Southwest Airlines Community

To the Blog Crew -- My very BEST wishes for a blessed Christmas season to you and your families! Each of you, including BL, the "Blog Boy" himself, and the Blog Beauties (who truly ARE!! 🙂 ), have become special friends this year and your friendship means a lot to me! See y'all in 2007! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Francisco, I can't say it enough; the men and women of our military are just fantastic! I am glad that you'll get to come home for Christmas, but for all of your colleagues at sea, on the land and in the air, a huge and hearty THANK YOU from Texas being there on the front lines for us. We appreciate y'all very much! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Gee, I'm surprised so few people recognize the screw assembly that holds the main landing gear on... OK, in case there are any FAA airframe inspectors reading this, Southwest did not significantly alter one of their planes, and it actually is NOT the main landing gear strut, I was just kidding. Kim :-) P. S. However, I really AM intrigued at the lack of variety of guesses and the assumption that this was taken in the main cabin. There ARE a lot of other places on an airplane, ya know... ... View more

Awww shucks, she's so sweet... LOL I thought about you when I took these, and remembered the wonderful trips we've taken together to Corpus and Harlingen! LUV ya, sis! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Dear BB, Well, the hotel's lobby bar is only about 50 yards from the statue of Buddy Holly, does that count? Kim 🙂 ... View more

Gordon, I flew on N271LV today, and have sent some more exterior photos to Brian. Matt, Although I didn't take a tape measure to it, I really don't think the center aisle on 271LV is any different than any of the other SW planes I've been on. Using my hips and briefcase as a measuring device, it seemed just the same. Jim, Other than the galley area up front and the one in back, the interior looks just like the other SW planes. Overhead bins and seats and flooring were all consistent with the rest of the fleet. If you hadn't noticed the outside, the average passenger probably wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Kim ... View more

Carole, I always enjoy your posts, and this is no exception! You know that I'm already in LUV with Southwest for a variety of reasons, but one of the main ones is how well they treat their Employees! I hope you enjoy your time off and that your multiple family commitments are times of real blessing for you! Now, this seems like as good a place as any to post a very public compliment for a crew. I don't mean to hijack your message thread here, but I think you'll be glad to hear this story. I am writing this from Lubbock on a Wednesday night after starting in Dallas on Monday and having now had seven flights since then on my favorite airline! On Wednesday night, after two flights earlier in the evening, my co-worker and fellow Road Warrior for the week and I were back in Dallas awaiting our flight to Lubbock. It was running late and when we boarded, the crew was working their last flight of a long day. However, despite the fatigue that comes at the end of most people's workday, these upbeat folks were still displaying that trademark Southwest Spirit. One of the FAs handled the PA announcements with the freshest set of jokes that I've heard in some time, and while leaving Dallas 30 minutes late, they repeatedly apologized for the delay and assured us that they were doing everything they could to get us airborne quickly and would try to make up as much of the time as possible. If this story ended there, it would be just your standard "FA's are great" episode, but even AFTER their work day was over, that Southwest Spirit didn't end. When my buddy and I checked in at our hotel in downtown Lubbock, who should we see just then gathering in the lobby ... View more

Captain Ray, Thank you for another in your series of well-written and very moving blog submissions! I agree with my pal Jenny above; it is great that you can share your love of flying with your daughter at the same time you're savoring that deep pride that a Dad feels when they suddenly "see" that their babies have quickly grown up overnight (it feels like it) to become amazing and fully adult people. Congratulations to your daughter, Kim 🙂 ... View more

Jerome, What an excellent post! Your well-written and passionate explanation of some of the wonderful examples of the Employee Warrior spirit is an inspiration to us all, and is surely an eye-opener for folks who don't quite realize, and probably don't see, the collective efforts that are a part of what makes Southwest the GREATEST airline in the world!! Best wishes and safe travels, Kim 🙂 ... View more

