Southwest Airlines Community

Southwest Airlines and Its Stock Clerks End Mediation and Announce Tentative Agreement DALLAS, Oct 08, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airlines Division, representing the carrier's Stock Clerks, announced today that the two parties have reached a tentative agreement. The tentative agreement is for a new, five-year contract through August 16, 2013. The current contract became amendable on August 16, 2008.   Earlier this year, Southwest and the Teamsters agreed to seek assistance from the National Mediation Board through the mediation process as defined by the Railway Labor Act. This current tentative agreement is due to the hard work and dedication of both parties. "I want to congratulate the negotiation teams for working together to reach this new tentative agreement, which delivers wage and benefit enhancements in exchange for work rule improvements and contract flexibility," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "These are exciting times at Southwest, and our hard working Stock Clerks play an important role in the future success of this great Company." In the upcoming weeks, the IBT membership will be given the full details of the agreement and have the opportunity to vote on ratification. IBT represents more than 170 Southwest Airlines Employees. After 39 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and now serves 69 cities in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. ... View more

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES celebrates diversity with NORTH TEXAS summit Dallas, TX. Oct 7, 2010 – Southwest Airlines is celebrating workplace diversity by hosting its first Diversity Summit today themed “Join the Conversation.”  The Summit will gather executives from North Texas local Fortune 500 companies to dialogue about diversity and inclusion initiatives, and fostering new opportunities, and expand best practices.   Joining the conversation as keynote speaker is Dr. George C. Wright, President, Prairie View A&M University.  Dr. Wright will be sharing his personal diversity journey and the impact it has had on his life.  The Summit will focus on dialogue, education, and strengthening relationships to support an ever-changing workforce. The Summit also will provide participants with a workshop hosted by Pamela Tegarden, founder of the Soluna Institute, about raising the tide on gender diversity, and Tegwin Pulley, who will discuss, “Diversity, Employees, and the Bottom Line.”   “We are thrilled to be hosting the first Southwest Airlines Diversity Summit in our hometown of Dallas.  The purpose of this Summit is to listen and learn about diversity and inclusion best practices through open dialogue and interactive workshops,” said Linda Rutherford, Southwest’s Vice President Communication and Strategic Outreach. “A modern and diverse workforce is a key competitive advantage in the national marketplace. Southwest Airlines has an outstanding network of more than 35,000 Employees systemwide in 35 states, and growing.”   The Southwest Airlines Diversity Summit was created and hosted by the airline’s Corporate Diversity Council.  This Council is comprised of Southwest Employees who meet each month to improve the recruitment and advancement of women and minorities, increase supplier diversity, educate/train “Respecting Differences” consistent with meeting our Company’s business objectives, and create awareness of and show appreciation for cultural or lifestyle differences within our diverse workforce.  This year, Hispanic Business Magazine named Southwest Airlines as one of the top Elite companies for Diversity.   ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES After nearly 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded; now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the One Report. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. ... View more

