Lawmakers Press DOT, Buttigieg Over Southwest Flight Cancellations
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Following a large number of delays and flight cancellations by Southwest Airlines over the holidays, the Department of Transportation is facing pressure from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to hold the airliner accountable for travel disruptions.
For Context: Southwest Airlines canceled over 2,500 flights on Wednesday. The systemic failings at Southwest are being blamed on a combination of staff shortages, extreme weather, and an outdated computer system coordinating flights. Roughly 1,000 travelers reportedly slept inside Denver International Airport Monday night after their Southwest flights were canceled.
Key Quotes: Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, stated on ‘Good Morning America’ that “in order to restore that relationship with their customers, Southwest is going to have to not only make them financially whole, but find a way to really rebuild trust and confidence.” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called the delays and cancellations “beyond unacceptable,” tweeting that the Department of Transportation “must hold Southwest's CEO accountable for his greed and incompetence.” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) criticized Buttigieg for the travel issues, tweeting, “why wasn’t [Buttigieg] aware of these challenges beforehand? Late to the game and out of touch.”
How the Media Covered It: An article in Fox News focused on prior criticisms of Buttigieg, framing him as uninterested in the position of DOT secretary. A piece in CNN characterized Buttigieg as “pulling no punches” in his handling of the incident and focused blame on Southwest Airlines.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Progressives take aim at Buttigieg over Southwest fiasco
Progressives are taking aim at Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over the Southwest airlines holiday travel fiasco that continues to cause mass delays and cancellations across the country, urging further scrutiny of the department’s practices.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a leading left-wing lawmaker on Capitol Hill, took to Twitter on Thursday to question the Transportation Department’s handling of the debacle that left travelers deserted and frenzied and administration officials scrambling.
“Nearly six months ago @BernieSanders & I called for Buttigieg to implement fines & penalties on airlines for cancelling flights. Why...
From the Right
Buttigieg under fire from both parties amid Southwest holiday travel fiasco
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is facing demands and pressure from influential leaders across the political spectrum as tens of thousands of Americans remain stranded at airports across the nation.
Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,500 flights Wednesday, 62% of its scheduled flights, and plans to cancel an estimated two-thirds of flights in the following days. Democrat and GOP elected officials and political activists demanded the Department of Transportation hold the company accountable so that customers receive full refunds and accommodations.
"Southwest's flight delays & cancellations are beyond unacceptable," Sen. Bernie...
From the Left
As Southwest Airlines continues to sort out its mess, Buttigieg is steamed
As beleaguered Southwest Airlines continues to sort out stranded passengers, uncollected baggage and out-of-position airplanes, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has taken the airline to task.
He's pulling no punches, referring to the situation as a complete "meltdown" of the system.
Meanwhile, the airline's decision to enact "operational emergency" staffing procedures last week at the airport in Denver as a massive winter storm bore down hints at a tangle of factors contributing to the airline's operational crisis.
The emergency staffing procedures in Denver included requiring a note from a doctor...
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