Southwest Airlines Community

  SOUTHWEST AIRLINES OUTLINES INITIAL PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE IKE AND OFFERS RELIEF FOR CUSTOMERS TRAVELING NEAR THE STORM Southwest Keeping Close Tabs on the Following Airports: Austin, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Houston Hobby, and San Antonio   DALLAS—Sept. 10, 2008—Southwest Airlines said today that it will not operate flights to and from Corpus Christi International Airport and (Harlingen) Valley International Airport on Friday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept. 13. The airline’s plans to resume service to and from Corpus Christi and Harlingen will depend upon the status of airport security personnel, facilities, and services. Southwest is closely monitoring Hurricane Ike and will announce any additional changes to its operation as the storm progresses.             Southwest strongly encourages travelers to contact Southwest Reservations at (800) 435-9792 or look for updated travel advisories at www.southwest.com before checking in online for a flight or proceeding to the airport. Customers can also copy and paste the following link into a web browser for direct access to the travel advisory page: http://www.southwest.com/content/travel_center/travel_advisory_0040.html?ref=wthr.             Southwest Airlines Customers holding reservations for travel to and from Austin, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Houston Hobby, or San Antonio from Noon Central Time on Wednesday, Sept. 10, through the close of business Monday, Sept. 15 may change their travel plans and rebook in their original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge. Also, Customers holding reservations for a flight that is cancelled to and from Corpus Christi or Harlingen may request a refund for any unused ticket/travel itinerary. Southwest Airlines is doing its best to take care of Customers’ travel needs and to keep Customers and Employees safe during the storm. The airline invites Customers to visit southwest.com to receive the latest information regarding a flight. Southwest also encourages Ticketless Travel Customers to visit the Travel Center on southwest.com to cancel, change, and/or rebook their flight reservations. All ticketed Customers may contact Reservations (1-800-435-9792) for additional assistance.   www.southwest.com       ... View more

DALLAS, TEXAS – September 4, 2008 - Southwest Airlines Co. announced today that the Company flew 6.6 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in August 2008, a 5.2 percent decrease from the 7.0 billion RPMs flown in August 2007.  Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 1.5 percent to 8.9 billion from the August 2007 level of 8.7 billion.  The load factor for the month was 74.6 percent, compared to 80.0 percent for the same period last year. For the eight months ended August 31, 2008, Southwest flew 50.9 billion RPMs, compared to the 49.2 billion RPMs recorded for the same period of 2007, an increase of 3.6 percent.  Available seat miles increased 5.1 percent to 69.4 billion from the 2007 level of 66.1 billion.  The year-to-date load factor was 73.3 percent, compared to 74.4 percent for the same period last year.  This news release, as well as past news releases on Southwest, are available online at southwest.com. ... View more

via Sky Talk by Rick on 9/2/08 It's another good day to observe that inverse relationship between oil prices and airline stocks. With crude down more than $6 to under $110 per barrel, airline stocks have soared, with the Amex Airline Index up nearly 7 percent.   To read more, visit:  http://startelegram.typepad.com/sky_talk/2008/09/airline-stocks.html ... View more

  Winging It: Airlines see comfort, fun as a plus By Tom Belden Flying is fun again! I'm writing this column while sitting comfortably in the middle of a typical airline three-seat row that I have all to myself. I'm writing on my laptop, which is resting across two tray tables. If only the fidgety, middle-aged guy in the row ahead, wearing a baseball cap with "Bite Me!" written across the strap, would quit stretching his arms over his head and into my space, all would be right with the world.   To read more, visit:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20080901_Winging_It__Winging_It__Airlines_see_comfort__fun_as_a_plus.html ... View more

