With an odd juxtaposition at the holidays, Southwest Hawaii’s unique culture as seen through the eyes of snow.
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58 thoughts on “Southwest Hawaii Culture Under Attack | No Christmas LUV”
With an odd juxtaposition at the holidays, Southwest Hawaii’s unique culture as seen through the eyes of snow.
Today’s Star Advertiser had an article on the SWA debacle pointing out that their expanded route structure simply doesn’t have the IT to support what they have attempted. Not only did they enter the market with a very “with us or against us” disrespectful attitude, they also had an unreliable schedule initially. It improved, but as we have seen, it falls apart when stressed by unusual events, weather, volcano etc.
As their unions have said, they simply don’t have the capability right now to handle their route structure. Hawaii is their most far flung destination, and it shows. Have to wonder if it will continue?
This is also true for Hawaiian and for Maui Health Hospital especially at Kula Hospital. Recently Hawaiian Airlines stopped all their contract services probably because they, like all airlines, have trouble recruiting staff, YET, instead of honoring their years of service which allows senior staff priority in choosing their schedules, all 30+ staff loss their seniority. That means about 15 employees who worked part-time and had fulltime daytime jobs had to resign.
Unfortunately this policy is prevalent in the Health Care Industry in Hawaii-extremely oppressive
Just checked on the SWA website…no inter island flights till Dec 31st. One more example of a mainland airline trying to operate inter island. When times get difficult (eruptions, Tsunami, weather issues, etc) having a local airline serves Hawaii well.
A little disconcerting that the pro SWA people continually try to attack HA to promote themselves. While competition can be a good thing, SWA isn’t all that wonderful for Hawaii in many ways, they represent the loud brash disrespectful few who continually put the Aloha spirit under stress.
BTW, MANDO isn’t ok in the airline industry where safety is so critical, you don’t want workers who are forced to work against their will crewing, fixing or handling an airliner. The resentful attitude reduces some workers productivity and can result in a dangerous situation. I’m concerned it’s going to be a problem in the entire airline industry in the years ahead as management continues to fight with labor to keep costs down. The ability for SWA to absorb money losing $39 tickets is done on the backs of the workers and has a high price on the big picture
Southwest treats its employees the same as its “valued customers”. like cattle. Three are so many good jobs hiring. Get a new job and bail.
Some of this information is incorrect. Those delays listed lead to cancelations. I am one of the thousands of people who were told hours after the delayed flights that we had to book our own hotel accommodations and request reimbursements later because they were so understaffed. At $500+ a night in a awful motel how can everyone can afford it? Because of staff not showing up to work, the thousands of us were not able to get home for the holidays. We were just informed of a second rescheduling and will need to stay another night. While there is the side of the employees not being treated fairly, this is a business of hospitality. We all know those that just don’t want to work or play sick. I just want to get home with my kids and can’t
Why people fly Southwest baffles me. It may be a few bucks cheaper, but you don’t get anywhere near the experience you would at United, American, or Delta. Alaska isn’t much better, but it does have some version of business class. Southwest has cattle class, and that’s it. And no interline service with you luggage; if you’re changing airlines somewhere you get to go to baggage claim, pick up your bags, and check them and yourself at the airline you’re connecting to. Then you get to go through TSA all over again. Not worth it unless you’re going on a very short flight in the US.
Title of your article “Southwest Hawaii Culture Under Attack | No Christmas LUV” indicates that SW miss treats it’s staff, yet comment by individuals who’ve either worked for or currently work for SW state differently.
Plus most if not all commenters on this subject are in agreement that if you work for SW “Mando” is a thing, employees know upfront about “Mando” and if they don’t want to abide by the rule they have the choice to work elsewhere.
Maybe it’s BOH staff that see this as an issue, but not so much individuals working for SW?
Sour grapes. Anyone working at SWA knows about “MANDO”.
SWA was among the first to stop mask requirements. 🤙🏾
What I see is a bunch of sorry sacks who can’t compete. I remember trying to get a flight to HON from ITO in a Monday morning and the 06:30 flight is over $300/ seat. SWA? $38.10 1-way.
Just what do you expect? There’s a BLIZZARD ravaging the Midwest. 24 died. And you whine about “MANDO”?!?
Meanwhile, I have to dodge 3-4 of your efforts to download your ph app.
Dan, can’t stress enough how bad forcing people to come to work sick is in this day and age. An airline being the first to drop mask requirements is hardly something to boast about. Here in Hawaii wearing a mask was about caring for others.
I used to fly for business several times a month out of BWI airport- a major SW hub ( SW pretty much built BWI years back). I was a very loyal SW business & vacation flyer. That was pre- COVID. SW is a different experience post COVID. Flight delays, no warning flight cancellations and lost luggage. Having retired in Kauai, I’m done with SW. we always flew Hawaii Air to the Islands, but now HA is my go to airline. Sorry SW
As long as people want to travel, ski, receive pkgs, dine out, have electricity for tree lights, etc. during the holiday season, there will be mandos. Add extreme weather conditions, which recently crippled 1/3 of the nation, and of course workers in many trades were mandated to work. And it’s not only the holidays; this goes on year-round. It’s doubtful any business wants even sick employees to show up as they know that will just further reduce their workforce. It’s life in certain businesses. Most employees are warned prior to being hired that mandos happen. I worked this way outdoors in the arctic, whether a balmy 55 degrees or -103 with wind chill; the oil must flow; the show must go on.