Southwest Airlines Community

Senator Everett Dirksen was fond of saying, "A billion here and a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking about real money." Even if Sunny could bargain them down, that new 737 probably still cost more than my last car... Kim 🙂 ... View more

Sunny, As I think about your blog, I've gotten an idea that I'm surprised your Marketing folks have not already suggested. (maybe they have...) Since so many people get so jazzed about "new car smell", and apparently, there is a large contingent of us who likewise are enthused about "new plane smell" (I'm like Angela -- I've been on some of your planes that definitely had that new smell and new pristine look to them, although I didn't peek up front at the odometer), that I think SWA should sell little tree-shaped pieces of stiff cardboard to hang from our automotive rearview mirrors that are saturated with "new plane smell". I'm sure that Boeing could help you develop them by imbedding microscopic bits of carpeting, plastic extrusions, paint and leather seating fabrics inside, and then you could douse them in Jet A to seal in the aroma. This would be a natural best-seller and the revenues generated from such a high-demand item could easily double SWA's profits. By the way, once these become a runaway hit, I expect to be cut in for a "piece of the action". Kim :) P. S. $60M? Wow, I'd LUV to get to see your Titanium Level American Express card, Sunny! ... View more

Captain Ray -- Thanks for a very informative post! I agree that perspective makes a huge difference in people's perceptions of reality. I've been fortunate enough to share your front-facing view fairly regularly when flying on our company plane (not the Southwest 'Company Plane'), a Falcon 50. Our flight crew gladly welcomes passengers to join them up front in the third seat, and I can readily attest to the fact that things look quite different from the front than out the side windows of a plane. But, if you think about it, these concerns and criticisms often come from a very vocal segment of the public, which sometimes are the same people who buy a new house 4/10's of a mile from the end of a runway and then complain about the airplane noise in their neighborhood! Growing up in Dallas, I can well remember the placement of the future D/FW Airport as being out in the middle of twenty miles' worth of cow pastures with no discernible roads leading to it. The new facility opened when I was in high school, and the memory of my first trip out there is vivid because of its remoteness. Of course, now there are high dollar developments (Irving's Las Colinas next to D/FW, for example) that spring up next to airports all over the country, and then when those airports need to expand by lengthening a runway or adding a new ones, there is great hue and cry about the threat to the houses below. Even in-town airports are not exempt from these attacks. Folks in Dallas regularly point out the constant stream of planes as an argument against repealing the Wright Amendment for Love Field. As you know, SWA pilots are required to use noise abatement procedures when departing DAL because of this. Homeowners verbalize forcefully about the danger to the area from all of the planes. And yet, what is often overlooked is that Love Field has been there since 1918, and most of the people who are complaining are ones who didn't move to the area until at least fifty years after Love Field arrived. If some of these same people could see the view out the front of planes departing from El Paso's airport, they'd probably also insist that the City of El Paso move the Franklin Mountains, too! Thanks again for your always interesting and informative perspective! Kim ... View more

Brian, That's a weird bit of deja vu for both of us! I'll further that by mentioning that "our" long-horned steer mascot was a result of an Aggie prank (Angela might can shed more light on the misdemeanor deeds of her predecessors) when a cow was stolen from Austin and branded with " 13 - 0 " on the side to remind the Teasippers of how the Aggies had beaten them the year before. As we tried to save face, my predecessors tried to alter that branding job into something less embarrassing than the score of the shut-out game, and chose the name of a common beer named 'Bevo Beer', that was brewed by Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis. They changed the 13 into a B, the dash into an E and then squeezed a V in front of the 0 to create the word "Bevo" on the now twice-branded steer. So, you and I both can trace the roots of our mascot's names to alcoholic beverages from the past! Oh, and by the way, we'll be polite to our Yankee guests this weekend, and if they seem particularly pitiful, we might just have mercy on them and let them win so they won't be too sad. But, there's a lot to be said for the therapeutic benefits of a good whoopin', too! Hook 'em, Kim 🙂 ... View more

Leah, I sure do wish you could manage to drum up some enthusiasm...gee, we're really not sure if you want to be a flight attendant or not... LOL Kim P. S. I still hope you make it, but I also hope my Longhorns beat your Sooners again this year, too! 🙂 ... View more

Heyyyyy! We don't eat our mascot in Austin. You can ride yours, or buy one from Ford to drive, but I'll bet you don't eat Peruna, either! Ha ha Kim :) P. S. Betcha you're surprised I even knew your horsie's name, huh? My high school in Richardson copied your colors, your fight song AND your mascot -- that's why I'm so smart! ... View more

