Internal SW Airlines messaging offers in-depth look at mass flight cancellations

Sounds more like so many unknowns have built up in the system that it can't do it's job.

Partly IT but “network” to them means the entire operation including equipment, personnel, passengers, and cargo. Every flight requires a full legal rested crew, ground operations staff, etc. Because so many crews are in the wrong city at the most moment, or off-shift, Sounds like they’re trying to solve an 8th dimensional traveling salesman problem to staff each flight.

Turning it off and then back on again seems to solve so many problems.

I’m pretty sure this was written in order to invoke provisions of the relevant (unionized) employees’ collective bargaining agreement.

When I first read it, I was shocked at the tone and outraged on behalf of the employees, but upon re-reading, I’m pretty sure this is Southwest trying to address staffing needs within the confines of its agreements with the union representing Denver ramp workers.

I’m all for maintaining a healthy balance between labor and capital (and indeed, think that balance is pretty far out of whack in favor of capital in the United States), but my read of this situation is that management was invoking previously negotiated procedures to require unionized employees to comply with with abnormal working requirements during a state of operational emergency. These employees would have been worse off if Southwest hadn’t had union-negotiated procedures they had to follow before having the right to impose adverse employment consequences that all at-will employees are subject to.

Also, to be clear: I’m not absolving management for the obvious operational failures. From what I see at this point, this situation sure seems likely to warrant executive accountability and regulatory inquiries.

And finally, I feel very badly for everyone - travelers and employees - who had a shitty holiday season due to this incredible SNAFU.