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Southwest Adds 'Mechanical Difficulties' To Act Of God List

Posted by samzenpus on from the blameless-travel dept.

War, earthquakes, and broken washers are all unavoidable events for which a carrier should not be liable if travel is delayed according to Southwest Airlines. Southwest quietly updated their act of God list a few weeks ago to include mechanical problems with the other horrors of an angry travel god. From the article: "Robert Mann, an airline industry analyst based in Port Washington, NY, called it 'surprising' that Southwest, which has a reputation for stellar customer service, would make a change that puts passengers at a legal disadvantage if an aircraft breakdown delays their travel. Keeping a fleet mechanically sound 'is certainly within the control of any airline,' Mann said. 'Putting mechanical issues in the same category as an act of God — I don't think that's what God intended.'"

5 of 223 comments (clear)

  1. Some bean counter ... by capnchicken · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ... probably figured that this might overcome their bags fly free policy while still remaining competitive. Marketing won't like it if this story gets any bigger, kudos to the Arizona Daily Star for breaking it.

    --
    A libertarian shat on my carpet once. Claimed the free market would sort it out. -Ford Prefect(8777)
  2. Re:This story is false by cprocjr · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What southwest is saying is that it's not THEIR fault that the control tower broke, so don't sue them. Instead sue the people responsible: the airport.

  3. Re:This wasn't "lazy reporting" by elrous0 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They retroactively decided that's what they meant after it started getting bad press.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  4. Re:Check their payroll by interkin3tic · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Thank God that the US are prude or they would have learned something from the underwear bomber too.

    Alternatively, it's too bad we're prudish and not in better shape physically.

  5. Re:RTFA much? by John+Hasler · · Score: 2, Interesting

    > Force Majeure means 'superior force', so perhaps not an act of your God but
    > of some other deity? Presumably that would be one of the Greek Gods, say
    > Hermes, God of Travel or Lelantos, God of Air?

    No, the FAA and the local government's airport authority. They might as well be gods for all that the airline can do about them.

    --
    Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.