While pilots might have a good point in requesting salaries and conditions that fit the market, the reality is that pilots earn extremely good money. This is self-interest wrapped in something that does not display the self-serving needs. This does absolutely nothing to help recover the trust in Southwest Airlines, even though the pilot union claims this is in the interest of passengers. Pilots now authorize a strike, dangling a dagger above the travel plans of thousands and probably millions of people. Let’s not forget, though, that the pandemic airlines were kept afloat with money of the taxpayer, and jobs – including those of pilots – were secured with that money. The first one is that this is a slap in the face of travelers that still trust Southwest Airlines with their money and travel plans. When the pilot union called for the vote in May, they said it was to give travelers time to rebook. The fact that negotiations between the union and Southwest Airlines have been ongoing for over three years says enough. They are simply authorizing a strike for higher pay, and so are Southwest Airlines pilots. If there is one thing I know, the pilots at other airlines are not calling strikes because they sympathize with the Southwest Airlines pilots or because of the technology problems there. Looking throughout the industry, more unions are authorizing strikes, and more often than not it is about getting higher pay. They are blatantly misusing that element, which they weren’t vocal on prior to the December meltdown. While I am not denying that there are things that could be improved for Southwest Airlines making the job more pleasant and in fact safer, I believe the reality is that they are not really authorizing a strike because of the lack of leadership and the technology gaps at Southwest Airlines. It’s All About The Money For Southwest Airlines! I even said that I believe the CEO needs to pack his bags, but I believe that what SWAPA presents as reasons to authorize a strike is the romanticized version that they can sell easier to the flying public.

Those that have read my coverage know that I am not a particularly big fan of the CEO, as he was tone-deaf throughout the meltdown of Southwest Airlines and even after that, simply denying the role technology played in the meltdown. SWAPA – Southwest Airlines Pilots Association – says the company has floated away from the values set forth by founder Herb Keller. Our pilots are tired of apologizing to our passengers on behalf of a company that refuses to place its priorities on its internal and external customers. The lack of leadership and the unwillingness to address the failures of our organization have led us to this point. The official reading is that for the strike authorization is as follows: Why Are Southwest Airlines Pilots Authorizing A Strike?

The disruptions in December that hit Southwest Airlines harder than any other airline in some way has dented the public image of the airlines, and on the 11 th of May, its pilots authorized a strike. ( NYSE: LUV) should be one of the airlines benefiting from the revival of air travel demand.

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