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In 2020, Southwest took over 7 billion from the government in payroll support money and was prohibited from paying dividends, buying back shares or raising executive compensation for more than two years. [0]

In 2022, Southwest announces 5.6 billion in stock buy backs [1] and in early December reinstates dividends [2].

This means that Southwest has been sitting on 6 billion for 2 years just waiting for the clock to strike midnight and expire the moratorium on buybacks, dividends and executive compensation

[0] https://www.yahoo.com/now/southwest-airlines-received-over-7...

[1] https://www.southwestairlinesinvestorrelations.com/~/media/F...

[2] https://www.southwestairlinesinvestorrelations.com/news-and-...

They were told many times that the systems needed to be upgraded, but did not because ignoring it would mean higher short term profits. When executives choose profit over responsibility there is no negative consequence.

So for example when there are crashes or massive delays due to negligence, the executives should possibly be criminally charged or companies need to pay very high fines. If the consequence is any less than the increased profit, then they will continue to choose the increased profit.