Panic at Southwest Airlines: since the beginning of the summer, the American airline has already recorded around twenty incidents due to explosions of soft drink cans on its planes, explains CBS NewsSeveral cabin crew members have already suffered hand injuries, one of whom had to receive stitches.
High temperatures are the cause of this problem, which was already reported in 2023, but which clearly seems to be getting worse this year. “We are aware of this issue and have taken steps to keep drinks on board cooler, particularly at our airports where extreme temperatures are experienced.”a Southwest spokesperson said. with The Independent. With similar incidents occurring in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Sacramento, the company is well aware that this is a global problem that needs to be addressed urgently.
Southwest’s 21,000 flight attendants have been warned of the risks, but no solution has yet been provided. According to spokespeople, the problem stems precisely from the method of storing and supplying cans of soft drinks, which is not suitable during heat waves.
Procrastination
Until now, the airline kept and transported the famous cans in non-refrigerated containers: it was only once they were delivered to the planes that they were then placed in the fridge. This represents a completely understandable saving of energy and money, except that it becomes impossible to transport these drinks without refrigeration given that they are now subject to unprecedented heat.
Southwest Chief Operating Officer Rachel Loudermilk is the source of the messages that were sent to flight attendants, including an email dated July 12 that stated in part: “Viable solutions to exploding hot cans are our top priority.” She acknowledges that her company has not yet been able to take all the necessary measures on a national scale, much to her regret: “None of us are satisfied that such events are still being reported to this day.”
It must be said that Southwest still seems to be hesitant about what to do. The various solutions considered include reducing the number of cans placed in refueling trucks (their unloading would therefore be faster and would limit their exposure to heat), but also increased monitoring of the temperature inside these vehicles. The limit could be set at 98°F, or about 37°C.
Storing drinks in coolers was also discussed, as was banning cans on board planes when the temperature reaches a certain threshold. It is true that drinks could be served in other packaging: usually, flight attendants open cans and then serve a few centilitres of drink in cups. Using bottles could therefore be at least as sensible.
In the meantime, Southwest flight attendants are being told not to try to open cans that appear deformed or too warm, while more considerate passengers would be wise to stick to plain water and fruit juice.
Source: www.slate.fr
