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Congressional Hearings

blusk
Aviator C
Southwest Airlines will be providing testimony to today's (Thursday, April 3) hearing of the House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and our Executive Chairman, Herb Kelleher, and CEO Gary Kelly are scheduled to testify.  The hearing begins at 9:oo a.m. Central Time and can be viewed at the Committee's web site.  You can also access our press release by clicking here. Friday, April 4 Just as a form of recap, for those of you who weren't able to watch the entire hearing or read all the testimony, here are a couple of excerpts from Herb's and Gary's testimony. Excerpts from Herb's testimony: Southwest, through the dedication, energy, and warming hearts of its much beloved and cherished Employees, has faithfully delivered on its original promise of 'more value for less fare' for 37 years: In 1966, when I started work on bringing Southwest into being, we said we are going to free the American people to fly-and we did. At that time, something like only 15-20 percent of adults in the U.S. had ever flown on a single commercial airline flight. Today, that number stands at around 85 percent. Southwest said we're going to get you there on time-and we did. Among major airlines in existence in 1987, Southwest has the best cumulative Customer Satisfaction record since the inception of such statistics in 1987-21 years ago. Southwest, for many decades the most heavily unionized of the major airlines, said we are going to take care of our splendid People-and we did.  Southwest instituted the first Employee ProfitSharing Plan in the American airline industry, and no Southwest Employee has, ever, sustained an involuntary furlough. And, finally, we said we're going to operate the safest airline in the world-and we have. After 16 million flights carrying 1.2 billion passengers without a single-not one-passenger accident fatality, Southwest Airlines' record is intact today. Excerpts from Gary's testimony: Southwest Airlines has been a great success at a great many things for 37 years. We believe our People are the best in the aviation industry, and they have enormous devotion to our Company and pride in its results. Above all, the Safety of our People, our Customers, and our own families is my top priority. And, it is Southwest Airlines' top priority. Our airplanes are designed to be safe, and our Maintenance program is designed to keep them safe. Our Safety record is one of which anyone would be justifiably proud. I believe, deeply, that we have the best Maintenance and Engineering Employees in the airline industry. I want to assure Congress and the American People that Southwest will not rest on our Safety record, no matter good it may be. I commit to you, we will constructively and aggressively address the issues raised by the FAA and this committee to enable our proud, safe airline to continue as the safest in the world. Our record makes credible this aspiration. Our Southwest People will accept nothing less. Our Customers deserve nothing less.
112 Comments
bstevens
Adventurer C
I realize many of you are upset with what you heard on the news reports. But really! Is "low life murders" and "burn in hell" really necessary? Have you read the written testimony from Gary and Herb? In case you have not, here's an important excerpt: "Contrary to some suggestions, we did not miss an inspection. We conducted the required inspections. But, we inadvertently omitted a small area (0.6% of the skin surface) that ordinarily should have been specifically inspected under the AD. The "missed" area continued to be inspected by our other regular and routine inspections, as well as by an additional AD that called for crack inspections along a line that ran within 0.7 inches of the short length of the "missed" area." If you take the time to read the testimony and exhibits, you'll see that it is not 'spin' to say we we never flew an unsafe flight.
Eddie1
Explorer C
How sad that it takes a whistleblower or two from the FAA to expose dirt from underneath Southwest's so called "safety commitment" carpet. Perhaps all the loyal and not so loyal customers as well as the family members of your flight crews should invest in Shop Vac stock since Southwest appears to have an abundance of discarded pieces of maintenance records to vacuum up. Here's a revised safety commitment that should be posted in their website.. Southwest Airlines' number one hundred and one priority is to ensure the personal Safety of each Southwest Customer and Employee so long as no one discovers our true secrets. I'll be driving to Vegas from now on!
Jill_Metzger
Explorer C
WASHINGTON - The whistleblowers who exposed maintenance and inspection problems at Southwest Airlines told Congress their jobs were threatened and their reports of noncompliance were ignored for years. Southwest, you should be ashamed of yourselves. BOYCOTT Southwest NOW. Who knows, your life might depend on it!
