Jazzed about New Orleans

[rsweet]

Jazz Fest is wrapping up this weekend and I have seen positive reports about its role in the city's healing. I'll always remember a conversation I had with restaurateur Ti Martin ( Cafe Adelaide and Commander's Palace) back in November. Her commitment to bringing back New Orleans was incredible. Her disappointment in some of the businesses that left the city was impactful. Fortunately, there are many like Ti in New Orleans, and assuming they all embrace the same passion, the area will certainly recover. My conversation with Ti inspired me to do something I thought of doing shortly after Katrina -- have our annual marketing meeting in the city and be one of the first major companies to begin the comeback with their Meetings and Convention business... During the meeting, we took time to pick thousands of pounds of citrus for the Second Harvest Food Bank as a way to give back to a community that has supported us for years... and of course, we had a little fun while we were there... Some of us are still a little hung over from the trip, and I can assure you there were a few bars and restaurants that were happy we feel the way we do. I just love the food and drink down there. Southwest's rebuilding plan in New Orleans continues as well. We have added more flights and in June, we will begin serving more destinations - Las Vegas, Phoenix, Baltimore/Washington DC, Ft. Lauderdale, and Chicago. Here's to a successful Jazz Fest and to the reconstruction of one of America's great cities.

[Cygnus]

Why is everybody som complimentary of Southwest Airlines here. The title of the blog may provide a clue . . .

[Amy_Grace]

Please bring MSY to BHM back. I moved to NO 1 month prior to Katrina and counted on this flight to see my friends and family. The drive is miserble but beats your Houston/ Tampa route any day.

[Cindy_C_]

When will the non-stop flight from New Orleans to Birmingham return? Obviously, I'm not the only one who misses this flight. Like some of the other other posters, I have been making the 5 hour drive to visit family rather than being routed to Houston or Tampa. Please give us a timeframe when this route will be restored.

[Norma_Ater]

Do you fly from Louisville to New Orleans Sept 12rh to l6th.

[Eric10]

Please bring back the direct flight from Birmingham to New Orleans. I moved after the hurricane and have flown into New Orleans at least 6 times this past year.

[hope]

Wow. I never realized there was such a demand for nonstop service between BHM and MSY. I know that when we (BHM) restarted service to MSY it was a big deal, but I never knew it was this desired. Well, looks like everyone got what they asked for!