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Home for the Holidays...

jmalone
Adventurer A
Many of us were able to be at home for the Holidays.  However, several thousand, battle-ready road warriors took to the skies to care for our Customers as they traveled across the country to visit family and friends.  One of the unique things about the Southwest Culture is our Headquarters (HDQ) building.  Colleen has always said that she wants our HDQ building to resemble someone's home, and our HDQ building is filled with pictures of  Employees, their families and even their pets. One of my favorite times of year at my home away from home is the Christmas Season.  Colleen and her Team of folks decorate our HDQ building to really showcase the Holiday Season.  The pictures I've taken will hopefully show you just a little bit of what our home looks like during the Holidays.  I hope you enjoy them!  I wish you each a properous New Year and look forward to seeing you soon on a Southwest Airlines flight! DSC000791.JPGDSC00097.JPGDSC00091.JPGDSC00090.JPGDSC00087.JPGDSC00083.JPG
9 Comments
Judith_Rochon
Explorer C
I had a wonderful flight to Chicago for the holidays. On returning New Year's Day, I arrived at the airport 2 hours early to find the lines wrapped around the terminal into the parking garage and back into the building. The lines moved with amazing rapidity. However, there was a young US Marine in uniform carrying duffle bag and crisp white hat trying to find the end of the line. The SWA staff directed him to the end of the line. A while later I saw him coming out of the garage discouraged. I called to him and let him cut in front of me. His name is Sgt. Steven Smith, he's about 19 years and is on his way back to Iraq. He was in Chicago visiting his family. In WWII military personal were given special treatment. I'm not in favor of the war, but this young man has chosen to give his life to protect others. I think the least we can do is place them FIRST in line while we are engaged in this war. I think SWA should give him a free ticket to use the next time he comes home ....if he makes it! Judy Rochon, Milford, CT
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
James, Thank you for those wonderful and beautiful pictures! They just serve to remind us that above all other things, it is the Culture that makes Southwest Airlines what it is. Much of the credit for that belongs to Colleen, but many other people carry that Spirit forward throughout the organization. I look forward to many hours (and lots of bags of peanuts) in the company of those fine Employees on the ground and in the air. Best wishes for a wonderful 2007 to us all, Kim 🙂
Vicki1
Explorer C
I want to pass on my thanks to the SWA team for my wonderful Christmas holiday. No, I didn't fly, but my daughter and son-in-law flew SWA from BNA to OIA and back. Except for some turbulence on the flight to OIA, they had a completely uneventful trip. When we arrived at OIA on New Year's Day afternoon for their return trip, we were shocked to see how long the line was; however, it moved quickly and without incident. Everyone was doing their part quickly, efficiently, and with smiles on their faces and a little LUV in their demeanor! Thanks for making my Christmas extra special! Vicki
Dena_Fetters
Explorer C
As James' sister and having been allowed to visit the Headquarters in Dallas a few years ago, I was nothing but impressed with the pride SWA takes in making their employees feel like family. As we walked through different areas, everyone knew everyone and were very much interested in who we were and how we were. The decor was comfortable, not stuffy, the people were warm, and the atmosphere was nothing short of wonderful! This was one of few Christmas' James didn't work and was able to be here for the nieces and nephew, Santa, family, etc. However, on the years he has missed, someone has always made him welcome in their home regardless of what city and state he was in, he has always called and had a wonderful meal, he has even volunteered to work on those days in the past. SWA is his extended family and seems to trickle down to be ours as well as us be there's! We are grateful for SWA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dena Fetters
Francisco_Delga1
Adventurer A
Judy, As an active military member i can say that Southwest has gone above and beyond for me. When i went home for Christmas i was given a package of gifts for my service to this great country of ours. Also with all due respect to you, this blog is a non-political blog.
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Dena, Thank you for such a warm contribution to the blog! Yes, I can echo your sentiments, because as a visitor to HDQ, I've received the same hospitable and welcoming feeling. Southwest is not a "company" -- it is a very large and diverse FAMILY, with 32,000 siblings who share a common dream, a love for their jobs and each other, and a wonderful sense of humor. As far as being James' sister, although I only know James through this blog, I am sure that you get the same questions that my sister gets: "why did you get stuck with such a goofball brother???" Kim 🙂
Rick_Heaton
Explorer C
James thanks for sharing the great photos. I'm glad things are going so well for you. It helps to visualize what HDQ looked like for the holidays. I was fortunate to fly home on Christmas to be with my family. The flights were very full and I had the opportunity to hear many wonderful stories of why people fly with us. One of the coolest was a married couple that were having their Sister pick them up at the airport and surprise their Mom when she walked into the living room to find them as her Christmas present. Their excitement was really uplifting. Best wishes to everyone for a great New Year.
Dena_Fetters
Explorer C
Kim, I actually do get asked that often! You should try to meet James; it becomes all the more clear... Ha Ha! Just kidding Bro! We are fortunate enough and unfortunate enough that we are only 11 months apart! Talk about night and day, salt and pepper, oil and water?!?!?! When he says potato, I usually come back with spinach instead of tomato! We debate most everything and I personally would be shocked if we found anything in common! Actually, I think that is what I like the most! We are so different we don't have to compare anything! He is him and I am me! One of these days I'll get on here and tell some of the more horror stories of him pulling my hair and making me cry...... HA HA! (Love Ya Brother) Dena Fetters
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
James, I guess I should feel lucky. So far, my older sister (by 6.5 years) has only gotten on the blog twice, but both times, she was complimentary. She could tell some tales herself, although they would be entirely fictional, since I was a perfect child growing up... Kim P. S. In homage to Tommy Smothers, sis, I've gotta tell you: "Mom really DID like me best!" 🙂