Some, NOT ALL, of the staff were rude; one employee at the gate in Burbank didn't want to answer a question we had about our flight because we were confused. We're seniors and don't know a lot of technology, but we thought our ticket was on our phone, and he said, ' I CAN'T LOOK AT YOUR PHONE. I CAN'T SEE THAT! We were totally stunned as we are so polite and respectful to people. Had NO idea Southwest had changed this much. We have always taken it everywhere it goes. NO MORE... at baggage claim in Oakland, an announcer kept saying 'some flights' luggage was at Carousel 7, then changed it to another carousel, then changed another flight's carousel location, all the while the flight number and flight origin city on the sign above the carousel remained the same.
The whole group of passengers at the baggage claim was wandering around, trying to find their luggage and asking each other, as there were no SW employees around. It was late, people were exhausted, and they paid so much for this shabby treatment. It is clear that your employees cannot even unload the planes correctly when they land. Unheard of. Feels like the whole workforce that worked for Southwest when it was amazing and the best airline in existence quit, and you had to hire inexperienced workers on lower salaries and benefits.
We all heard you are selling Southwest and want to prop up its value for buyers at the expense of your loyal, long-time, half-century fliers! What a disgrace.
We knew Southwest started charging for checked bags, but we DID NOT KNOW THAT each bag was $45.00, so our two bags were $90.00. We had to go, and our tickets were already bought, so we paid for them.
Then, on the return, the sky cap told us we had to pay AGAIN, ANOTHER $45.00 per bag, so the total for this short trip, JUST for a ticket for our luggage, was $180.00 (criminal!).
We were horrified and impatient, sure the Sky Cap was mistaken! He wasn't. After this outrage, we calmed down, apologized to him, and told him we know it's not his fault but Southwest's horrible new policies. He said thank you for that, that he hated charging people for this every day, all day, and that the TIPS are so much lower because people are so upset about the baggage costs. We told him we like to TIP as that is NOT anything to do with the airline.
Imagine a company deliberately taking money from their employees who are struggling with finances and expenses for their family in an unbelievably hard job and the worst economic times, because the company, the CEO, and all the so-called 'TOP ' people (who have bottom values!) can make millions and millions of dollars off their backs.'
We will never fly Southwest again and will tell everyone what is going on with this company. If they still want to fly Southwest, we will tell them to always use only carry-on, as they can spend the $180.00 (and twice or three times that if they have more luggage, and the cost is not limited, so it could go up to the price of the ticket or more)...
...when they land, they can buy anything they forgot with the saved charges and will have money to spare for their trip. These charges are the norm now, but are in the $30 range, and NOT charged TWICE for going and returning, when the airline clearly knows the spot on the plane for your suitcase is already there and PAID for, so it is a clear case of extortion to your customers, and they have no choice but to pay these ridiculous demands. As we said, it's 'criminal'.
Who on earth is the executive and the executive team that thought of this scheme?? and why was it approved?? and why didn't you fire them?? read more