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Southwest Airlines Community

Paying It Forward

milankhatami
Frequent Flyer C

As a chronic planner, I heavily investigated Southwest Airlines before I had even decided I would apply for their Campus Reach Internship Program. I wanted to learn everything I could about the Company, the Culture, and the People to make sure this would be a place I could not only grow professionally, but personally as well. As I researched, I kept coming across three phrases that were said to embody Southwest’s Values: Warrior Spirit, Servant’s Heart, and Fun-LUVing Attitude.

 

Every company has their own version of these values but what I didn’t realize when I first came across these words was how much each and every Employee at Southwest took them to heart. From the warm smiles I see every day when I walk into work to the amazing ways in which I have seen my Cohearts give back to the community, it is clear that these are not just empty words.

 

When I realized that 'Pay It Forward Day' was coming up soon after Southwest Airlines' ProfitSharing Day, as an Intern I knew that there would be Southwest Employees doing amazing things with their cash bonuses. I was not disappointed when I heard Southwest CS&S Employee Alba’s story and learned how she embodied the true spirit of Southwest by giving back to two of the people in her life that she loves most ... her parents.

 

Hello! My name is Alba and I have been a part of the Southwest Family for 15 amazing years. I work in Customer Support & Services in San Antonio. I love my job and I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful Company. With that said, one of the greatest perks we have is ProfitSharing. 

 

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For me, I see this as just another way to save money for my future. However, with this year's cash payment I decided to use it to pay back two of the most important people in my life, my parents. I decided to send my parents on a week-long, all-inclusive resort stay in Costa Rica to celebrate their 50th Anniversary.

 

They have sacrificed so much for me and my siblings through the years and this gift seems small in comparison. I can't thank them enough for everything but I hope this trip helps them understand how very much they are appreciated. My husband and I spent our honeymoon there and hoped this could be a second honeymoon for them. So far we have managed to keep it a secret from them!

 

3 Comments
TeraE
Explorer C

What a beautiful, and thoughtful thing you did for your parents! Servant's heart, indeed. Heart

Kat_rin56
Explorer C

How sweet you are!  We should all appreciate our parents like that.

KathyJJ
Explorer C

How heartwarming