Amy -- Wow, it sounds as if you could filmed your own sequel to "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"! There are days when it seems that everything and everyone has conspired to make traveling unpleasant. My grown son and I recently experienced a traffic gridlock situation at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport that would make Times Square in NYC look like a deserted ghost town. Fortunately, no one was taking my blood pressure at the time, or the cuff might have exploded! But, just when we are convinced that we've somehow run out of karma and that the best solution is to go back home, climb back under the covers and try again the next day, the sun seems to come back out, the clouds part and songbirds begin singing joyous melodies. That's all because we experience what the folks at Southwest Airlines call "Positively Outrageous Service" and that is an understatement! I am glad to hear your story, but I have to say that it doesn't really surprise me. Southwest is densely populated with Linda's who take delight in helping their Customers above and beyond what would normally be found at other AAirlines. Day after day, these people, who seem to be mild-mannered reporters for a major metropolitan newspaper, come to work, slip into a closet and emerge wearing a long red cape and blue tights, and proceed to fight for truth, justice and the Southwest Way! As best as I've found, there does not even seem to be any Kryptonite that fazes them, although at times, the TSA comes close! Aren't you glad that you flew Southwest, and aren't you glad they are as great as they are? Happy travels, Kim 🙂 ... View more

I suggest dueling stuffed T. J. Luv dolls at 5 paces...and the loser buys the candy corn... LOL 🙂 ... View more

To Jim in Omaha, Howdy from Texas! I'm sad to read that you are upset with Southwest for not implementing service from Dallas Love Field to Omaha, but I hope you understand from Bill Owen's explanation that they legally CANNOT do so just yet. Being in Dallas, we were located in the epicenter of much of the Wright Amendment controversy and conflict, whether it was being discussed or just plain cussed. As a result, I know that many rumors and incorrect statements were rampant, and had to be carefully sifted out of the truth. Our local paper often could not be counted on to accurately state what was happening during and immediately after the compromise was announced. So, it doesn't surprise me that things could be even more fuzzy in Omaha or anywhere else that word-of-mouth was carrying the story intertwined into people's hopes and wishes. Please don't blame Southwest for not providing what they are unable to, but please do as I've done for many years; enjoy the hospitality and Positively Outrageous Service provided by Southwest on TWO hops to and from Dallas! It gives them TWICE as many opportunities to impress you with how great they are! Best wishes, Kim 🙂 ... View more

James, Thanks for thinking of me and for missing me! I've been so much up to my armpits in alligators, that I almost forgot I was supposed to drain the swamp...or to stay active on my favorite website/blog! Let's see: #1 -- this is definitely the area below the FA seating area by the front door, and its orange color certainly implies it is an "emergency" device, so I'm going to go with FA life vests OR emergency candy corn dispensers for whenever Blog Boy comes on board. #2 -- front storage compartment for extra snacks...(DUH)...OR hiding place for very small FAs who enjoy playing "hide-and-seek" with the Captain inbetween flights. #3 -- based on the color and shape, I'm going to go with the left side of the "sitting area" inside the lav below the oval seat the frames the...well, you get the idea. This could also be the place where Blog Boy orally disposes of the excess undigested candy corn after a particularly bumpy flight. Kim 🙂 ... View more

Mr. Southerby, With all due respect, I don't view this blog entry by Mr. McDaniel as anything other than an effort to offer some advice to people to try to prevent folks from being defrauded. Whether we are discussing a "bootleg" video, a scalped football or event ticket, or a Southwest Rapid Reward ticket from an unverified source, it strikes me that Mr. McDaniel attempt to breathe new life into the old expression, "caveat emptor", or "let the buyer beware", is an appropriate warning. Too often, people try to get such a good deal that they shortcut the safeguards of the marketplace. The other old saying, "you get what you pay for" also comes into play in some circumstances. The special diamond-encrusted "Rolex" watch being offered for sale in Times Square for $10.00 should arouse great suspicion, but I've watched people buying them as fast as they could pull out their wallets. Although I was unaware that Rapid Rewards tickets were available on eBay, it doesn't really surprise me. However, I do appreciate the spirit of concern that was behind Mr. McDaniel's posting, and I believe he is genuinely trying to protect Southwest Airlines Customers from a bad experience. Saving inordinate amounts of money can come back to bite you the day before Christmas when you and your family are denied boarding after presenting fraudulent tickets. On the second matter, while I agree that unclaimed Rapid Rewards (or any other affinity program) "free tickets" are a liability sort of dangling out there, I really don't think the management of Southwest sits around each morning eagerly tallying up how many freebies expired overnight and are off the books. There is a one-year expiration date on award tickets at Southwest, as opposed to some airlines that allow the miles to just continue to accumulate virtually indefinitely. I actually have perceived SWA Employees being happy to see "free" passengers showing up, because they know that each of us that earns them paid money for several flights already and that we represent real income. Best wishes to you, Mr. Southerby, and to you, Mr. McDaniel, THANK YOU for reminding folks of the other old expression: "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!" Kim ... View more

