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Southwest Airlines Needs a PR Lesson
I’ve avoided posting about the recent Southwest Airlines fiasco’s because I didn’t think it was worth it, but now I am perplexed. What kind of PR people are working for this company?
In summary the company was subject to some criticism for reprimanding two female passengers due to their attire. The women were dressed in outfits that were a little tight but as far as I am concerned it wasn’t that bad. Mind you, these were two separate incidents.
I will include photos of what the women were wearing when they were basically asked to cover up, change, or take a different flight. (You can see the details here) People were in uproar claiming this was sexist, unnecessary, and a man would never be publicly embarrassed like that.
The appropriate thing to do is to just offer and apology and move on. But no…this the statement that Southwest Airlines decided to issue:
“From a Company who really loves PR, touche to you Kyla! Some have said we’ve gone from wearing our famous hot pants to having hot flashes at Southwest, but nothing could be further from the truth. As we both know, this story has great legs, but the true issue here is that you are a valued Customer, and you did not get an adequate apology. Kyla, we could have handled this better,
and on behalf of Southwest Airlines, I am truly sorry. We hope you continue to fly Southwest Airlines. Our Company is based on freedom even if our actions may have not appeared that way. It was never our intention to treat you unfairly and again, we apologize.”
Then they take it a little further by offering this special:
“Southwest Airlines today faces the bare facts and reveals the naked truth by issuing an apology to its Customers who have commented about its handling of a few who were dressed in revealing clothing. Poking fun at itself, Southwest has lowered its already skimpy fares to “mini-skirt” size of $49 to $109 one-way. “
[Source]
I’m shocked. Is this for real or some sort of parody written by some college intern? Dear Southwest I am not entertained. You are running a company, not a frat house. Grow up and learn some professionalism. You may get some publicity from this stunt, but contrary to popular belief ,all publicity isn’t good publicity.
P.S. If you’d like to see how hypocritical Southwest is, watch this video.
