Skip to main content

Southwest Airlines Community

Good bye my friend!

cadams
Adventurer B
WilliamsonRet-0097.jpg   This year SWA will say good bye to approximately one hundred Pilots due to retirement. Federal Aviation Regulations mandate an Airline Pilot's retirement at age 60. Retiring Pilots are allowed to chose the Crew for their last flight, and I recently had the honor of working Captain Steve Williamson's last flight along with Flight Attendants Laura Freeman and Gina Anderson. Acting as Steve's first officer was Captain Chris Plaisance, WilliamsonRet-0021.jpga long-time friend of Steve's since their Air Force days. We were wearing T-shirts imprinted with Steve's picture and "Thirty years of Luv".WilliamsonRet-0084.jpg Steve joined SWA in April 1976 and has flown over 29,000 total flight hours. I've known him since 1984. Steve was always a delight to fly with. His smile showed he was happy to see you, his crew briefing was thorough, he assisted when able with passengers, kept the flight attendants briefed on weather and even helped us tidy the aircraft between flights. The only thing I can remember that Steve DIDN'T do was bring candy! It seems just a few short years since his family flew on one of my flights going to one of their young daughter's gymnastic meets. Now Steve and his wife Connie are grandparents. On his last day we met Steve's flight when it came through Dallas on the way to Tulsa. Joining us were Connie, his mother Marge and her husband Lloyd; son Rob, his wife Lisa and their two children; daughter Stephanie, her husband Kevin and their daughter; and daughter Amy and her husband Andy. Also included were his siblings, in-laws and a few close friends.  In fact, half the passengers on the aircraft were there to honor Steve. The rest of the passengers were happy to join the party!   WilliamsonRet-0013.jpg Our decorations included pictures of Steve from his first days of flying until the present. During the flight we played games, awarded prizes, and asked everyone onboard to write retirement advice on index cards to present later. We also handed out biography sheets and Steve gave a brief speech. While taxiing to the gate in Dallas, two fire trucks on opposite sides of the runway sprayed arcs of water across the aircraft nose in salute (a tradition for a Pilot's last flight). Fellow Employees waited in the jetway for a last farewell, handshake, and good luck wishes. WilliamsonRet-0026.jpgThen we headed to the General Offices and the upstairs cafeteria for a farewell party, where there were many active and retired Pilots, their wives, personal friends, and SWA Employees enjoying food and drink (at Steve's expense!) Speeches, gifts, pictures, cake cutting - a good time was had by all.WilliamsonRet-0191 (2).jpg There will continue to be Pilots with whom we enjoy working, but for those who are retired--you may be gone, but you are not forgotten! Thank you for being the Spirit of Southwest.
14 Comments
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Carole, A review of the history of the mandatory 60-year-old retirement age rule reveals the political motivation that inspired it. I hope that some day we can review the arbitrary nature of this rule and encourage a legislative discussion of its merits. It is a shame that very talented, capable and skilled pilots are forced to step down based on a chronological requirement as opposed to an ability assessment. I salute ALL of our pilots and especially those who have accumulated significant tenure in the skies. To Captain Steve Williamson and his colleagues, I say THANK YOU for ALL that you've done for us over the years! We appreciate your professionalism and conscientious performance of your duties! Leading the applause from the main cabin, Kim 🙂
Chris3
Explorer A
But he's probably going to have a healthy retirement, especially if he took Southwest stock when he started out.
Nona_Rogers
Explorer C
Every time I hear about another pilot retiring because of the mandatory age requirement I am saddened. Last year, my husband and I took his 90 year old mom to the DMV in Michigan to get her drivers liscense renewed. She was terrified but tried not to show it. It turned out that all they asked her was for a doctors note saying she was fit to drive. She didn't have to take a test, she didn't have to drive. It took all of 15 minutes. I'm not saying she can't drive, because she can. And she lives in a very small town, and doesn't drive at night...but folks, she's 90 YEARS OLD! (A good thing for my husband because his family's longetivy is much better than mine meaning he's going to be a rich a man if I go before him... my profit sharing...LOL.) My point is, if my mother-in-law can still drive a car at 90 years old, pilots shoud be able to fly as long as they are able to pass their tests..which are much more strigent then driving test. So, what do yoa'll think? Nona
Rob_Williamson
Explorer C
This was a great and very sentimental day. 30 years is fabulous accomplishment, and you probably could have gone another 10 or 15 if they let you. You are truly blessed to have worked for such a great company all these years and I am truly blessed to have you as my father. I love you, Rob
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
To Captain Williamson -- Let me expand my posting above by now offering you an even BIGGER congratulations! It is very obvious that in the course of 30 years you have influenced a great many people and have made many friends. You've had fellow Employees gather around you to toast your career and you'll no doubt take home a lot of happy memories from Southwest Airlines. However, even though I am ten years younger than you, and have never met you (although maybe I've flown with you in the last 30 years!), I can imagine that all of that pales by comparison with another tribute that you've received. As a father myself, the greatest gift I could receive would be to read a note such as the one above from Rob. Your enduring legacy will not be the 29,000 miles flown or the countless numbers of passengers that you've safely delivered to their destination. It will be the love of your wife, children and grandchildren as so eloquently expressed by Rob. Now THAT is something to truly congratulate you on!! Best wishes from one father to another, Kim 🙂
Leah4
Frequent Flyer B
I, too, think that if Pilots are physically & mentally able to fly, they should be allowed to work past the age of 60. Steve looks younger than 60! 🙂
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Leah, Not only that, but he looks like he's really enjoying the group hug from all the pretty ladies!! Kim 🙂
Barb11
Explorer C
Hi Congratulations on your retirement,enjoy you've earned it.Go spend some time with your beautiful family,I hope you have many years to enjoy all of them.Southwest will miss you.
Leah4
Frequent Flyer B
Yes, Kim, he does! 🙂
Maureen3
Explorer C
Congratulations, Steve! Wow....I guess you ARE 60! I just turned 60 today and we were in the same class in high school. Had no idea pilots had to retire...don't they know that 60 is the new 40? It sounds like many respect you and love you. That's a gift that keep on giving. :) What a wonderful group of friends and family you have. I loved reading their notes to you...gave me a glimpse into the man you are today. Your son, Rob exemplifies that you still have your priorities straight. My very best to you and Connie in your retirement! If you and Connie ever come through St. Louis...let me know! Maureen
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Carole, I've been on the road all week, but am just now getting caught up on my backlog of newspapers from my hotel. Interestingly enough, USA Today has an interesting story about this subject in its Money section of the Monday, November 13, 2006 edition. Apparently, there is to be an international change effective next Thursday on Thanksgiving Day that will allow commercial airline pilots to continue to fly until age 65 in every country of the world EXCEPT France, Pakistan, Colombia and the good ole US of A. However, the article indicates that there may be sufficient Congressional pressure to adopt the 65 year old standard for the United States as well. It quotes Ike Eichelkraut, president of your own Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) as he and his union support making this change. Nice timing of your blog post and USA Today's follow-up! http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2006-11-12-pilots-usat_x.htm Thanks, Kim 🙂
Lenore_Bradford
Explorer C
I am the wife of one of your pilots that will be forced to retire this June when he turns 60. Sadly he has only been with Southwest Airlines for 16 years and is not happy about the forced retirement. Having said that I want to say how very lucky we have been these past 16 years being a part of the "Southwest Family"! It has been a wonderful ride! I cannot think of a better company to work for! They have been wonderful to us! I am trying to plan my husbands' (Bud) retirement celebration but have no idea where to start! I want it to be special and Southwest Airlines all the way! He will be making his final trip from San Antonio to Orlando having a celebration in San Antonio. I'm thinking Mexican Restaurant or something. Reading this article helped some but I am desperate for any and all SW Airline Pilot Retirement ideas from the smallest to the most extreme! I have no idea what is traditional or specificley Pilot Retirement stuff. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! Fondly, Lenore Bradford
John_Artz
Explorer C
Congratulations Steve! He and I went through USAF pilot training together at Laredo AFB in 1868-69. He was a great guy then too! Steve, email me your address; Sill and I are trying to organize an email reunion for 70-02. All the best and hi to Connie and Robbie, John and Nancy Artz
Laura_davis
Explorer C
All the best guys