I See Stars!

[jmalone]

One of the fun things about being a Flight Attendant is all of the celebrities (Actors, Musicians, Sports stars and even Presidents!) that we get to see! Some of them are A-list, some are on the B- or C-list, but nevertheless, they all have had or are having their 15 minutes of fame. One person, I would like to meet is the D-lister, Kathy Griffin. 🙂 Often times, they are quiet and seem to want to be left alone to their reading, catching up on sleep, etc...but other times, they are more than willing to answer the questions from our Customers and Flight Attendants, and more often than not, they let us take pictures with them. As you can see from the pictures, Hollywood LUVS Southwest Airlines!

[Leah3]

Cool! Is the second picture of the man on the top right John Stamos, or is it someone that looks like him?

[jmalone]

Leah - that is none other than John Stamos himself! Isn't this another cool part of being a Flight Attendant? Regards, James Malone Flight Attendant - MDW

[Leah3]

Oh, wow; yes, that is cool! I remember him from Full House, but rarely see pictures of him now. Do you ever get autographs? Maybe when I'm an FA, I'll see &/or serve some famous people & get their autographs & pictures! :)

[Laurie7]

Seeing stars is very cool - so is seeing a picture of one of your CSA training classmates on the SWA blog! Just giving a little shout-out to Brian who was lucky enough to meet Charo! Great pics! Every one of them! Laurie SNA/CSA

[Carinne]

Yes! Uncle Jesse!! What Would Uncle Jesse Do!

[FriendofBlogBoy]

Over the years, I've been fortunate enough several times to be in the right place at the right time to be on a Southwest flight with someone "notable", but probably none of those times made as big an impression as an experience I had coming out of AUS one day bound for DAL. While waiting for my flight in the gate area (at the old Mueller Airport) after checking in, I detected a small, but noticeable 'hubbub' at the gate counter. Folks were whispering and pointing, not too discreetly, towards a tall and attractive woman checking in for a flight. She was accompanied by an even taller and very broad-shouldered man in a suit, who seemed to be hovering rather closely. As the pair moved towards where I was waiting, I began hearing her saying something along the lines of: "no, really, I'll be just fine; you go on back to the office. The plane will be here in 15 or 20 minutes and I'm in the second boarding group, so I'll be on board very soon, and 'so and so' will meet me in Dallas. No, I insist, you head on, there's no need to wait here with me. Seriously, I'll be perfectly fine, I HAVE flown all by myself before, you KNOW?" The obviously reluctant gentleman finally agreed, since it was clear that he worked for this lady, and that she was not going to take no for an answer. So, he made her promise to call him if there was any problem or delay with the flight and to call when she got to Dallas so that he knew she had arrived safely. She consented and bid him farewell. The lady then stood and waited with the rest of us (if you remember the old gate area at Mueller, it was one big square common room for about six gates, and seating was usually at a premium. She chatted with several different people who recognized her, and appeared to be genuinely interested in each of them. A helpful SWA employee approached her and offered to let her 'pre-board' so she didn't have to wait in line, but still being as resolute as before, she displayed her plastic boarding pass and pointed out that she was in the second group (31 - 60 in those days), and that she would board with "her group". I boarded ahead of her and observed the way with which she conducted herself in a manner that was respectful of her position and yet did not flaunt that position over anyone. She chose a middle seat directly in front of me, and continued throughout the flight to chat and smile and shake hands with all who approached her. My understanding is that a few years later, this lady personally called the Rapid Rewards member desk to ask them to change the address on her membership. Reciting her membership number confirmed to the surprised SWA employee that he was indeed talking to the person that she claimed to be, and so at her request, he updated former First Lady of Texas Laura Bush's address to now read "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D. C."!

[Skye]

I think I look better than John Stamos does in the picture, but he was very cool when I asked him if we could take a picture, so I have to give him some credit. After all he is uncle Jesse.

[FriendofBlogBoy]

Hey, Skye -- In the picture, John/Uncle Jesse is holding up two fingers. Is he counting the number of Rapid Reward segments he earned on that roundtrip flight? LOL Kim 🙂

[Sandy21]

Came across this blog by accident this evening and found the story of our now First Lady wonderful and very sweet. We fly Southwest out of Oklahoma City often and have always had great dependable service from making reservations, checking in, boarding and inflight. I envy all of the flight attendants out there. Since I was a teenager being a flight attendant was my one and only dream, but marriage and children came along. Now my kids are off living their dreams, my husband has his dream job, and I'm 44 and too old to start chasing mine. Thank you to all of you for the great service you provide us and safe flying!

