The staff at Southwest Airlines of LBB (Lubbock Preston Smith Airport) amid the December 2022 meltdown was calm and professional in the multi-day interactions I had with them. That being said, they mostly deflected many of my questions and concerns to headquarters. Over the course of four days, they told me things like, "We should be back to normal operations by your children's next flight." "We are hopeful that..." "The weather really hasn't been an issue..." "If your flight is canceled, we will issue you a full refund..." After learning more about the major pitfalls of this airline, this review is warranted. "In a statement on Thursday (12/29/2022), Southwest said it expected to return to 'normal operations with minimal disruptions' on Friday (12/30/2022), capping off a week of hell that reportedly saw it cancel about 15,700 flights beginning on Dec. 22." (Reference #1) These were self-inflicted wounds. Other airlines dealt with the same storm all the same. "What went wrong is that our IT infrastructure for scheduling software is vastly outdated," a 16-year Southwest pilot said. "It can't handle the number of pilots, flight attendants that we have in the system, with our complex route network." (Reference #2) Wait a minute, it took an Arctic storm to figure out you have an infrastructure problem? And these internal problems have led to "Concerns About Its Approach To Southwest Airlines' Safety?" (Reference #3) The CEO has had ALL this time since taking up the position earlier in 2022. Here was my experience with my two daughters, ages 8 & 9, as UMs ("unaccompanied minors") trying to board multiple flights with Southwest on a non-stop flight from LBB to LAS (Las Vegas) which is typically just over 2 hours: Friday, December 23, 2022: Just as we were about to board, the crew announced there has been a delay due to "a missing flight member." Then I kept hearing the employees say "FO" under their breaths multiple times at the podium. Come to find out, "FO" stands for "first officer" and only one pilot was available. The flight was canceled. My youngest's face was streaming with tears as she was counting on seeing her dad for the first time in months. Life went on. Our girls were rescheduled to fly the following day. Saturday, December 24, 2022: Just as we walk inside the airport, I notice tons of lost luggage at the front. It was only like this at Southwest's desk. Then, as we're waiting in a terribly long line (because you HAVE to checkin at the airline counter for UMs), the TV screens changed their flight from "ON TIME" to "CANCELED" yet again. This time because the "planes were all at other hubs due to weather." Many customers around us were flabbergasted by this idea because they felt the weather was find in the areas from which those planes were coming, according to their family & friends. Sunday, December 25, 2022: I was told by staff member, Reenie, that there has been "another weather delay." Then I was told Southwest "won't allow UMs to travel today because of the weather delay." Wait, a weather delay in Las Vegas? Or where the plane was coming in from? I never got a clear answer. So then she said everything should be in normal operations on the 29th. While she was trying to rebook the flights she repeatedly told me she lost one of the seats. It was crazy. She finally "calls headquarters to have them release that seat." Wow. That's crappy customer service all ways you look at it. Then she reminded me to keep checking my text messages and emails for any updates. Thursday, December 29, 2022: As soon as I hand a different rep my driver's license and I tell her I'm checking in my daughters only, she says, "Unfortunately, we are still not allowing UMs to travel alone at this time because we don't want your daughters to be stranded if bad weather is on the 'the other side.'" What other side? In Las Vegas? My ex was in Vegas at the time. Been there all week. No matter what, I am required to sit with my children up until boarding time and watch the plane as it ascends into the air. What the hell was she even talking about? What a bunch of BS. So of course I complain that this cancellation was not communicated with us. She asked, "You never received a text or email from us?" Um, no. Neither did my ex. I drove 120 miles to use this airport. He would have told me because he knows I work full-time from home and take care of them when they are out of school. She rambled off his number. It was correct. Neither of us received anything. So THEN she said "next time check the website." Lol. There was nothing. Get it together, Southwest. REFERENCES 1 - https://gizmodo.com/11-tech-hacks-to-support-your-health-and-wellness-1849621423 2 - https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/southwest-flight-cancellations-wednesday/index.html 3 - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/faa-survey-reveals-concerns-about-its-approach-to-southwest-airlines-safety/ar-AA15Fw3R read more

Southwest Airlines - The most festive airline at LBB (12/23/2022) - Airlines Near Me - Lubbock, Texas

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It is the worst. I had a dr appointment in Dallas had my flight set get to the airport and the canceled the flight. When asked I was told the flight was canceled due to only 4 passengers. I called the home office they said it was not true BUT would not let me know why. They were rude and they refused to give me the cancellation fee the Dr charged me because of southwest. The used to be an ok airline now they are dog crap. And the customer service is horrible. I pray they go under. read more