James, Thanks for noticing that I beat Stove by almost six hours, but you failed to tell me what I won!! Maybe Sunny will name N251WN ( http://www.blogsouthwest.com/2006/09/05/can-we-bottle-that-smell/ ) in my honor?? LOL Kim :) P. S. This is almost as great as when I kept winning the trivia question contest on a flight one time around the 25th Anniversary ten years ago. Except after getting the first five questions right, they disqualified me from competing any further so everyone else would have a chance!! ... View more

Brian, I'm a bit puzzled by your post. Are there people who live outside of Texas???? Kim ... View more

Sunny, What a great post! It is neat for us "aviation junkies", as well as us "Southwest Airlines junkies", to get to vicariously share in the adventure of picking up a new plane! You didn't mention if Boeing is like GM and Ford and all the rest -- when you went to get N251WN, did it have a price sticker on the window with all of the standard and upgrade features, along with destination charges, tax, title and license? :) Since my wife's family is from Seattle, I've taken many trips to that area over the last thirty years, and I always enjoy that part of the country. Of course, Pike Place Market is often on our agenda, too. FYI -- if you're a "coffee junkie", the original Starbucks location is right next to Pike Place Market. That store still sports the first version of the famous circular logo, and is the only location they have that has not switched to the more politically correct version of the mermaid. Yes, the Museum of Flight is also a MUST-SEE for us "aviation junkies", and its proximity to Boeing Field makes it a fun place to go just to "plane watch". I have taken some pictures out the windows of Southwest planes (since the merger with Morris Air) of views like the one you showed of Mount St. Helens, although the regularly scheduled flight path doesn't seem to go as close as your Dallas pilots apparently took you guys! I have a shot from one trip where the thick cloud cover looks like a blanket of snow on a very flat field in Texas, and the only thing visible is Mount Rainier sticking up! They have great scenery up there! Thanks again for giving us a small taste of the excitement that you had in Seattle! Kim ... View more

To Gary Kelly: Hey! Angela's posting to this blog alerted me to a fact that I may have known at one time, but in my old age, must have forgotten. I had to go find your bio on the SW website to confirm it (you know we can't always trust them Aggies...), and sure enough, you're a fellow Longhorn! We also share a BBA degree. No wonder I've always been very impressed with the way you're running my favorite airline!! Keep up the GREAT work -- I definitely LUV what ALL of you (including those Aggies like Angela) do at Southwest! Hook 'em, Kim 🙂 ... View more

Angela, Well, you just HAD to do it, didntya? Start bashin' my Longhorns, huh? That's okay, being National Champions requires more than just athletic prowess. The title carries an expectation of dignity and pride that is tempered with courtesy, and all of us graduates of the Forty Acres, along with the current students (which includes my son), are certainly worthy of that honor for the way we conduct ourselves both on the field and off. In fact, I will even confess that several years ago, I abandoned my long-time practice of telling Aggie jokes in the aftermath of your horrible bonfire tragedy. That incident had a very positive side to it, as it served to bring two rivals together under the banner of 'Texans' as we grieved alongside our maroon brothers and sisters. A new spirit of cooperation and respect between our alma maters was formed in the days that followed, as students, professors and administrators reached across to embrace each other. So, to this day, I am proud to ALWAYS root for the Aggies to win, since as far as I'm concerned, the first name of your school is the same as the last name of ours. Of course, around Thanksgiving each year, all bets are off, since even siblings can wrestle for supremacy within their 'family' or 'state' from time to time! Congratulations to you and all of the SWA Aggies for being from an excellent school with an outstanding reputation. We're proud to share the state with you along with our mutual, and currently rapidly increasing Permanent University Fund! (I wouldn't be a true burnt-orange blooded alumnus though, if I didn't point out that UT gets 2/3 and you guys only get 1/3!! LOL) Best wishes and LUV from a Longhorn! Kim :) P. S. Can we also agree that folks like Brian who went to SMU are just a bunch of spoiled rich kids? 🙂 ... View more

There are never any adequate words to express the shock when death comes so suddenly and violently to so many people at once, other to say to the families and friends who are affected that God is waiting with open arms to provide comfort to you. I pray that each of you finds the peace that truly passes all understanding that can only come from God. In His name, Kim ... View more

Leah, We're still hanging in there with you through the interview process and hoping that you make it! In reference to your last question about choosing your 'plane-mates', I have no idea. But, if you make it to being a FA, you're going to have to let me know when you graduate and start flying, because as a passenger, I want to choose a flight with YOU on it just to meet the very enthusiastic Leah!! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Wow, the first one is easy... Chicago -- since the Sears Tower is clearly visible. The second one is pretty easy...Houston -- since I can see the George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park downtown. The third one is a bit tougher...but I'm going to guess Houston as well, because this photo reminds me of the wide open expanses at Hobby. Kim ... View more

