Vacationers “past pissed off” by Southwest Airways cancellations: “It has been hell”

A winter storm that disrupted weekend journey plans and brought on an epic pile of Southwest Airways flight cancellations has left airline passengers “past frustration.” One put in CBS DFWHundreds of households have been stranded, ready days to board their planes.

Southwest Airways prospects at Dallas Love Subject expressed disappointment, frustration and anger on Monday after going through a number of flight delays and cancellations since earlier than Christmas.

Southwest Air buyer Talia Jones instructed CBS DFW, “I am greater than pissed off and harm that I will not be capable of see my dad. Sure, I’m very sorry.”

In keeping with flight monitoring web site FlightAware.com, as of 5 a.m. ET Tuesday, Southwest Airways had the overwhelming majority of U.S. cancellations the following day, with 2,495 out of two,809 for all airways. did.

As of Monday afternoon, two-thirds of Southwest Airways’ flights had been canceled, in keeping with FlightAware.

In keeping with reporter Kelly Lako, on Monday afternoon, a bulletin board at Dallas Love Subject confirmed that every one arrivals had been cancelled.

Lengthy waits and fewer waits Monday evening at Chicago’s Halfway Worldwide Airport, the place Southwest Airways is the principle provider. CBS Chicago stated.

One traveler described the scenario as nothing lower than confusion. A whole lot of baggage have been ready to be claimed, with lengthy queues occupying house, plus cancellations and delays piling up.

“It was hell,” stated Denzil Smathers, whose flight was cancelled.

On Monday, the Federal Division of Transport stated it was “involved by Southwest Airways’ disproportionate and unacceptable charge of cancellations and delays and its failure to adequately help prospects experiencing cancellations or delays.” He stated he would examine the meltdown.

“As extra data turns into accessible, the company will carefully examine whether or not the cancellation was controllable and whether or not Southwest is complying with its Buyer Service Plan and all different related DOT laws. .

Traveler Michael Bozon and his household flew out of Orlando Worldwide Airport on Friday and have been on account of fly residence to Indianapolis on Sunday in time for Christmas. As a substitute, the 4 vacationed at a resort after their flights have been canceled and returned to the airport on Monday, Bauson instructed CBS affiliate WKMG.

“I arrived right here at 4:30 this morning for a flight leaving at 7:05 and once I appeared it up, it had simply been canceled.” “Earlier than you place us on the aircraft – if they might put us on the aircraft,” he stated.

Pervasive storms, out of date expertise

Southwest Airways stated in a press release Monday that it started with a “honest apology” that its geographic options have been “uniquely” susceptible to storms and that half of the airports it flies to have been affected by winter climate. Said.

“Southwest Airways, the most important airline in 23 of the highest 25 journey markets in the US, was nicely staffed for the looming vacation weekend when extreme climate hit your entire continent. “We’re prepared, and we nonetheless have the instruments our workforce will use to get well airways working at capability,” the assertion stated.

“Extra modifications are anticipated on already diminished ranges of flights as subsequent 12 months’s vacation season approaches,” it stated.

The corporate additionally blames the shortage of expertise. “A part of what we wrestle with is the shortage of instruments. We have had loads of conversations in regards to the want,” he stated. Union of shops and flight attendants.

clogged cellphone strains, techniques

Southwest stated it was experiencing “system points” amid elevated demand and directed prospects to keep away from congested cellphone strains.

Spokesperson Chris Perry stated the airline’s on-line reserving and check-in system was nonetheless operational, however was congested with “abnormally excessive” site visitors on the positioning. We’re reaccommodating as many purchasers as potential based mostly on this,” he instructed CBS Information.

Simply as Southwest blamed expertise issues, the flight attendants’ union Transit Employees Union 556 blamed the airline for years for underinvestment in expertise contributing to the issue. condemned.

“The shortage of expertise has pressured airways to depend on guide options and private cellphone calls, leaving flight attendants on maintain with Southwest Airways for as much as 17 hours at a time earlier than being launched and despatched residence after the journey. , we try to make sure security. A resort room or we all know the place our subsequent journey can be,” the union stated in a press release. “Routing and rescheduling are understood to be a part of the aviation business’s job, however the huge failures of the previous few days mirror years of funding and implementation of applied sciences that might assist clear up the issue. It exhibits a evasion of accountability for most of the points that plague flight attendants and passengers alike.”

The union and the airline have been in contract negotiations for 4 years.

— With reviews by Zel Elvi, Kathryn Krupnik, Kris Van Cleave and Brian Dakss.