Editorial: Southwest deserves punishment for widespread travel meltdown
Now the question is what should be done to punish the airline and what can prevent such a catastrophe in the future.
Transportation
Articles
Southwest starts on reputation repair after cancellations
With its flights running on a roughly normal schedule, Southwest Airlines is now turning its attention to repairing its damaged reputation after it canceled 15,000 flights around Christmas and left holiday travelers stranded.
U.S. auto sales fell 8% last year amid supply-chain woes, high prices
Shortages of computer chips and other parts continued to hobble the U.S. auto industry last year, contributing to vehicle sales dropping to their lowest level in more than a decade.
Southwest apologizes, gives customers frequent-flier points
Southwest Airlines canceled more than 15,000 flights between Dec. 22 and Dec. 30, according to tracking service FlightAware. The flight disruptions began with a winter storm that swept across the country.
Southwest Airlines schedule returns to relative normalcy
The carrier, which had canceled thousands of flights every day this week after a winter storm last weekend, reported fewer than 40 cancellations early Friday. That was still more than United, American and Delta combined
Southwest’s woes continue with thousands of canceled flights Thursday
The 2,359 flights scrubbed by Southwest Airlines on Thursday represents 96 percent of all domestic cancellations.
New tax credits for EVs expected to boost their appeal
Starting Jan. 1, many Americans will qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500 for buying an electric vehicle. But a complex web of requirements is casting doubt on whether anyone will be able to receive the full $7,500 credit.
Southwest didn’t heed calls to upgrade tech before meltdown, unions say
Southwest Airlines’ overwhelmed technology—a scenario fueled by a punishing winter storm—left it this week facing some of the most difficult days in its half-century history.
Southwest draws regulatory scrutiny as thousands more flights canceled
More than 3,000 U.S. flights were canceled Tuesday among all carriers, with Southwest accounting for more than 2,600 of the total—a problem the airline blamed partly on tools for tracking and creating employee schedules.
Southwest under scrutiny after wave of storm cancellations
The U.S. Department of Transportation called the rate of Southwest cancellations “disproportionate and unacceptable,” and sought to ensure that the Dallas carrier was sticking by its obligations to stranded customers.
Thousands of flights canceled as weather continues to upend holiday travel
According to FlightAware, a website that tracks airline delays and cancellations, 5,409 flights had been canceled Monday as of 4:30 p.m., while more than 16,000 flights had been delayed.
INDOT releases potential options for I-65 interchange to serve LEAP district
The Indiana Department of Transportation released a study that includes five possible locations for the interchange northwest of Lebanon near the planned site of the LEAP Lebanon Innovation and Research District.
Indiana auto crashes cost 900 lives, $8B annually, report says
To reduce crashes and fatalities, the group says Indiana should adopt a list of new laws, ranging from a motorcycle helmet mandate to a requirement that learners complete more drive time before qualifying for a license.
United places huge order with Boeing to replace aging planes
The massive order—United called it the biggest ever by a U.S. airline for twin-aisle or “widebody” planes—is a bold move for an airline that lost money throughout the pandemic until the middle of this year.
U.S. study: More than half of car crash victims had drugs in system
Although the study authors say the results can’t be used to gauge drug use on the roads nationwide, they say the high number of drivers, passengers and other road users with drugs in their systems is concerning.
Perry Township eliminates school choice for elementary students
The Perry Township school board voted on Monday to end school choice for elementary students effective next school year to help alleviate a severe bus driver shortage, despite significant opposition from parents.
Real ID requirement for air travel delayed again
Postponing the enforcement of the last phase of the Real ID Act will give motor vehicle departments across the country more time to process the new credentials.
Hertz to pay $168 million in bogus theft settlement
Hertz Global Holdings Inc. said Monday that the settlement of 364 pending claims related to vehicle theft reporting would bring resolution to more than 95% of the pending theft reporting claims.
West-side business leaders say Blue Line alteration limits development opportunities
West-side leaders are pleased the city found $20 million for infrastructure improvements but remain disappointed that the area is missing out on the original $52 million in improvements the Blue Line was once scheduled to bring.
UPDATE: House votes to avert rail strike, impose deal on unions
The bill lawmakers are considering would impose a compromise labor agreement that was voted down by four of the 12 unions representing more than 100,000 employees at large freight rail carriers.