Southwest-should I be worried?

[Picabo]

OK so I will admit upfront that I'm scared of flying. (And that, coming from someone who was a travel agent for 13yrs!! ) Anyhow, yesterday's incident with SW has me a bit nervous about our flights in December. From what I read, it said that the FAA found many of their planes to be in unsafe condition and yet they still flew them after the inspection. So now, a chunck of the plane flew off mid-flight?

I hate to be panicked. I hate feeling like a complete worry-wart, but I find it disturbing that they were advised the planes weren't safe and yet they still fly them?

 

[Kim&Chris]

I've been a long-time faithful SWA customer, and I feel like this is the final straw.

There's a video on ABC news' website that states that the airlines were advised to check all aircraft for this very problem, which means that either SWA missed the problem on this particular plane, or didn't inspect it.

I know the stats about flying vs. driving, etc, but I feel like SWA takes a lot of unnecessary chances in regards to passenger safety (and the safety of their own employees on the planes!).

 

[5boyz]

OK I really dont want to ask this question but I have to.....what happened with the SW plane? I am leaving next Friday 24th with SW.

 

[My 2 princesses]

OK I really dont want to ask this question but I have to.....what happened with the SW plane? I am leaving next Friday 24th with SW.

Hey fellow Canuck.........there is another thread on this board (Glad I was not on this flight') which has the link. Apparently there was a big hole on the tail of the air craft. We too fly SWA, but not until September.

What I want to know is, if SWA is not obeying the powers that be, can't they not be grounded until they get their act together

 

[5boyz]

Hi ya!!! Thank you. I googled it and read it....man I hope my dh doesnt find out about his he is not good a flying.

So where are you from?

 

[Picabo]

I'm not good at flying either. I am so terrified of flying!!! I wonder if they would offer refunds to those too afriad to fly on their old, un-repaired planes now?

 

[My 2 princesses]

5boyz - My DH was the one who told me and only then I checked here. Let's hope they get their act together soon. We flew with them last Septemeber and loved them. Oh, and BTW, I'm very close to you Will PM you.

Picabo - I'm wondering the same as you. Not sure if I want to panic and ask from my money back or not as this time, cause really, anything can happen on any air craft But the fact that they are not doing what they have to, is upsetting me. Let's see how this all pans out.

 

[5boyz]

2 Princess Look forward to hearing from you!

 

[katallo]

I have a feeling if SW learned they had to refund anyone with upcoming flights, they would very quickly repair their planes and take care of inspection problems.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Hi 5boys! I'm not too worried as the plane made it safely to the ground and the hole was about the size of a football located on the top of the plane in front of the tail. All of SW planes are now being inspected by another airline just to be safe. Isn't the saying any landing you walk away from is a good landing?

This is my first time back on SW for a few years, not due to safety concerns, just because I liked being able to pick my seats on Delta-now with SW allowing 2 pieces of luggage each, without fees, I'm back on SW. Especially good news is that you can now do resort airline check-in at POP. Less hassle dealing with luggage on the last day!

Look at it this way, the plane landed safely, no one was injured, unlike the plane that crashed in Iran and all were lost.

 

[5boyz]

HI DisneyDaz ......9 more sleeps, I think that fridge is waiting for me now....

 

[Jeri Lynn]

I am surprised that Southwest has not addressed this issue on their website (unless I missed it), I did not see anything on it in regards to this incident, I would have thought the CEO would have wanted to assure his passengers that safety inspections are being done on their fleet.

 

[Dizneydaz]

HI DisneyDaz ......9 more sleeps, I think that fridge is waiting for me now....

You must be getting excited! I just change you to NEXT on the swap! For me it's still about 60 sleeps, still 15 days until I have to pay the balance.

Getting ready to go buy tix to see HP movie later today. DD9 has been waiting for this movie since the last one came out. Luckily she gets out early today-hoping it's no too crowded. It your's into HP at all?

 

[kreed]

I'm always a little nervous flying but prefer to fly because of the speed of getting there. Found this great article the beginning of summer on the safest airplanes as well as airlines. Here's the link, its a good read. It also points out how much safer we are in the air as opposed to on the highway.

http://www.consumerwarningnetwork.com/2009/06/09/which-airplanes-and-airlines-are-the-safest/

Kathleen

 

[snykymom]

I'm flying Southwest in September. I always feel like the safest time to fly a particular airline is right after an incident! After all, that's when (a) they check all the aircraft and (b) everyone, from the FAA to the public, is watching. They have a very strong interest in seeing that these things don't happen again.

 

[Picabo]

1. SOURCE??? The FAA said? Hmm.. I just did an internet search and can't find the FAA comments the first poster did.

2. REFUND? Hmm.... Last week my Delta jet had a flat tire on landing... Should everyone get refunds there? I mean I get delayed all the time for "mechanical", but....

3. The NTSB (who looks into these things) is saying "we don't know why it happened" but the DIS knows.....

This thread has a lot of "half truths" and "unjustified" panic.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/14/AR2009071400856.html

This is a fairly reputable source.

No, you aren't entitled to a refund. You can cancel and get a credit, but that's just what SW does.

Folks were not entitled to a refund on AirFrance after the plane went down in the Atlantic... and this is not near as serious..

Are you feeling better now? Sorry to fire you up but there really is no need for such a harsh/bitter response. Thanks for all your knowledge though.

 

[bumbershoot]

Are you feeling better now? Sorry to fire you up but there really is no need for such a harsh/bitter response. Thanks for all your knowledge though.

There is no pixie dust on the Transportation forum. People speak plainly here, and that's what Carol did. She even found a well respected article for you to ease your mind (or at least give you something closer to the truth). Seems pretty nice to me to find that link for you.

And there was another thread about this, yesterday I think, where I'm sure this was all stated before...