Terry
Explorer C
I'm sorry, but 10 million is not enough of a fine in my estimation. 1400 luckky flights later, we have learned the truth. I'm afraid to think I might have been on one of those flights. Not any more, however!
SQ
Explorer C
Coupling the above with the 8 hours I have spent waiting on the phone for someone to help me with my sw booked ata flight....are you kidding me! Are you trying to lose customers. To bad... a competent company turned useless husk on its last leg.
Anonymous4371
Explorer A
It is interesting that most of the comments so far were made BEFORE Southwest's testimony at the hearing. Almost all the testimony prior to Southwest 's was focused on FAA problems and not the actual safety of Southwest's aircraft. What is shocking to me is how reckless some people can be with their comments based on little or no information, but that is the nature of blogs and of many blog posters. In the case of Southwest, this is a compliance issue, not a safety of flight issue. That is not to take away from the importance of compliance, but there is a difference in this case, and if you are not willing or able to see the difference then "shame on you."
Bill8
Explorer C
I wonder how many of you posting all the venomous comments actually would ever put the keyboard aside long enough to actually read ALL the information available? Do so, then make an informed statement, as opposed to adding fuel to the media hype machine that is being perpetuated. No wonder sensationalist journalism is so prevalent. The vocal majority feeds on sound bites and partial information. If the facts are examined from Boeing, FAA, (not just disgruntled whistleblowers), independent experts(whose opinions are always taken as gospel when the opinion is bad), and information that Southwest is freely exposing, then if you wish to condemn and fly one of the other carriers, go right ahead.
Mark
Explorer C
For those of you saying NEVER again. Just wait, you will be flying with me on SWA again soon. SWA is the safest of all airlines. You can go to your United, American, Continental.....but believe you me...you will be back soon with the rest of us loyal SWA customers.
Not applicable
Southwest Airlines - social media history in the making... Southwest Airlines and the FAAÂ
jmk22574
Explorer B
Looks like I'll be one of the few people on my upcoming flights with SWA - more peanuts for me!! I don't understand the hostility of some posters. Yes, it's disheartening to hear that a flight you took with family and/or friends could have had a potential problem. What if you get a recall notice on your vehicle today for a faulty part? Are you going to NEVER drive your vehicle one more mile again? I doubt it.
Brian13
Explorer C
Yeah, yeah. Everyone's suddenly an aviation-maintenance expert. I'm sticking with SWA.
Dan20
Explorer C
I am taking my first flight in 10 years tomorrow on SWA. The price is unbeatable. I even used th lowest price finder on the web site and mored my flight one day to save 300 on 2 tickets. The price beat all the others by better then 30%. And quess what SWA's safety record is the best.... On time is good, getting there is better, SWA has a great record on both counts. I agree that they need to make changes. If your car that you drive everyday at 70mph had to meet the same standards as a plane you would have it in for inspection at least once a month and you would be replaceing parts. I know this would make the road a litle safer but lets keep in perspective.
Damien_Kaali-Na
Explorer C
You get exactly what you pay for.....SWA is a low cost airline--and that means cost cutting....I hope that SWA gets a MAJOR FINE to shock the entire industry and forces the industry to conduct more HARSH SAFETY MEASURES...The entire story is completely shocking.
Sam4
Explorer C
Being a Southwest Flight Attendant, I am here to say that I am heading to work here in couple hours with no qualms whatsoever regarding the safety of our operation. I will proudly do what we have done for 37 years - get you to your destination on the safest airline in America. And I will do it with a smile.
