Southwest Air Debacle

[TheBigErn]

Is anyone concerned or been affected by the flight cancellations this weekend? This might be an ongoing problem and might expand to other airlines.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

I am absolutely concerned and worried, but I tend to have travel anxiety anyway. I’m flying southwest to San Diego on Thursday for a cruise on Friday. I’m hoping things will have calmed down by then (SW had another meltdown in June the week before we flew to Disneyland and we ended up being fine). There’s not much I can do except wait it out, and be glad I have travel insurance in case I miss the boat!

 

[lovingeire]

I'm not flying for a cruise, but I'm flying for Wine & Dine in November and I'm nervous since it's obviously time-sensitive as well.

 

[bayri]

Our flight is in December, but with a layover in TN (iirc), I'm definitely starting to get a bit nervous! Thankfully we're planning on getting in the day before already...

 

[MomOTwins]

We’re flying SW Thursday. I checked and all flights along our route went out today but one was cancelled yesterday. Fingers crossed!

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I am - they have changed my flights twice already for our early November trip
I keep checking like a crazy woman constantly for all the good it will do me
One of the changes they made was to take me off my direct flight and put me on another (?) - the direct flight changed times and codes so they said they didn’t have it anymore (?) yeah they still had it - I was so mad - hours on phone getting that fixed
Then they started messing with the return flight
I’ve had issues with Every airline Except Southwest until now - I really hope this is the only issue I have but frankly I’m very concerned

 

[ladyofthetramp]

So we cancelled our NYE cruise out of Galveston and rebooked in March. Just so much uncertainty these days and I just don't have the stomach for it. We were due to fly from Ma to Texas with Southwest. Between the covid test just to board, the weatherat that time of year, the airlines, the protocols, I just can't do it. I can't wrap my head around an expensive vacation that looks like all of that. I think things will calm down, but not sure when. Then we will go. It is hard to wait.

 

[shelbell77]

I’m stressed. We fly Friday for Disney Fantasy Saturday. There’s 3 more direct flights on the schedule after hours…but if cancellations continue this weekend it makes me nervous.

 

[Marrila]

There are multiple articles about the Southwest issues, this is just one.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/10/business/southwest-cancellations/index.html

 

[pjsmith67]

We're booked for WBPC, and flying Southwest, in March and its got me a bit concerned, even though it is still 4+ months out. Mainly because it shows us just what could happen.

Our contingency if something like this happens is to rent a car and drive the 16+ hours to New Orleans from Omaha. Our flight is scheduled for 2:45pm that Thursday, hopefully we would know several hours beforehand that there is going to be a problem.

 

[MomOTwins]

I' not too concerned that this is likely to be a continuing problem though. This is the statement from the FAA.

"Flight delays and cancellations occurred for a few hours Friday afternoon due to widespread severe weather, military training, and limited staffing in one area of the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center. Some airlines continue to experience scheduling challenges due to aircraft and crews being out of place.''

Basically, it largely corroborates Southwest's statement that weather and air traffic issues were to blame, albeit compounded with some inefficiency by Southwest in getting its flights back "on track", but it's not too out of the ordinary. I've traveled at times when there are winter storms or tropical storms, and it's not unusual for a single day's weather events to have ripple effects with cancellations for a few days after as planes are repositioned and crew schedules get reset. Of course, the "internet" has its "theories" that something more is going on, but the legitimate news websites are all acknowledging that is all just speculation.

 

[Marrila]

I' not too concerned that this is likely to be a continuing problem though. This is the statement from the FAA.

"Flight delays and cancellations occurred for a few hours Friday afternoon due to widespread severe weather, military training, and limited staffing in one area of the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center. Some airlines continue to experience scheduling challenges due to aircraft and crews being out of place.''

Basically, it largely corroborates Southwest's statement that weather and air traffic issues were to blame, albeit compounded with some inefficiency by Southwest in getting its flights back "on track", but it's not too out of the ordinary. I've traveled at times when there are winter storms or tropical storms, and it's not unusual for a single day's weather events to have ripple effects with cancellations for a few days after as planes are repositioned and crew schedules get reset. Of course, the "internet" has its "theories" that something more is going on, but the legitimate news websites are all acknowledging that is all just speculation.

It's more that a brief FAA issue.
There were 1800 Southwest flights cancelled over the weekend.

 

[TheBigErn]

I' not too concerned that this is likely to be a continuing problem though. This is the statement from the FAA.

"Flight delays and cancellations occurred for a few hours Friday afternoon due to widespread severe weather, military training, and limited staffing in one area of the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center. Some airlines continue to experience scheduling challenges due to aircraft and crews being out of place.''

Basically, it largely corroborates Southwest's statement that weather and air traffic issues were to blame, albeit compounded with some inefficiency by Southwest in getting its flights back "on track", but it's not too out of the ordinary. I've traveled at times when there are winter storms or tropical storms, and it's not unusual for a single day's weather events to have ripple effects with cancellations for a few days after as planes are repositioned and crew schedules get reset. Of course, the "internet" has its "theories" that something more is going on, but the legitimate news websites are all acknowledging that is all just speculation.
[/QUOTEThis still doesn't explain why it was confined almost exclusively to SW flights.

 

[happycamper47]

It's more that a brief FAA issue.
There were 1800 Southwest flights cancelled over the weekend.

When "A" is late, then "B&C" are late and it goes on and on. If a crew exceeds hours because of a delay then they need to find a new crew to continue a flight. That also just multiplies the issues. Since Southwest is the largest Domestic carrier they will suffer the most with bad weather or multiple delays.

 

[anjuan]

I’m in the Orlando airport right now waiting on a Southwest flight. Things seen fairly quiet. I do see some delays. So far our flight is on time.

 

[Marrila]

When "A" is late, then "B&C" are late and it goes on and on. If a crew exceeds hours because of a delay then they need to find a new crew to continue a flight. That also just multiplies the issues. Since Southwest is the largest Domestic carrier they will suffer the most with bad weather or multiple delays.

I'd doubt Southwest is experiencing their very own unique weather. Or FAA problems.
This morning so far there have been over 350 Southwest flights cancelled and 567 of their flights delayed.
Not a good start to the week.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My sister has been stranded in Minneapolis for 6 extra days because of the Southwest mess. She was supposed to fly home Friday but every flight they booked her on was cancelled. At least she is getting enough travel vouchers to cover her food, rental car and her hotel is covered. And she has her laptop so she can do her job while stuck there.

Now the earliest flight they could get her was for Wednesday. Southwest did put her on the standby list for Tuesday as well. She is very ticked about it all but trying to look at it like an adventure.

I prefer to fly to Orlando from Atlanta because I don't like driving distances but no way will I do that now and risk not having my vacation. So I will be driving for sure in early December.

 

[StageTek]

That's crazy, SleepngBeauty. I wonder why they just don't but her on a competing airline. Over a week of food, hotel and a car must be more expensive than an airline ticket.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

That's crazy, SleepngBeauty. I wonder why they just don't but her on a competing airline. Over a week of food, hotel and a car must be more expensive than an airline ticket.

I thought that too. Not sure what the deal is - all I know is what she is telling me.

 

[happycamper47]

I'd doubt Southwest is experiencing their very own unique weather. Or FAA problems.
This morning so far there have been over 350 Southwest flights cancelled and 567 of their flights delayed.
Not a good start to the week.

If the crew (Pilot or Co-pilot or Flight Attendants) didn't arrive last night as originally scheduled then this mornings flight would be delayed or canceled. You have to remember that the FAA dictates the number of hours that a crew member can be "on duty".. not necessarily in the air. The Domino affect can go on for a couple days because of it is all I am saying.