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40 Years in 40 Days: Class of 2007

gherwig
Explorer C


Please pardon the cliché, but time has really flown by since 2007. It feels to me like it was just last week that I was hired as a First Officer at Southwest Airlines! Four short years ago, some of the more memorable events at Southwest Airlines included:  Accepting delivery of our 500th aircraft; retaining open seating but enhancing our A, B, and C boarding groups; returning our service to SFO (San Francisco International Airport); and opening a new Pilot and Flight Attendant Crew Base in LAS (Las Vegas McCarran International Airport).

For me, 2007 is certainly most memorable as it is the year I embarked on the journey of a lifetime at Southwest Airlines. My flight plan as a brand new Employee officially took off in April 2007 as the youngest member of Pilot New Hire Class 2007-12. There were 24 eager, smiling faces in our class, each bringing our own unique experiences and skills from all across the wide spectrum of the aviation world. We were definitely a diverse and well-rounded group, excited to join the ever-growing and all-inclusive Southwest Airlines Family.

Our New Hire Training was intensive, but it seemed to move by quickly, with four weeks of ground school classes followed by two weeks of sessions in the flight simulator. After completing all the tests and checks of training, New Hire Class 2007-12 spread out across these United States to do what we signed up for: fly airplanes! But in addition to the world-class flight training we received during our time at the Flight Operations Training Center in Dallas, TX, we also were introduced to what it means to live and work the Southwest Way.

Learning
Working hard – Southwest Warrior Spirit in the classroom

To live the Southwest Way means three things: Work hard, follow the Golden Rule, and have FUN.

To work the Southwest Way means three things, in this specific order: Focus on Safety, Focus on Service, and Focus on Efficiency.

Servant's Heart
Focus on Service – Captain Jeff Lampe (L) and First Officer Jeff Heiges (R) had the honor of flying WWII veteran Fred Bird. Fred was a navigator on a B-17 when his aircraft was shot down in Germany.  He and nine other crew members parachuted into enemy territory and were held as POWs for 19 months. They were released when Germany was liberated.

If I had to pick just one thing that has resonated with me during these first four years of excitement as an Employee at Southwest Airlines, it would have to be living and working the Southwest Way. It is a part of our Company DNA. It is a platform for each of us as Employees to use day in and day out, to serve our Customers and support our Coworkers.

FUN
Fun-LUVing Family – Three good Friends and Coworkers joining me for a light-hearted and humorous portrait while having some Company sponsored FUN.

It is clear that the Spirit and Teamwork of so many Employees from across the Company form the core of our unrivaled success: A Family of Fun-LUVing, dedicated, and hard working People focused on providing all of our Customers with Safe flights, the best Customer Service in the industry, and top-notch efficiency.

From Southwest’s very first flight 40 years ago in 1971, the People of Southwest Airlines have always made a difference. While serving our Customers for the next 40 years – and beyond – each of us will strive to do our part.  We will continue to live and work the Southwest Way.

From the junior member of New Hire Class 2007-12: Happy 40th Birthday Southwest Airlines!!!

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