Southwest Airlines Community

Dr.TapperMargie "TOP CONTRIBUTOR":   With all due respect, if you read the posted SOUTHWEST PROMISE on the official SOUTHWEST WEBSITE and if you read CEO "GARY's" email blast, there is NO mention of a mask requirement.     Please do not participate in spreading "fake news".   That said, tonight on Wolf Blitzer CNN (real news), Wolf announced that major airlines are following JETBLUE's lead. TODAY, ALASKA, FRONTIER, DELTA, and YES - SOUTHWEST, according to CNN, all announced masks are a requirement to fly as of tomorrow morning.   To "GARY's" discredit, as of 8:18 pm Saturday May 5th, he has not yet updated the official SOUTHWEST WEBSITE -SOUTHWEST PROMISE. Nor has he blasted out an UPDATE email to indicate the change in policy.  I have not received one. Stockholders should hold this "CEO without a last name" accountable for feeble leadership when the stock price is down 50%.   I am certainly for opening sections of the economy where PERFECT HYGIENE or at least EFFECTIVE HYGIENE can be taught and effected. We do not need two total disasters in 2020/2021.   However, reopening flights and sections of the economy in geographic locations which are not mega-densely populated, requires careful education regarding hygiene.   Asymptomatic COVID positive (+)  travelers will cough on planes and their vapor will be more laden with virus and travel at higher velocity. There is no direct evidence yet as too how much viral load you have to inhale to become infected. However, the CDC recommends contact tracing for contact periods of greater than 15 minutes. Masks stop the velocity of vapor and trap 90% of the vapor. Airplane air filtration systems after take off  are hospital like dependable. They will take care of the rest. Masks are a "no brainer". You nor I want the airlines shut down again.   Instead of being contrarian, be supportive. We have the same goal.   If "Gary" does not update the website and blast emails, passengers won't know.  SWA best be prepared to hand out bandanas or masks at the gangway.  Some masks will break. Otherwise the gate personnel will be turning away angry passengers.  Better yet, Everybody bring an extra mask or bandana for the next guy. Then wash it. That's all it takes.  ... View more

SWA needs to require passenger masks to board. They can use their undershirt if they have to or hold toilet paper over their mouth if necessary. Captains are the law on their ship. SWA prohibits particular batteries/quantities on board for heaven sakes. Boarding is prohibited due to obnoxious behavior, and there are all sorts of other requirements including cigarette ban, obnoxious music, and three bags in the cabin. They can be arrested for mutiny on departure if they won't cooperate - notify them when they are on the gangplank not to board if they won't cooperate. Passing out masks at the gangway for passengers whose mask broke, should be a service. IF Masks are in short supply, use SWA bandanas in the meantime. Notification can be done at on-line checkin and at the kiosk. Passengers who inevitably cough due to typical dry air or snack chip "down-the-windpipe will cause anxiety among passengers FOR SURE and can be asymptomatic carriers (most likely at least one passenger in 100 but likely more than 10 in 100 will be asymptomatic transmitters of the virus) Dr. Sanjay Gupta was on CNN concerned about breathe vapor for joggers and passer-bys alike! Can you imagine! Concern for breathe vapor outdoors! And the CEO does not even address the issue on a plane?! Air travel facilitated the spread of the virus across the world. Not requiring masks to baord threatens a high potential for a second economic shutdown and airline shutdown. Does the CEO have no concern for stock price and boycott? Social media and an Op-Ed is the next step to force immediate policy change. The consequence of an op-ed could be a public recognition to use the competition -an effective boycott. 71,000 views on SWA discussion board is signal enough. Act now ... View more