[FriendofBlogBoy]

Sandy, I'm glad that you enjoyed hearing about one of my encounters with 'The First Family' back when they lived down here one state south of you. I've often thought that the best way to know what famous people are really like is to see them when the cameras are off and there is no reporter around. My father-in-law knew her as she was growing up, and he corroborates that she is as nice as she seems in the media. But, as to you being too old to chase your dreams, I suggest that you read the following part of the SWA blog. This was posted by a friend of mine who works at Southwest, and it might just inspire you to pursue that dream: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/2006/08/02/the-southwest-cure-for-a-midlife-crisis/ I'm six years older than you are, and I still fantasize about working at Southwest myself after being a sideline observer of this phenomenal company. Being an empty-nester myself, I wish I had the courage to give up almost 25 years with my present employer and apply at SWA. But, I'd probably fail the application process to be a flight attendant. All of those folks get to wear cool polo shirts and spiffy shorts to work, and unfortunately, I've got knobby knees... Go for it, Sandy!! Kim P. S. HOOK 'EM HORNS!!! (sorry, I couldn't resist) 🙂

[Jody_Keydash]

Walter Gagehot stated in one of his famous quotes..."A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." Jody

[Sandy21]

Alright guys - I've thought about applying now for the past couple days, and I'm gonna give it a try! Any suggestions or tips with the resume/application? Is it better to apply online or fax it in? I read the "tips" and they talk about "key words" etc, any ideas on that? I've worked as a Paramedic, 911 dispatcher, Reserve Police Officer, and a medical clinic manager - volunteered teaching for the Red Cross and American Heart Association. P.S. Love the idea of Southwest endorsing a site like this to hear it as it is from their own employees! And James, since I live south of Shawnee will I be able to commute like you do?

[FriendofBlogBoy]

Way to go, Sandy!! I'm proud of you!! That is SO cool. I truly hope that things go well for you whether you wind up at SWA or somewhere else. Congratulations, Kim

[jmalone]

Sandy - sure, you can commute like I do. You can commute from OKC or TUL. I actually think TULsa might be a little easier for you as we seem to have less commuters out of that city. Good Luck! James

[Daniel_J_]

I've noticed the boarding process is a lot quicker without all the carry-on baggage customers usually carry. Are the flight attendants noticing a quicker loading/unloading process? Maybe assigned seat is not the answer, but to keep the current no liquids in place. I've loved the last six-trips I have been on that there is no roller bags to avoid!

[Sandy_S]

Sandy or anyone that can help! I also am interested in pursuing my dream of being a flight attendant. Can you give me info on where I can get the tips you talked about in your earlier posting? I am presently working on my resume. Thanks, Sandy S

[jmalone]

Sandy - Check out the following website: http://www.flightattendants.org/swa I hope this help! James Malone MDW FA

[Sandy_S]

James Thank You!

[A_mcginn]

I love SW myself, but I find it kind of incredulous that major icons would fly in such economy lines. Carter is down to earth so I can understand that but some of the others? Just goes to say that SW must be cooler than TED! Hahhahah! xoxoxoox

[Sandy21]

I posted back in August 2006, with everyone's encouragement that I wasn't "too old" to pursue my dream, and submitted a resume. Didn't think anymore about it.....well guess what! I got an email with an invitation to fly me down to Dallas June 23 for group interviews! Was told to expect to be there all day! I can't believe it guys! Any advise James, on what to expect all day? I am so excited just to be asked to talk to SWA!!!!! Sandy

[jmalone]

Sandy, CONGRATS on getting an interview. Typically, you will first go to a "group" interview, then if you hope for the one-on-one the same day. A good place to visit is the website mentioned earlier in this comment section. http://www.flightattendants.org/swa Good Luck and let us know how it goes! James MDW FA

[Sandy21]

Thanks!!! I'll let you know how it goes! Sandy

[Kim_C]

I'm a SWA flight attendant based out of OAK. Today our flight from Detroit to Chicago had the honor of transporting the Phoenix Mercury WNBA Champions!!! (They then had a SWA flight from Chicago to Phoenix for their huge fan homecoming celebration). The team was scheduled to fly on a USAirways flight. The USAirways plane had mechanical problems and the flight was canceled last minute. I'm proud to say Southwest was able to accommodate the ladies, the coach, the team staff and families. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera........darn! The ladies were very kind, humble and gracious. True champions!!