Southwest Airlines Reports September Traffic DALLAS, Oct 07, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the Company flew 6.1 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in September 2010, a 5.1 percent increase from the 5.8 billion RPMs flown in September 2009. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 4.7 percent to 8.1 billion from the September 2009 level of 7.7 billion. The load factor for the month was 75.0 percent, compared to 74.7 percent for the same period last year. For September 2010, passenger revenue per ASM is estimated to have increased approximately eleven percent as compared to September 2009. For the third quarter 2010, Southwest flew 20.7 billion RPMs, compared to the 19.7 billion RPMs flown for the same period in 2009, an increase of 4.9 percent. Available seat miles increased 3.2 percent to 25.6 billion from the third quarter 2009 level of 24.8 billion. The third quarter 2010 load factor was 80.9 percent, compared to 79.6 percent for the same period last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Southwest flew 58.0 billion RPMs, compared to the 56.3 billion RPMs flown for the same period in 2009, an increase of 3.1 percent. Available seat miles decreased 1.1 percent to 73.6 billion from the 2009 level of 74.5 billion. The year-to-date load factor was 78.8 percent, compared to 75.6 percent for the same period last year. This release, as well as past news releases on Southwest, are available online at southwest.com. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. PRELIMINARY COMPARATIVE TRAFFIC STATISTICS SEPTEMBER 2010 2009 CHANGE Revenue passengers carried 6,929,811 6,778,713 2.2 % Enplaned passengers 8,309,821 7,950,437 4.5 % Revenue passenger miles (000) 6,064,311 5,771,993 5.1 % Available seat miles (000) 8,083,556 7,723,485 4.7 % Load factor 75.0% 74.7% 0.3 pts. Average length of haul 875 851 2.8 % Trips flown 91,143 89,497 1.8 % THIRD QUARTER 2010 2009 CHANGE Revenue passengers carried 22,871,775 22,375,590 2.2 % Enplaned passengers 27,814,896 26,396,360 5.4 % Revenue passenger miles (000) 20,673,082 19,706,579 4.9 % Available seat miles (000) 25,557,692 24,771,016 3.2 % Load factor 80.9% 79.6% 1.3 pts. Average length of haul 904 881 2.6 % Trips flown 287,200 283,663 1.2 % YEAR-TO-DATE 2010 2009 CHANGE Revenue passengers carried 65,732,032 64,811,451 1.4 % Enplaned passengers 79,063,561 75,951,788 4.1 % Revenue passenger miles (000) 58,041,024 56,281,687 3.1 % Available seat miles (000) 73,648,997 74,495,618 (1.1)% Load factor 78.8% 75.6% 3.2 pts. Average length of haul 883 868 1.7 % Trips flown 836,314 852,371 (1.9)% SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

October 1 is the 25th Anniversary of our annual LUV Classic golf tournament.  This is a perfect time to flashback to the early days of one of Southwest Airline’s biggest Share the Spirit event.  But before I do, a few words about the event.  Over the past 25 years, the LUV Classic has raised $11 million in contributions for the Ronald McDonald House Charities—one of our primary corporate charities.  Last year, Annie Hancock wrote about the early history of the Classic, and it is worth reading again.  For this Flashback Fridays effort, I am sharing some photos of the Classic’s early days, and you will be able to see Herb Kelleher in his unique “links couture.”  But before we do, take a look at the photo above from the 1988 event.  The woman across the table from Colleen Barrett to the far left of the picture is Annie.  She will probably kill me when she sees this, but you can’t talk about the LUV Classic without talking about Annie Hancock who has nurtured the event into one of the largest fund raisers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Annie pours her heart and soul into each event. Here’s Herb in the photo above watching his shot go down the fairway (hopefully) at the 1988 event.  I don’t play golf so I can’t comment on his form. For the next year’s event, Herb has swapped his pastel ensemble for traditional golf knickers.  No word if the change in attire helped his average, but taken with the next photo, this seems to indicate a decline in golf course demeanor. By the 2000 event, Herb’s golfing wardrobe was basic Northwest logger.  There’s zero chance that the photo above was taken at the 2000 Masters in Augusta. Even for the first event in 1986, volunteers were the key to the success of the tournament.  By 1989, there were considerably more volunteers, and we see Colleen with some of the volunteers for that year.  And I thought I would close with a picture of Colleen with Ronald McDonald himself.  That obviously wasn’t some kind of clown weapon that he is holding in his hands because Colleen was unharmed. ... View more

Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Airlines to Receive Distinguished Alumnus Award   AUSTIN, Texas – Gary Kelly, Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of Southwest Airlines, will be recognized by the Texas Exes at their Distinguished Alumnus Awards Friday, Oct. 22, in Austin. The award, created in 1958, recognizes annually up to six graduates or former students of The University of Texas at Austin who have distinguished themselves professionally and through service to the university. The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor given by the Texas Exes.   Kelly received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with honors from The University of Texas at Austin in 1977. After graduation, he joined Arthur Young & Company as a CPA in Dallas and worked as controller for Systems Center, Inc.   In 1986, Kelly joined Southwest Airlines as Controller. From there he rose to Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Operator, then to Executive Vice President, and on to CFO. In 2004, Kelly was named the airline’s CEO, and the titles of Chairman and President were added in 2008.   In 2008, Kelly was named top CEO in the country by Institutional Investor magazine and CEO of the Year by D Magazine and the Dallas Morning News. Among his other honors are being named a finalist for Texan of the Year by the Dallas Morning News in 2005 and one of Business Travel News’ 25 most influential executives of 2004.   Kelly has worked closely with Southwest co-founder Herb Kelleher to continue to build the nation’s largest airline in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and low-fare leader. Even during tough economic times, Kelly has faithfully followed Kelleher’s example of never laying off or cutting the pay of his Employees.   Kelly also gives back to The University of Texas at Austin, serving as Vice Chair of the McCombs School of Business Advisory Council and as a member of the school’s Accounting Advisory Board.   There will be five other recipients honored at the event in addition to Kelly, including David Beck, attorney and founder of Beck, Redden & Secrest, L.L.P; Ernest Cockrell, chairman of Cockrell Interests Inc. and president and director of The Cockrell Foundation; Elizabeth (Libba) Shatto Massey, civic leader and philanthropist; Diane P. Wood, federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago and a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School; Hector De Leon, founder of the law firm of De Leon & Washburn, P.C..   The Texas Exes was founded in 1885. The mission of the Texas Exes is to unite, inform and involve alumni and friends for the purpose of promoting, protecting and preserving The University of Texas at Austin. Today there are about 90,000 members whom the association strives to connect to each other and to the past, present and future of the university through career counseling, travel, reunions, continuing education, fellowship, legislative advocacy in support of higher education and The Alcalde magazine. For more information on the Texas Exes or to become a member, visit TexasExes.org. ... View more

Southwest Airlines Is Selected by Hispanic Business Magazine as One of the 2010 Diversity Elite 60 Southwest is included in the directory of the best companies for Hispanics Hispanic Business Magazine just announced that Southwest Airlines has been selected as one of the 2010 Diversity Elite companies in the United States. The list will be featured in the September issue of Hispanic Business Magazine. Southwest Airlines exemplified the inclusion of diversity measures in the workplace by meeting more than 32 variables that measure a company’s commitment to Hispanic hiring, promotion, marketing, philanthropy and supplier diversity. Top companies on this year’s list went well beyond workforce diversity initiatives and implemented strategies to reach more Hispanic consumers and increase their businesses with minority- and Hispanic-owned suppliers. For a more in-depth, comprehensive listing of the companies, visit www.hispanicbusiness.com during the month of September to receive a categorical breakdown of the Diversity Elite 60. “We are proud to be selected by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the top Diversity Elite 60 companies,” said Jeff Lamb, Senior Vice President of Administration and Chief People Officer at Southwest. “At Southwest Airlines, Diversity and Inclusion means having a modern and multi-faceted work force as a key competitive advantage in the national marketplace.” ABOUT HISPANIC BUSINESS MEDIA Now celebrating 30 years as an award-winning publishing and information services company, Hispanic Business Media is the nation’s leading source of information for and about Hispanic professionals and entrepreneurs. Hispanic Business Magazine is the company’s flagship publication. Other entities include www.HispanicBusiness.com, www.HireDiversity.com, HispanTelligence®, and Hispanic Business Events including the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Gala (EOY) and the Woman of the Year Awards Gala (WOY). ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES After nearly 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the One Report. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

