FAA Issues Letter To Southwest Voicing Safety Concerns Over Labor Dispute
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
The current and very public labor dispute at Southwest Airlines has the top safety official at the FAA on edge. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, FAA’s Ali Bahrami issued a letter to Southwest and its mechanics in an unusual move outlining the concerns held by the FAA.
In his letter, Mr. Bahrami stated that the FAA is worried that the current dispute between labor and management “raises concern about the ongoing effectiveness of the airline’s safety management system.” He went on to say he wanted “to emphasize the importance of ensuring cooperatively, in accordance with FAA standards, the highest level of safety in the airline’s operations.”
Last month Southwest declared an operational emergency when the number of out-of-service aircraft spiked, causing flight delays and numerous cancellations. The airline has claimed that the mechanics union — the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association — had engaged in a coordinated slowdown and removal of aircraft from service for minor cosmetic issues rather than issues related to flight safety.
While the union is denying any wrong doing, they are airing their own concerns about management. The union has stated that some members feel pressured to overlook issues in preference for keeping the aircraft operational and on time. The airline says they encourage employees to raise concerns and that it considers safety of the passengers above all else.
The dispute stems from the fact that the mechanics at Southwest haven’t received a new contract. Ongoing negotiations have been dragging on for the past six years. The issues at the airline had already prompted the FAA to up their safety inspections of the airline during the past year after it found that the airline wasn’t correctly calculating the total weight of checked bags being loaded onto aircraft.
While the letter didn’t cite any specific incidents or actual lapses in safety at Southwest, it does make it clear that the FAA will be keeping a very close eye on the airline in the near future.
Featured Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.