[All Business]

Flight 40 from El Paso to Los Angeles on July 6, 2012 was the worst flight I've ever taken. Boarded the plane to find the air conditioning blasting so loud you could not hear the Capt. or flight attendant announcements, and the temperature was extremely cold. During flight, three passengers complained to the stew, who complained to Capt. Frank who was in control of the a/c, yet the temperature remained freezing. Mid-flight the stew announced an apology to the passengers, stating she had told the Capt. three times that passengers were complaining about cold, but he would not adjust the temp. Upon deplaning, I followed the Capt. to McDonald's and asked him why he failed to turn down the a/c. He stated his temperature in the cockpit was just fine. I again stated the passengers were freezing. He again stated he felt the temperature was just fine and that if I had a problem with it I should "complain to Mr. Boeing." Shocked, I stated "You kept the plane freezing on purpose!" Capt. Frank then leaned his face to within five or six inches from mine and grinned. At that, I turned and walked away. I am cancelling my Rapid Rewards Visa card and switching to AmEx and Alaska Air points programs. I will never fly Southwest again.

[The_Judge]

Abusive? Where? All I see is you stalking him.

[All Business]

The three agencies I complained to yesterday are very concerned about the pilot's behavior and are investigating. They have accused me of no wrongdoing and have only offered their apologies, I am sure they are hoping I do not go to the press or an attorney.

[xjcaptain]

You are going to an attorney because the temperature was not to your liking? Things must be pretty perfect in your world. What you may not realize about his comment about Mr. Boeing was that it is a very well known fact that aircraft heating and cooling systems are notoriously difficult to obtain consistent temperatures throughout the entire cabin,. Many require almost constant adjustment. I'm curious how you would handle being confronted out of the blue at your workplace? Many times flight attendants pass on the cabin temp issues to us, but what you may not realize is that often you have passengers simultaneously asking for it to be made both warmer and cooler based on their personal preferences and also based on how they are dressed. Often when getting requests for it to be made both warmer and cooler they are smart enough to know that as a pilot we can't do both, so they will tell the passengers they have told us when they have not, because its an impossible request. Other factors could be inoperative equipment being on an MEL that limits the crews ability to obtain a good temperature.

[All Business]

Capt. Frank proved himself a saddistic tool, and his stew Terri apologized to the entire cabin full of passengers for his failure to shut off the a/c after several people complained. Strange how you defend the airline when you were not there to experience the distressing condition. Let's let the proper investigative agency do their job to interview and maybe even test Capt. Frank, m'kay?

[Gromit801]

So, you were unable to turn off the air vents above you? They wouldn't close?

[All Business]

Everybody had their vents shut off and were sitting with their arms folded and were shivering. The cold air was blowing gales from another souce inside the cabin. No blankets were offered and most people had no winter wear to bundle up in. For a short time Capt. Frank did turn the a/c off (perhaps 10 mins.), and then he went back to turning the a/c back to freezing cold for the rest of the flight. I'm sure we won't be the only folks chosing another airline carrier after this experience. And to answer the question of what I would do if somebody came to me with a customer service problem, I handle those questions routinely in my executive position at my company under my given name, first and last. I am appalled that Southwest Airlines hides the identity of its employees so that the public cannot know the true identity of the people to whom we are entrusting our lives. And how, pray tell, may we even verify the licensing history of the pilots? I must contact my friends, colleagues and relatives working in Washington, DC about this.

[The_Judge]

You're absolutely right about everything. I encourage you to pursue this to it's conclusion. And to then also contact your peers to find out how these clowns get licensed. Please keep this thread updated. I wish you luck.

[All Business]

Thanks, Judge. I trust you are sincere. The funny thing about Capt. Frank's comment to me about taking my complaint to "Mr. Boeing" is that my eldest son has flown Boeing jets for ten years, has been honored by Boeing for his outstanding performance, and he now holds an avionics directorship in Washington, D.C. Capt. Frank will certainly now get the attention he deserves.

[xjcaptain]

I'm guessing Mr. Business doesn't understand sarcasm...I'm also sure that his friends in dc will surely immediately revoke all of the captains licenses based on the fact that a passenger didn't care for the temperature of the aircraft....

For those a bit slow on the uptake these comments are also sarcasm.

[jimworcs]

Mr Business is a fantasist who has probably never been on an airplane in his life.

[Manfred V]

Commercial passenger airline pilots are nothing more than glorified bus drivers. They are supposed to be concerned with passenger comfort first and foremost, but they are mostly bitter because they have flown from Omaha to Dallas, then Dallas to Denver, then Denver to Seattle, then Seattle to Portland. They then layover for the night and do the same route in reverse the next day. Most are ex-military that are used to being told what to wear, where to be, when to be there and what to do. Having a care in the world for a stupid civilian passenger is the last thing on their mind. I would not be the least surprised that Capt. Frank adjusted the cabin temp. to the oppisite of the request just for spite.
He should look for a job transfer to Fed Ex or UPS and only have to deal with cargo.

[jimworcs]

h

They are supposed to be concerned with passenger comfort first and foremost

I prefer when they are conerned with safety first and foremost. Despite my criticisms, the US airline industry is the safest in the world, so in that respect their priorities are correct.

[Manfred V]

I couldn't agree more.
But, when between the two of them in the cockpit, they are challenged to keep the cabin temp. at a comfortable level, you have to wonder if the plane is poorly maintained, are the pilots incompetent or are they just obstinate *******s???

[xjcaptain]

Now that's funny! I'm not sure...maybe a little sarcasm.