don’t say no one could see this perfect storm coming.
When he became CEO of Southwest, Robert Jordan frankly confessed that the airline’s system was outdated.
May I share one of his foresights?: “If I have an irregular flight (such as cancellations or delays due to weather or other is misaligned, the aircraft will eventually have to go to its maintenance base, and perhaps there are tools we can use to find the problem more quickly and provide a solution.”
Dear Southwest customers, do you understand? The airline CEO told you last January that this could happen. So did the Southwest pilots.
But I never thought of flying southwest during busy periods or bad weather. A few years ago, I learned about the Southwest’s demeaning attitude towards technology.
Worst technology.
It’s a small story in many ways, but I can’t help but think it says a lot about airlines’ attitudes towards technology in general.
Five years ago I was at LAX on the way home from a conference. I’m flying in the Southwest and thought it wise to sign up for email alerts.
Simple technique, this. I would think.
The airline will keep you informed of flight changes so you can manage your time in a fun way.
Sure enough, I got an email from Southwest Airlines telling me that my flight was delayed by 1 hour and 15 minutes. it was ok. It’s a short flight from LA to San Francisco. This delay allows him to have dinner at LAX without rushing.
Ah, but then another email. The last departure time was 9:50 PM, now it is 11:15 PM.
okay, okay go home However, at 8:47 PM, another email arrived. Departure is now at 10:50pm.
Hosanna, I thought. So I went to a bar for dinner, where the guy next to me was also using Southwest email alerts. How efficient.
At 10pm my new friend and I drifted back to the gate. Gates appeared to her agents to have some unhappy customers.
You’re already there, right?
The plane left without us.
When I asked why, there was no real response. Gate agents were not interested when we asked for compensation.They said we should have stayed at the gate and listened to the announcement. I explained that we have an email alert system. The gate agent explained that he didn’t really care.
Dear, fire another analogue.
That was the day I lost interest in flying southwest.
That’s when I realized Southwest Airlines was basically an analog airline. Why should you invest in technology when you can make a lot of money the old-fashioned way?
In fact, Southwest only recently thought it would be a good idea to install power outlets on at least some of its aircraft.
Airlines often learn the hard way. I hope the worst doesn’t happen, but very bad things do happen all too often.
However, Southwest Airlines customers should know that this airline is a real, real bummer and has always been working on technology upgrades.
But the company’s executives and shareholders aren’t as keen as ever to make sure they’re profitable.
When the airline received a government bailout, they were barred from offering share buybacks or dividends until September this year.
And December 2022. Which airline do you think was the first to announce a dividend?
yes you are right An airline that loves its customers.
Something that loves its shareholders a little more.