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES WANTS YOU TO KEEP YOUR CASH Airline Introduces a Cashless Cabin on All Flights DALLAS—Sept. 2, 2008—Southwest Airlines wants you to keep your cash…and hand over your plastic!  No, Southwest is not adding new service fees, but beginning Sept. 9, all Southwest Airlines aircraft will be equipped with handheld credit card devices that will enable Flight Attendants to take drink orders in a flash, and accept credit and debit cards for payment of cocktails, beer, wine, and Lo-Carb Monster energy drinks.  The airline will no longer accept cash onboard. “For years, Customers have been asking Southwest to accept credit cards onboard for payment, and now we can give our Customers one more feature they want,” said Scott Halfmann, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Provisioning.  “No more remembering to hit the cash machine before boarding your flight!” Southwest Airlines will accept all major credit and debit cards for payment as well as Southwest Airlines Drink Coupons. Additionally, Customers paying with their Rapid Rewards credit card from Chase will receive double reward dollars by using their card onboard.  “Southwest will continue to offer peanuts, snacks, juices, and sodas at no cost—that’s one thing we haven’t changed,” Halfmann said.  “The only difference our Customers will see is a convenient way to pay for alcoholic beverages and Monster energy drinks, and no more inflight announcements asking who has change for a $20 bill!” Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants and Provisioning Employees gave their input on what device would be the easiest to handle. The result was a hand-held device from GuestLogix Inc. that makes paying for drinks as fast as a swipe of a credit card. Southwest is the only U.S. airline to remain consistently profitable this decade, and enjoys an unprecedented string of 35 consecutive years of profitability.  Southwest has one of the industry’s lowest cost structures, a strong balance sheet, and the most comprehensive fuel hedge of any major U.S. airline.  At Southwest Airlines, what you see is what you pay with no hidden fees.  You can check your first two bags for free, there are no change fees, no fees for a window or aisle seat, and, as always, snacks, sodas, and smiles are all complimentary! After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier, continues to differentiate itself from other airlines—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience.  Southwest offers a very comfortable ride with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom with a young all Boeing 737 fleet.  Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest even more convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 34,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com Media Please Contact:  Public Relations at 214/792-4847   ... View more

Southwest Airlines wants to inform our Customers that we are on the watch for the possible impact Hurricane Gustav may have in our airports and operations.  Please review our travel advisory posted at http://www.southwest.com/content/travel_center/travel_advisory_0038.html?ref=wthr for the latest information and/or call Reservations at 1-800-435-9792 to confirm your travel itinerary.  Southwest Airlines also wants to remind our Customers that there is no additional charge for changes in itinerary. ... View more

By David M Rowell aka The Travel Insider The 'Southwest effect' is described as the two things that happen when Southwest starts flying into a new city.  Airfares drop across the board as established carriers match Southwest's typically lower fares, and air travel increases in response. Here's an interesting example of the other side of the Southwest effect.  For reasons best known to itself and to no-one else, Southwest only publishes its schedules (and therefore fares) a little way into the future, unlike most airlines that will accept reservations up to 11 months in advance (and even further in advance for group type bookings). So guess what happens on the particular day when Southwest's future bookings stop being available?  Yes - airfares typically rise on other carriers.  Here's a wonderful example of this in chart form, courtesy of farecompare.com - at present, you can book with Southwest through until 6 March 2009. Look at the leap in fares on United that occurs on 7 March - from an average of about $385 up to an average of about $440.     If you're flying anywhere in the US, plainly it is best not to book further in advance than Southwest has its schedules published for. To read more, visit:  http://travel-abroad.blogspot.com/2008/08/travel-insider-this-weeks-travel_29.html ... View more

DALLAS, Aug. 25 - Southwest Airlines recently appointed Kathleen Wayton as Vice President Strategy and Change Leadership. In her new position, Wayton will be responsible for providing executive leadership and direction for the Company's Strategy, Change Leadership, and Portfolio Management Teams. Click HERE for a photo. "Kathleen's love for developing People, drive for results, her work ethic, and knack for boiling the complex down into the real "to-dos" has made her the perfect Leader for this group," said Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President Strategy and Planning. "Having worked closely with Kathleen over the last year as she built our Teams, I know that she will be great in her new Leadership role." Wayton will lead the continued development and implementation of the Company's strategic plan. Additionally, she will drive companywide change and improvement projects; oversee the management of the Company's portfolio of investment opportunities; provide project management support; and support the development of the tools and processes to govern and manage strategy and project execution. Wayton joined Southwest in 2004 as a Director in Technology, leading our Enterprise Data Team. She was then promoted to Senior Director over the Rapid Rewards and southwest.com Teams in Technology. Last April, she moved to the Strategic Planning Department as Senior Director. "I look forward to continuing to work alongside the best Employees in the industry to provide strategic direction for Southwest Airlines," Wayton said. " This is one of the most exciting times in Southwest's history, and I'm honored to be a part of it." Kathleen grew up in Odessa, Texas, and graduated from the University of North Texas with a BA in Marketing. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has 34, 000+ Employees systemwide.                           http://www.southwest.com ... View more