Congrats, "TX", but I still say it looks like the far end of the Dallas North Tollway! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Mike, I think the original intent of this thread started by Angela was one of how rewarding it is to work with and around people who care about other people. I have known enough SWA employees and have observed them during a variety of both positive and negative situations involving their jobs to believe that their people would care about you and me as their customers regardless of their profitability. However, even though it is true that part of their profitability is based on their employees' desire to be efficient and not wasteful in the way they do their jobs, I think that the cause and effect relationship you are suggesting is backwards. They aren't profitable because their employees are "great" -- they ARE profitable and their people ARE great, but it those are nearly unrelated to each other. What Angela, a lot of others and I have commented on repeatedly throughout this blog is that what makes SWA a great airline is not its profitability, its their people. Profitability is ONE criteria of success, but happiness and satisfaction that comes from serving your customers well and being a part of a culture that nurtures and rewards its people is another equally valid, and I would argue, a more important, criteria of success. In my book, SWA could be losing money and still be a great airline! Best wishes to you, Kim P. S. Gary -- yes, I AM a shareholder and NO, I'm not insane! I'm pleased that you're profitable!! 🙂 ... View more

Way to go, Sandy!! I'm proud of you!! That is SO cool. I truly hope that things go well for you whether you wind up at SWA or somewhere else. Congratulations, Kim ... View more

"Ya see this, Arpey? Yure next, pardner..." ... View more

Josh, Regarding the "sterile cockpit rule", I have no doubt that a pilot of the caliber and professionalism of Captain Ray Stark would most certainly have thoroughly cleaned his camera and any other outside equipment that he might bring into the cockpit. Southwest is very picky about cleanliness and keeping germs OUT of the cockpit. It is also mandatory that they clean off the HUD after they use it as a warming tray for their cheese danishes... Kim 🙂 ... View more

Ya know, the longer I look at that picture, the more worried I get. The scenery looks a lot like the area north of Frisco, Texas, and I have this scary thought that Captain Ray was lined up on final approach to the far north end of the Dallas North Tollway... Kim 🙂 ... View more

Angela, I've said it before and will say it again and again, to friends, business associates and to readers of this blog. Southwest is NOT in the airline business. Its NOT in the transportation industry. Southwest is in the PEOPLE business, and it does a superlative job in that field. As we know from the military, computers can fly a plane. As we know from your competitors, passengers could pick up their own 'snacks' from a cart before boarding. You could virtually operate without any human interaction if all you wanted to do was to move folks from point A to point B. But, instead, you (that's the generic you, because I mean every single SWA employee) work with people who have needs and wants, and I've repeatedly seen over the years how hard 'you' work to meet those needs and wants. Customers flock to do business with companies that act as if they appreciate their business. There simply is NOT another airline out there that demonstrates that appreciation more clearly than Southwest. I can only imagine how great it must make you feel to read those letters and to know that you work alongside people who regularly get to practice the Golden Rule. When a firm focuses on the bucks, they often earn some pretty good bucks. But, SWA shows that if you focus on the people, you can earn some more lasting rewards. I'll take one of my Rapid Rewards drink coupon books and see if I can swap it at the grocery store for a large box of extra soft tissues for ya! Kim ... View more

This blog is not long enough, nor do I have enough free time to relate here all of the terrific experiences I've had with SWA Flight Attendants in my 33 years of flying on Southwest. In all that time, I've encountered many many wonderful employees that I've never seen again. I've run into some of the same ones repeatedly. Nevertheless, they are without fail the most professional and enjoyable people to be around. If you figure three FAs per flight, times the 20 billion flights I've taken (more or less), its amazing that I've met exactly ONE who was not the typical Southwest employee. Hey, consider the percentages -- that ain't bad! Besides, everyone is entitled to have a bad day once in a while. As much as I interact with people in the hospitality/travel/service industry (airlines, airports, taxiis, hotels, rental cars and restaurants), I've absolutely NEVER met a more consistently awesome set of people than those who work for Southwest, and it doesn't matter whether I see them in Seattle or Baltimore, Midway or Harlingen or anywhere inbetween. Regardless of the various duties of being an FA, the "REAL job" is putting up with us travelers! I salute all of the hard-working Southwest flight attendants (even that one grouchy guy! 🙂 ) Kim ... View more

Leah, Well, according to the timetable you've outlined above, it is only two more days till your 'one-on-one' interview! I've read many of your posts all over this blog, and I think you post here more than I do! :-) I certainly wish you well in the next step of the process, and I think that even if you are not hired as an FA, you should apply for the position of Enthusiastic Cheerleader for Southwest Airlines, because you're FIRED UP!! Best wishes even if you are an Okie, Kim :-) Hook 'em Horns!! ... View more

