Bernie Sanders, Ro Kanna Tear into Pete Buttigieg During Southwest Airlines Fiasco

Numerous lawmakers were critical Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Over the meltdown Southwest Airlines This led to thousands of passengers missing their flights.

The company announced plans to resume normal operations On Friday, nearly two-thirds (or more) of the flights were canceled during the Christmas travel season. This was even though severe winter weather conditions had passed through the United States and other airlines had stopped cancelling a large number of flights.

The company’s executives promised that they would reimburse passengers whose flights were cancelled, as well those who had to stay in hotels or rent cars, and anyone who was forced to purchase tickets with another airline. Buttigieg called it the “level of disruption” Customers have reported experiencing the same over the last week “unacceptable” In a letter Bob Jordan, Southwest CEO, stated that his agency would use “the fullest extent of its investigative and enforcement powers” To ensure that customers get reimbursed.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called Transportation Department to Hold Southwest CEO Bob Jordan “accountable for his greed and incompetence; Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) remarked that he joined Sanders “nearly six months ago” By asking Buttigieg for penalties and fines on airlines that cancel flights. “Why were these recommendations not followed?” The lawmaker asked. “This mess with Southwest could have been avoided.”

Southwest canceled 57% percent of flights on Thursday while other companies such as American Airlines or United Airlines canceled less that 1%, according the Reuters. data FlightAware. The cancellation rates of major carriers were roughly the same on Friday and Saturday.

The June letter Sanders noted that $54 billion was received in relief by the airline industry during the lockdown-induced recession. Buttigieg asked him to clarify. “promptly refund passengers for flights that have been delayed over an hour,” You can also impose penalties on airlines. “flights that are delayed more than two hours” For more information, please visit: “scheduling flights that they are unable to properly staff.”

“Taxpayers bailed out the airline industry during their time of need,” Sanders wrote. “It is the responsibility of the airline industry and the Department of Transportation to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that the flying public and crew members are able to get to their destinations on time and without delay.”

Nina Turner was a former Ohio state legislator and was an ally for Sanders. accountable For the Southwest meltdown. “This is incompetence. This is what placing unqualified people in positions of power to do the bidding of corporations will get you,” She agreed. “There is a direct line from Secretary Buttigieg to the Southwest Airlines debacle and we shouldn’t pretend there isn’t.”

Buttigieg was a former presidential hopeful who has often been referred to as a possible future Democratic nominee. However, his time in the Biden administration has been fraught with multiple scandals. After adopting twins, the official took months off work last year. This was despite the fact that there was a supply chain crisis. hamstrung American economy. He was also caught Portugal is reportedly a safe place to vacation, as there was a threat of a strike on the rails. used Since assuming office, taxpayer-funded private aircrafts have been used at least 18 more times, despite his support. policies They are attempting to address climate change at the national level.