  Southwest Airlines wants to keep our Customers informed on the approach of Tropical Storm Fay.  All Customers that bought their tickets to travel to and from Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, and West Palm Beach, from August 17 to August 20th can change their itineraries with no additional charges.  To confirm or change a ticket, please call Southwest Airlines Reservations at 1-800-435-9792.  For updated information also link to: http://www.southwest.com/content/travel_center/travel_advisory_0037.html?ref=wthr. ... View more

  We've discovered another airline fee comparison tool.  This one allows you to select your exact travel itinerary and display fees by category.  Check it out at http://www.compareairlinefees.com/. ... View more

Southwest Airlines stands on the winner’s podium for cargo business DALLAS—Aug. 18, 2008— Southwest Airlines Cargo took home the gold today as Logistics Management ranked the airline number one among all air carrier Quest for Quality award winners. Southwest Airlines earned the highest scores in On-Time Performance, Value, Customer Service, and Equipment & Operations. This year’s win marks the 14th Quest for Quality award for Southwest Airlines. The carrier has earned the top spot for 12 consecutive years. Quest for Quality winners are determined from the results of an annual survey conducted by Logistics Management magazine, where 2,000+ shippers ranked their transportation service providers on a variety of performance criteria such as On-Time Performance, Value, Information Technology, Customer Service, and Equipment & Operations.  For the past 25 years, Logistics Management’s Quest for Quality has been regarded in the transportation and logistics industry as one of the most important measures of customer satisfaction and performance excellence. Southwest Airlines Cargo is recognized as an industry leader, winning numerous awards due to the reliable Southwest Employees who run its operations across the nation. Southwest Airlines Cargo Employees are available to help Customers meet their shipping needs, delivering the excellent Customer Service and operational excellence for which the carrier is known. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 34,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com ... View more

Bob Young Plugs In for Airline’s Extensive Technology Projects DALLAS—August 15, 2008 – Southwest Airlines announced today that Bob Young joins the Dallas-based airline as its new Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). For a photo of Bob Young, please use this link (http://gallery.swamedia.com/photos). Young will lead Southwest’s Infrastructure Teams including Change, Test and Deployment, Application and Data Architecture, Tech Services Operations Support, and Tech Services Field Support and Engineering. He joins the Technology family led by Jan Marshall, Southwest’s Vice President Technology and Chief Information Officer; Laurie Hulin, Vice President Aircraft Operations and Enterprise Management; and Darren Dayley, Vice President Customer Experience Portfolio. These departments are vital in driving and supporting the airline’s extensive technology projects needed to meet such corporate goals as re-launching the carrier’s award-winning frequent flyer program in 2009, expanding its codeshare relationships to international destinations, and exploring the potential for onboard wireless Internet. “With so much work to do and the excitement we all feel about these projects, we are thrilled to have someone with Bob’s energy and background on our team to help carry all of this momentum forward,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest’s Executive Vice President Strategy and Planning.  Young brings with him extensive experience in the areas of Data Center Operations, architecture, and applications development. Most recently, Young was employed by a large, well-known, U.S. - based electronics products company, where he was responsible for support of a large business unit with annual revenues of $15-20 billion. His responsibilities also included global marketing and global go-to-market organizations with IT teams across ten countries. Young has served his country as an Officer and Naval Aviator with the United States Navy. He earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn. and a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Penn. After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with premium all leather seats and plenty of legroom.  Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 34,000 Employees systemwide.   www.southwest.com   ... View more

