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A Southwest LUV Story

hford
Explorer A
In 2006, Southwest received 284,827 resumes and hired 3,363 new Employees. Our People Department looks through thousands of resumes to find the perfect fit. Back in the spring of 2001, Krislyn Barr was doing just that when she came across the resume of Michael Holt. According to Kris, Michael's resume had the right kind of sheetmetal experience needed for an open position in our Dallas Maintenance Base. She called Michael for a phone interview and "liked what he had to say." Following the successful phone interview, Kris scheduled Michael for a one-on-one interview with the Maintenance Interviewing Team. The one-on-one was a success, and Kris had the great joy of offering Michael a position with Southwest Airlines. Michael, like most New Hires with Southwest Airlines, wanted to kiss Kris for the career opportunity, but he didn't...yet! Over the next year, Michael and Kris continued with a friendship, saying hello in the hallways, making quick stops at each other's workplaces and such. Kris always thought Michael was one of those "great guys." Kris later found that she was the topic of a water cooler conversation with Michael and a group of Coworkers. The waiting game began. We all know that during the early stages of a relationship, days are like weeks, weeks like months. So after two weeks...Kris took matters into her hands. Kris made a "planned" trip to Michael's work area at his scheduled break time. So as the break time started to end, Michael finally asked Kris out on a date, and Kris accepted. According to Kris, they've been together ever since. They were married in the summer of 2003, and this past summer they introduced two new Holts...twin girls. Kris.jpeg Kris and Michael are a part of the 1,100 married couples at Southwest Airlines. In other words, 2,200 Southwest Employees have spouses who also work for the Company.
34 Comments
Drew1
Adventurer C
Cute story. The twins are adorable!
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Love is in the air... Maybe i should get a job there so i can finally get married... I am out in the ocean, does someone out there want to be my valentine? No offense to my mom but she has been my valentine for 24 years now... francisco
blusk
Aviator C
Francisco, I thought sailors never had trouble finding a girl? Blog Boy
Chez_Bez
Explorer C
As a man who has also married a former coworker, that story resonates beautifully with me. In fact, it was "water cooler talk" that finally brought us together, too. Happy Valentine's Day!
Eric15
Explorer A
Blog Boy I: We Didn't/Don't, Petty Officer Blog Boy is just being polite in a public forum. hahaha
Pamela_Kay
Explorer B
Fransisco - I will be your Valentine, but I am probably your mom's age! Hope you have a good one! and thanks for serving. Happy Valentine's Day to all!
carla1
Explorer C
I was so thrilled to see the LUV story on Kris & Michael. I worked with Kris in the People Department & always thoughts what a GREAT person she is! I am certain that Michael is as well! As I was a past recipient of the Heroes of the Heart, 2004, it is a day of celebration & LUV for all of us that have the great opportunity & privilege to work at Southwest Airlines. I wouldn't be anywhere else! I LUV Southwest & Southwest has always provided great LUV to me! Happy Valentine's Day to each & everyone of you!
hcarboy
Explorer B
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I am a Flight Attendant based in Phoenix. 21 years ago, I met my future husband while on an overnight in Albuquerque. He started working for us in August of 1986, and we married in September of 1986. He is now an Operations Supervisor in Phoenix . This is truly the "Love" Airline. There are so many of us in Phoenix that have "fished in the company pool". We will celebrate our 21st year of marriage this year and credit Southwest Airlines for bringing us together. Keep flying Southwest because we, as a family, definitely need the job security!!!!!
