What does Southwest Airlines give me the Freedom to do? Mary Noel-Hennes

[mhennes]

Southwest gives each of its Employees so many different Freedoms--the Freedom to travel; the Freedom to continue to grow and learn; the Freedom to be financially secure; the Freedom to stay healthy; the Freedom to have fun--not quite as fancy as the Freedoms and rights expressed in the U. S. Constitution, but extensive, fulfilling freedoms nonetheless. The one that I appreciate the most, though, is the one that doesn't have a catchy phrase or clever logo - it's the Freedom to be me. The Freedom to ask questions of anyone, whether it's Colleen, or another of the Officers of the Company, or my Supervisor, because I function better when I know "why." The Freedom to use my sense of humor with my Customers, because I communicate better when I'm not just reciting a script. The Freedom to use creative thinking to resolve an issue, because there's not always a policy that fits every situation. And the Freedom to offer an opinion or respectfully challenge a decision without fear of reprimand or reproach, because Southwest and I both know they didn't just hire me because of my good looks-- they hire people who think and color outside the lines. Because Southwest gives me the Freedom to be "me," I can give my best to you. And it doesn't hurt that I'm free to wear athletic shoes as part of my uniform, either.

[Joseph_Gibson]

Southwest has low cost fairs . Last year i got a ticket for $85 to Los Angeles,CA I couldn't believed but it's the truth . Southwest flyies nonstop to cities like Nashville ,Chicago,Los Angeles etc. Party like a Southwest Airlines star.

[FriendofBlogBoy]

Mary, Having met you, I would say that your good looks didn't hurt in getting you hired! And to your comment, "...itÃ

[joe-mdw-plane-d]

Kim, Is there anyone you don't know? How come I don't know everyone? I did get to see Val from airline when I was in Mdw last week. She was too busy to ask for an autograph. Warning! tire failure to overloading/underinflation is NOT a warranty covered item! Ding! boy Joe

[Leah4]

I got to see Rose, Colleen (not Colleen Braigel-I can't remember if I spelled her last name right), Jenny (I believe that's her name-she has long blond hair & is, I'd say, middle age), & another agent from Airline when I was changing planes in MDW last year ; it's when I was going to & from CMH for both of my RSA interviews. The last agent I saw is a man, but I forgot his name. He wears glasses & is older (not old, but older); he's also somewhat tall. It's not James. I spoke briefly to Jenny & talked with others. Anyway, I was able to get a picture of me with Rose & another agent (the other agent wasn't on the show, but that's okay), & I got Rose's & Colleen's autograph. They autographed a boarding pass for me, which of course I still have, along with the picture! 🙂

[Debbie_L]

this may not be the right forum...but I've just got to get a thank-you to an employee of SW (gate agent in St. Louis). She was awesome in an emergency. I know her first name and can give details but dont know who or how to contact the right people. I love SW and love it even more now.....hope you can help! Debbie

[FriendofBlogBoy]

Joe, By thinking through all of the people I've met and the people that they've met and the ones that they've met, I think the only person left in the world that I've never met is Kevin Bacon. Kim Six Degrees of External Separation 🙂

[joe-mdw-plane-d]

Debbie L Send your thank you here Love field PO box 36611 Dallas TX 75235-1611 They will be glad to hear from you.

[blusk]

Debbie, I'll save you the stamp and forward your comments to the right people. Brian

[FriendofBlogBoy]

Debbie, Don't trust Brian -- he might get confused and forward 'em to the left people. Seriously, they will appreciate hearing from you -- it means a lot to both the Employee that you compliment AND to their supervisors to get responses from happy Customers. Even if you don't have their full name, if you can provide a first name or description, plus a date, time and location where that person impressed you with their Positively Outrageous Service, "they" (the right people that Brian mentioned) can figure out who you mean! Isn't it awesome to deal with the Employees of Southwest Airlines?! Kim Not Yet One of the Right People 🙂

[Leah4]

Oh, yes, I also saw Angelica at MDW last year when I was coming back after my second CSA interview. I saw her as soon as I stepped off the plane & said, "I see you on Airline!" She said, "No, I'm not!" & I told her "Yes you are!" 🙂

[Leah4]

I'm friends with one of the CSSs & CSAs at my airport, & I had them autograph my book "Nuts!" for me last year! Even though they were never on the show (Airline didn't film at my airport), I still wanted their autographs! Mary, I'll be going through STL on my way to & from MCO in two weeks! I'll be changing planes there, so maybe I'll see you. Maybe you'll be the Ops Agent at my gate! 🙂 Where I work, I'm not afraid to be goofy! I'm not afraid to make a fool of myself in front of the residents. That's just how I am! I'm very outgoing. 🙂 Of course, I'm outgoing even when I'm not working! One reason why I still want to work for SWA is that I LUV how the employees can be funny on the job by telling jokes, etc.