  If you're confused about which airlines are charging for what, Smartertravel and Kayak can help. The editors of SmarterTravel.com, Airfarewatchdog.com, and SeatGuru.com have teamed up to bring you this Ultimate Guide to Airline Fees, a one-stop reference chart for every major fee from every major domestic airline. To download the chart, visit: http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/airline-fees-the-ultimate-guide.html?id=2623262 Kayak.com has also prepared a fee chart, available at http://www.kayak.com/airline-fees   ... View more

Fighting for Freedom, No Need to Fight the Fees!   Southwest Airlines has long made an exception for its active military Customers by waiving any fees for overweight, oversize, and excess baggage checked while on assignment. Southwest supported that tradition by making it a formal policy in January 2008.  We realize that many Soldiers have recently faced the burden of extra fees from other carriers, and want to make it extremely clear that, once again, Southwest Airlines is different. When many airlines have added fees, our unique policy continues to allow our Employees to waive fees and charges associated with overweight, oversize, and excess baggage (more than 2 checked bags) for active duty U.S. Military Personnel or U.S. Reserve/National Guard traveling on military orders.  Southwest continues to offer all Customers two checked bags free of charge.   All such bags must still fall within the maximum weight and size limitations for baggage.   Those limitations are: up to and including 100 pounds and no more than 80 inches (LxWxH).   Media please contact Southwest Airlines Public Relations 214-792-4847   Check out all the ways we are different here: http://www.southwest.com/nofees/ ... View more

