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Message Mania

sheaser
Frequent Flyer B

[asset|aid=1151|format=image|formatter=asset|title=MTTF2010.jpg|width=300|height=183|resizable=true|align=right]I tried. I mean I asked around and I really tried to think of a company where the Top Leader goes out to the company, address the group (open to any Employee) and then take questions and answers. Okay, there are probably several I am not thinking of, but of the ones that I am not thinking of, how many of the Employee groups tailgate before it? Only one that I know of—Southwest Airlines!

 Tents, grilling, music, bands—everything needed for a successful tailgate party—before going in to hear Gary Kelly, our President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. He gives a prepared speech and answer questions—any question! But that is not what this podcast is about. This episode of Red Belly Radio is about the party before what has become more like a concert than a corporate message.

Photo: Employees gathered under a tent before Gary's Message to the Field.

5 Comments
ratchet
Explorer C
Hi Steve, Another great episode as usual. I just wanted to say 2 things- 1) It also rained when I attended the message in MCO so I feel your pain on the weather as I was looking forward to escaping the snow in VA for the warmth of Florida but I guess mother nature had other plans. And 2) my favorite plane was Silver One but since that is no longer around I'll go with my home town Illinois One
arvin
Explorer A
You may have found a new topic for one of Lindsey's polls. I think my favorite would be the Illinois One - Awesome colors!
Tim_Hartnett
Explorer C
Gary, SW is and has been a great and innovative airline, which I try first whenever I fly. I'm commenting because I hope that you can help cut through some administrative and perhaps policy/proceedure red tape. Our church's missionary group (First Trinity Lutheran Church, Tonawanda, NY) was in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. Fortunately, after helping the orphans to relocate in the first two days, they were able to be airlifted by the US Air Force to Florida and subsequently reached home. SW initially offered vouched as a refund mechanism for the unable to be used return tickets to Buffalo. This really is not helpful or useful to the church. A refund of cash is what is needed. For whatever reasons, SW is resisting this cash refund and requiring "proof" of how the missionaries got out of Haiti, etc. Given the overall circumstances of the quake, the fortunate ability of all to be airlifted to various airbases and their need to arrange alternate air travel from locations not serviced by SW, it would be appreciated if you could cut through the redtape delays and rather difficult requirements to prove why these tickets were unused. These people and the church should not have to suffer financial loss (vouches vs a full cash refund) as a result of their interrupted mission trip. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Tim Hartnett
blusk
Aviator C
Hi Tim, Thanks for sharing your concerns. In turn, I have shared them with the Leaders of our Customer Relations Department and have asked them to reasearch and get back in touch with you. Brian
cmorrison
Explorer C
Help!! I am a long time customer and Rapid Rewards member. I just joined the Nuts About Soutwest Blog and I'm enjoying everything. I am in need of some assistance. My Graduate Strategic Management class at Dallas Baptist University has the privilege to analyze Southwest Airlines. This project counts for almost half of our grade this Spring. There is an employee questionnaire and our data will come from the feedback. If anyone out there is willing to help some MBA/MAM graduate students pass, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks so much in advance. Cynthia Morrison