[B_2]

As a loyal SWA employee, I sit at my station and take calls. One of my guilty pleasures is reading our blog. Really, just to see what Kim will come up with! He never fails to amuse!! Thank you Kim for the laughs and SWA for the freedom to blog! Blog Lurker

[FriendofBlogBoy]

Dear Blog Lurker, Thank you for the compliment! Now, get back to running the best airline in the world, Herb, before Colleen catches you blogging... Kim Who Hasn't Actually Met Ding! Boy Yet 🙂

[joe-mdw-plane-d]

Brian, As father of ding! boy has retired from the US postal service, forwarding of emails and saving postage cuts into the revenue that pays his income. How is he supposed to live on AZ without any $ to pay the a/c bill? ;-) Some camera products may contain parts that have been used or recycled. Din! boy Joe

[Leah4]

Mary, I went through STL going to & from MCO July 20, & I came home the 22. 😞 I asked an Ops Agent if he knows you, & he does. I didn't get his name. I heard you were on vacation, but if you hadn't been & I got to meet you, I'd have asked for a picture with you & your autograph! I'll wait until next time.

[Leah4]

The sad face in my post above is there because I was sad about coming home, not because I went through STL. After I put that, I thought it looked like I was sad I was going through STL, but that's not true! Future CSA & RSA! 🙂 I have Southwest spirit yes I do, I have Southwest spirit how about you? Yea!

[Leah4]

I'm sorry about the double posts! Brian, I would LUV to send you some candy corn to show my appreciation since you posted both! 🙂

[blusk]

Leah, for you, anything! Brian

[Leah4]

Ah, thanks, Brian! 🙂 I still must buy some candy corn at the store Saturday! :) SWA is So Wonderfully Awesome! 🙂

[Ricky_Williams]

Leah-- Can you tell me anything about what happens during the RSA interviews? Kind-of -a step by step account... I think you are the only person that wants to work with SWA more than I do! Thanks, Ricky

[Leah4]

Hi, Ricky! I had my RSA interviews at the Reservations Center in OKC; had I been picked for training, that's where would I'd work. Anyway, after I checked in upon arrival, I (just like everyone else) got a sheet with four questions; you pick one to answer. You can write it down. I don't remember off the top of my head if we had to fill out any other papers. Then, when it was time, we all went into a room but I don't remember how we sat; I forgot if it was alphabetical order or some other way. Actually, I want to say now it was according to birth month, but don't quote me on that! 🙂 Then, the Group Information Session began. A Recruiter & RSA conducted it. Afterwards, we had a short break, & then began the Group Interview. We went around the room, in the order we sat (which was like a U shape, with the Recruiter & RSA at the front), stood up, introduced ourselves, said which one of the four questions we were going to answer, & gave our response. When the interview was done, everyone left the room (the ones interviewing us included). The two of them went to another part of the big room (it looked somewhat like a cafeteria, only with vending machines, a sink, etc!) & we all sat down to wait while they discussed who they wanted to call back for a second interview. When they began reading off names, they went in ABC order. I was chosen, & after each person's name was read, we went back to the same room, were asked if we could stay that day, & (I was able to) then we were given a choice of time to be interviewed. After that, we got our application & filled it out. As for the one-on-one, two people interviewed those chosen. I believe there were two teams (two on each) conducting them. We would go have one interview, then come back out to wait for the second person. After that, it was over! Then, of course, came the waiting part (which can take 3-4 weeks, I believe) to see who got picked for training; well, you have to pass the background check & drug test first. If it's good, you get a phone call; if not, you get a letter. I hope that helped! Which city do you want to work in? Please keep us posted. :) P.S. Blog Boy Brian, do you think you could go ahead & get me a career at SWA? 🙂

[Leah4]

I forgot to say, Ricky, that you have to successfully complete the one-on-one interview before they do the background check & drug screening.

[Leah4]

I forgot one more thing, Ricky. You may or may not know the day of your Group Interview if you're invited back for a one-on-one. At my Flight Attendant (FA) Group Interview last year in July, I found out that day I was invited back for a second. They had time for only five interviews that day, so the five who couldn't come back stayed; the rest of us chose from three days in August. I was back on another SW plane in August for mine. When I interviewed for Customer Service Agent (CSA) in CMH (Columbus) last October, we all had to wait to see if we were going to be invited back. I got a call about three weeks later, saying I was going for a one-on-one! I had it in November, so less than a month after the first one, I was on another plane for the second! You know about the RSA ones. 🙂 If you don't get called back for another interview the day of your first one, it doesn't mean you're not getting invited. You'll just be in suspense for a few weeks! SWA LUV to all, & to all a good flight! Oh, I just had another idea. I'd LUV to see Southwest sell puzzles, such as ones with theme painted plane designs, on the Freedom Shop! Mouse pads would be cute, too! "How much wood would a woodchip chip if a woodchip could chip wood?" 🙂

[Ricky_Williams1]

Leah, Thank you so much for the info! I had a feeling that you were the perfect person to ask for help... I hope to join the Houston team. If I may be so bold to ask--- what do you feel is the road-block keeping you from your goal? I admire your keep-on trying attitude. I find myself rooting for you each time I read about your adventures---- Thanks, Ricky

[Leah4]

HI, Ricky! Thanks, & you're welcome. I wish you well in your goal to become part of the SWA family, too! I'm really not sure what road blocks are keeping me from my goal. I've tried to find out what I can to do to improve my chances of being invited for training, but never received responses. 😞 I'm overqualified because I have an AA & a BA degree, but I know there are other employees out there with degrees! I had an FA once when I was coming back from MCO (Orlando) last month who'd been a doctor! If he can get hired, so can I! Another thing I think is that I may not have sounded confident in my interviews. I just don't know though, & still wonder. Well, please keep us updated! 🙂