  Are you Nutty Enough to be Southwest’s Next Blog Star? DALLAS—Aug. 7, 2008— America holds auditions for hot new models, undiscovered singers, and dancers who want to make it big.  Now, Southwest Airlines is hosting its very own competition to find the next Blog-o-spondent for the Company’s blog Nuts About Southwest. Over the past six months, Southwest Airlines Employee Christi Day  has served as the Company’s primary Blog-o-spondent, traveling to Southwest cities across the country and filming short segments for the Company’s blog, including features on various Southwest Operations and Employees.  Now Christi is ready to share the spotlight and allow one lucky Customer to become the next Nuts About Southwest Blog-o-spondent.  Beginning Aug. 5, Customers can submit a one-minute audition video on the official contest site (http://southwest.spigit.com/homepage).  Between Aug. 5-31, fellow Customers will be able to view all video submissions and vote for their favorites.  The three contestants with the most votes on Sept. 1 will be invited to join current Blog-o-spondent Christi Day and the Southwest Blog Team at this year’s BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas on Sept. 20-21 to compete in a final competition round.  On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 20, the three finalists will meet at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where they will receive a video assignment (to be revealed that morning) that will serve as their final challenge.  Each contestant’s final video submission will be posted on the contest site on Sept. 21, where Customers will have another opportunity to vote for their favorite and help select the official Nuts About Southwest Blog-o-spondent.   The final video submissions will be showcased at the BlogWorld Expo on the afternoon of Sept. 21, where they will be judged by current Blog-o-spondent Christi Day and a panel of Southwest Airlines Judges.  The winner will be revealed immediately following the judging ceremony.  Over the next year, the Blog-o-spondent will travel to select Southwest cities to produce a minimum of four video segments for Southwest’s Blog Nuts About Southwest.  The winner will be provided with air transportation and hotel accommodations for each assignment and will be outfitted with a new video camera, laptop, and editing software to complete the job.    Audition videos may be submitted Aug. 5-31, at http://southwest.spigit.com/homepage.  The three finalists will be notified on or close to Sept. 1.  Contestants must be 18 or older to participate and meet the following criteria: • Ability to capture, edit, and post their own footage in an accepted format in a timely manner • FUN on- and off-camera personality that reflects Southwest’s unique Culture • Ability to clearly communicate Southwest messages • Ability to commit to time and travel required for each assignment • Follow all official contest rules and guidelines.  Rules and guidelines may be found below and at www.blogsouthwest.com. Southwest Airlines Still a maverick after 37 years, Southwest Airlines was the first airline to offer its Customers a venue for open dialogue through a blog, Nuts About Southwest.  With nearly 30 Employee bloggers who represent a mix of frontline and behind-the-scenes Employees, including Pilots, Flight Attendants, Schedule Planners, Customer Service Agents, Executives, Administrative Assistants, Marketing Representatives, etc.  Since its launch in April 2006, Nuts has experienced tremendous success - building relationships with Customers, serving as a virtual focus group, and influencing several business decisions. In 2007, Nuts was named Best Blog by PR News and has been recognized in major publications ranging from Wired Magazine to The Wall Street Journal. BlogWorld & New Media Expo BlogWorld & New Media Expo is the first and only industry-wide tradeshow, conference and media event dedicated to promoting the dynamic industry of blogging and new media. BlogWorld features dozens of seminars, panel discussions and keynotes from iconic personalities on the leading-edge of online technology and Internet-savvy business. Designed to give participants the strategies, tools and technologies they need to stake their claim in the blogosphere, BlogWorld takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sept. 20-21. More information on BlogWorld & New Media Expo can be found at www.blogworldexpo.com. Spigit Spigit develops enterprise community software to drive innovation and empower decision makers. Spigit's core products, InnovationSpigit and IdeaSpigit, are used by Fortune 500 companies to power both internal and external innovation and idea management initiatives. Spigit has received recognition and numerous awards, including the AlwaysOn Global 250, Best of Interop 2008 and the 2008 Gartner Cool Vendor in the High Performance Workplace. (http://www.spigit.com) Official Contest Rules Visit http://southwest.spigit.com/homepage during the Contest Period and submit an Official Entry form including your complete name, address including zip code, telephone number, your primary e-mail address and answers to other questions on the Official Entry form, and upload a video application not to exceed sixty (60) seconds in length to YouTube.com and then submit the embed code on the Spigit site. (collectively "Online Entry"). Online Entry must include the entrant's explanation of why he/she is the perfect candidate for the position of Southwest Airlines “Blog-o-spondent.” No previously published video clips may be submitted nor will such a submission qualify as an Online Entry.  All Online Entries become the sole property of the Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.  No correspondence will be entered into, acknowledged or returned.  Sponsor reserves the right to edit, publish and use any Online Entry without further permission, consideration, or payment to the entrant.  By submitting an Online Entry, entrant warrants and represents that Online Entry is 100% original creation/work by entrant and that use of the Online Entry as described herein will not violate any law or infringe upon the rights of any third party. All Online Entries must be received by 11:59:59 PM ET on August 31, 2008. Limit one Online Entry per person. Duplicate Online Entries received will be void.  In the event the same video clip is submitted by more than one entrant, the first Online Entry received will be accepted and all additional duplicate Online Entries will be deemed void. Use of automated devices is not valid for entry.  Online Entries must include a valid e-mail address for the entrant.  Southwest Airlines and their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") are not responsible for any problems or technical, hardware, or software malfunctions of any telephone network or telephone lines, failed, incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete, garbled or delayed electronic communications whether caused by the sender or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this Contest, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by the Sponsor due to technical problems, human error or traffic congestion, unavailable network connections on the Internet or at any web site, or any combination thereof, including, without limitation, any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participating in this Contest or downloading any materials in this Contest. "Top 10" Judging Criteria: Top 10 entries with the most “spigs” on the online voting site will be required to participate in a telephone interview with a representative of Southwest Airlines between September 2, 2008 and September 8, 2008, and consent to a criminal background check.  In the event a Finalist is not available for the telephone interview on the date and time designated by Southwest Airlines, the Finalist may be disqualified.  Based on these interviews, compliance with applicable Southwest Airlines appearance guidelines and the results of the criminal background checks, a total of three (3) "Top 3" Finalists will be selected from among all "Top 10" Finalists.  The selection of the "Top 3" Finalists will be made by Southwest Airlines whose decisions are final and binding in all respects relating to the selection of all "Top 3" Finalists. All "Top 3" Finalists will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability and Publicity Release.  Non-compliance will result in disqualification of such "Top 3" Finalist and the next highest scoring "Top 10" Finalist may become a "Top 3" Finalist. Online Voting:  Finalist Prize Judging Criteria: The “Top 3” Finalists will be invited to a call-back round in Las Vegas.  Southwest Airlines will fly each contestant to Las Vegas on Friday, September 19, 2008, with all travel and lodging expenses paid.  Finalists will be given their final video assignment.  On Sunday, September 21, 2008, the “Top 3” Finalists will post their “call-back” video on the Spigit voting site for the final vote.  The final video submissions will also be showcased at the BlogWorld Expo on the afternoon of Sept. 21, where they will be judged by a panel of Southwest Airlines Judges.  The winner will be revealed immediately following the judging ceremony.  Public vote will weigh 30% Southwest Airlines Judges vote will weigh 70% The final video submission will be judged by the Southwest Airlines judging panel on the following criteria: • Originality: 30 pts. • Humor: 30 pts. • Southwest Airlines Brand Message: 20 pts. • Resourcefulness: 10 pts. • Completion of assignment: 10pts. o Between 3-5 minutes o Turned in on time Total: 100 pts. A “Top 3” Finalist Prize Winner may decline and thereby waive his/her right to receive a Finalist Prize.  In order to claim a Finalist Prize, Finalist Prize Winners must be willing to submit to a criminal background check (to be administered by Southwest Airlines) and will be required to complete an Affidavit or Declaration of Eligibility and/or a Release and Waiver and Authorization To Reproduce Likeness (collectively, the "Documentation").  