Angela and Jill, WOW, how fun and how cool this is! It is a great idea and I absolutely LUV it! Thanks for being so creative and for providing this to your Customers! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Angela, Could you please let me know the time and the place for "Malice in Dallas II", so I can come watch you pummel Blog Boy? I know he's taller that you, but you've got the advantage, since a gentleman would never hit a lady... Kim P. S. For refreshments, I'll bring my own Coke and I'll just raid Blog Boy's candy corn stash. 🙂 ... View more

Darrell, Thank you again for your thoughtful and meaningful input to this discussion. Please accept my apologies for my use of the term "Darrells of the world" if you saw that as an insult. I assure you that I was not trying to villify anyone, but was using your name as a reference to people who shared your opinions about Southwest Airlines. I continue to feel that you have every right to hold, and to share publicly, whatever opinions you choose to have about SWA. My personal sense, though, is that you are viewing the glass as "half-empty" instead of "half-full". There is NO question that Southwest is by definition not perfect simply because it is made up of human beings who are imperfect. I've never attempted to whitewash any of their mistakes or to sweep them under the rug, but still maintain that the difference is how they handle those issues, or as I titled this blog, "maybe it's all in the attitude". Yes, getting wedged into your seat by surrounding human vises is not anyone's first choice when they travel, and in addition to having occupied that center seat as often as any other randomly selected passenger, I've also had plenty of flights where I was the only one occupying the three seats in my row. I contend that it all evens out in the end. I think I can safely say that Brian is not smug, nor is my middle name "Pollyana", but we are both realistically honest in our assessment that as imperfect as the SW Employees are, they TRY harder than the employees of any other airline to make each Customer's experiences pleasant and enjoyable. As to your comments about kids -- I'll paraphrase a famous saying: "Alas, we will always have unruly kids with us..." Best wishes to you, Darrell, REGARDLESS of which airline you choose! Kim :-) Jenny, How is your paper coming along? Kim 🙂 ... View more

Jeramy, How's life in Reyjkavik? Ha ha Kim 🙂 ... View more

Carole, Your professional and conscientious approach to your job is only outweighed by your sense of humor and the rare ability among any employees of most companies to not take themselves seriously! While your post was funny on one level, on another level it reminds many of us of some of the serious challenges that FAs face each day at work. Thanks to YOU and all of your fellow Flight Attendants for ALL that you do! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Captain Evans, Thank you for sharing such a great story! I've said it before and will say it over and over again; one of the distinguishing features of Southwest Airlines is the camaraderie that exists among its Employees. As I've mentioned several times on this blogsite, specifically in my "guest blog" about airline attitudes ( http://www.blogsouthwest.com/2006/09/13/maybe-it%e2%80%99s-all-in-the-attitude/ ) the differences in the way I see SW Employees interact with each other and the way that employees of other, unnamed AAirlines interact with each other are dramatic. I often notice a distinct "caste society" within the "other" airlines, where pilots don't talk with anyone other than fellow pilots, and that example seems to fit for every job description for the employees that are visible to us passengers. But, your blog entry above is representative of, and indicative of, the respect and sense of togetherness that is shared by Southwest Employees towards each other. The recognition that it is a team effort is never as obvious elsewhere as it is between SWA folks. Thank you for helping to set and to maintain such a high and professional standard of demonstrating the Golden Rule as it applies to treating people within your own organization! Although I've never met Carole, I'm betting that she would and could write a similar article praising YOU as well. Safe travels to all of my SWA buddies during this holiday season, Kim 🙂 ... View more

