SW fined by DOT for false advertising

[jiminy14]

Here is the link to the story:

http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/dot-fines-southwest-violating-price-advertising-rule

 

[keishashadow]

interesting, thanks for posting. SWA should be taken to the carpet for pulling a bait & switch of sorts but likely will just pass the cost of the fine onto customers.

 

[gmeh1]

Here is the link to the story:

http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/dot-fines-southwest-violating-price-advertising-rule

They will probably appeal the ruling, if that is possible.

 

[sonofanarchy]

It was only a matter of time. SW posts these bull crap fare specials all the time on Facebook, and I've never seen any of the fares available that they boast about. Judging by the hundreds of comments they always get, no on else has either.

 

[gmeh1]

It was only a matter of time. SW posts these bull crap fare specials all the time on Facebook, and I've never seen any of the fares available that they boast about. Judging by the hundreds of comments they always get, no on else has either.

Anytime I have tried to take advantage of these fare specials, I have always found flights that are available. I have also found them very explicit in their wording and outlining of the "rules" for the specials. Therefore, I (and many of other SWA fliers) was quite surprised by this. I am wondering if people complain because they have not read the entire advertisement and the DOT just ran with that.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Anytime I have tried to take advantage of these fare specials, I have always found flights that are available. I have also found them very explicit in their wording and outlining of the "rules" for the specials. Therefore, I (and many of other SWA fliers) was quite surprised by this. I am wondering if people complain because they have not read the entire advertisement and the DOT just ran with that.

I don't think it has to do with the wording. I find the wording fine as well. I just never find flights with the prices they advertise. I think a lot may have to do with them changing fares literally minute to minute.

 

[gmeh1]

I don't think it has to do with the wording. I find the wording fine as well. I just never find flights with the prices they advertise. I think a lot may have to do with them changing fares literally minute to minute.

Possibly, also, with people booking really really fast when the cheapy fares come out. I did not think you had a problem with the wording, I know you can read. I just find that people don't read. IE: up to 20% discount on xyz rentals is read by most as 20%, they fail to see the "up to" or "Impala or similar" again, they miss the "similar".
Have a great day.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Anytime I have tried to take advantage of these fare specials, I have always found flights that are available. I have also found them very explicit in their wording and outlining of the "rules" for the specials. Therefore, I (and many of other SWA fliers) was quite surprised by this. I am wondering if people complain because they have not read the entire advertisement and the DOT just ran with that.

Do you really think the DOT is fining Southwest based solely on complaints from consumers that advertised seats were not available? You can be certain the DOT took a look at Southwest's records during their investigation.

Did you read the article? For some advertised flights, no seats were available at the sales price. Sounds as if the fine was deserved.

 

[jayhawk74]

They will probably appeal the ruling, if that is possible.

SWA will not appeal the ruling as they did admit it happened and blamed it on a computer glitch.

 

[gmeh1]

Do you really think the DOT is fining Southwest based solely on complaints from consumers that advertised seats were not available? You can be certain the DOT took a look at Southwest's records during their investigation.

Did you read the article? For some advertised flights, no seats were available at the sales price. Sounds as if the fine was deserved.

Yes, I read the article and I am sure the DOT looked into the records and found exactly what they wanted to find. And, I certainly never said it was an investigation generated by consumer complaints. Did you read my post?

 

[gmeh1]

SWA will not appeal the ruling as they did admit it happened and blamed it on a computer glitch.

Really Jay? How did you find that out? Just curious. Glitches happen.

 

[jsilvers]

How did you find that out?

As noted in the DOT press release, the consent order is available online. See http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-2013-0004-0015.

 

[crashbb]

Yes, I read the article and I am sure the DOT looked into the records and found exactly what they wanted to find. And, I certainly never said it was an investigation generated by consumer complaints. Did you read my post?

I did. And it certainly reads like you are saying that the investigation was generated by consumer complaints...

Anytime I have tried to take advantage of these fare specials, I have always found flights that are available. I have also found them very explicit in their wording and outlining of the "rules" for the specials. Therefore, I (and many of other SWA fliers) was quite surprised by this. I am wondering if people complain because they have not read the entire advertisement and the DOT just ran with that.

 

[gmeh1]

I did. And it certainly reads like you are saying that the investigation was generated by consumer complaints...

Yes, I believe the DOT would not have looked into it without consumer complaints, but, I doubt the ruling came only from consumer complaints.
Is that better, crash? Or, would you like to further disect my comments?
And, I do stand by my comment on people reading. They don't. It is proven here many times every day. I prove that, just by only looking at the DOT statement and not the link included and then asking about the ruling and SWA agreeing to the fine.

 

[gmeh1]

As noted in the DOT press release, the consent order is available online. See http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-2013-0004-0015.

Thank you, Jsilvers.

 

[gmeh1]

SWA will not appeal the ruling as they did admit it happened and blamed it on a computer glitch.

posted in error

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yes, I read the article and I am sure the DOT looked into the records and found exactly what they wanted to find. And, I certainly never said it was an investigation generated by consumer complaints. Did you read my post?

Yes, you clearly did.