Southwest Airlines Reports August Traffic DALLAS, Sept 08, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the Company flew 7.1 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in August 2010, a 6.4 percent increase from the RPMs flown in August 2009. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 3.7 percent to 8.7 billion from the August 2009 level of 8.3 billion. The load factor for the month was 82.3 percent, compared to 80.2 percent for the same period last year. For August 2010, passenger revenue per ASM is estimated to have increased in the 15 to 16 percent range as compared to August 2009. For the eight months ended August 31, 2010, Southwest flew 52.0 billion RPMs, compared to 50.5 billion RPMs flown for the same period in 2009, an increase of 2.9 percent. Available seat miles decreased 1.8 percent to 65.6 billion from the 2009 level of 66.8 billion. The year-to-date load factor was 79.3 percent, compared to 75.6 percent for the same period last year. This release, as well as past news releases on Southwest, are available online at southwest.com.                                 SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.                       PRELIMINARY COMPARATIVE TRAFFIC STATISTICS                                                 AUGUST                                               ------                                   2010                   2009  CHANGE                                   ----                   ----  ------     Revenue passengers      carried                 7,775,342              7,519,413     3.4 %     Enplaned passengers      9,504,071              8,890,924     6.9 %     Revenue passenger miles      (000)                   7,121,411              6,693,859     6.4 %     Available seat miles      (000)                   8,650,648              8,343,899     3.7 %     Load factor                   82.3%                  80.2%  2.1pts     Average length of haul         916                    890     2.9 %     Trips flown                 97,392                 95,405     2.1 %                                           YEAR-TO-DATE                                         ------------                                   2010                   2009  CHANGE                                   ----                   ----  ------     Revenue passengers      carried                58,802,307             58,032,738     1.3 %     Enplaned passengers     70,753,740             68,001,351     4.0 %     Revenue passenger miles      (000)                  51,976,714             50,509,694     2.9 %     Available seat miles      (000)                  65,565,442             66,772,132    (1.8)%     Load factor                   79.3%                  75.6%  3.7pts     Average length of haul         884                    870     1.6 %     Trips flown                745,171                762,874    (2.3)%                                    ***   SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

Today August 19 is the 139th anniversary of  Orville Wright's birthday.  Celebrating the birthday of the first man to pilot a powered airplane would be reason enough to recognize the day, but wait there’s more.  Today is also National Aviation Day.  Lest you think this is some kind of modern day manufactured marketing holiday, it isn’t.  It was established in 1939 by President Franklin Roosevelt to promote interest in aviation and to celebrate the world's first Pilot. Stop for a moment and consider the state of aviation in August of 1939.  A few days after the first National Aviation Day, Hitler would invade Poland on September 1 throwing Europe into World War II.  A year later in August 1940, the Nazis ruled mainland Europe, and the United Kingdom was all alone.  Seventy years ago, a handful of courageous  airmen of the Royal Air Force in their Hurricanes and Spitfires were holding on by a thread against the previously unstoppable German Luftwaffe.  The tide would turn in September when the RAF gained the upper hand in the skies over England, and German invasion plans were thwarted.  British Prime Minister Churchill wrote:  “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”  Stateside in 1939, the Douglas DC-3 was the workhorse of the airline industry.  Airlines could finally make more carrying passengers than they could the mail.  A transcontinental flight took 18 hours or so with multiple en route stops.  Pan Am’s Clippers were flying between the World’s Fair on Treasure Island in San Francisco to Honolulu, Midway, Wake, Guam, and Manila.  On the world’s longest overwater flight leg between California and Hawaii, more often than not the Clippers would reach their midway point without enough fuel to make Honolulu due to headwinds and would have to return to San Francisco to refuel and try again. Aviation fueled the imagination back then, probably because anyone who flew onboard an airplane was considered somewhat of a risk taker or daredevil.  Thankfully, aviation today is thousands of times safer than the inaugural year of National Aviation Day.  But has the fascination with aviation died?  After having attended Air Venture 2010 at Oshkosh this year, I think aviation, even commercial aviation, still holds our wonder and amazement.  We had several thousand folks tour our aircraft on display.  And after 56 years of my first flight in, what else, a DC-3, I still love to fly and watch aircraft.  To me there is nothing better than a window seat on a clear day.  On my way to Oshkosh, I sat in a row with a father and his daughter.  From what I could tell, neither had flown much.  In fact, it may have been their first flight.  I originally had the window seat, but I could see their fascination with watching the ground below, so once the seat belt light went off, we changed seats.  It was a perfect day for flying, and feeling their excitement as they picked out towns as we flew over Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin was contagious.  Our approach into Milwaukee took us out over Lake Michigan, and it was the perfect end for their first flight.  So take a moment today on National Aviation Day and have an aviation conversation with someone.  If you know a young person who has an interest in airplanes, take time to talk to them.  On your next flight, stop and look around at the wonder of modern aviation and think of Orville Wright strapped on a flimsy cloth-covered airplane.    ... View more