Well, you just can't keep a good thing a secret for very long. Since this blog has become the unofficial marketing and publicity venue for The Cookbook Crew, word has spread throughout the known universe via the Internet. That story has come back full circle now as the Dallas newspaper has run a story about this highly-sought-after collector's item: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/casual/stories/DN-p2insidebizCookbook_19bus.ART.State.Edition1.31c2fcb.html This well-deserved attention just reinforces what a terrific effort this is and further showcases the LUV that these Employees have for their company and their Customers as they share their own favorite recipes with others. Since today is Thanksgiving, I would be remiss if I failed to mention that one of the things I give thanks for is having an airline based in my hometown that so wonderfully demonstrates to people across the country a generous helping of Texas friendliness and plenty of Positively Outrageous Service. We have so many blessings in this country, and this is a good day to make sure that we aren't taking any of them for granted. Best wishes for a blessed holiday season to my fellow bloggers and especially to my friends at Southwest Airlines! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Richard, Although I don't know you personally, I suspect that I am very familiar with the work that you've produced over the years in marketing, even if I didn't know who was responsible for it. However, I do know that everything that I've seen come out of Southwest's marketing department has always been classy, clever, funny and terrific and I'm guessing that you deserve some of the credit for that. I join your friends and fellow Employees in wishing you well at SMU, and as a Customer, please accept my gratitude for all that you and the many other people that we never see have done for us over the years. Southwest is a great organization, but that greatness is a result of the combined efforts of many wonderful people who happen to enjoy giving Positively Outrageous Service. Best wishes as you head to the halls of academia, Kim ... View more

Francisco, From one "guest blogger" to another, I want to thank you, your shipmates and ALL of our men and women of the incredible United States military branches!! Those of us who are civilians can never truly know the extent of sacrifices that each one of you make in your service to our country, but we can all appreciate it. Your thread reminds me of two bumper stickers that I have seen: "Freedom is not free" and "All gave some and some gave all" Whether at sea, on the land or in the air, you all represent our country well as you demonstrate why our military is the best one anywhere. But, I also agree with your sentiments above. Far too many people in this country take our blessings for granted, and this Thursday is more than just a day to eat turkey and take a day off from work. When we run the two words together, they start to lose some of their meaning, so I hope folks will pause to separate those words so that it reads "thanks giving", and that they will then "give thanks". Francisco, you and your colleagues in uniform are truly the ones responsible for our friends at Southwest being able to say, "YOU ARE NOW FREE TO MOVE ABOUT THE COUNTRY"!! I pray God's blessings and protection on you and that He will see you home safely as soon as possible. So, from the Lone Star State, birthplace and home of your ship's proud namesake, Admiral Chester Nimitz, best wishes for a peaceful Thanksgiving! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Forrest, As I read your comments, I was struck by your appreciative attitude in the way that you phrased one of your comments. Saying "...IÃ ... View more

Carole, I've been on the road all week, but am just now getting caught up on my backlog of newspapers from my hotel. Interestingly enough, USA Today has an interesting story about this subject in its Money section of the Monday, November 13, 2006 edition. Apparently, there is to be an international change effective next Thursday on Thanksgiving Day that will allow commercial airline pilots to continue to fly until age 65 in every country of the world EXCEPT France, Pakistan, Colombia and the good ole US of A. However, the article indicates that there may be sufficient Congressional pressure to adopt the 65 year old standard for the United States as well. It quotes Ike Eichelkraut, president of your own Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) as he and his union support making this change. Nice timing of your blog post and USA Today's follow-up! http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2006-11-12-pilots-usat_x.htm Thanks, Kim 🙂 ... View more

Bill, This is GREAT news!! As a Dallas-based SWA traveler, I thank you and your team for all of your hard work, and shall eagerly look forward to seeing the new schedule. Considering how many combinations/permutations that had to be calculated for this optimization, now I'll bet you're glad you held onto your powerful TRS-80 Radio Shack computer!! LOL Kim 🙂 ... View more

