Southwest Airlines Community

[flashnode|nid=374|flashvars=soundFile=/files/RBR072-Nolan Ryan.mp3] On this week’s Red Belly Radio I interview baseball legend Nolan Ryan. He struck out 5,714 batters and threw seven no hitters in his 27 seasons as a major leaguer.  I don’t know how many people could get into the old Texas Rangers baseball stadium, but I have a feeling Nolan has heard from more than that number that “They were there.” Well for all you people who drove by during that game and claim to have been there—I REALLY WAS! ... View more

[asset|aid=240|format=image|formatter=asset|title=RBRiPodLogoSmall.gif|width=180|height=179|resizable=true|align=right]We’ve got another round of “It’s On” ads coming out this weekend, and this episode of Red Belly Radio is about an ‘It’s On” contest we held just for our Employees. The criterion was pretty simple: call a number and leave what you think might make a good ringtone using the words: “It’s On.” As you can imagine, we got a variety of entries, and some of the more notable ones are on this week’s Red Belly Radio. The winner’s entry will be made into a ringtone that anyone can download. We will have more info on that later. It’s fun for the whole family! Feel free to chime in about your favorites on the blog in the comments section below, and my special thanks to Lindsey Reynolds for doing the announcing work on this one. My fall allergies have made my voice go kaput. ... View more

We’ve got another round of “It’s On” ads coming out this weekend, and this episode of Red Belly Radio is about an "It’s On” contest we held just for our Employees. As you can imagine, we got a variety of entries, and some of the more notable ones are on this week’s Red Belly Radio. ... View more

On this episode of Red Belly Radio, I interview Andrea from our Community  Relations  Department and Trent and Quyen from Graphic Design and Creative Services. The three of them were involved with helping to spruce-up, organize and paint an elementary school near our newest airport, Boston Logan. Trent tells a great story about the Duck Boat (a large amphibious vehicle originally used in World War II and now used to provide tours around Boston and other major cities) that missed a turn at the airport and wound up on the interstate.  Photos: Top, photograph of painted wall, artists concept before painting. ... View more

I interview three Employees who were involved with helping to spruce-up, organize and paint an elementary school near our newest airport, Boston Logan. ... View more

[asset|aid=240|format=image|formatter=asset|title=RBRiPodLogoSmall.gif|width=180|height=179|resizable=true|align=right]Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 in North America. This encore presentation of Red Belly Radio is perfectly timed as there is a hurricane brewing in the Atlantic right now. This episode is about how hurricanes get named and how Southwest Airlines reacts to them. I refer to several storms from when this was recorded.—Don’t worry, hurricane Ike is not coming again! And you will learn why Ike will never come back.  ... View more

This episode is about how hurricanes get named and how Southwest Airlines reacts to them. I refer to several storms from when this was recorded.—Don’t worry, hurricane Ike is not coming again! And you will learn why Ike will never come back. ... View more

[asset|aid=240|format=image|formatter=asset|title=RBRiPodLogoSmall.gif|width=180|height=179|resizable=true|align=right]Earlier this week, two of our executive vice presidents participated in a conference call with reporters from around the country. This week’s episode of Red Belly Radio is an excerpt of the full one-hour call. If you want, you can hear the entire phone call, or read about the Frontier bid in the blog post titled Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly on Bid for Frontier.  If you are a regular subscriber of Red Belly Radio, please note that I did not add the full recording to the Red Belly Radio feed, so this is the only place to hear it. The two officers answering questions are Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President Strategy and Planning, and Ron Ricks Executive Vice President Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary. ... View more

This episode of Red Belly Radio is an excerpt of the full one-hour call about the Frontier bid. The two officers answering questions are Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President Strategy and Planning, and Ron Ricks Executive Vice President Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary. ... View more

Jim McOmber is a collector. He collects flight schedules of two airlines; Braniff and Southwest Airlines. On this episode of Red Belly Radio, I interview Jim McOmber. Obviously there is a finite number of Braniff flight schedules since they ceased operations in 1982 (Jim has almost all of them). Southwest Airlines has printed schedules since our beginning but have now decided to stop to save money and paper but especially since the information is so readily available online.  It seems we were the last of the big airlines that was still printing schedules, so we are joining the club of airlines with a finite number of printed schedules. Jim has worked in the travel industry since the late 1970s and easily knows the Southwest Airlines flight schedules better than I, but he also maintains lists of city pairs and the number of flights Southwest Airlines operates between them. Clearly Jim likes his chosen industry. To see an example of the additional work Jim puts into each schedule, and the Braniff/Mid-Continent Airlines schedule cover, view the attachment entitled: JimMcOmber.pdf Pictured: Above, the last printed flight schedule from June 28, 2009; Left, our very first flight schedule (both sides). It was about the size of a business card. ... View more

Jim McOmber collects flight schedules of two airlines; Braniff and Southwest Airlines. There is a finite number of Braniff flight schedules since they ceased operations in 1982 (Jim has almost all of them) and Southwest Airlines is the last of the big airlines that was still printing schedules. For Jim, his collection of airline flight schedules has come to an end. Pictured: Southwest flight schedule from 1975 showing back and front. It was the size of a double business card. ... View more

