Southwest Airlines is facing calls for accountability from organized labor and congressional Democrats after canceling thousands of flights over the past week, leaving tens of thousands of workers and customers in limbo during the holiday season.
Every airline has experienced disruptions during Winter Storm Elliott, the dangerous nationwide cold snap that began just days before Christmas. But while other major carriers have largely recovered, Southwest
"Trying to get home for Christmas seems like a dream to flight attendants who are struggling with the nightmare of simply trying to secure appropriate shelter, food, and rest," the union added.from last Wednesday, Southwest's vice president for ground operations, Chris Johnson, told ramp agents at Denver International Airport that they will be terminated if they refuse to work mandatory overtime or take a sick day without providing a doctor's note immediately upon their return.
;“#SOUTHWEST NIGHTMARE: All flights leaving San Diego tonight are canceled, announcement just now over the intercom says the airline is ;𠇏rozen and not able to assist with rebooking.;” People are told find their bags in these piles. Several are in tears. @10News;”In a Tuesday statement, Democratic Sens. Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal called on Southwest to compensate customers for avoidable holiday flight cancellations.
"Southwest is planning to issue a $428 million dividend next year," the lawmakers added. "The company can afford to do right by the consumers it has harmed. Southwest should focus first on its customers stranded at airports and stuck on interminable hold."The chaos will prove costly to the airline, with Citi analysts estimating it could shave 3% to 5% from Southwest's fourth-quarter earnings.
Montgomery, the president of TWU Local 556, told the outlet that "the phone system the company uses is just not working." "Southwest is planning to issue a $428 million dividend next year. The company can afford to do right by the consumers it has harmed.". "We've seen these sorts of meltdowns occur on a much more regular basis and it really just has to do with outdated processes and outdated IT."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Did a Southwest Airlines Pilot Post on Facebook, 'Southwest Airlines Has Imploded'?Facebook users copied and pasted a post about a supposed Southwest Airlines pilot as the company struggled with canceled flights in December 2022.
Read more »
Why Southwest Airlines canceled so many flights during the busiest holiday travel week of the yearSouthwest Airlines travelers faced a brutal capstone to the Christmas weekend, as the company canceled 70% of its flights Monday. Another 63% had been canceled by Tuesday. In a statement on its website, Southwest called its own performance 'unacceptable.'
Read more »
Southwest CEO says more flight cancellations are coming as travelers in Philly are impactedDaily News | Southwest CEO says more flight cancelations coming as travelers in Philly impacted
Read more »
What we know (so far) about the Southwest flight cancellations causing Hobby problemsWhat to do if you are stranded by Southwest flight cancellations and other things to know
Read more »
Southwest CEO says more flight cancelations coming as travelers in Philly impactedDaily News | Southwest CEO says more flight cancelations coming as travelers in Philly impacted
Read more »
Southwest Airlines flight cancellations continue; USDOT to examine airline's role in holiday travel nightmareThe U.S. Department of Transportation will investigate what is now a travel nightmare for many people who tried to fly on Southwest Airlines over the Christmas holiday.
Read more »