The Documentation must be returned within ten (10) business days of receipt of notification containing such Documentation.  A potential Finalist Prize Winner's failure to sign and return the Documentation within ten (10) business days, or to provide a satisfactory criminal background check or to comply with any term or condition of these Rules may, at the sole discretion of Sponsor, result in disqualification, forfeiture of his or her interest in the Finalist Prize, and the next highest scoring "Top 3" Finalist will become a Finalist Prize Winner.  Except where prohibited by law, a Finalist Prize Winner's acceptance of a Finalist Prize constitutes permission to use his/her name, voice/testimonial, hometown, Online Entry and/or likeness/photograph for promotional, advertising and/or publicity purposes in any media, now or hereafter known throughout the world in perpetuity, without further notice or compensation. “Top 3” Finalist Prizes and their Approximate Retail Values ("ARV"): • A trip for the “Top 3” Finalist Prize Winner to Las Vegas, NV from Sept. 19-22, 2008, consisting of round-trip air transportation for two (2) persons from the nearest airport that Southwest Airlines serves with regularly scheduled flights and one (1) hotel room per finalist for a maximum of three (3) nights. • “Top 3” Finalists will be given a daily per diem of $50 to be used on food, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.  • “Top 3” Finalists will stay 3 nights (Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Sept.19-22) at a Las Vegas hotel. Finalist Prize Winners must travel on dates designated by Southwest Airlines. In the event a Finalist Prize Winner cannot travel on dates designated by Southwest Airlines that Finalist Prize Winner will be disqualified and the Finalist Prize will be awarded to the next highest scoring "Top 10" Finalist, provided sufficient time remains prior to the designated Finalist Prize trip dates. If a Finalist Prize Winner resides within 50 miles of Las Vegas, air and ground transportation will not be provided.  Any difference between actual retail value of Finalist Prize will not be awarded. All travel is subject to any and all restrictions instituted by the Department of Defense and/or Department of Homeland Security at the time of travel.  “Top 3” Finalist Prize Winners will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all required travel documents prior to travel and the associated costs for these requirements.  The Released Parties maintain no control over the personnel, equipment, or operation of any air carrier or ground transportation carrier as a part of the prize provided under this Contest and shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, expense, accident, delay, inconvenience, or other irregularity that may be caused.  No substitution, refund, cash redemption, assignment or transfer of Finalist Prize permitted.  Finalist Prize Winners must supply Southwest Airlines with their social security numbers for tax purposes. Finalist Prize Winners are solely responsible for all federal, state and local taxes on Finalist Prize.  Once travel arrangements have been made, changes to itinerary cannot be made by a Finalist Prize Winner or Guest.  All Finalist Prize Winners must submit to a background check to Southwest Airlines.  “Top 3” Finalist Prize Winners may be disqualified from the Contest based on their failure to submit to a fingerprint criminal background check or based on the results of the background check.  Grand Prize Voting Period:  Individuals who go to http://southwest.spigit.com/homepage between 12:00 a.m. ET and 3:29:59 PM ET on September 21, 2008, ("Grand Prize Voting Period") will be asked to view the three (3) Grand Prize Video Applications and vote for their favorite.  The Finalist Prize Winner who receives the highest number of votes during the Grand Prize Voting Period will be deemed the Grand Prize Winner. "Ultimate Blog-o-spondent":  The Grand Prize Winner will be announced at the BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas on September 21and and will be offered the job of “Ultimate Blog-o-spondent;” a contract Employee of Southwest Airlines expected to create original videos about four (4) specific cities that Southwest Airlines serves.  Southwest Airlines will provide travel, accommodations, and miscellaneous expenses on all trips to capture videos about these four cities.  Southwest Airlines will also provide an assistant for four video shoots.  Official relationship will commence on or about October 1, 2008 and terminate on October 1, 2009, (the "Employment Period").  The Grand Prize Winner's partnership is contingent upon:  (1) Grand Prize Winner's completion of the requisite employment paperwork including, but not limited to, an ideas form, a confidentiality agreement and a job application; and (2) Grand Prize Winner's compliance with the "Southwest Airlines Look".  Southwest Airlines reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to not hire the Grand Prize Winner for any reason.  The Grand Prize Winner must also successfully complete certain training including, without limitation, Media Training and traditions.  The Grand Prize Winner's sole obligation as “Blog-o-spondent” will be to travel to those assignments (determined by Southwest Airlines in its sole discretion) four (4) times during the Employment Period.  The Grand Prize Winner must be available to travel when needed by Southwest Airlines.  Each time the Grand Prize Winner travels at the request of Southwest Airlines during the Employment Period, Southwest will provide the following to the Grand Prize Winner:  (a) round-trip air transportation from the nearest Southwest Airlines city, (B) transportation between the Arrival Airport and the location of Grand Prize Winner's assignment (c) hotel accommodations (depending on availability, one standard room, quad occupancy) at a hotel designated by Southwest Airlines, (D) a spending allowance in an amount to be determined by Southwest Airlines in its sole discretion.  If the Grand Prize Winner resides within 50 miles of the destination, air transportation will not be provided.  The Grand Prize Winner will receive no other compensation from Southwest Airlines for his/her services as the Blog-o-spondent.  The Grand Prize Winner is solely responsible for any and all ground transfers between winner's residence and airport of departure, gratuities, travel upgrades, personal incidentals, all airport and government issued taxes, and any other expenses not specified herein.  All travel is subject to any and all restrictions instituted by the Department of Defense and/or Department of Homeland Security at the time of travel.  Grand Prize Winner will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all required travel documents prior to travel and the associated costs for these requirements. The Released Parties maintain no control over the personnel, equipment, or operation of any air carrier or ground transportation carrier and shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, expense, accident, delay, inconvenience, or other irregularity that may be caused.  No substitution, refund, cash redemption, assignment or transfer of any of the foregoing compensation permitted.  Grand Prize Winner is solely responsible for all federal, state and local taxes.  These Rules do not constitute a partnership agreement.  Specifically, Grand Prize Winner is an at-will partnership and his/her relationship with Southwest Airlines may be terminated at any time. Participation:  Participation in the Contest constitutes an agreement by each entrant to comply with these Rules. These Rules will be posted at http://southwest.spigit.com/homepage between August 1, 2008 and October 1, 2008.  Sponsor reserves the right to, in its sole discretion, cancel, modify or suspend the Contest should any computer virus, bugs or other technical difficulty or other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor or Released Parties corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Contest. Limitations of Liability: By entering the Contest, you agree that (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Contest, or any prize awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (2) any claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Contest, but in no event attorney's fees; and (3) under no circumstances will you be permitted to obtain any award for, and you hereby waive all rights to claim, punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of-pocket expenses. General Release: By entering the Contest, you release and discharge Southwest Airlines and Released Parties from any liability whatsoever in connection with the Contest or with the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize including, without limitation, legal claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages, demands or actions of any kind (including, without limitation: personal injuries; death; damage to, loss or destruction of property; rights of publicity or privacy; and defamation or portrayal in a false light). Southwest Airlines will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Rules or in other materials relating to the “Ultimate Blog-o-spondent” casting call. Official Rules/Winners List: To obtain a copy of these Rules, print them from the Internet at http://southwest.spigit.com/homepage.  If you have any questions regarding this Contest or would like to obtain the names of the Finalist Prize Winners and/or Grand Prize Winner (available after January 31, 2009, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Southwest Airlines, Emerging Media, 2702 Love Field Drive, HDQ-1PR, Dallas, TX  75235. www.southwest.com Media Please Contact:  Public Relations at 214/792-4847 ... View more

