Travelers really need to steel themselves this summer. They just don’t know where the next issue is arriving from. Business travel is (allegedly) back, and Southwest Airlines has ultimately committed itself to give customers the basic technology they expect on a flight.
The southwest airline is spending $2 billion on enhanced — and even free — wifi on its planes. It’s finally installing power ports, too. Yes, Southwest planes were always known for having no outlets, and now, voilá, USB-A, and USB-C ports.
Now there’ll be more entertainment options, new “self-service capabilities,” and even free iPads.
Advertisement
Airlines for canceling 20,000 flights between June and Labor Day
Actually, I may be entirely wrong about that last one. But as Southwest airline declared all this, it became possible to forgive the airline for canceling 20,000 flights between June and Labor Day
It’s not as if Southwest doesn’t want to operate those flights, but it just doesn’t have the people — or the planes — to fly them.
Now that we’ve said people — an underrated commodity in today’s economy — perhaps it’s wise to consider that just as Southwest frantically tries to hire thousands, 20% of those thousands simply don’t turn up on their first day at work.
But wait, I hear you cry, haven’t the workers who are actually there just decided on a new contract? That was the information in March. Customer service employees had told (a tentative) yes to a new four-year contract.
Stability, particularly among the workforce, is an utter vital to a modern airline. You already have the feeling, though, that I’m bringing you bad news.
It seems, you see, that those very same customer service employees have told (a definitive) no to the deal their union negotiated.
- As the Dallas Morning News reported, everyone is baffled. Who wouldn’t want raises, bonuses, and overtime protections?
And when I say “everyone is baffled,” neither the company nor the workers’ own union seem to be clear about what’s going on. Especially as tourists are desperate for customer service and actually aren’t getting much of it from airlines currently.
Also, read
- After 3 unsuccessful bids, Management sells its stake in Pawan Hans to the private consortium
- Developments in Airbus-Qatar legal battle see procedural claims dismissed
- Joby Aviation FAA air carrier certification to begin air taxi services
I fear some may wish to hint at reasons for the sudden rejection of the contract. Inflation is now rampant. The raises were 6%. What good is that if inflation is raging at 8% or 9%?
- Moreover, if you know that your employer still has 1,000 fewer customer service employees than it needs, wouldn’t you be tempted to hold out for a little more?
There’s another aspect, though, that may be significant here. When your whole brand is based on its sense of customer service, when you present yourself as the caring alternative — quite something for an airline — your need for humans to deliver on that promise is enormous.
At some point, perhaps those humans learn just how much you need them. And that’s the time they make their point. And that’s the time it could really command you.
Thank you
Stay updated with Aviationa2z.com
Join our Telegram group for the latest updates
