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All in a Day's Work

sabercrombie
Explorer C
About 11 years ago, I started reporting directly to our President, Colleen Barrett. She told me at the time that my job would require me to do some pretty "off the wall" things from time to time. I was so excited about my new position that I eagerly nodded in agreement without giving it another thought. About three weeks after that conversation, I reported to work on a typical morning to find a note taped to my office door. It read, "somehow during the night a small kitten made its way through my doggy door and is loose somewhere in the house. Please go over to my house and see if you can find it. If you do, please go house to house and see if you can find out who it belongs to. Thanks. Colleen." That's when our prior conversation came back to mind--talk about one of those "a-ha" moments! All worked out well--I found the kitten, and found it a home. This was going to be an interesting job, indeed! Just yesterday I found myself lying facedown on a mannequin in the hallway. I was struggling to pull the go-go boots off of her very stiff and rigid feet. After all, she's been wearing them for at least 15 years now. Next I was meant to remove the 1970's hot pants uniform--this proved to be even more of a challenge! I had to remove both arms and a leg just to get the outfit off. (Oh, I guess you should know why I was doing this! Because our uniforms over the years have been so different from those of other airlines, we have them all displayed on mannequins on the 3rd Floor of our Headquarters Building,FA_Mannequin_3rdFloor.jpg and we needed them for our upcoming 35th Anniversary Annual Awards Banquet.) Talk about a mess--I was up to my neck mannequin in body parts and embarrassed to boot when a male Coworker came around the corner!! The look on his face said it all! As I mentioned in paragraph one--I just never know what crazy assignment is around the corner! I once had the good fortune to help our PR Department mail out thousands of inflatable airplanes to elementary schools around the country. Since I am a FIAM (frequent inflatable airplane mailer), I happened to notice that the boxes this particular shipment came in was larger than normal, so I decided to open one of the boxes. Now, I've been told on occasion that "I must be living right," but that never rang more true than on this day! The boxes were full of life-sized dolls!!! (And I'm not talking about collectable Madame Alexanders either . . .) Need I say more? I think one of my favorite assignments of all time would have to be when I traveled with Herb to beautiful Burbank California for his "walk on" role on the TV show, Wings (the comedy about a New England commuter airline--not the Howard Hughes movie). I don't know how many of you have ever been on a live TV set, but it's pretty exciting--especially if you like to sit around for hours just waiting for something to happen--anything. Because Herb was an "extra," we were treated to the same food and beverage as the rest of the cast, but we had to wait our "turn" to enjoy it. When we were finally able to approach the catering table, my mouth watered as I took the last crumb of tuna? or was it chicken salad? To this day I have no idea, but I continued to search for anything that appeared to be edible--what about the garnishes that someone had taken off the catering tray and placed on top of the rubbish bin? It would have to do. I guess my point here is that being on that set was about as exciting as watching paint dry--but I had a secret weapon--I had Herb! Even though Wings was written as a comedy, the script didn't even come close to the natural comedic charm of our dear Herbie! Herb_on_Plane_Tail.jpg He had not only me, but the cast and crew in stitches!! About six hours later, it was finally showtime! As I sat in the live audience awaiting Herb's "walk on role," I thought to myself, "geez, I'm hungry..." The whole point of this particular post isn't to brag about my heroic efforts with the kitten or the inflatable, uh, err, toys, but to point out what a diverse position I hold. Only at Southwest Airlines would I have the Freedom to have FUN while doing a job that I love! Of course, I have 20-years worth of whacky stories, so stay tuned!!
15 Comments
Adam_Phillabaum
Explorer C
Oh wow... what do I have to do to get one of those inflatable airplanes for my cubicle?!? And... I think a blog post about the old southwest uniforms would be entertaining (you would definitely have to include lots of pictures).
Quinton_Buckley
Explorer C
Sounds like you have a GREAT time at work. Some people would skoff and complain about having to do things like that, but it is all what you make of it!! Have a good time while doing what you have to do!!! (Thats my motto) I work with lots of kids everyday, and it can be draining, but if you try to have fun with them and your coworkers, and have a positive attitude, it really makes all the difference!!!! Keep up the good, interesting work, Quinton 🙂
Petimini_Nadela
Explorer C
Hi Sunny, Please let me know if you need any help of your "off the wall job"...sounds FUN!