Ryan22
Explorer C
What you people posting these comments don't realize is that every major airline grounded planes in a hurry because they were not inspected properly. The inspection process is really different than you think if you would accually listen to all of the facts from both sides of the story like you would any thing else you might learn something. Go to (http://www.airsafe.com/airline.htm) this will maybe change your mind. or even this web site (http://www.ntsb.gov/Aviation/Paxfatal.htm) tell me where southwest is? Or what about your favorite airline are they on that list? Is that just a lucky 37 years? How many people do you know who have been lucky for 37 years? If you even listen to that Oberstar guy he said air travel is safe and he is the one who is making the big deal about everything.
Anonymous987
Explorer A
Blog Boy Kim said: For those who say that Southwest is not Ã
mrsnarkypants
Explorer C
There's a certain number of people that if you told them the sun was shining they'd complain that it was too bright outside. I'm satisfied with the company's response. They seem to be taking it seriously. The blame should be shared by the company, employees, and FAA, and that seems to be what we're seeing play out.
Ken_A_
Explorer C
Southwest has shamed themselves. A company that boasts its record of safety and customer commitment is cited by the FAA for ignoring "cracks" in their aircraft. Where is the trust? How can Southwest think so little of human life to risk thousands of lives for their own greed. Herb Kelleher has disgraced Southwest and the entire airline industry. Furthermore, Mr. Kelleher has demonstrated a callous and reckless disregard for the lives and safety of his loyal customers. Shame on you Mr. Kelleher and shame on your company.
S__S__Wicks
Explorer C
Is this a way of forcing SWA to stop offering lower fares so the other airlines won't go out of business, in the wake of higher fuel prices? Or is it a way of SWA to keep from going out of business, in the wake of higher fuel prices? Seems odd that its happening now, when the price of fuel is so high.
S__S__Wicks
Explorer C
It's cheaper to ground planes than to fly them when fuel prices are this high. Saves face for everyone and preserves the bottom line.
SWALUVER1
Explorer C
First and foremost I have been a loyal SWA customer for years and WILL continue to do so. I watched the hearings and was very impressed with Herb & Gary's testimonies. SWA's safety record speaks for itself....who else can say that? Gary Kelly is the genius who implemented fuel hedging do you think he would really turn his head on inspections....c'mon! Apparently they still have a lot of loyal supporters ....I flew twice this week and the southwest terminals were slammed.
Anonymous4371
Explorer A
Ken A., If you can find any credible source that says Southwest was "cited by the FAA for ignoring 'cracks' in their aircraft," I'll buy you a steak dinner! That never happened! Your comments, and those of many others, show that you are completely ignorant of the facts. If you had read the actual citation, which I have read several times, and if you had watched the hearings, which I have from beginning to end, you would know that Southwest was cited for missing, because of a documentation error, the inspection of a very small piece of the aircraft skin covered by an AD ... a couple of inches high and about a yard long. Southwest NEVER ignored a single inspection or AD, and as far as I have seen, no official source has made such an allegation. AND, because of the numerous other inspections Southwest does, the segment of skin that was missed in the specific AD inspection was, in fact, checked during other inspections. Again, "shame on you" for not taking the time to understand what is a relatively simple issue. Southwest made a mistake. They admitted the mistake. They corrected the mistake. And there is NO EVIDENCE that they ever flew an unsafe aircraft.
CharlieS
Explorer C
Southwest should have taken it seriously in 2007, not 2008. Kelleher's constant giggling demonstrated how not serious he considered it. What's the over/under on how soon after Douglas T. Gawadzinski is fired by the FAA, that Southwest hires him? What's the odds that Douglas T. Gawadzinski was paid under the table by Southwest to ignore violations? But seriously, one item that was found to be true, and not addressed by Southwest or its Koresh-type loyal fans - Why did Southwest complain about Boutris? Which as we know now, was found to be utterly and completely baseless.
Jim7
Explorer C
I agree with CharlieWest219's comment that SWA has been out in front of this issue as far as allowing posts to the blog is concerned, and that all the hyperbole from posters is unnecessary. However, as crack-prone as a 737 fuselage apparently is, it seems like criticism for not following "AD#2" is justified. This omission was serious enough to make the FAA to impose the fine that it did, and anyone should understand why loyal customers are upset.
