Windows 3.1 saves Southwest Airlines during CrowdStrike outage
Southwest Airlines avoided CrowdStrike outage by using Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, ensuring smooth operations. Despite criticism, older systems proved reliable during the crisis, emphasizing the importance of system dependability.
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Southwest Airlines managed to avoid the recent CrowdStrike outage that affected many institutions by running on Windows 3.1, an outdated but reliable operating system. While other airlines faced disruptions due to a faulty update, Southwest's use of older technology kept its operations running smoothly. The airline also utilizes Windows 95 for staff scheduling. Despite criticisms for its antiquated systems, Southwest's choice proved beneficial during the crisis. The incident highlights the reliability of older systems in critical situations. Although Southwest may need to upgrade its systems eventually, the recent outage may deter immediate changes. The use of Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 allowed Southwest to continue operations while other airlines faced significant challenges. The incident underscores the importance of system reliability in the face of unexpected IT disruptions.
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Southwest Air Saved from Global IT Outage Thanks to Never Upgrading from Win 3.1
Many airlines globally faced software outages due to a faulty update by CrowdStrike. Southwest Airlines, using Windows 3.1, avoided disruptions, prompting discussions on system reliability and modernization in aviation.
10 comments"This is also precisely why military aircraft, like the Air Force One, still use needles, dials, and gauges—you cannot beat the reliability of older systems that have already been put through the wringer."
Gonna need a citation for that! The two jets used for Air Force One are based on the 747-200, which was one of the very early 747 models, so of course it predates glass cockpits. The reason isn't "precisely" because analogue gauges are more reliable, it's because of the plane's age. Look at all military aircraft development and you'll see they use the technology of the era. The replacement for the current VC-25 (Air Force One) aircraft will be based on the 747-8, and you better believe they'll have the glass cockpits now in use in the latest 747s.
There's almost nothing since then that's really needed in a business.
This is horrible logic. Just because a system doesn't receive upgrades doesn't make it secure or reliable. In fact, the opposite is much more likely true.
Southwest is not running Windows 3.1.
https://hachyderm.io/@danderson/112823168105006094
"So, it would seem that one shitpost led some journalists to breathlessly google for corroborating sources, and "Southwest builds its crew scheduling apps in-house, and they look like shit, like they're from the Windows 95 era" morphed into "Southwest runs everything on Windows 3.1".
Maybe I've missed some actual evidence for these claims, I dunno. But every mention of Southwest and Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 eventually lead back to this lineage of 3 articles misquoting each other."
I tried to leave a comment on the original article, but tomshardware.com prevents my comment from being "spamlike", even though it has no spam. If anyone has a functional forum account there, please post a correction.
It's frankly embarrassing that Toms Hardware posted this with no evidence whatsoever, and is banning comments trying to correct it.
Jowi Morales, if you are a real person and not an AI, you should be ashamed.
What the fuck? You can operate modern systems without shitty EDR software no problem. This article isn't very good.
If they're already running Windows 3.1, I can't imagine anything is going to compel them (e.g. cyber insurance premiums) to upgrade anyways.
Related
Multiple airlines disrupted due to Microsoft Azure outage
Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Sun Country Airlines faced disruptions due to a Microsoft network outage. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a brief ground stop, affecting flights in the central United States.
Southwest Air Saved from Global IT Outage Thanks to Never Upgrading from Win 3.1
Many airlines globally faced software outages due to a faulty update by CrowdStrike. Southwest Airlines, using Windows 3.1, avoided disruptions, prompting discussions on system reliability and modernization in aviation.