Adam_Stanger1
Explorer C
Excellent post, please keep them coming. It sounds like you have one of the best jobs at the airline. Working with Herb and Colleen on a daily basis must be a real pleasure, and an honor! It's still a dream of mine to meet them. There's a lot I'd like to thank them both for.
Rusty
Explorer C
I work in a different department than Sunny. She Is in the DAL HQ, I am in Ground operations. I have been lucky enough to run into her several times over the years, she is a really fun, special lady. There is always a crowd around her! Colleen started the "Culture Club", several years ago. (Sunny is director, if you didnt read the top part) The results have been amazing. It has really changed our station. There have been countless airport bbq/s and fund raisers to help the military and local food banks and kids. Those iflatable planes are a blast to pass out. The kids "fly" them all around the gate area.
Nicholas_Zellic
Explorer C
Your job sounds like a ton of fun! My dream is to one day work for Southwest (I am almost a junior in college), because I want to be able to have fun at work! It sounds like you really enjoy your job!
Bruce2
Explorer C
Sounds like you're having loads of fun! Every job should be that much fun!! Say, do you have any openings for airplane geeks? 🙂
Sunny_Stone_-_D
Explorer C
Thanks so much for all of your kind responses to my blog! I truly do enjoy my job, and I know how lucky I am to have it. As with any job, I do have stressful days, but a stressful day at work here is better than a great day anywhere else. To Nicholas--please follow your dream and come to work for SWA when you graduate--you'll have a great time and you will also form great friendships that will last a lifetime.
Flash_in_PIT
Explorer C
Sunny: You're a hoot girl. Wasn't it a Blessing when you made PIT one of your "Leaders On Location Stops in 2005. We had soooooo much fun with you. Do you still have your TERRIBLE Towel? Bet you're glad we gave you one to wave during the Superbowl! Can't wait to see what you've got cooked up for the Anniversary Party. This is my 10th year and my Bride and I are very excited to be attending. We have are room booked at the Adam's Mark. Have a great week and God Bless Southwest Airlines & Sunny Stone! John"Flash"Williams
Joe16
Explorer C
Do LUV's "leaders" make a habit of having their employees tend to their personal matters, presumably on "company" time? I'm sure the shareholders amongst us found this tidbit "interesting," to say the least. Hooray for Southwest having the courage to post such information for public consumption.
Terry_Lessig
Explorer B
Oh, Sunny, what a great story. I devour every word that Herb says. I've been a loyal Southwest business flier for more than twenty years, mostly because Herb's personality permeated the entire company and was evident in every cabin. I once had a promotional idea for the company, and I wrote to Herb. The letter I received in return was the most wonderful decline I've ever received, and it is still one of my most prized possessions. Whenever I'm faced with a difficult business decision I always ask myself, "What would Herb do?"
Sunny_Stone_-_D
Explorer C
Joe--I would like to clarify the part about tending to the personal matters of our Leaders. I can assure you that was a "one-time" thing and not a big deal at all! Colleen had a meeting to attend, so I ran over on my lunch hour to find the kitten. She was very concerned that her two dogs wouldn't enjoy having the little party crasher around!
Joe16
Explorer C
That was very kind of you, Sunny. Thank you for the response.
Terri2
Explorer C
Hi Sunny, I was pleasantly surprised to find the SWA blog. I got a laugh from your story about your recent job "duties". I am a former SWA employee(finance) and have fond memories of working there. You might remember me, I worked with Kelly. I wanted to post an response to say THANK YOU for everything that you and all the other SWA employees do for the travel industry. Thanks again, Terri
Wayne_McNeal
Explorer C
Hi Sunny:I was just browsing SWA website and I saw your blog. Some years ago I took a group of Canadian airline people to meet Southwest and you made all the arrangements for them to see your people in the various departments and to take us on a tour of the facilities. We had a great time thanks to you. I still remember the pop corn machine in the lobby and the Southwest museum on the second floor and the family pictures in the hallways. Your were then Sunny Stone. I can see from the comments in the blog you are still doing a great job at helping out people. All the best and keep having fun. Wayne