Anonymous987
Explorer A
Jim said: "However, as crack-prone as a 737 fuselage apparently is, it seems like criticism for not following Ã
Jill_Metzger
Explorer C
"Three F.A.A. inspectors testified that their agency had allowed Southwest Airlines to fly uninspected planes, and that the airline had continued to fly the planes even after it later found cracks in some of them. The inspectors said that when they complained, their bosses threatened their jobs and discouraged them from pursuing safety problems. One was removed from his job as an office manager and another was encouraged to apply for a transfer. A third, Charalambe Boutris, was temporarily removed from his role overseeing Southwest after complaints from the airline. " Shame on you Southwest, shame!
palespring
Explorer C
wow. The ignorance of some people. They follow the media and nothing else, they don't think for themselves. They let the NBC Nightly news do their thinking. Didn't your parents ever teach you to not believe everything you hear or read??? "murderers"???? What the heck? Do you know how DUMB you sound? It is awesome to see the intelligent bloggers come out of the woodwork once the idiots leave. I love Southwest, and will continue to use them!!!!!!!!!
CharlieS
Explorer C
CharliesWest219: Since you have so much information that the rest of the public doesn't have, care to answer why Southwest complained about Boutris? It's all documented by the IG that it was baseless. Also, care to answer why Boutris' wife received a death threat? Enlighten us oh great one with knowledge beyond the media. Share your insider knowledge.
Mercedes
Explorer C
To the Executives, Managers, and Supervisors: Clean house by starting at the top, Resign. have at least that on your record. You would fire employee caught doing what you have done. No inspections? Do we need a Grand Jury to state the obvious?
Patrick111
Explorer C
It seems to me this was a media smear campaign against Southwest more than anything else, led by CNN. For some reason the media wanted to blow this out of proportion. Why has CNN harped on this story more than anyone else?? Southwest made an error, and openly admitted they made an error. Remember, Southwest was the airline that developed the program to inspect cracks on 737's in the first place. If anyone knows 737's and how to maintain them its Southwest. I'll keep flying Southwest!
Anonymous987
Explorer A
CharlieS said: "Since you have so much information that the rest of the public doesnÃ
Anonymous4371
Explorer A
Mercedes & Others, Let's put this idea that Southwest did "no inspections" to rest. First, the citation specifies 46 of Southwest's approximately 525 aircraft as being out of compliance. So ... the vast majority were in compliance and that is not in question. Second, those 46 aircraft WERE inspected pursuant to the AD in question. That inspection was not ignored or overlooked. In fact, approximately 99.4 percent of that inspection WAS done. A small panel was overlooked, and that oversight was self-reported by Southwest as soon as they discovered. I don't think any fair-minded person could justify calling that "no inspections." In addition, Southwest performs as many as 80 other inspections on each aircraft every year. And some of those inspections cover the same area that was inadvertently missed in the specific AD inspection. That doesn't sound like "no inspections." If you want to be mad at Southwest, support it with facts, not reckless statements that are patently false.
James_Farrar
Explorer C
Safety is job 1, paramount, sacred for an airline. There is no excuse for this Southwest. Any failure of management or management systems is the responsibility of the CEO and the board. One accident because of failed management systems, failed safety processes especially if induced by greed at the bottom is an unacceptable price to pay. Just as there are criminal penalties for drunk pilots, there must be criminal penalties for senior managers who compromise customer and public safety for greed. This is a shocking lapse in standards and perhaps a lengthy jail sentence would send the right signals to other airline management teams. Sorry to be tough but it is that important.
Frederick_Simon
Explorer C
I have been a loyal supporter of SWA for many years. It is with great sadness that I have heard about the lack of maintenance on SWA's planes!! I had just flown from Midway to Phoenix on Wed of this week, but am extremely concerned about the lack of supervision from management regarding maintenance. In fact, there have been no public statements from upper level management regarding the fact that SWA has not been fulfilling its responsibility for proper maintenance of the fleet. I have always thought that this was one of the finest companies in the USA. I hope you are able to fix these problems. I would think that upper level management would be out on the front lines trying to put the public on notice of your intention to fix the problems and reinstill faith in the safety of your fleet. My sincere appreciation. Frederick S. Simonie, M.D.