With our new service to Boston Logan starting on August 16, I wanted to learn more about the city’s history and what better way than to do a podcast? And what better way to find out about Boston than to interview one of the most influential people in American history? Yes, Paul Revere makes an unscheduled appearance on this episode of Red Belly Radio. Did you know Paul Revere had 16 children? Or that he might have been involved in the Boston Tea Party? His image appears on the $5,000 Series EE Savings Bond and he was active in the Sons of Liberty. And it seems he never yelled “The British are coming!” You are probably assuming I did a lot of digital trickery sampling decedents of the original midnight rider to get the voice accurate. I thought of that but realized that would be ridiculous. No, it’s our own John Jones who works on our Graphic Design and Creative Services team playing the role of Paul Revere. ... View more

With our new service to Boston Logan starting on August 16, I wanted to learn more about the city’s history and what better way than to do a podcast? And what better way to find out about Boston than to interview one of the most influential people in American history? Yes, Paul Revere makes an unscheduled appearance on this episode of Red Belly Radio. ... View more

[asset|aid=240|format=image|formatter=asset|title=RBRiPodLogoSmall.gif|width=180|height=179|resizable=true|align=right]This episode of Red Belly Radio is for those of you who feel the urge to smoke and/or use your cell phones on aircraft. You probably know you shouldn’t do either of those things on a flight but have you ever wondered what happens if you do? I speak with Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant, Neicee Coulson about what happens when someone gets caught smoking in the aircraft lav and First Officer Roy Alan explains why cell phones interfere with the electronics on board and why it is okay to use some electronics above 10,000 feet. As part of this interview in the cockpit,  This episode even has a demonstration of how electronics can affect other electronics; listen to the interview in the cockpit with Ray. Some people might just call it a hum in the background—I call it a demonstration. ... View more

This episode is for those of you who feel the urge to smoke and/or use your cell phones on aircraft. You probably know you shouldn’t do either of those things on a flight but have you ever wondered what happens if you do? Two top-notch Southwest Airlines Employees explain what can happen. ... View more

If you are not familiar with Tom Colicchio, (pronounced Co Leak E oh) he is one of the judges on the TV show Top Chef on Bravo and he is my guest on this episode of Red Belly Radio. The basis of Top Chef is to bring young chefs together and have them compete in challenges and the winner at the end of the season gets $100,000. Colicchio brings the professional chef’s point of view to the judging panel and he is quite good at it. Photo upper right: Tom Colicchio at the Southwest Porch, below: the Southwest Porch. I was recently at his lower Manhattan restaurant Craftsteak and got a few minutes with him.  He does a great Arnold Schwarzenegger impression (or is it Wolfgang Puck?) and talks about his involvement with the  Southwest Porch at Bryant Park. For you flying foodies, well those of you who like mushrooms—I mean really good mushrooms—I can’t stop thinking about the mushrooms that I ate at Craftsteak that night, and I got  this recipe out of the chef! Simply pan roast assorted mushrooms with salt, pepper, plenty of butter, and a little thyme, or better yet, take a Southwest Airlines flight to the Craftsteak restaurant of your choice! ... View more

I was recently spoke with chef Tom Colicchio of Bravo's Top Chef at his lower Manhattan restaurant Craftsteak.  He does a great Arnold Schwarzenegger impression (or is it Wolfgang Puck?) and talks about his involvement with the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park. ... View more

[asset|aid=240|format=image|formatter=asset|title=RBRiPodLogoSmall.gif|width=180|height=179|resizable=true|align=right]Did you know you could be a mom and blog and still not be a mommy blogger? It seems you have to blog about mommy stuff to be considered a “Mommy Blogger.” Don’t feel bad, I didn’t know either--and in all fairness had never really thought about it.   My guest this episode of Red Belly Radio is the delightful Jessica Turner—our consummate mommy blogger. I’d rather you listen to this current episode of Red Belly Radio but if you like, Jessica maintains a nice site where, in addition to blogging about travels with her family, gives tips on scrapbooking. ... View more

Did you know you could be a mom and blog and still not be a mommy blogger? It seems you have to blog about mommy stuff to be considered a “Mommy Blogger.” Don’t feel bad, I didn’t know either. ... View more

[asset|aid=240|format=image|formatter=asset|title=RBRiPodLogoSmall.gif|width=180|height=179|resizable=true|align=right]By: Guest Bloggers Nina Guerriero and Sarah Elias With the Fourth of July just around the corner, Red Belly Radio wanted to show our LUV for our great country and give some interesting and random facts about one of our favorite holidays. We have an action packed podcast full of trivia and oddities about our country's Founding Fathers. It is easy to get lost in fireworks and parades, but there really IS a reason behind “The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest”.  Take a few minutes to listen to this episode  while traveling this holiday weekend, and let us know your favorite way to celebrate YOUR 4th of July on this blog. Kick back, relax and enjoy the show! ... View more

