This holiday season has not been pretty for many travelers. In some of the worst-case scenarios, some people froze to death in their cars, due to low temperatures from winter storms.

Then, in other unpleasant situations, people with scheduled flights missed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with their loved ones. Over the past week alone, images and reports have gone viral of people stranded in airports, waiting to be able to catch new flights.

As things currently stand, the White House claims it is working to ensure that airlines face "accountability" for the thousands of flights cancelled across America over the holidays.

What all this accountability shall entail remains a mystery; however, this has put a damper on what's supposed to be a joyous holiday season for many folks.

While all airlines have struggled with having to delay and cancel flights, largely due to inclement weather, Southwest Airlines is in a unique situation. This situation might not be so good for the company going forward.

A closer look at problems with Southwest Airlines

Southwest is making headlines over its highest numbers of impacted flights, among other issues. Furthermore, some Southwest flight attendants and other workers remain stranded in the wrong places, due to these disturbances.

If that wasn't bad enough, the airline also stands accused of not appropriately helping customers rebook flights or meeting other service demands.

The situation has spiraled so far out of control with Southwest Airlines that the US Department of Transportation now has a role in all of this.

The Transportation Department revealed via Twitter its concerns about how the airline is handling customer service issues, coupled with its rates of flight delays and cancellations.

Moreover, the department confirmed that it will review whether or not Southwest is adhering to its own rules for customer service.

Closer scrutiny of Southwest Airlines

Just yesterday evening, CEO Bob Jordan informed the media that Tuesday would mark another "tough day" for travelers with his company. Sure enough, flight cancellations persisted today, along with other real problems.

Travelers, meanwhile, who find themselves stranded with little recourse are not pleased. Many are consequently using social media to blast the airline for not just its flight cancellations, but also the lack of customer support afterward.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg even spoke with Jordan earlier today. The better part of the conversation between the pair involved Buttigieg reminding the Southwest CEO to live up to company guidelines.

These guidelines entail providing refunds, vouchers, and other forms of support to customers as the situation demands.

More statements from the Transportation Department reveal Buttigieg expressed the need for Southwest Airlines to also look out for its workers amid the chaos. Finally, the department confirmed it will continue touching bases with the airline to avoid a repeat of this situation.

If Southwest fails to live up to its customer service plan, impacted travelers can report this to the Transportation Department by making consumer protection complaints.