Frances, one of our Flight Attendants, sent us this link from her hometown paper, the Austin American-Statesman.  The photo makes our airplane look like part of the presidentail fleet ... View more

Southwest Airlines Celebrates One Year at Boston Logan Carrier Marks Year of Phenomenal Growth at Logan with Daylong Celebration at its Gates in Terminal E On August 16, 2009, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) started its Boston Logan (BOS) service with ten daily nonstop flights to two destinations, Chicago Midway and Baltimore/Washington International. Today, the carrier celebrates its first successful year at BOS—a year marked by growth in service, growth in the number of Southwest Employees, and facility growth with the addition of a third gate at its location in Terminal E. The airline now offers 25 daily nonstops to five cities (Chicago Midway, Baltimore/Washington International, Denver, St. Louis, and Philadelphia). And, in early Sept. Southwest adds one additional nonstop between BOS and Phoenix. Not bad for the first year! “Our first year in Boston has exceeded expectations on many levels,” said Southwest Airlines Station Leader Brian Kunkel. “The growth we have experienced here at Logan is truly a testament to our hardworking Employees and their dedication to our Customers to provide that legendary Customer Service our Company is known for.” “Boston Logan congratulates Southwest Airlines on their first year anniversary,” said Massport’s Director of Aviation Edward C. Freni. “Their growth in one year has been impressive and working with the airline we have made considerable investments to renovate and expand their gate areas to accommodate future growth.” Southwest Airlines marks its first year at Boston Logan with a day-long celebration at its gates at Terminal E. Gates will be decorated with balloons and other decorations and Employees will be playing “gate games” with Customers—prizes include the chance to win roundtrip tickets anywhere Southwest flies! And, a live band will be playing at the carrier’s new spacious facility addition between gates E1B and E1C. This celebration is a way for the carrier to show its appreciation to its Employees and Customers who made the first year so successful. Southwest Employees also Shared the Spirit for their first anniversary by volunteering at the Curtis Guild School in East Boston. Last year, more than two dozen Southwest Employees participated in such projects as planting flowers and bushes, cleaning and organizing classrooms and painting an enormous 12′×80′ mural located along the school’s playground. On Monday, Employees returned to the school to help prepare classrooms for the new school year, as well as touch up the mural. The Airline’s Employees proudly Share the Spirit through volunteering in the communities where they work and live. When shopping for Southwest online, it’s important to know that Southwest Airlines’ low fares are only available online at http://www.southwest.com/?src=PREMNASBOSP000000100917. Not only will Customers find Southwest’s great rates online, but the site also hosts Southwest’s Travel Guide where Customers can check out Boston travel tips posted by travelers who frequent Beantown. To also commemorate this milestone, the carrier has introduced a double credit Rapid Rewards frequent flyer promotion when Members travel to/from all three Boston Area Airports (Boston Logan, Manchester, NH, or Providence, RI), from August 12 through October 31. Rapid Rewards Members can earn two credits for every one-way flight (four credits when traveling roundtrip), and at that rate, Members can earn a free* flight after just four roundtrip flights. To qualify, Rapid Rewards Members must register or join prior to travel by visiting:www.southwest.com/bostondoublecredit. Members must register and book their flights between August 12, 2010, and September 15, 2010, for travel August 12, 2010 through October 31, 2010. After 39 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and now serves 69 cities in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the One Report. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide Terms & Conditions * The Rapid Rewards Award is free, but travel is subject to the government-imposed September 11 Security Fee of up to $10 per roundtrip. Travel good on Southwest Airlines published, scheduled service. One additional credit per one-way will be issued regardless of fare purchased. Business Select Customers will receive 2.25 for flights less than 750 miles and 3.0 for flights 750 or longer. Member must register for this promotion between August 12, 2010, and September 15, 2010, and registration must be completed prior to commencement of travel. Reservation must be booked between August 12, 2010, and September 15, 2010 for travel into or out of Boston Logan, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, NH, or T.F. Green Airport in Providence, RI. Qualifying travel must be flown August 12, 2010 through October 31, 2010. Rapid Rewards account number must be entered at time of booking. Travel on Award or Companion Pass does not qualify for promotion. Bonus credits do not count toward A-List qualification. Rapid Rewards credit will post to your account within four days of completing travel. Changes made to the itinerary after purchase may eliminate qualification for this promotion. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