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Oh Brian how times have changed.. I think there is something in the air because after 24 years I am still single. No luck. I would think that being a sailor has its advantages but i was wrong. Well there is always next Valentines day. My hope is to fall in love on board a flight back home. My next try will be March 15 when i fly home... WISH ME LUCK 🙂 Petty officer blog boy... Francisco
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Francisco, I should introduce you to Leah...she's a great young lady and you two would probably hit it off. You both LUV Southwest Airlines! Kim P. S. I know what you mean about being stuck with the same Valentine for a long time; I've had mine for almost 29 years. Plus, having a wife sure makes it harder to find cute young Valentines! LOL 🙂
blusk
Aviator C
Welcome to Blog Boy's advice column, and here's the first letter: Dear Blog Boy, As a handsome, available sailor on a huge nuclear-powered aircraft carrier somewhere at sea, I dream of finding the perfect woman. I am witty, fun, love long walks in the rain, and sipping pina coladas at sunset on Coronado Island. Why can't this Petty Officer Blog Boy find true romance? Thankfully, the tawdry pleasures of nearby Tijuana hold no interest for me. Signed, Sleepless on the Nimitz Dear Sleepless, Blog Boy says don't give up because a dozen long-stemmed roses and a decanter of candy corn are sure to impress that special someone. Stay away from Tijuana and keeping flying SWA because that special someone is still out there.
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Dear Sleepless, Boy, are you in luck! I know the "perfect" woman!! She is sweet, fun-loving, has a warrior spirit and a servant heart. She is generous and caring and gives great hugs. Well, she's almost perfect. You'll have to do the driving when you go places. She even has her own webpage: http://www.swamedia.com/swamedia/bios/colleen_barrett.html She's a keeper! Kim 🙂
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Kim, Brian and sleepless on the Nimitz, First i have never gone south of the border. I will take your advice and keep on flying Southwest and true love will come. Now Kim, i think Colleen is a wonderful person and very attractive but i can't do long distant relationships.. no offense Colleen.. Now sleepless on the Nimitz... time is running out to find true love we will be heading overseas soon... My only Chance is on March 15th at 2:40 from San TO PHX AND ON TO ABQ... i am crossing my fingers that i might find true love then.. but hey if i don't i still have Southwest peanuts and great service 🙂 The one and only Blog Boy... sleepless as well on the Nimitz.. Francisco
Leah4
Frequent Flyer B
Kim, right after I read Francisco's post & before I read yours, I thought about how I'm, unfortunately, single again. 😞 That's funny how you wrote that! 🙂 I'd LUV to find someone!
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Francisco, Ya know, if Colleen is a bit too distant for you, maybe you will automatically rule this idea out, too. But...Leah really IS a very pretty and very nice young lady, and Tulsa isn't soooo far away. However, if that is too far for YOU to travel, bear in mind that coming to see you would just give dear Leah another chance to ride on her favorite airline! Kim 🙂
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Kim, or should I call you cupid... I have always wanted to visit Tulsa. Perhaps when i come back from deployment i will have time to look for the right one. I have been single for three years now, yes count them.. Three years.. You know what i funny.. i have always wanted to date someone from the heart land....:) USS BLOG BOY
joe-mdw-plane-d
Frequent Flyer C
How does Kim know what Leah looks like? Francisco, the F/A's always say "if you want to travel free, marry one of us." Eating too many Hershey kisses because they were on sale, Blog boy 32.
blusk
Aviator C
Joe, Candy corn is more nutrional, and it supports the corn farmers--oh wait, is that the sugar growers? Blog Boy
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Candy corn also makes great artificial teeth for otherwise attractive female Southwest Employees, but I ain't sayin' how I know that any more than I'm sayin' how I know what Leah looks like. My lips are sealed (with canyon blue duct tape) Kim
Leah4
Frequent Flyer B
Kim, you're cracking me up! This is funny; I LUV it! I never turn down a chance to fly SWA, too! :) SWA LUV to all, & to all a good flight. 🙂
joe-mdw-plane-d
Frequent Flyer C
I think it would be speed tape Kim, as duct tape is not approved for use on airplanes! 500 series aircraft still fly to DTW. Joe Friedmann
Rabbit
Explorer C
