People are, and always have been, the heartbeat of Southwest Airlines. By fostering a Culture of caring and embracing diversity, we recognize that every experience, perspective, and background makes an incredible impact on our Company. After all, we wouldn’t be Southwest without our People, who are the Heart of it all.
We’re excited to share the legacy of almost 31-year Southwest Captain Ruben F., his immense impact, and his final flight with his son, First Officer Ruben F.
Southwest Airlines Father/Son Pilot duo, Captain Ruben Flowers (left) and First Officer Ruben Flowers (right) | Photograph by Grant WeaberSparking a Career’s Worth of Dreams
There was a pivotal moment in Ruben’s childhood when he realized his dream of an office with a view. A pilot asked him if he wanted to visit the flight deck. As he sat in the seat, it all set in. From there, his first step to flying began with his career as a flight instructor while in college. Soon after graduation, he transitioned to become a Chicago (Midway)-based pilot for another carrier.
It wasn’t long before he made his way to Southwest Airlines. Ruben joined Southwest two weeks before his son was born. “We come together for one goal—to get People to their destinations safely and to their loved ones,” said Ruben. He’s found a Family in our People, and that feeling sparked a career’s worth of dreams and a legacy in his family.
Captain Ruben spent the last almost 31 years of his career working as a Pilot for Southwest Airlines | Photograph by Grant WeaberCreating a Family Legacy
At Southwest, we empower Employees to create their own career; one that fits the goals—and lifestyle—they want. We’re passionate about treating everyone like they’re part of the Southwest Family, including the family of our Cohearts, with many strong family traditions at the Company. Captain Ruben mentored family members to pursue a career in the skies too. He’s joined at Southwest Airlines by his brother, Captain Christopher S.; cousin, First Officer Chip J.; and—most recently—his son, First Officer Ruben F.
Naturally, Ruben’s son, Ruben, considers himself a “Southwest baby,” having grown up at the Company and loving it. He rode in the car to drop his dad off at the airport for trips and tagged along to the training center in Dallas growing up to learn more about our operation, experience the simulators, and spend time at the airport, which felt like a second home. He flew in simulators before he had a driver’s license! For Ruben, Southwest is the only place he applied and planned to work after completing his flight training and building time at another airline. “Inspiring as many People as possible is my ultimate goal at Southwest,” said First Officer Ruben.
A Memorable Flight
In late February, Captain Ruben flew his retirement flight, Flight #2601 from Omaha, Neb., to Chicago, with his son as his First Officer. Although First Officer Ruben is only about a month into his tenure at the Company, he’s excited for the journey ahead. “To experience some of his first flights as a Southwest Pilot with him is a feeling that’s hard to describe,” said Captain Ruben.
The two shared many memorable flights. On Captain Ruben’s retirement flight, his brother rode in the flight deck jumpseat, his son served as the First Officer, he was the Captain, and his cousin also flew onboard. Loved ones sitting right next to you is a great feeling. To Ruben, it feels like his son was five years old and running around days ago, and now he’s reading the flight checklist!
Throughout Captain Ruben’s inspiring career, he shared his passion with many young aviators through the Adopt-A-Pilot program and on his trips. He’s left a legacy of People, friendships, family members, and careers.