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, Red Belly Radio wanted to show our LUV for our great country and give some interesting and random facts about one of our favorite holidays. We have an action packed podcast full of trivia and oddities about our country's Founding Fathers with special guests Nina and Sarah, two Southwest interns this summer. ... View more

[asset|aid=655|format=image|formatter=asset|title=Airplanes0001.jpg|width=140|height=263|resizable=true|align=right]With our 38th anniversary last week, I dug out this interview for Red Belly Radio that I have been saving. Bob Phillips has made a career as the Texas Country Reporter, a syndicated TV show that has been on in a number of markets in Texas for years. He travels the back roads of the Lone Star State and reports stories of ordinary people doing interesting things. Bob is an interesting guy on his own, but how he fits into Southwest Airlines history is that Bob was on our very first flight from Dallas some 38 years ago. And now for the Bovine Challenge (to be said in the voice like the guy who says “Let’s get ready to rumble” in boxing matches). Bob tell the story of how his career was launched by asking the seemingly simple question: “When cows stand up, do they use their front or hind legs?” Give this episode a listen and chime in with your comment on this blog—do cows use their front or hind legs to stand up? ... View more

With our 38th anniversary last week, I dug out this interview for Red Belly Radio that I have been saving. Bob Phillips was on our very first flight from Dallas some 38 years ago and he asks a simple question about cows and how they stand up. ... View more

Gary Kelly, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, rings the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange for Southwest Airlines' 38th birthday on June 18, 2009. ... View more

I recorded this episode of Red Belly Radio at a restaurant. Not just any old dive but Wolfgang Puck’s newest fine dining establishment located atop the landmark Reunion Tower in Dallas. I suppose Wolfgang and his people are smart enough to name a restaurant, but Wolfgang and his people are nice enough to open the naming process into a contest, and then give the prize of food to the winners. Can you see where this is going? Earlier this year I was informed that I won the naming contest of Wolfgang's newest foray is in Dallas. I sent an email with the submission of “560 by Wolfgang Puck”. I figured whatever the name; it would have to include the name of the chef, too. I got on the Internet and looked up how tall Reunion Tower is and it named itself. They actually spell out the number, but you get the idea. Part of the prize was winning dinner there once a month for a year, but the bonus (dessert if you will?) was getting to interview Wolfgang himself. Did you know he is a frequent flyer on Southwest Airlines? After meeting him, my guess is that if you fly out of Burbank very often, you have probably seen him there. After all, he has to check up on those properties he has in San Francisco and Las Vegas to maintain such good quality. And now that we fly to Minneapolis - St. Paul, all of his fine-dining restaurants are in or very near a Southwest Airlines city. It’s like we planned it—or maybe he did? BTW, the food is fantastic and everyone who has gone with me has loved it, too. I especially get a kick out of seeing Southwest planes fly past on approach to Love Field. Being 560 feet closer makes a difference. Give this episode a listen,  it will leave you hungry for more. ... View more

I recorded this episode of Red Belly Radio at a restaurant. Not just any old dive but Wolfgang Puck’s newest fine dining establishment located atop the landmark Reunion Tower in Dallas. I suppose Wolfgang and his people are smart enough to name a restaurant, but Wolfgang and his people are nice enough to open the naming process into a contest, and then give the prize of food to the winners. Can you see where this is going? ... View more

[asset|aid=329|format=image|formatter=asset|title=RBRiPodLogoSmall_0.gif|width=180|height=179|resizable=true|align=right]Ever wonder how a wing works? Well, I did. I can say that in past tense because I asked Bob Sprague and recorded it for Red Belly Radio.  Bob is the Assistant Technical Pilot in our Flight Operations Department here at Southwest Airlines, and he explains in rather simple terms how a geometric shape (a wing) can enable us to fly through the air (in an airplane).  The short answer is “Lift” and should not be confused with our new onboard coffee—although the double-entendre is obvious. Give this episode a listen and tell your friends—you never know it might help you with a physics test someday in your future! ... View more

Ever wonder how a wing works? Well, I did. I can say that in past tense because I asked Bob Sprague and recorded it for Red Belly Radio. Bob is the Assistant Technical Pilot in our Flight Operations Department here at Southwest Airlines, and he explains in rather simple terms how a geometric shape (a wing) can enable us to fly through the air (in an airplane).  The short answer is “Lift” and should not be confused with our new onboard coffee—although the double-entendre is obvious. ... View more

[asset|aid=329|format=image|formatter=asset|title=RBRiPodLogoSmall_0.gif|width=180|height=179|resizable=true|align=right]This week’s episode of Red Belly Radio is about two people flying from Chicago to Nashville. They were not traveling together, nor did they know each other. Roy Harris, a Southwest Airlines Customer would meet Rachael Jacobs, a Southwest Airlines off-duty flight attendant in the gate area. A typical introduction between two people might go something like “Rachael this is Roy, Roy, this is Rachael.” Well, their introduction was anything but typical.   I don’t want to spoil the ending for you, but something serious happened, and a lifelong bond was formed. Listen to this episode of Red Belly Radio to hear the same story told from two very different perspectives. ... View more