LUV Is Not Always Enough It is with such mixed emotion that I pen this blog. The thoughts and feelings have been with me for so long, but the need to share out weighs my pain and grief because I realize I am not an isolated case in this plight. Maybe this will help others that have traveled these roads. Life often presents us with twixt of irony. In what seems like another lifetime, in my youth, I had a dream of an aviation career. Post military and Viet Nam, I procured the required FAA ratings and began the journey. Many can appreciate the countless hours of a flight Instructor \ Charter Pilot attempting to build the hours needed to apply to the airlines. But alas, it was not to be. I did not have a college degree, and the competition was just too great as the ex-military jet jockeys were in line before me. To this day, maybe the most difficult decision of a lifetime. I faced the facts that the timing was not right for me this time around, and moved on to other endeavors. The irony is that more then 35 years later, I am in some small way, living that dream through my roommate \ partner in life, as she began her Flight Attendant career with SWA. I am very much a realist when it comes to lifeÃ
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Hey Joe, Do you know why duct tape is like The Force? It has a dark side and a light side and it holds the universe together! LOL -- may The Force be with you.... Pssssst.... Luke? I'm NOT your father. External Blog Boy 🙂
joe-mdw-plane-d
Frequent Flyer C
Kim, Did you know you can't even use duct tape on duct work? "Hey Larry, where's the fork lift? Over there--> Uh oh!" :-) Intranet blog specialist Joe Friedmann
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Gee, Leah and Francisco, the way this is headed, I just have to ask one question...at your wedding, should I sit on the left side or the right side? Or is there a special spot reserved for the matchmaker that got the two of you together? LOL Kim 🙂
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Dear Rabbit, Wow, what a bittersweet story! Thank you for sharing that and for writing it so well. Best wishes to you both, Kim
Michelle_Bick
Explorer C
Do you think I saved the best part? I thought I would post this for all to see since I did not get to put it where I wanted to, it was to long. My love note is different then most of the other ones I have seen. Mine revolves around the fun you can have with a hello and a goodbye. I have used Southwest for five years now. In the beginning, it was because of the way the flight staff made my son feel the first time he flew. Throughout the years, it has been the exceptional dedication and friendly personality of the staff that keep me coming back time after time. I know when I smile, I will get a smile back. I know my children are safe. I don't have to worry about them being hungry or afraid, because Southwest makes flying fun for them. I have used your airlines primarily for my son Jonathan. When we first started Summer visitation, my son had many problems at the airport. He would get VERY emotional and would not want to fly to his father. He had loud tantrums. Jonathan missed several flights because he was just to emotional to fly. Southwest would not allow him to stay on the plane, because he was being to disruptive. It is not from lack of trying either. The flight crew attempted to calm him down for 20 minutes after he was on the plane, but it did not work. They were very nice when they told me that my son would have to try again another day. The next week we tried again, he had another fit but was able to be calmed down. This happened several years in a row. The ladies at the desk, the flight crew, and pilot were all extremely understanding. Those first few times when I had to pry my little boys arms from around my neck, and place him into the stewardess friendly embrace, I thought my heart would break. I could do nothing but cry. My husband would hold me in his arms and stroke my hair and tell me its gonna be ok baby, they will take good care of him, no need to worry he is in good hands. It got easier. I had to figure out a way to turn a sad goodbye into a happy one. Not an easy task might I add. I came up with some silly things to do to make it more fun. Every time we go to the airport now, we always park on the highest level in the parking garage because there is no roof. I started wearing something funny, so it was easier to act silly. This past Christmas I wore a santa hat, a blinking light bulb necklace, and wrapped garland around my waist. Last Summer I wore a pretend hula skirt, a Hawaiian shirt, flip flops and a lei. When Jonathan is arriving, my husband drops me off and then he goes to park the car. I am always so happy to see Jonathan walking out of the tunnel. I can't even begin to explain the excitement and anticipation. We hug and kiss and hug some more, it is just heaven. We sort of half walk half skip hand in hand towards the sky bridge. When we get outside, I look up and there is my husband waving and yelling from the top of the parking garage. He he he we both thought that was funny. I remember looking at him in that moment and thinking, I love him so much. My husband has been a trooper through all of this. I can't thank him enough for being there with