Southwest CEO says all options 'on the table' after carrier's meltdown, and vows responsibility

Southwest Airlines is looking at all options to ensure the operational meltdown it suffered last month is not repeated, CE Bob Jordan said on Thursday. The Dallas-based carrier has been dealing with customer outrage and regulatory scrutiny after a systems meltdown last month left thousands of passengers stranded. Southwest has hired consultancy Oliver Wyman to investigate the disruption, Jordan told Reuters in an interview. "I have put everything on the table here because it just can't happen again," he said. A severe winter storm right before Christmas, coupled with Southwest's dated technology, led to the cancellation of more than 16,000 flights. The airline had long cultivated a reputation for reliable customer service, humorous flight crews and low-cost flights. Southwest's board has set up a new Operations Review Committee to oversee management following last month's systems collapse, Jordan said.<br/>