Free changes now! (was: Southwest refusing to accommodate people who afraid of MAX8)
Mar 11, 2019, 8:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,161
Free changes now! (was: Southwest refusing to accommodate people who afraid of MAX8)
Roughly 1/3 of worldwide fleet is grounded due to safety concerns... and United is re-accommodating those with concerns who don't want to fly on it. Yet, at Southwest it's "pay the difference in fare or screw you."
Who would have thought United would have better customer service than Southwest?
Herb must be turning over in his grave...
People can disagree, but there are legitimate concerns about this aircraft. People shouldn't be forced to fly on it or forced to pay a penalty.
Talk about "nuts."
Who would have thought United would have better customer service than Southwest?
Herb must be turning over in his grave...
People can disagree, but there are legitimate concerns about this aircraft. People shouldn't be forced to fly on it or forced to pay a penalty.
Talk about "nuts."
Mar 11, 2019, 9:07 am
#2
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From what I'm seeing, 21.7% of the MAX's in service have been grounded (with about 90% of those being grounded by the Chinese government). That means that the air traffic regulators and management from another 35-40 airlines spread across the world are comfortable enough in their ability to fly the plane safely.
Inasmuch as the MAX makes up 4.5% of Southwest's fleet, you aren't being forced to fly on this aircraft. If you aren't comfortable flying on the plane, then you have the option to fly other routes that require a stop/plane change, fly at a different time, or maybe even on another airline whose plane type better suits your needs. Of course these other options may carry added costs...but how much do you value your safety and peace of mind?
Inasmuch as the MAX makes up 4.5% of Southwest's fleet, you aren't being forced to fly on this aircraft. If you aren't comfortable flying on the plane, then you have the option to fly other routes that require a stop/plane change, fly at a different time, or maybe even on another airline whose plane type better suits your needs. Of course these other options may carry added costs...but how much do you value your safety and peace of mind?
Mar 11, 2019, 9:18 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,161
From what I'm seeing, 21.7% of the MAX's in service have been grounded (with about 90% of those being grounded by the Chinese government). That means that the air traffic regulators and management from another 35-40 airlines spread across the world are comfortable enough in their ability to fly the plane safely.
Inasmuch as the MAX makes up 4.5% of Southwest's fleet, you aren't being forced to fly on this aircraft. If you aren't comfortable flying on the plane, then you have the option to fly other routes that require a stop/plane change, fly at a different time, or maybe even on another airline whose plane type better suits your needs. Of course these other options may carry added costs...but how much do you value your safety and peace of mind?
Inasmuch as the MAX makes up 4.5% of Southwest's fleet, you aren't being forced to fly on this aircraft. If you aren't comfortable flying on the plane, then you have the option to fly other routes that require a stop/plane change, fly at a different time, or maybe even on another airline whose plane type better suits your needs. Of course these other options may carry added costs...but how much do you value your safety and peace of mind?
Mar 11, 2019, 9:19 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
Posts: 819
Is driving an option? But I'll go out on a limb and suggest the MAX is probably safer.
I wonder how many people at the gate could identify a MAX parked there if they saw one?
I wonder how many people at the gate could identify a MAX parked there if they saw one?
Mar 11, 2019, 9:21 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,161
From what I'm seeing, 21.7% of the MAX's in service have been grounded (with about 90% of those being grounded by the Chinese government). That means that the air traffic regulators and management from another 35-40 airlines spread across the world are comfortable enough in their ability to fly the plane safely.
Inasmuch as the MAX makes up 4.5% of Southwest's fleet, you aren't being forced to fly on this aircraft. If you aren't comfortable flying on the plane, then you have the option to fly other routes that require a stop/plane change, fly at a different time, or maybe even on another airline whose plane type better suits your needs. Of course these other options may carry added costs...but how much do you value your safety and peace of mind?
Inasmuch as the MAX makes up 4.5% of Southwest's fleet, you aren't being forced to fly on this aircraft. If you aren't comfortable flying on the plane, then you have the option to fly other routes that require a stop/plane change, fly at a different time, or maybe even on another airline whose plane type better suits your needs. Of course these other options may carry added costs...but how much do you value your safety and peace of mind?
Mar 11, 2019, 9:23 am
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,161
Look, if you want to put you and your kids on an airliner with two remarkably similar crashes in 4 or so months, and with a highly-controversial flight control system, then be my guest. All I'm saying is people should have a choice, and Southwest should be a good enough company to allow for that choice to occur without any sort of penalty or impediment.
Mar 11, 2019, 9:37 am
#7
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
You should be grateful they aren't charging a change fee! If you are so concerned, pay the difference in fare. Southwest is already extremely loose when it comes to allowing changes, etc. They give every customer the choice to change their flight for free regardless of what airplane crashes and when. However they aren't going to put you on a more expensive routing for free.
Mar 11, 2019, 9:43 am
#8
Suspended
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There is no way I would board a MAX and no way I would send a family member on one. If it costs more, it costs more. That may change as information becomes available. But, for the moment, the decision is simple.
Mar 11, 2019, 9:45 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2018
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I would think if WN allows these changes then they are acknowledging there's a problem. Their position is that there is no problem, i think. I haven't read much actual news about it other than what's being posted on the forums.
Mar 11, 2019, 9:50 am
#11
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Id fly in a Max plane, certainly. I might think twice about sending family members. The chances of a problem are rather miniscule. And now Boeing will be under great pressure to come up with a good solution.
Mar 11, 2019, 9:52 am
#12
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
I know AA grounded some of theirs to fix an issue with the overhead bins. The airlines can't really make a decision as to whether these aircraft are able to fly until the FAA or Boeing release more information about the recent (2) crashes.
Mar 11, 2019, 10:02 am
#14
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Are there liability issues if they deny someone a (free) change and then there's a crash involving the same person being on the flight they were trying to avoid? I know that some employers don't force any particular carriers due to potential liability concerns.
WN's normal change/cancel policy is very generous. With no change fees, it's not unreasonable to be asked to pay the fare difference when, for instance, fare class availability is restricted on the new flight.
WN's normal change/cancel policy is very generous. With no change fees, it's not unreasonable to be asked to pay the fare difference when, for instance, fare class availability is restricted on the new flight.
Mar 11, 2019, 10:08 am
#15
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