Luvin_SWA
Explorer C
SWA has proven their safety by their history of safe flying. I'm happy that you narrow minded people that have become SWA haters are leaving. The flights will be more pleasant without you. If you believe that no other airines have put your lives in danger, then you are completely misguided. Everyone makes mistakes and SWA will be paying an excessive amount for theirs. Unfortunately, they were the airline that was chosen to make an example out of. I'm sure the other airlines are just as guilty, otherwise why would they have grounded their airplanes for safety inspections - DUH! GO SWA - your the best and your employees are too!!!!!
Lisa12
Explorer C
In regards to: "Southwest was the airline that developed the program to inspect cracks on 737Ã
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
To CharlieWest1219 and my fellow SWA supporters here: There is an old expression about "preaching to the choir" that may be appropriate here. Some of us try to accumulate as many facts about a situation as possible, add in our own personal observations, mix in a healthy dose of common sense, and arrive at a conclusion that is supportable. Some people take the smallest shred of information possible, fail to verify its truthfulness or question any possible hidden agendas or motives or timing in the release of that information, and then go to extraordinary lengths to make assumptions and presumptions about someone's behavior or intentions. If you read the majority of the blog posts on all of the inspection-related threads here from the last few weeks, they fall into one of two camps. The first is the name-calling, accusatory, inflammatory and threatening rhetoric, such as: "...how DARE you do this to my family...", "...murderers...", "...giant conspiracy...", "...I feel so betrayed...", etc., etc., etc. The other is from Southwest supporters who weigh the facts, review who has supplied the facts, search for facts not being reported and add in the indisuputable safety record of Southwest and conclude that this is becoming an emotionally-charged and lopsided issue for far too many people. The likelihood of you, CharlieWest, or me, or any of the others who fall into that second camp, being able to get the people in the first camp to take a deep breath and give some more thought to what they are being fed by the media is, unfortunately, fairly low. The devotees of Chicken Little are legion, and will jump at any opportunity to run around predicting the rapid descent of the upper levels of our atmosphere. If you doubt the interest in conspiracy theories and digging for the "inner secrets" of people's most inherently sinister motives, just go to the book store. I guarantee you can find dozens of books by so-called experts who can "prove" to you exactly what happened in Dallas on November 22, 1963, and why it happened. You and I know that not one single Southwest plane has fallen out of the sky and that the company is run by people who truly take their responsibilities seriously and conscientiously. But, we'll likely never convince the naysayers that Southwest is not just a collection of greedy and selfish people who take every chance to endanger their passengers and own employees just to pad the bottom line. But, I still appreciate you and Luvin SWA and Tbone and Patrick and palespring and swaluver and Ryan and Bert Stevens and Julie and John C and Tucker and JD and the other people who support Southwest Airlines trying to be the voice of reason amidst all of this feeding frenzy. In time, I am convinced that Southwest will be recognized for their leadership and commitment in the area of safety, and until then, we'll just weather the storm. Kim External Blog Boy and just one of the many people who still LUV and support SWA 🙂
Lisa12
Explorer C
"Safety is job 1, paramount, sacred for an airline. There is no excuse for this Southwest. Any failure of management or management systems is the responsibility of the CEO and the board. One accident because of failed management systems, failed safety processes especially if induced by greed at the bottom is an unacceptable price to pay. Just as there are criminal penalties for drunk pilots, there must be criminal penalties for senior managers who compromise customer and public safety for greed. This is a shocking lapse in standards and perhaps a lengthy jail sentence would send the right signals to other airline management teams. Sorry to be tough but it is that important." Posted by: James Farrar | April 6, 2008 at 7:20 pm I agree Mr. Farrar, "Safety IS job 1," and it IS that important. "It is with great sadness that I have heard about the lack of maintenance on SWAÃ