me and helping me cope with the separation. I thought if I wrote our story and it was picked for others to read, then that would be a good start, he he he. For those of you that may have never flown a child cross country before, Southwest has a wonderful policy that lets the parent know that everything is ok (or not ok) with the take off. The parent has to stay on airport grounds until the plane is in the air. Instead of spending this time crying and sobbing inside like I used to do, I now go outside. I go up to the very top of the parking garage to watch his plane leave. I jump up and down, and wave, and yell, "have a nice flight Jonathan, I love you, I will miss you." I know he cant see me, but he knows that I am doing it. I know that it makes him happy, because he came with me to take my mother to the airport once. After my mom was down the tunnel, I told Jonathan, "hurry up, let's go." We went outside, over the sky bridge, up the elevator and onto the very top of the parking garage. I was like, "come on lets wave her off." He was like, "what?" he was clearly confused and out of breath. I started yelling, bye Mom, I love you Mom, I will miss you, now I am jumping up and down as I say have a safe flight! I pleaded, "Come on Jonathan please help me," he looked up at me and asked, "do you do that for me too?" I told him, "absolutely!" then he gave me a big hug and said thanks mom, that is cornball (weird, different) but sweet. I said, "so are you going to help me or not?" He did. He was really good at it too. I told him If I ever went anywhere on a plane I would definitely want him to be there waving me off. We watched the planes come and go for a bit and then made the long drive home. Going to the airport is always a very emotional experience. I seem to only go when I am saying hello to someone I haven't seen in a while, or goodbye to someone I wish stayed longer. To be able to leave the airport with my husband for a weekend in Vegas would be like a dream come true. My husband and I have never flown together, but if we were given the opportunity, we would love to. Even if we do not win the contest, it was nice to be able to share with you how much having my son fly with southwest means to me. I am a happy customer for life. I will tell everyone: You can forget the rest, cause Southwest is the Best. :) P.S. Our Anniversary is on Valentine's Day, and we did not have a honeymoon, hint hint. :) Had to be condensed to 100 words or less so this is what I ended up with..... No explanation for the excitement and anticipation of his arrival. We hug and kiss and hug some more, it is heaven. When I have to say goodbye, I go up to the very top of the parking garage to watch his plane fly away. I jump up and down, and wave, and yell, have a safe flight, I love you, I will miss you. He cant see me, but he knows.
Eric15
Explorer A
I didn't think there was real suger in Candy Corn, In fact i think it may be Corn Syrup (which is in everything) so i guess you would still be supporting the corn industry as well as the chemical engineering industry. I still side with "Cesar BB The First" and think candy corn is way better than candy Hearts. M2C
hford
Explorer A
Francisco, Leah & Kim - At Southwest we've introduced couples via airports, flights and even our boarding process...here is to hoping that our blog might do the same. Linda - Thanks for sharing another Southwest LUV story! Michelle - Thanks for sharing your story. I LUV it! Rabbit - Thanks for sharing your story and I'm hoping for a brighter 2007 for you. Related to tape...my preference is the plastic mailing kind.
Leah4
Frequent Flyer B
Kim, you can sit on the right side in the front! I will let you be seated first! :) Hollee, that'd be funny if the blog did the same!
Eric15
Explorer A
Shouldn't Kim (Apprentice Blog Boy) should be a part of the wedding party, and Reverend/Father BLOG BOY can officiate. Identity Crisis/Multiple personality Blog boy (Joe) could be the ring bearer. I'll wait for the reception.
blusk
Aviator C
Hey Eric, I don't know how legal any ceremony I performed would be. However, we would have to have a candy corn cake. Father Blog Boy
Michelle_Bick
Explorer C
candy corn cake...... humm that has a nice sound to it. You should pick a flavor of cake, add a bag of candy corn to the cake box and sell it to Betty Crocker! They may even do recipe contests for Halloween ~ just a thought
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Michelle, Why did you wait until NOW to suggest that, after The Cookbook Committee has SOLD OUT of the Official Southwest Airlines Cookbooks?!? That would have been a great addition to Blog Boy's own chapter, which included Candy Corn Soup, Caesar Salad with Candy Corn garnish, Veal Candy Corn Casserole and of course, Candy Corn ala Mode for dessert. I can't wait until next October when it is time for the State Fair of Texas once again. As famous as Brian has made his favorite treat now, I'll bet they'll be selling Fried Candy Corn on the Midway! Kim 🙂