LETTERS EDITOR TO THE
To the Editor:
I would like to share my experiences with our local air carrier, Southern Airways. From El Dorado, Southern Airways connects with DFW and Memphis. Locally this is our only connection with larger airports.
I have had three experiences with Southern Airways since 2017. The first was in late 2017, on a flight to DFW. As passengers we were told to be checked in at least 30 minutes before flight time. But the pilot held the plane for a passenger that not only didn’t arrive 30 minutes earlier, but arrived after time for takeoff. This caused me to miss my connecting flight to Baltimore-Washington, and a three hour delay till the next flight.
In October 2022 I had a flight scheduled to DFW. The flight was delayed four times during the day, from an original takeoff time of 4pm to a final time of 7:45. After all passengers were assembled and ready to take off (by this time after 8pm), they announced that the flight was cancelled and that they would ship the passengers BY BUS to Dallas. Not wanting to ride 5 hours in the wee hours of the morning to DFW, I decided to wait and drive to Dallas the next day.
After a frank discussion with Southern Airways about my experience, they agreed to give me a voucher for a one way trip to compensate me for the problems their inability to get a plane in the air on time caused me.
I took a flight in December. Again the flight was delayed by 45 minutes, but since this meant from 6:30am to 7:15am I was okay with the change. I was not okay, however, with the reminder call I got from their customer service AFTER 11PM the night before. ??? But at least the flight took off at 7:15 and we landed at DFW.
The trip back was a different story. Once again, the flight was delayed. First from 6:30pm to 7:30. Then again to 8:30. And—no surprise—the flight was cancelled. They also told me I couldn’t get a flight the next day, they were “booked.” So I was out a night of lodging and had to find alternative transportation back to El Dorado.
Needless to say, I was not happy with this turn of events. Southern Airways refused to pay for my lodging or to give me the cash value of the voucher after they left me stranded. They also let me know that the only reason they gave me the voucher was to “appease” me after my last unpleasant experience with their service.
I plan to file a consumer complaint with the FAA about my experiences with the airline. I encourage others who have had similar experiences (I have talked to several) to do the same.
I plan also to talk to the DOT. Southern Airways has a taxpayer funded con
tract to provide air service for El Dorado. We need a different and better carrier.
David Ainsworth El Dorado
To the Editor:
I would like to start off by saying I am not a bot or a scammer. I am a married 33 year old woman of 3. My oldest 2 sons are transgender, ftm, and my older one is gay.
Like with everywhere, in the state of Arkansas, transgender youth are facing prejudice, cruelty and violence. Some people in this state’s government are not only ignoring these problems, but are actively working to make the issues worse.
One example of this is State Representative Mary Bentley. In 2021, she proposed HB 1749. This bill would have legally forbidden teachers and public figures the use preferred names or pronouns for transgender students. Thankfully, this did not pass, but that has not stopped Mary Bentley from continuing to make lives harder for trans youth.
Now there is Arkansas HB1156, which will force transgender students to use only the bathroom based on the gender on their birth certificate. I don’t think a lot of people realize the negative affect this will have on transgender kids! I personally have 2 transgender sons, and my oldest one is also gay, and they have trials every single day because of it. If this bill passes, it will also increase problems with gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is a legitimate medical problem, and is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Trans youth with gender dysphoria often have trouble coping at school already, and it can lead to anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, drug use and even suicide.
I have created a petition on Change.org to try and prevent this bill becomes a harsh reality. Please help me fight this, and help our children to be safe, accepted and comfortable in Arkansas schools. With every signature, we hope to raise awareness, in the hopes the bill won’t pass. It is slow going and I am reaching out to others to help spread the word.
There was a news report on Fox24 on the 6th where I was interviewed about it. Even though they didn’t mention my petition, I am hoping this will raise awareness about the state government targeting trans youth in Arkansas!
Sincerely,
Shawna Wegner Yellville, AR