Sad but less than surprising during unprecedented circumstances. This passenger-related Southwest Hawaii flight diversion couldn’t come at a worse time.
Sad but less than surprising during unprecedented circumstances. This passenger-related Southwest Hawaii flight diversion couldn’t come at a worse time.
Generally I like flying Southwest. Cheap,efficient,clean planes,simple boarding process and egalitarian seating (no first class). Their meltdown this past week couldn’t have happened at a worst time. For Hawaii, it shows how the chaos theory works. As one rocker said, when a butterfly shakes its wings in the Amazon, it affects the entire world. If anything, it revealed Southwest’s efficiency can be broken by an event beyond their control. The NYT in an article pointed out that Southwest uses a point to point routing system rather than hub and spoke. How that came to affect flights in Hawaii is a mystery. I hope Southwest learns from this event. I would hate to see them leave Hawaii. They have brought competition back to interisland flight
Richard, the sad thing is this wasn’t beyond their control. It’s a direct result of their attempt to keep costs down that was short sighted and makes you wonder what else are they scrimping on? Their business model of not paying for things other airlines do invest in may be coming home to roost.
It is a computer system meltdown.
Correct Beth, it was a computer system that SWA had attempted to save money on by inadequate investment in the airline infrastructure. Computers are now critical to the safe operation of any airline. Not just scheduling, everywhere.
With their aggressive push to expand at all costs after Covid they have created issues for themselves. Big issues.
An Interesting turnaround for SWA in the face of attempting to find its own place in the Hawaiian Islands Business Model. Understanding that Extreme Weather Conditions had “some” impact, this seems to be a complete breakdown across the board at SWA that should have been handled Much Differently. Is SWA hiring former HA managers thinking that it would give them an edge? If so, it Certainly Backfired on them. Will this be the linchpin that seperates these two competitors in the end? Maybe HA will win by Default.
Don’t disagree with you Ernie, however the competition they introduced was unlike the old HA vs Aloha Airlines model. They were 2 airlines that knew and well represented Hawaii. SWA came in with a business model that tried to cherry pick the market and was operated from the mainland and crewed be staff that simply didn’t know Hawaii well. When an eruption or weather event or whatever happens. They are ill equipped to serve Hawaii. Lets hope HA is smart enough to keep the inter island fares in the $79-99 range if SWA continues to falter
Hi John W, If Hawaiian keeps the low prices for inter Island travel they can begin to build more good will with travelers while SWA continues to disappoint and strand passengers nationwide. There’s always going to be enough passengers to go around, it’s just which will have more than the other. The Fed is Investigating and maybe we will eventually know all of the problems, some day. This couldn’t have happened at a better time for Hawaiian.
Agreed Ernie, it appears there is no quick fix for SWA, they will be operating with an antiquated IT system for some time and vulnerable to further disruptions. I can’t imagine they will try to cut fares further to win back customers. Pricing tickets that didn’t allow for necessary upgrades to the airline is what got them in trouble, taxing the IT system further with fare sales would be a real insult to the traveling public when that’s what got them in trouble. The lower they price their tickets the closer they get to another meltdown.
I hate to say it, but you get what you pay for.
We’ve only flown SWA Once, and the cattle rush was enough to convince us we were Never flying SWA again…
And we haven’t.
I’ll take SWA boarding protocol over UA, DL, UA, HA Gate Lice scenario anytime!
I agree with Evan. It takes a bit of unlearning to accept SWA’s boarding process. But it is way more efficient than seat assignment and the phony pretending to be royalty with first class seating boarding first.
What boarding – if most of SW flights are cancelled there is no boarding.
Doesn’t matter if you like how they board if their planes don’t fly.
Don’t the employees have the option to “vote with their feet”? As I understand it, most airlines are short of experienced pilots and crews. Why don’t they move?
Pilots don’t make lateral moves. An experienced pilot moving to another airline will start at the bottom of the seniority list and have to work up like a brand new pilot would. Seniority = pay and working schedules.
It’s so sad people can’t behave. No respect for anyone. Ruining people’s vacation. Thanks to Southwest for taking care of the problem.
We all enjoyed the cheap flights and acted shocked that the costs were low due to lack if investment in technology. Nothing excuses poor passenger behavior. Nothing.
Much like buying a car outright (ie not financed) you have a choice…do you buy insurance (minimum?)…as long as you dont get in an accident its great!!!! Low cost option saves money (as long as nothing goes wrong of course). SW is an LCC and everyone knows it…employees have been complaining that SW is cheap…(see SWAPA union statement) ohh…but now you get into an accident…oops…too late to call Allstate and pay your premium…it has come home to roost and now in a heap of trouble.
This has been an issue in other areas Clarisa…I followed the 737 Max debacle. I recall reading one of the reasons Boeing cut corners on that airplane was because of SWA putting pressure on them to keep the purchase price low. SWA dangled a huge order if, and only if, Boeing would keep the purchase price in check. I.E. scrimp on things that are important. SWA is very much like Walmart in using their leverage to pressure suppliers
How about giving numbers of flights cancelled instead of percentages. Ever since Covid we are tired of hearing percentages instead of giving true numbers. If you have to list percentages then how about also including hard numbers.
Lately the worst job in the world has to be working Customer Service for the airlines, especially Hawaiian & Southwest.
They have undoubtedly all experienced impressive demonstrations of people’s swearing talent.
Will all of Southwest’s problems magically disappear if they throw more money at the employees? Everything I read about Southwest always includes at least one statement from a union representative. Leads me to believe employees are partially responsible for Southwest’s issues. You knew the wages when you took the job.
The employees and unions are pointing out the fact that SW has not invested in the computer infrastructure that they should have. They are obviously terribly out of date.
You fail to realize that many of these “line” employees come over not primarly for pay…but for “flight benefits”…in Hawaii many come from other hotels/other hospitality. The thing is that a hotel is never cancelled or delayed…You may know your starting pay but how many of us really know the true working conditions before we start and “step into the trenches”…and yes by the way investing in technology (ie updated systems and software) does make a difference…how about we take away your computer and give you a slide rule.
1/3 of the way there and they turn around? must have been a serious altercation. imagine this passenger gets hit with multiple civil suits from fellow passengers
Better 2 turn around than have a nutcase be violent/cause the plane to go down or injure others. Curious 2 know what went on causing the turn-around since info was withheld.
Isn’t that why there are air marshalls on flights? Ridiculous to bring everyone back to Hawaii.
There are air marshals on about 5% of domestic flights.
I’ve heard about that air marshalls are being diverted to our southern border.
That would be Great. Anymore each flight should have leg irons, heavy handcuffs and the waste belt for the unruly. Maybe even a Blackout Hood and a few vials of some medications to Relax the Problems.