The People Deficit That Contributed To Southwest’s Meltdown – And May Continue To Drag Them Down

Jan 05 2023

The explanation of technology for Southwest’s woes, while true, also exposes a gap in people. They didn’t have enough people to rebuild their schedules by hand and were taking volunteers from within the company. There’s also a knowledge deficit.

There’s going to be a lot of IT spending ahead, and also a lot of work on culture ahead, for Southwest. Passengers will forgive them. But capital spending and culture are harder. And around a fifth of employees don’t have a long-term experience with the company against which to judge recent unpleasantness, including being stranded away from home for some time.

Continue Reading »

In Aftermath Of Meltdown, Southwest Reminds Us One Way They’re Least Consumer-Friendly Airline

Jan 04 2023

Southwest Airlines likes to remind customers about their friendly features. They don’t sell basic economy tickets. All of their tickets have been fully changeable. Their flight credits don’t expire. They offer two free checked bags.

But in the aftermath of their historic operational meltdown over the holidays, we have a reminder of one of the ways that Southwest Airlines goes to war with any tools that help customers compare prices and get the best deals.

Continue Reading »

Woman Urinated On In Air India Business Class

Jan 04 2023

In a great reminder that the worst behavior isn’t strictly reserved for flights in the United States (or on British holiday airline Jet2), a woman flying business class on Air India had one of the worst possible experiences imaginable on a trip. Out of the blue a man came up to her seat, unzipped his fly, and urinated on her.

Continue Reading »

Flight Attendants Union Seeks To Undo Court Victory That Allows California To Regulate Cabin Crew Breaks

Jan 03 2023

This summer the Supreme Court let stand a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that said flight attendants based in California are subject to the state’s rest rules.

In Bernstein v. Virgin America the court found that California could require 30 minute meal breaks for flight attendants every 5 hours, and 10 minute rest breaks every four hours.

Continue Reading »