Anonymous987
Explorer A
Kim, We can see the latest example of what you describe a couple of posts above yours in one from Frederick S. Simonie, M.D. The good doctor mentions: "I have heard about the lack of maintenance on SWAÃ
mrprestonking
Explorer C
What is the world coming to? Now, you can't even trust SWA to keep you safe. Thanks a lot for nothing Herb. Ex Loyal Flyer
Kevin_Spurlock
Explorer C
Personal observations from an RDU ramper. Very busy weekend, with Carolina fans going to San Antonio for the Final Four basketball tournament, public school kids coming home from spring break week and the sudden shut-down of Skybus Airlines, meant that a lot of people were scrambling for the few available seats that were left. Definitely need to look into a massage therapist to work out the kinks after a weekend like this one. The point is, with everything happening this weekend, the overwhelming number of passengers traveling this weekend experienced no inconveniences, they were able to check-in, board their flight and arrive at their destination in a timely manner. The majority of these travelers I'm sure felt as though they received good value for their money. The media wants to focus on the things that can and do go wrong with air travel and with the complexities of heightened security requirements, increased air traffic, high fuel costs, etc. there certainly are many opportunities to "point the finger", as it were, and claim the system is broken. The fact remains that ticket prices for the most part remain very reasonable for domestic travel (which is a big part of the reason for the majors focusing more on international routes) and despite all of the "hype" surrounding missed inspections and broken equipment, we are still in the safest stretch of accident-free commercial travel in aviation history. I am not arguing that the end justifies the means, but frequently when dealing with the Federal government, one must realize that many of their mandates are not based on any "real-world" estimation of exactly how long it takes to inspect 500+ aircraft and not cancel hundreds of flights in doing so (witness the American, Delta and Northwest fiascoes as they played catch-up last week). The airlines certainly are not without culpability in the current turn-of-events. Poor communication with their customers regarding canceled flights, oversales, equipment failures and unfavorable weather conditions continue to feed the perception of an uncaring, disconnected megastructure, that has apparently forgotten the basic tenets of taking care of the customer. Downsizing, pay cuts and the continued deterioration of societal mores in general, have resulted in the most disturbing levels of bad customer service behavior among front-line employees at a time when the need for quality care is higher now than it has ever been. The public taste for getting more for less is also not based in reality and certainly ignores the basic economics that are currently going on in this industry. Everyone needs to wake up and acknowledge the fact that we are in the midst of a period of turbulent change and we will have to adjust our thinking accordingly. Southwest Airlines 35 years ago established a reputation for providing basic transportation at a fair price. No frills, no in-flight movies, no fancy meals, just the basics of what you want from an airline, safe, comfortable point-to-point transportation at rates that everyone could afford. As the pressure to remain profitable has increased, the talking heads in Dallas have started to drift from that business model and started making some of the mistakes that others have before them. Despite all of that, despite the mistakes that have been made, the airline still runs the safest, most efficient and yes, most profitable operation in the industry. It is my belief that the answer lies in a return to the basics, that as price points from increased fuel costs continue to put pressure on the industry, the successful player will be the one that can maximize safe, timely performance and minimize overhead expenses. We cannot allow ourselves to sacrifice our core values and ultimately become like "all the rest".
