Southwest Airlines Community

Aviation Week & Space Technology 06/23/2008 , page 10 Robert P. Mark Evanston, Ill. Tom Triola’s letter “Solution for Labor Shortage” (AW&ST June 9, p. 10) says performance should be a priority over demands for pay. But the need to urge local employees to take the pride in their work needed to produce the performance ignores one important element: leadership, or the lack of it. People in the aviation industry will work hard if they think they are all headed in the same direction as their leaders. There is little evidence of anything resembling leadership in the airline industry or FAA; management possibly, but not leadership. A Southwest Airlines employee offered an insight into why that airline is so successful. Southwest leaders don’t try to control every element of the airline’s operation. The company believes there is substantial value to empowering first-line employees to make decisions. And the company backs them up. ... View more

BY LEWIS LAZARE llazare@suntimes.com    While every legacy airline in America is slipping and sliding, Southwest Airlines is preparing to use this dark moment in aviation history to cement its position as the pre-eminent domestic carrier -- one that may soon have wireless Internet onboard and several international codeshare airline partners.     I n an impressive talk before a large crowd at a Greater North Michigan Avenue Association luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly laid out how Southwest plans to keep soaring while other airlines struggle just to stay aloft.        To read more, visit: http://www.suntimes.com/business/lazare/1015690,CST-FIN-Southweb20.article ... View more

Southwest's fuel bets score 4:27 CEO Gary Kelly talks about how his airline is able to turn a profit while other carriers suffer big losses from rising fuel prices. http://money.cnn.com/video/#/video/news/2008/06/18/news.harlow.southwest.ceo1.cnnmoney ***If you have trouble linking to the video, enter "Southwest's fuel bets score" into the video search field on the right hand side of the CNN site about half way down the page.      ... View more

  Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly says the company is finding success by reinvesting in its service and employees. http://money.cnn.com/video/#/video/news/2008/06/19/news.harlow.061808.southwestservice.cnnmoney ***If you have trouble linking to the video, enter "Southwest CEO: Service is key" into the video search field on the right hand side of the CNN site about half way down the page.    ... View more

Required Navigation Performance Procedures Reduce Aircraft Emissions, Congestion, and Fuel Costs DALLAS, June 19 -- Southwest Airlines Senior Director of Flight Operations Jeff Martin spoke today about the benefits of RNP (Required Navigation Performance) and Southwest's progression on RNP implementation fleet-wide at the Eco-Aviation Conference in Washington, D.C. -- follow this link to view the complete presentation: http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/press/rnp.pdf. RNP is one of the cornerstones for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Next Generation Air Traffic Control System, bringing together the accuracy of GPS (Global Positioning System), the capabilities of advanced aircraft avionics, and new flight procedures. "RNP allows the aircraft to fly more precise, direct, and accurate paths, allowing more 'lanes' to be built into the same limited airspace," said Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations Mike Van de Ven. "We applaud the FAA's forward thinking, and we are grateful to work in conjunction with the agency to revolutionize our nation's airspace." In support of the FAA's Roadmap for Performance-Based Navigation, Southwest has made a commitment to invest $175 million over the next six years to implement RNP procedures at all 64 airports the airline serves. The initial investment will provide longterm benefits to industry congestion and aircraft efficiencies. For a single minute of time saved on each flight, the annual savings quickly add up to 156,000 metric tons of reduction in emissions per year (by 2015), and $25 million in fuel savings per year. "Southwest Airlines is thrilled to enhance our green efforts," Martin said. "Another obvious benefit in this environment of escalating energy prices is the ability to save on fuel burn." To help develop its RNP program, Southwest Airlines has partnered with Naverus, the worldwide leader in RNP development. Since May 2007, Southwest, Naverus, and the FAA have been working together to gain Air Traffic Control support of RNP to train the airline's pilots on RNP, equip the airline's entire fleet to be RNP capable, and produce RNP charted procedures. "A Southwest, FAA, and Naverus partnership is necessary to ensure our technical and economic success," Martin said. "The FAA cleared the path, and Naverus continues to share its RNP experience and expertise in supporting our RNP program." "Implementing RNP offers the single greatest opportunity to make near-term gains in reducing harmful emissions, improving fuel efficiency, increasing airspace capacity, and maximizing flight safety," said Dan Gerrity, CEO of Naverus. "By embracing RNP across all its routes, Southwest is once again demonstrating the leadership for which it is so well known." Southwest's Boeing 737-700 aircraft provide a wonderful RNP platform and are currently equipped and capable of operating these new procedures. Additionally, the airline has made investments to update its Classic fleet and have already begun to incorporate these new processes into its Flight Operations training. The next milestone will be choosing the airport(s) to kick off the integration of these new procedures. "Our goal is to begin flying RNP procedures in fall 2009, with a ramp up through 2013 as our classic aircrafts are modified," Martin said. "We are currently exploring the benefits of several airports for RNP implementation, including a few in our own backyard."     BENEFITS OF RNP     -- Increased airspace capacity     -- Operational efficiency     -- Environmentally friendly     -- Noise reduction / avoidance     -- Lower environmental emissions (By 2015 we anticipate reducing emissions        by nearly 156,000 metric tons per year, which is the equivalent of more        than 100,000 mid-sized cars driving roundtrip from Dallas to Washington        DC, or generating electricity at 69,000 U.S. households for one year.)         -- Reduced track miles -- conservative estimates of reducing flying            routes by three nautical miles can equate to a $25 million dollar            annualized fuel savings         -- More efficient aircraft operation         -- Continuous descent arrivals         -- Aircraft can fly more directly and remain higher for longer which            reduces noise impact on the ground.     -- Increased Safety     -- Paths engineered to avoid obstacles About Southwest 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. http://www.southwest.com About Naverus Naverus is the worldwide Required Navigation Performance leader having created the overwhelming majority of active RNP procedures worldwide. Uniquely combining expertise in avionics, aircraft operations, and procedure design, Naverus works with airlines and air navigation service providers to find optimal solutions to their specific routes and challenges. Airlines seek Naverus RNP flight paths to save fuel, reduce carbon emissions, reduce miles flown, reduce block times, and help air traffic systems to gain new efficiencies. The company's customers include Airbus, Air China, Air New Zealand, Boeing, CAAC, COPA, IATA, jetBlue, Jetstar, SkyEurope, Southwest, Qantas, Virgin Blue, and WestJet and others. Naverus Inc. is a privately-held Seattle company founded in 2003. http://www.naverus.com   ... View more

