Airlines Put Butts In Grounded Seats?

Agree with WSJ that putting Butt(igieg) in charge of airline holiday debacle policing is bad idea BUT don’t think airline butts in charge of refunding is a bargain either. Thanks Southwest for “bonus points” offer?

Have you ever tried to get a refund or fight your way through the morass of rules set up to let you “cash in” on frequent flier benefits? Not that I don’t know folks who seem to navigate the system with some ease … or, at least, they pretend they do … Yet, MY experience has been one of frustrating if not unfriendly skies.

Butt, I digress. As the editorial board pleaded “do not laugh”, then, explained if not argued: “The scheduling meltdown at Southwest Airlines is one for the business record books and the carrier will pay a price for months or years in damaged reputation. The only worse result for seething passengers would be to put Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in charge.” Something galled the editors about “Democrats [like Buttigeig] care less about stranded passengers than they do about gaining more federal control over the airline industry.” They point to how government-mandated lockdowns cost the airlines and their staffs business for two years. And, even the federal handouts that accompanied them to stay afloat boomeranged by coming with a requirement not to lay off or furlough employees, thereby triggering a slew of retirement buyouts to preserve cash, which led to pilot and crew shortages. Mr. Buttigieg does seem to vaca better than he manages. So, WSJ concludes, thanks, but don’t butt in Butt. Yet, might we add, Butt for a more efficient, customer friendly airline industry? And, spare us the “friendly skies” PR, too?

Davd Soul