I love looking at old magazines.  One of my prized possessions is a complete set of Trains magazine dating back to the first issue in November 1940.  My Coworkers think my obsessions are a bit odd, especially when I made a special request of my Fellow Teammembers who were with me in advance of AirVenture 2010 in Wisconsin.  I asked them to take me to 1027 North Seventh Street in Milwaukee.  For years, this was the home of Kalmbach Publishing, the publishers of Trains.  Why would I know that address?  Because the magazine made a huge deal out of their address with “1027” as part of the title for several regular features and readers would send in photos of rail equipment with that number.  One of my favorite things to do is look through the back issues here in the office of our first inflight magazine, Southwest Airlines Magazine.  Today, our magazine, Spirit, is one of the best, and we feature a monthly preview here at Nuts About Southwest.  However, during the 1970s Southwest Airlines Magazine was put together with the help of the Bloom Agency who used to do our advertising and PR.  The old magazines have ads for long-lost Dallas hot spots like The Royal Coach Inn and European Crossroads.  Each issue also had a news section guaranteed to have photos of our Flight Attendants (their title back then was Hostess) in their hot pants.  It looks like the staff would scour the Dallas area (and later the state) to find ways to show off our Employees.   The photo above from the October 1972 issue ties in my love of planes and trains (and okay, pretty women in hot pants.)  At the time the photo was taken, Dallas was the largest city in the nation without passenger train service, and Union Station was deserted, except for the freight trains passing by on the outer tracks.  However, as a nerd with a double degree (aviation geek and ferroequinologist), I have to confess that Sally is committing a cardinal sin in the photo by walking where she shouldn’t.  Walking on top of rails is extremely dangerous, so don’t try this at home, even if you are wearing boots and hot pants. In the picture above from the June 1972 issue, Southwest Magazine chronicles one of the strangest events, at least to me, in Southwest’s early history.  Southwest purchased a fleet of American Motors Gremlins, painted them up in our original livery, and gave them to our sales staff to call on Customers.  At least they didn’t choose a Pinto or a Vega, but you have to wonder if valet parking attendants tried to hide these at the back of the parking lot. And just about the time that the resale value of all those Gremlins had plunged to nothing, the February 1975 issue has a photo of a drivable, scale model Gremlin being given to our President Lamar Muse from the well-known (at the time) San Antonio auto dealer, Al Komray. And drive it did.  One of our San Antonio Ramp Agents, Larry Dzieranowski, utilized the miniature's three-horsepower engine to drive it in the 1975 San Antonio St. Patrick's Day Parade.  Incidentally, Larry is still an active Employee.   ... View more

Heading to Las Vegas?  The good folks at McCarran International have put together a video to help you navigate around the construction project currently under way.  Click here to watch. ... View more