      Southwest Airlines Adds Avis as New Preferred Partner to Frequent Flyer Program   DALLAS – June 19, 2008 - Southwest Airlines announced today that the carrier’s award-winning frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards, has added Avis Rent A Car as a new Preferred Partner.  The Avis alliance will allow the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards’ program to acquire new Members from Avis and build additional brand loyalty with co-branded promotions.  Rapid Rewards Members will save up to 25 percent on Avis rentals and will earn Rapid Rewards credit when renting from Avis.             To celebrate the kickoff, now through August 15, 2008, Members can receive triple credit on a weekly rental of five or more days.  To receive the bonus credits, Members must visit southwest.com and include code K024700 in the Corporate ID/Rate field.  For more information, including terms and conditions, visit www.southwest.com.             “We are excited about the tremendous opportunities that our new alliance with Avis will bring to our Customers,” said Ryan Green, Southwest Airlines’ Director of Customer Loyalty.  “We are constantly looking at ways to improve our Rapid Rewards program, and teaming up with Avis will bring more value and benefits to the traveling experience.”                “We’re pleased to share the great benefits found at Avis Rent A Car with Rapid Rewards Members as they move about the country,” said Kaye Ceille, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Travel and Partnership Sales for Avis Budget Group, Inc., parent company of Avis.  “We look forward to offering their Members Avis’ world-renowned ‘We Try Harder’ service and the convenience of our industry-leading latest technology.”             It is fast and easy to earn free travel through Rapid Rewards.  Rapid Rewards Members earn credits by flying or using the program’s Preferred Partners, like Avis.  It takes just eight roundtrips to qualify for an Award, but Members can accelerate their earnings by using the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature Card, doing business with any of the airline’s other Preferred Partners, or by purchasing Southwest’s Business Select fares when flying.  Plus, once it’s earned, Southwest Airlines allows the Member to transfer the Award to anyone.  The Award is free but subject to the U.S. government September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 roundtrip.          About Southwest Airlines After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service.  Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience.  Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest 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. About Avis             Avis Rent A Car System, LLC and its subsidiaries operate one of the world's leading car rental brands, providing business and leisure customers with a wide range of services at more than 2,100 locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Latin American / Caribbean region. Avis is one of the world's top brands for customer loyalty, as ranked in the 2008 Brand Keys ® