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Happy Holidays from the "Nuts About Southwest" Crew

admin
Explorer A
With Christmas and New Year's Day just around the corner, we know that our readers are probably busy with other "stuff" instead of reading the blog.  (We hope that some of that "stuff" is visiting friends and family on one of our LUV Jets.) So, we will be going on a bit of a break in posting new material until "next year," but we will still be publishing your comments in the meantime--so keep them coming.  NewSouthwestCup[1].jpg Your Blog Crew - the Blog Boy, Brian, the Blog Beauties, Angela, Ginger, Jill, Linda, and Paula, and all our Employee bloggers - raise (or knowing them, drain) a cup of Holiday cheer and send you the best Season's Greetings!  See you on January 2.
35 Comments
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Break from blogging???????????????Never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right now I am still out to sea aboard this fine vessel The USS NIMITZ!!! Even though I luv the ocean, i rather be on a plane home. I will be going home for Christmas. Christmas in New Mexico is my favorite time of year, especially the food. I booked my flight early this month and i am glad i did. All of your flights from San Diego to ABQ are sold out on Friday the 22nd.. I think its time you guys think about expanding your lovely presence in my hometown... I hope you guys have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
blusk
Aviator C
That must be an amzing wi-fi system on the Nimitz, Francisco! Merry Christmas to you to! Blog Boy
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Francisco, I can't say it enough; the men and women of our military are just fantastic! I am glad that you'll get to come home for Christmas, but for all of your colleagues at sea, on the land and in the air, a huge and hearty THANK YOU from Texas being there on the front lines for us. We appreciate y'all very much! Kim 🙂
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
To the Blog Crew -- My very BEST wishes for a blessed Christmas season to you and your families! Each of you, including BL, the "Blog Boy" himself, and the Blog Beauties (who truly ARE!! 🙂 ), have become special friends this year and your friendship means a lot to me! See y'all in 2007! Kim 🙂
Jenny4
Explorer A
I will be waiting for the New Year! New posts, new topics, new folks...new, new, new! Now that 2006 is winding down, wish you all the best for 2007. Thanks for a great site, you ROCK! Francisco - thanks for your comments and your service to our country. Enjoy your Christmas with the family and eat as much as you can! Jenny
Damon
Explorer C
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy New Year!. I will be flying Southwest to Vegas on Jan 10th so we need more blogs before then.
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Jenny, Kim, Brian and the whole Southwest Gang, Thanks for your kind words, and yes i am going to be eating a lot. I ran 65 miles while we were out to sea, so my body is in need of rest and my moms good cooking. We just got new treadmills for our gym!!! The crew is doing well, except for the fact that everyone is dying to come home. Talk to you guys soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be flying out from San Diego this Thursday, I cannot wait to see my second family. Francisco
GNA
Explorer C
Happy holidays to the blog crew! To everyone else : If you're flying SWA on one of the holidays, please be sure to thank the crews for taking you to your loved ones since they won't get to be with theirs . And here's a special holiday shout-out to my FO best friend who will be somewhere over the East Coast Christmas and Christmas Eve and almost here on the West Coast on New Year's Eve. LUV ya G! Happy holidays! 🙂
Jenny4
Explorer A
Francisco - This is way off topic - but I'm just dying to know...the treadmills on ship - is your vessel that steady you can run and not lose balance?! I have this mental picture in my head and while it is not actually funny...it is! Let's say, you are running - at a good pace and wham - the waves pick up, rocking the ship a bit...and you lose balance on the moving belt. Has anyone ever fallen off? I've fallen off mine and I'm on land (I run like I drive - turn my head that is the direction I go). Congrats on the miles...65! Wow! You ought to see if there is a medal for a treadmill marathon....there has to be one out there somewhere.... Again, Merry Christmas, enjoy being home and know we are very thankful for your service...share the message with your fellow sailors. Jenny
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Jenny, While I've never been on an aircraft carrier that was deployed at sea, I have been on several stationary (floating museums) ones. They are much larger than a Holland America cruise ship that I was on, and in seven days on the cruise ship, I only ONCE felt any significant movement onboard. I suspect that due to the large size of the U. S. S. Nimitz and its peers, onboard movement, especially below deck closer to the waterline, is probably fairly minimal. However, Francisco confided in me that he DID have a hard time getting used to the water ski launching catapults on deck at first, although catching the wire when he returned to ship was easy with those long skis... Kim :-) \
Annonomous
Explorer C
I am a musician and my wife works for Southwest as a Flight Attendant. I know every crack pot has an idea, but as a jingle, I have always said that the song "LUv is in the Air" ... everywhere you look around..from the 70's Would be a GREAT song for a Southwest Ad.... Happy Holidays to all
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Jenny and Kim, This underway we hit some pretty rough waters. So to answer your question people have fallen off while they were running. Our gym is located in the forward part of the ship so you can feel the rocking. It is a funny sight when you are running and then all of a sudden everyone loses their balance all at once. I am used to the movement by now. This time tomorrow I will be back home.. I cannot wait. "Luv in the air" would be a good song to use in a Southwest commerical. I will be sure to say hello to my flight crew tomorrow, i know it must be hard not to be home for the holidays, especially if you have to work.
Chris3
Explorer A
I checked the web site for the Austin airport. All the other airlines have delays. Southwest had none. I'm glad I'm flying on Southwest tomorrow.
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Francisco, Well, I "stand" (or fall, as the case may be...) corrected. I had assumed that the USS Nimitz was every bit as plush and comfortable as Holland America's cruise ships. Does the lack of stability in the water mean that the wine steward has to keep your champagne glasses less full at dinner so they don't slosh out and get your caviar soggy? I'm guessing that your cabin steward likewise has a harder time when he comes by your suite in the mornings to make your bed and replace the towels and linens? Is it also a bit disorienting when you're lounging by one of the top deck pools and the water down by the diving board has white caps? Maybe the US Navy shouldn't take the low bids to build those boats... LOL Have a great Christmas with your family, have safe travels back and forth, and may God continue to watch over you and your crewmates and keep you safe! Kim 🙂
angela
Adventurer C
Just wanted to say Happy Holidays to everyone and thanks for visiting our blog and making it so fun and interactive...it's like getting a gift every day. That's cheesy...sorry. Anyway, Blog Boy Brian, all our bloggers, Kim and Francisco and all you other other blog fans - have a great holiday and come back to see us next year.
Jim13
Adventurer C
I just want to add my Christmas greetings and thanks to the blog staff here at SWA. You all (that's "Y'all" for those in Dallas) have created a unique customer interaction tool and a place I visit at least daily. Thanks from El Paso, Texas for a great blog and a great airline. Now I'm off to visit the grandkids in Phoenix (driving) and I will be back in the new year. Jim
Mary23
Explorer B
Can we make Kim a honorary employee and invite him to the Message to the Field in Phoenix.
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Awwww, Mary, that's very nice of you! Having never visited Phoenix, I'd be honored! If I'm made an honorary Employee, do I get my own pair of cute shorts and knit polo shirt with the official SWA embroidered logo? I warn ya, I've got knobby knees! Seriously, I'm touched by your sentiment, and you have no idea how close I come some days to submitting an application to my favorite airline. The idea of flying with some of the greatest folks in the air is very appealing, especially on those days when at my own company I'm flying with a buncha turkeys! It is a rare treat and a distinct privilege to be able to interact so closely with such a wonderful organization, and even if I'm on the periphery, I almost feel like an honorary Employee. You work for an awesome company and I hope that many of the 32K of you have worked somewhere else first so that you'll have a greater appreciation for just how fortunate you are. Believe me, life in the "real world" ain't as nice as it is at Southwest. Best holiday wishes to all y'all* in Arizona, especially to YOU, Mary J! Kim :-) * if you need help translating Texan, that means "each and every one of you", which in New Jersey is pronounced "all youze guys". There are singular and plural forms: "y'all" is for one and "all y'all" is two or more. You can tell a counterfeit Texan if he spells it "ya'll". Of course, you can always tell a real Texan, you just can't tell 'em much! 🙂
joe-mdw-plane-d
Frequent Flyer C
"Never been to PHX!" Kim, how could you not?!! I have been there many times and taken the whole family a couple of times all the way from MI. You are a lot closer. We only have 2 n/s there. You must have about 100 per day. Next time a delivery comes from Boeing, get yourself onboard and go see PHX. Nothing like rounding the corner of the mountains and seeing the phx valley as the plane levels out. You can sit at your gate area and look out the huge windows and see alot of planes. Many little fed ex's and Southwest planes. Joe 😉
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!! Well I made it home to New Mexico and I have had the best time. Here is how Southwest made a difference in my journey home. Our ship the USS Nimitz pulled into San Diego a day early. As soon as our ship pulled in I would be on Christmas leave. I called Southwest and they said all of the flights to Albuquerque were booked that day but i could still go to the airport and try standby. My original reservation was for Friday night. I did not want to stay an extra day in San Diego so I headed to the airport were the holiday season was in full swing. The line to check in at Southwest was out the door, yet it kept on moving. I got to the ticket counter and i told them of my situation. They put me on standby. I went to try my luck for the 12:25 non-stop flight to ABQ. The gate agent MRS. Delgado was overly helpful and friendly. She was a true angel. Some people did not show up for that flight and I was put on the flight home. I suprised my parents who started crying when they recieved the call from me. It turns out that they were going to suprise me at the gate the next day, it looks like i beat them to the punch. I recieved a phone call from Bernadine R. Trudeau who worked as a customer service supervisor for Southwest. She said she had a bunch of gifts for me in honor of my service to our great country. I was humbled and honored to recieve the gifts from Southwest. You guys are the reason i am able to get home and see my loved ones. You and my parents made my Christmas extra special. From the crew in San Diego to the inflight crews, to the crew in ABQ, you all deserve the very best this holiday season. Thanks for making my time home with my family extra special. God bless.
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Francisco, Welcome home and Happy White Christmas! I understand that ABQ got some snow, so it must be a cold but welcome relief from the hard deck of the Nimitz! Your story is just so typical of exactly why Southwest is the BEST AIRLINE IN THE WORLD!!! I'm sure you saw many people around you who did not make it on standby, but I've seen our SWA friends go out of their way for our service men and women lots of times, so that doesn't surprise me. But then, to find that the airline had gifts just for you is certainly above and beyond the call of duty! I hope that you have an extremely restful and blessed time with your family and I really appreciate you sharing with us all of the ways that Southwest Employees took care of you. Although I don't know your rank in the Navy, it sounds like they treated you like a four-star admiral! Best wishes always, Kim 🙂
Phil_Willman
Adventurer C
Francisco, Welcome back stateside and Happy New Year! And thank you so very much for serving our country. It is men and women like yourself out on the front line that make this country what it is! Thank You! I envy you getting to spend the holiday in ABQ, I bet those snow-capped Sandias were a sight for sore eyes...I know I sure miss 'em living here in Big D.... If you haven't already headed back to SAN, be sure to find Bernie (you can tell her I said it was ok to call her that) and give her a big thank you and give her a big Texas "howdy" from me! I started my SWA career as a Customer Service Agent in ABQ, and Bernie was one of my trainers. She's great!! Stay safe and keep those miles churning!
Francisco_Delga
Explorer C
I am back in sunny San Diego. I am glad I left ABQ when i did, otherwise i would have been snowed in.. I returned to work yesterday and it was a sad day. One of our sailors in my department was killed and another injured a few days ago. Keep their familes in your thoughts and prayers. Once again i would like to thank Southwest for the nice trip home. Every employee that i encountered went above and beyond their call of duty.
Mary23
Explorer B
Francisco, I hope you enjoyed the snow and that you were not scheduled on any of those flights that were canceled. I missed the Blog over the holiday break but the weather kept us very busy here in Res. So heres to snow in the mountains and clear skies over all our airports for 2007. I hope you all have a Happy New Year and challenges that bring you great growth and happiness.
