Southwest CEO apologizes for 1000’s of canceled flights

BOSTON – The Southwest counter and baggage claim at Logan Airport’s Terminal B sat tranquil and abandoned Tuesday afternoon and night right after virtually all Southwest flights had been canceled following what specialists are contacting a significant meltdown.

“It started with temperature,” CBS Information Journey Editor Peter Greenberg explained. “And all of the other airways have been afflicted by it as perfectly, but it didn’t finish up getting the lead to for the reason that it ended up becoming an operational meltdown on behalf of Southwest…You experienced pilots unable to call their individual airline to find out wherever they needed to go, flight attendants, striving to locate their planes and could not locate them.”

The moment Southwest struggled to keep up the flight timetable for the duration of the getaway, it instantly canceled two-thirds of its scheduled flights for the early component of the week. Southwest accounted for 64 p.c of all canceled flights nationwide on Tuesday.

In a new assertion, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said he was “genuinely sorry” not only to prospects but to his personnel. “The instruments we use to get better from a disruption in service work well 99 per cent of the time, but evidently we will need to double down on our previously present ideas to enhance methods for these serious situation so that we never once more facial area what is actually taking place proper now,” he described.

Southwest is supplying vacation vouchers and refunds for prospects as the Department of Transportation is investigating the meltdown.

But however – many travellers can not get rescheduled Southwest flights until New Year’s Eve at the earliest.

CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg has information for anybody stranded now or with upcoming scheduled Southwest flights:

• If you are stranded due to canceled Southwest flights: Take into consideration scheduling on another airline. Southwest just isn’t rescheduling passengers right until December 31 at the earliest and has no arrangement with other airways to cross-ebook travellers.

• If you have massive baggage: Avoid checking a bag if achievable. Provide a carry-on or consider shipping your baggage. Several people’s luggage is creating it to their spot with out them or receiving shed in the mess.

• If you have an approaching Southwest flight and don’t know if it will carry on as scheduled: If you are ready, contemplate booking a refundable ticket on yet another airline just for a safe and sound backup.

• If your flights have been delayed or rescheduled: Hold all your receipts. The DOT is investigating and encourages travellers to preserve any charges for food stuff, vehicles, or keep.

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