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What's going to happen to Southwest Airlines?
Because of the recent grounding of 41 44 planes in Southwest's fleet due to missed safety inspections, the airline stands to lose quite a few customers.
Even though we all know that we're more likely to die in an automobile accident than a plane crash, many of us are still more nervous on a plane than in a car, myself included. In light of those nerves, I wonder how many people will -- consciously or subconsciously -- choose other airlines over Southwest with all the negative media attention its getting.
I'm not in a region where Southwest flies, so I'm unlikely to have to make a consumer choice for or against them any time soon. But what about you?
Filed under: Activism, North America, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Justin Glow Mar 13th 2008 1:13PM
I'm flying SWA tomorrow! Not worried in the least.
Julia Rosien Mar 13th 2008 2:07PM
Justin, you're probably a lot safer now than you were a month ago. My guess is Southwest will get their act in gear and do their best to clean up this mess. Whether they'll still be a discount carrier depends on whether they can talk their way of out this mess.
http://www.gogirlfriend.com/travel-news/southwest-grounds-44-boeing-737s-8700
Caroline Bean Mar 13th 2008 2:23PM
Julia, that makes me feel better, as I am flying SWA next month across the country! You're so right.
Nick Hawkins Mar 13th 2008 3:03PM
Has anyone else noticed that all of Julia's comments have links to gogirlfriend.com? How's that spam working out for you?
If anything, WN has a good opportunity to spin this right now. I don't fly them, and probably won't - but after every plane is inspected, remind the public that WN has the safest fleet in the sky.
Slappy Mar 13th 2008 10:15PM
Does any else get the "Southwest was the one who got caught" vibe out of this?
I mean, c'mon, airlines are outsourcing maintenance, having pilots fall asleep on flights, and cutting costs at every possible turn.
Musician Mar 16th 2008 8:03AM
Come on John ...
The facts show that Southwest did not fly a single unsafe aircraft, much less attempt "murder on a massive scale."
Oberstar has other airlines as major contributors (Northwest and American), and he was pretty quiet when Northwest (in his home state) had a more serious problem reported by an FAA inspector a couple of years ago. Why don't you give him a little scrutiny, too.