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Ascension seton southwest covid vaccine5/28/2023 ![]() Though it's one of the top-rated airlines in the country, it's feeling the effects of the COVID pandemic. This past weekend exposed some issues with Southwest's business strategy. With the federal mandates, the Biden administration aims to counter the surge and put pressure on the tens of millions of people who are eligible but aren't yet vaccinated. As some states see record numbers of cases, unvaccinated people have accounted for nearly all the hospitalizations and deaths - over 97% as of July. Over the summer, as the delta variant swept across the US, the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths surged. The COVID vaccines are highly effective in preventing hospitalization. The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) that represents the airlines' pilots also confirmed the cancellations weren't due to a protest over the company's vaccination requirements, according to a report from the Dallas Morning News. ![]() To be clear: None of the information from Southwest, its pilots union, or the FAA indicates that this weekend’s cancellations were related to vaccine mandates. "There is no truth behind the rumors that this is a job-related action," the company said. However, it confirmed in an emailed statement that the weekend's canceled flights weren't due to their new requirements. 4, Southwest said it will require all employees to get vaccinated by Dec. According to FlightAware, Southwest canceled 1,124 flights on Sunday, while the US airline with the second-most cancellations was American Airlines with 167. 22 date set by Biden.Īnother issue with the rumor: There would have been far more cancellations by other airlines if there was a walkout by air traffic controllers. The FAA said it's working to have its workers vaccinated by the Nov. The first was approved leave for employees, and the second was a required 48-hour period when employees at the center have to stay home to self-monitor for any side effects after receiving a vaccine shot. In a letter to the Jacksonville Aviation Authority board of directors received by WFOX on Sunday, Jacksonville Aviation Authority COO Tony Cugno said the air traffic controller staff issue at the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center was a combination of different factors. The FAA, which employees most air traffic controllers, said in a statement Monday there have been no staff shortages since Friday. In regard to the rumor of an air traffic controller walkout, flights in and out of the Jacksonville International Airport - where many Southwest flights were canceled - are handled by the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center. And I want them to know they have support.- Chip Roy October 11, 2021 I don’t know if even a single pilot or other employee - or air traffic control - are rebelling. Cruz put the blame on Biden's push for vaccine mandates. Roy said while he was unsure if this was airline employees or air traffic controllers rebelling, they would have his support. Ted Cruz, both Republicans from Texas, tweeted about the cancellations. Others on social media suggested Southwest employees are protesting the vaccine requirements the company implemented. Are the cancellations due to walkouts over COVID-19 vaccine mandates?Ī tweet began circulating Saturday alleging a walkout of air traffic controllers at the Jacksonville International Airport due to a vaccine deadline for federal workers instituted by President Joe Biden. This created a cascading effect for Southwest that continued into Monday, with more than 300 flights canceled, according to FlightAware. The FAA confirmed that weather and staff shortage issues as well as military training Friday near the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center in Hilliard, Florida, contributed to the cancellations. "Unfortunately, the out-of-place aircraft and continued strain on our crew resources created additional cancellations across our point-to-point network that cascaded throughout the weekend and into Monday." ![]() "On Friday evening, the airline ended the day with numerous cancellations, primarily created by weather and other external constraints, which left aircraft and crews out of pre-planned positions to operate our schedule on Saturday," Southwest Airlines said in a statement. The airline added more details about the issues on Monday. (1/2) /o1scQJ5lLb- Southwest Airlines October 9, 2021 We appreciate your patience as we accommodate affected Customers, and Customer Service wait times are longer than usual. ATC issues and disruptive weather have resulted in a high volume of cancellations throughout the weekend while we work to recover our operation.
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