Start stretching, loosen up those vocal chords, and get ready for your close up! Beginning today, we are hosting an online casting call to find our next Blog-o-spondent for Nuts About Southwest!   As many of our regular readers know, over the past six months, we’ve been sending our very own Christi Day around the country to film short video segments for our blog, including features on our Employees and Operations.  We’ve kept her up all night filming crab shipments in Houston; we’ve had her up at dawn to follow our Flight Attendants from Baltimore; and, we’ve thrown her in the belly of an aircraft in Albuquerque to see just how quickly our Employees have to work to turn our aircraft in 25 minutes or less.    I think it’s safe to say that Christi has had a lot of FUN along the way, but now she’s ready to share the spotlight and allow one of you to become our next Nuts About Southwest Blog-o-spondent.    If you want to be Southwest’s next Blog-o-spondent, travel to select Southwest cities, and produce video segments for our blog, submit your one-minute audition video on the official contest site as soon as possible.  Between today and August 31, your fellow bloggers will be able to view all video submissions and vote for their favorites.  The three contestants with the most votes on Sept. 1 will be invited to join me, Christi, Brian, and the entire Southwest Blog Team at this year’s BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas on Sept. 20-21, where they will compete in a final competition round.    So Break-a-leg…and click HERE to see all the contest rules and guidelines! ... View more