LATE AGAIN. I recently did a review noting the flight was late. My return trip is late also. SWA has gone from being among the most reliable (many years ago) to being the least reliable. They've definitely lost their mojo. They also frequently don't serve drinks in shorter flights. Once I use up my miles, I'm done with SWA. read more

Unlike Houston airlines, this one is a lot friendlier. Really unlike major big city airports it's a lot less stress, headaches, and chaos. What do I mean by that, most major airports I've flown to or from was very annoying to deal with especially when no one is nice. I have never had a TSA screening officer tell me they would like to help me. All I know Houston SW airlines TSA is rude as heck. Telling customers to hurry to grab their stuff, yelling at them if they didn't hear or pay attention, and showing no kind of care or respect. That kind of things rubs me the wrong way. Because, why in the world would a major airline hire such a thing? No sense .. none. I got dropped off by my UberX driver and noticed right as I arrived. This airport is small! As you first walk in TSA screening will be in the front of you. Most airlines Lubbock serves will be on the right hand side with Southwest being first. After that you'll see plain check-in tags and a kiosk with no name. I wasn't really sure what it was for so I just used the plain pen to paper tags. The bag check in didn't take no time and the lady who assisted me was nice. Since I didn't realize me having a carry-on poster isn't really considered a carry-on. That it actually could've been an actual bag. Nice to know. After that you'll need to take your check-in bag around the corner where the enourmous fan is located. A guy was suppose to take it instead of you coming in to place it on the belt. Lol, that happened to me. Next off to the TSA screening, no worries the lines are less long here. Hint if you know about major airports lines... Aye Yai Yai! Here the TSA screening people are so great and polite. The other airlines people was stupid I have to say. They didn't want to put their containers up, but instead leave them for it to clog up the line... So idiotic! Everything is pretty easy to find and if you want to find small here you will find small. Although which I didn't like is when I got on the airplane the complimentary snack I was suppose to get I didn't receive due to the delay of the aircraft. No biggie, Houston and all major cities need to take a tab from Lubbock airport aka the friendliest place in Texas. read more

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I had the ultimate experience from the staff at Southwest Airlines when I flew from San Jose, CA to Lubbock, TX on February 25th. Dusty was so friendly, funny, and ensured that my family was taken care of on our flight to Lubbock. I can't say enough good things about Dusty as he provided exemplary customer service throughout the flight. The other flight attendant (sorry I did not ask her name) beautiful blonde with glasses was also kind and friendly. I look forward to flying with Southwest Airlines again and will keep my fingers crossed and hope to see Dusty and the beautiful blonde attendant again. Love you Dusty! read more

No direct flight this time, out of Hobby to Lubbock, 5 minutes in between stop from Dallas to the Hub, am thinking I have my client files but will my luggage make it to Lbb? Answer no, called corporate explaining that no luggage and were their baggage folks Southwest employees, not contractors, was told yes all employees were employed by Southwest, NOT. United taught me to ask this question, not my first luggage rodeo. Good old Bart at the Lubbock baggage claim center stated Ronnie Todd was not a manager any longer and corporate should have known that fact, Bart was the desk supervisor. They would be open until 11:00 p and after that I was SOL. Asked Bart if they used contractors and he said yes, but he did not know the woman's name (the contractor), the company she worked for or her phone number, Bart stated most likely my luggage would appear at 11:00 p. at the hotel front desk, not at 6:00 p.m. as the Lubbock counter employee stated, but he would not guarantee it...worst experience with Southwest and usually the experience is tolerable. Prayers answered when luggage showed up but I had already gone to CVS and bought necessities. My specific email regarding this matter to corporate has not been answered in 48 hours, guess a real letter will be flying out to the CEO. Consumer complaints on the web or off the charts, best be selling my Southwest stock soon. read more

Not happy with my trip into this airport. Had damage to my bag with no one in the baggage office to help. The ticket agent I spoke to was nice but I basically got the it's not our fault answer & we will pay for anything that's missing line. Pretty sure I'll not be flying from this airport again. read more

One of the worst experiences of my life from Lubbock to Raleigh and back, flying garbage bins, with oil dripping from engines, lost luggage, rude tired stewards, unrequested reroutes. Extra waiting cab fee because the plane missed the gate in Lubbock. How is that possible?? Will never ever fly with these people again. read more