DOT to scrutinize Southwest after excessive charge of cancellations

One tweet reveals a whole bunch of checked “stranded” luggage lined up round baggage carousels in a Tampa, Fla., airport. The airline has reportedly been sending luggage to their remaining vacation spot even when the flight has been canceled. One other tweet famous Southwest’s check-in line in a Milwaukee airport, the place one lady had been ready for 5 hours. Another mentioned she had been on maintain with the airline’s customer support line for six hours.

Though some passengers have obtained vouchers for his or her canceled flights, different passengers have claimed they haven’t been provided any compensation or vouchers. Southwest’s customer support plan particulars that the airline will provide meal vouchers for flight delays for over three hours which might be within the airline’s management. For delays not in its management, “we’ll rebook you on the following obtainable Southwest flight … at no extra price” or refund the ticket.

Southwest has partly been blaming the weekend storm for its cancellations, which could characterize some flight points as “out of its management.” However passengers have complained that flight crews haven’t proven as much as their rebooked flights, which might represent a state of affairs within the airline’s management.

Southwest mentioned in an announcement Monday that it was “absolutely staffed and ready for the approaching vacation weekend when the extreme climate swept throughout the continent,” including that “these operational situations pressured every day modifications to our flight schedule at a quantity and magnitude that also has the instruments our groups use to get well the airline working at capability.”

“As we proceed the work to get well our operation, we’ve got made the choice to proceed working a lowered schedule by flying roughly one-third of our schedule for the following a number of days,” it continued. “With no concern larger than final security, the individuals of Southwest share a objective to maintain each Buyer. We acknowledge falling quick and sincerely apologize.”