CHRIS_HAMMACK
Explorer C
Everybody at SWA have a Happy New Year!!!
Tanya_Hogan
Explorer C
I made this video while landing... I had not done this before and was nervous about flying in the really wet weather in the first place, but I decided to film it anyway. I love Zucchero's "I Lay Down" with John Lee Hooker and so I put the two together. Enjoy! http://www.jumpcut.com/view?id=7BFC73FA991B11DBB57E266C9A2E700D
Tanya_Hogan
Explorer C
OOPS! I forgot to say that this was a landing in Seattle from Boise. tanya hogan
Leah4
Frequent Flyer B
Happy New Year everyone! SWA LUV! :)
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of my friends at Southwest Airlines and to my fellow bloggers! Let's have a great 2007 together, Kim 🙂
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Francisco, Thanks for keeping us posted on your trip. I'm glad you got out of ABQ before the weather turned sour; I had been wondering if you were shoveling snow to find your Christmas presents! My condolences to your crewmate's family and my prayers to the injured sailor for his full and quick recovery. Thank you again for ALL that you, the crew of the U. S. S. Nimitz and ALL of our military men and women do for us each and every day of the year. I pray for God's protection over each of you and for your safe return home to your anxious families. A salute to our military and my best wishes for 2007, Kim
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Mary J, and all of the Southwest bloggers, (Kim, Jenny, Brian) Thanks for the warm wishes. Happy New Year!!!! I worked yesterday on the ship and right at midnight we had fireworks go off here in San Diego bay. It was a sight to see. Meanwhile my mom called to say ABQ is still snowed in. Sometimes I count my blessings to be in San Diego. So here is to a new year for all of us... Go Chargers!!!! (I hope that does not offend anyone) Francisco
Pam_Terenzi
Explorer C
A comment and a question: I love the Southwest Airlines baggage crew. Just flew roundtrip from Islip to Houston for the holidays. Had a tight connection in Chicago and ran all the way from Concourse A to Concourse B at Midway to make my plane. I figured that there was no way my bag could be loaded before we pushed back. But lo and behold, there it was on the baggage carousel at Islip when we landed -- good job, Southwest!! I always enjoy Spirit magazine when I fly. I noticed in the January 2007 issue that Eric Celeste is no longer the editor. What happened to him? The last editor was at least granted a "farewell" column before leaving for another job. What happened to Eric? I also missed Sodoku. :-( Thanks.
blusk
Aviator C
Hi Pam, Thanks for your comments about our Ramp Agents and Spirt magazine. In January, we changed publishers and now have a new Editorial Staff. (The old publisher was AMR Publishing and the new company is Pace Publishing.) We are very excited about the change, and we think that Spirit will go from being a great inflight magazine to the best inflight magazine. Brian
Phil_Willman
Adventurer C
LUVed the video Tanya!!! (it was, after all, video involving an airplane....can't beat that!!) Do you ever post videos on www.flightlevel350.com? It has some incredible videos too. Thanks for sharing! Happy New Year to all!
alice_vargas
Explorer C
To: Southwest Airlines --Have just returned from Van Nuys, CA thru LAX after tending to the comfort and than unfortunate death of my sister on April 16; I found it necessary to take Flight 1066 on thursday (flyte time 7:55 pm to 12:55 am , friday) in order to return to husband waiting for me. On board this flyte I was feeling quite low because of the loss of my last remaining sister; however, the attendants on the trip were unlike any others I have encountered on previous SW flytes.Attendant Mark (african-american young man) and a blond young lady (do not remember her name) became aware of my personal loss and to me they were God-sent. The attention and comfort provided me during their busy schedule was above-and-beyond by far then any one else could have given. PLEASE, PLEASE convey my extreme thanks and prayers to these two individuals. As a lifelong Catholic they shall be in my daily prayers. Alice Vargas, varnetdav@juno.com