Sandy, I'm glad that you enjoyed hearing about one of my encounters with 'The First Family' back when they lived down here one state south of you. I've often thought that the best way to know what famous people are really like is to see them when the cameras are off and there is no reporter around. My father-in-law knew her as she was growing up, and he corroborates that she is as nice as she seems in the media. But, as to you being too old to chase your dreams, I suggest that you read the following part of the SWA blog. This was posted by a friend of mine who works at Southwest, and it might just inspire you to pursue that dream: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/2006/08/02/the-southwest-cure-for-a-midlife-crisis/ I'm six years older than you are, and I still fantasize about working at Southwest myself after being a sideline observer of this phenomenal company. Being an empty-nester myself, I wish I had the courage to give up almost 25 years with my present employer and apply at SWA. But, I'd probably fail the application process to be a flight attendant. All of those folks get to wear cool polo shirts and spiffy shorts to work, and unfortunately, I've got knobby knees... Go for it, Sandy!! Kim P. S. HOOK 'EM HORNS!!! (sorry, I couldn't resist) 🙂 ... View more

OK, we all LUV the special three-letter abbreviations that SWA uses. We know that POS is Positively Outrageous Service. We know that Brian and Angela's offices are right next to DAL. And now, we have a perfect example of MAS. No, I am not referring to Manus Island Momote airport in Papua, New Guinea. I'm talking about Brian and Angela's Mutual Admiration Society!! LOL Kim 🙂 ... View more

Dave, Wow, that's a challenge! The picture is fairly hazy, so there aren't a lot of clues. However, the terrain doesn't resemble any of SW's destination airports that I've flown into before, which is a pretty high percentage, so I'll shoot for somewhere I have NOT flown into before. The area looks like the Midwest/Heartland of the country, so I'm going to guess one of these three places that I've never been: 1.) Louisville 2.) Indianapolis 3.) Columbus You didn't say we could take three guesses, but then again, you didn't say we couldn't, either! Kim ... View more

a friend recently sent me this gem: "Costello calls to buy a computer from Abbott" ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you? COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer. ABBOTT: Mac? COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou. ABBOTT: Your computer? COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one. ABBOTT: Mac? COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou. ABBOTT: What about Windows? COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here? ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows? COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows? ABBOTT: Wallpaper. COSTELLO: Never mind the windows I need a computer and software. ABBOTT: Software for Windows? COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have? ABBOTT: Office. COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything? ABBOTT: I just did. COSTELLO: You just did what? ABBOTT: Recommend something. COSTELLO: You recommended something? ABBOTT: Yes. COSTELLO: For my office? ABBOTT: Yes. COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office? ABBOTT: Office. COSTELLO: Yes, for my office! ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows. COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need? ABBOTT: Word. COSTELLO: What word? ABBOTT: Word in Office. COSTELLO: The only word in office is office. ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows. COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows? ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue "W." COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue "w" if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with? ABBOTT: Money. COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have? ABBOTT: Money. COSTELLO: I need money to track my money? ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer. COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer? ABBOTT: Money. COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer? ABBOTT: Yes, at no extra charge. COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much? ABBOTT: One copy. COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money? ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money. COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money? ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT! (A few days later) ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you? COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off? ABBOTT: Click on "START"...... Kim 🙂 ... View more

Ok, I've resisted the temptation to jump into the midst of this, but these are getting SO bad now that they've dropped down to the level of humor that I love, so here goes: 1.) What if there were no hypothetical questions? 2.) If a deaf kid swears, does his mother wash his hands off with soap? 3.) If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it a hostage situation? 4.) Is there another word for 'synonym'? 5.) What should you do if you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant? 6.) If a parsley farmer loses a lawsuit, can they garnish his wages? 7.) If a turtle loses his shell, is he considered naked or homeless? 8.) Are vegetarians allowed to eat animal crackers? 9.) If the police arrest a mime, do they advise him that he has the right to start speaking? 10.) What was the best thing BEFORE sliced bread? 11.) Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra? 12.) Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults seem to enjoy adultery? 13.) If one synchronized swimmer drowns, will the rest of the team drown too? 14.) If you ate some pasta and some antipasto, would you still be hungry? 15.) If you try to fail and succeed, what have you done? 16.) Why is it called 'tourist season' if we aren't allowed to shoot them? 17.) Why is there an expiration date on sour cream? Hasn't it already soured? Kim 🙂 ... View more

Don't let Brian's false modesty fool you -- he is a legend at SWA. Once, I was patiently waiting for my flight at Love when Herb Kelleher walked up to me. He said that he had heard that I knew Brian Lusk and when I admitted that, in fact, I did, he asked me for an autograph. I've had buxom, bikini-clad women come up and ask me what the 'real' Brian is like. He clearly has a HUGE fan base and loyal following! Kim 🙂 ... View more

Hey, Skye -- In the picture, John/Uncle Jesse is holding up two fingers. Is he counting the number of Rapid Reward segments he earned on that roundtrip flight? LOL Kim 🙂 ... View more