  Our friends over at Flight Global picked up on an interesting little fact about our new Vice President of Revenue Management and Pricing.  Visit http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/left-field/2008/08/southwest-revenues-and-the-twi.html to find out what it is.   Here's a Clue:        ... View more

  DALLAS — August 6, 2008—Southwest Airlines is pleased to announce Kay Weatherford as Vice President Revenue Management & Pricing.  In her new position, Weatherford will be responsible for ensuring that every Southwest flight departs with the right amount of revenue onboard while maintaining the low fares that keep Southwest Airlines Customers coming back. Weatherford steps into her new role this week.                   For a photo, visit:  http://gallery.swamedia.com/photos/value=open/type=jpg  “Throughout Kay’s 15-year tenure at Southwest Airlines, she has proven what a great fit she is for this important role,” said Dave Ridley, Senior Vice President Marketing and Revenue Management & Pricing.  “Her outstanding Leadership skills, keen analytical mind, tireless work ethic, and love of LUV make her the ideal person to lead our revenue management and pricing functions.” Weatherford joined Southwest Airlines in 1993 as an analyst in the Tax Department.  After being promoted to Senior Tax Analyst in 1994, she moved to the Revenue and Traffic Analysis side of Finance in 1995.  She was promoted to Manager of Revenue and Traffic Analysis in 1998; Director in 2003; and Senior Director in 2007, adding a Network and Strategic Analysis group to her Team at that time. “I am proud to serve a group of Employees as great as those at Southwest Airlines,” Weatherford said.  “I’m looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”   Weatherford attended the University of Wisconsin and finished her Bachelor of Arts in accounting at the University of Texas at Arlington.  Weatherford’s identical twin sister, Kim Guehlstorf, also works at Southwest as Director of Attendance and Leave in Finance. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has 34,000+ Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com   ... View more