John_King__gt__
Explorer C
Two ADs have been mentioned, for rudders and for the fuselage. No small potatoes here, both can bring a airplane down. Quotes / see Link for full texts 2007-03-07 . 737 Rudder Control Rods, Inspection. This AD becomes effective February 16, 2007. This AD results from a report of a fractured rod end of an input control rod of the main rudder power control unit (PCU) and a subsequent report of a fractured rod end of the input control rod of the standby rudder PCU. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of one of the two input control rods of the main rudder PCU, which, under certain conditions, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane; and to prevent failure of any combination of two input control rods of the main rudder PCU and/or standby rudder PCU, which could cause an uncommanded rudder hard over event and result in loss of control of the airplane. Issued on January 25, 2007 2004-18-06. 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. Fuselage inspections. Effective Date; October 13, 2004. To find and fix fatigue cracking of certain upper and lower skin panels of the fuselage, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of the skin panels and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane, FAA Source; Link > http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet And search by AD number These are the 'suspected ADs' That's because the FAA has yet to released just what specific ADs were audited. No surprise there !!!!
flyer
Explorer C
Putting Your Trust in Southwest Airlines Many of you know that Southwest Airlines has received a lot of media attention recently regarding the safety and inspections of our aircraft. I acknowledge that recent events may have caused some of you to doubt the trust you place in us, and for that I am very sorry. When you step on one of our airplanes, it is a matter of trust that you will arrive safely at your destination, and we consider that trust to be sacred. Let me assure you, that no company is more passionate about the safety of our Customers and Employees than we are. While this space precludes a lot of detail, I want to take a few moments to highlight our Safety Culture and what we are doing to make a safe airline, even safer. Since our inception, Southwest Airlines has safely transported the population of the United StatesÃ
Fiona
Explorer C
Here's a qoute I found today 4/7. " maintenance supervisor under Stuckey accepted a false written report in March 2007 from a Southwest manager saying that the carrier's planes were in compliance with federal rules, according to a report from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. Record Fine Actually, the Southwest planes flew for eight days after the issue was verbally disclosed to the FAA and for four days after the false written report, according to the Special Counsel. The FAA last month proposed its largest-ever fine against an airline, $10.2 million, for the mistake. " To those defending Southwest saying that they "self disclosed" so it sould all be forgotten, they flew for EIGHT days after the disclosure!!! Self disclosure is how all the airlines operate because it would be impossible for the FAA to keep tabs on every issue at every airline. It is a big boy approach that Southwest abused. Remember EIGHT days after the disclosure is criminal and I demand Southwest explain itself for the benefit of the poor souls who will fly Southwest in the future. I will never again!!!
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Gary, Thank you very much for choosing to add the Blog to the list of places where you are trying to explain your side of this issue. Coming here to address the people who are interested enough in the situation to be a part of the SWA Blog will hopefully read your words with an open mind and will believe what you've said. Your remarks represent just one more example of how the Southwest management is being transparent and very visible during this time of public scrutiny. My concern is that as I discussed in my post a few posts above yours, those who supported SWA before still will, but those who didn't probably won't be swayed by your remarks. I'll predict that by tomorrow, there will be lots of replies below yours that will challenge what you've said and question your truthfulness. But, it needed to be said, and I'm glad you did. You guys are still awesome in my book and for many people throughout the United States who KNOW the true Culture of Southwest. Keep up the great job, Kim External Blog Boy
Mark_Dykeman
Explorer C
It's good that you continue to keep this comment section open.
Holy_Cow
Explorer C
Holy cow, I'll never fly your airline again.
Anonymous1947
Explorer C
Too all those who are slamming my company shame on you! Just today American Airlines canceled 500 flights for inspections! SWA is the safest airline around bar none. We only had a problem with a few planes how many planes did AA have a problem with, and is the media going to show the same zeal reporting about this as they did with SWA ? I doubt it. To all those loyal passengers out there standing by us THANK YOU! you are awsome to the rest try AA mabey you will like their record and prices better .
Mark
Explorer C
For all of you that stated you would NEVER fly SWA again....How did you like being stranded at the airport when your American Airlines flight has been cancelled for the past 2 days. Hope you all are happy now! If you would have flown good ole SWA..you would be there!!!!!
Anonymous987
Explorer A
JC said: "Just today American Airlines canceled 500 flights for inspections! " The news just mentioned that they've now canceled over 1,100, or around half of their total scheduled flights for today. More cancellations are expected for Thursday, 4/10.