Darrell, You really DO seem determined to view things negatively! You're really quite correct -- things are NOT perfect onboard all Southwest flights, any more than they are perfect in other areas of our lives. Whether or not it seems "fair", many times the benefits flow to those who show up sooner rather than later. The adage of "the early bird gets the worm" applies in lots of cases. Yes, the passengers who manage to check-in online earlier get the first choice of seats on Southwest planes. But, that is not any different than flying on any other airline. If you make a reservation of Airline A or B or any others today for a flight six months from now, you'll have a pretty decent chance of being able to virtually choose any seat on the plane. However, if you make your reservation a week before flight time, your choices of available seats will be significantly reduced. Also, I don't know if you've been to see a movie lately, but guess what? The early arrivers get first shot at where they want to sit. If it is a popular movie and you show up very close to show time, good luck in finding a good seat. Dropped by any popular dining establishments around 12:15 pm or 6:15 pm in a while? Believe me, seats will be hard to find, since they will be occupied by people who showed up at 11:45 am or 5:45 pm. As far as "rowdy children" go, yes, they can create an unpleasant atmosphere for everyone around them. But, once again, that phenomenon is not unique to Southwest Airlines. Consider restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores and sporting events just to mention a few venues. If you are sitting in restaurant A and the neighboring table has some rowdy children, has it just become the fault of the owners of the restaurant that your peace of mind is being disrupted, or does the fault belong exactly where Jill has suggested: with the parents? Wouldn't it be just wonderful if we could create an environment where we wouldn't have to have 'rowdy children' around? While we're at it, let's eliminate folks who talk too loudly on their cellphones. Oh, and those people ahead of you in the express check-out lane at the grocery store who have 38 items in the 15-item lane. And the guy who cut you off on the freeway this morning. And the grumpy clerk at the convenience store should be banned, too. We all need to find the patience to cut each other a bit more slack. Remember that as we talk about banning those rowdy children that there were probably times that YOU were rowdy when you were young, too. How about the guy who cut you off on the freeway? Have you ever been involved in a medical emergency that required you to rush to a hospital? Are you glad that when you rushed your wife to the delivery room everyone didn't block your way and demand that you conform to their opinions of appropriate driving? Please try to consider that the Employees of Southwest are dealing with some of the most exasperating, unpredictable, irritating and maddening groups of creatures on the face of the Earth -- the ones who are called "people". I've seen Colleen's preaching about the Golden Rule turn an unpleasant situation into a much-improved one for everyone involved, but that at the end of the day, it is not a perfect world because WE are not perfect. Kim P. S. In case you're thinking I'm living in some utopian world of traveling, I assure you that I've spent many flights in the center seat, sandwiched between two large people, or trying to sleep in a seat that is being constantly kicked by a small person behind me. Somehow, I've managed to survive. ... View more

Louisa, There was a thread in this blog some time back that talked about dealing with flying phobias. There are numerous groups that have programs, and one of them seemed to have some affiliation with Southwest as I recall. I think the "graduation ceremony" was a flight on SWA. You might search through this site and see what you can find. I'm in a rush to get out the door this morning, but if you don't find it, I'd bet our very helpful BlogMaster, Mr. Lusk, will post a link here to that thread. Regardless of your program or approach to dealing with your fears, I can't imagine there is ANY airline better equipped to help you enjoy your flight and put your concerns behind you with their generous helpings of happiness, confidence, professionalism and Positively Outrageous Service! Take care, Kim ... View more

James and Adam, I, too, enjoy and am known to frequent Potbelly's after being introduced to them by a friend. However, when considering the marketing implications in today's world of larger portions and tendencies for people to be overweight, I thought twice before my first visit to one in Dallas. Remember that in the South, the term "potbelly" carries a different connotation than it does in the cold Northern part of our country! Kim 🙂 ... View more

My favorite literary masterpieces come from an author who I respect and enjoy immensely, and who never fails to make me smile. He types on an old-fashioned manual typewriter while perched on the peaked roof of a doghouse. As Snoopy always begins, "It was a dark and stormy night..." Kim 🙂 ... View more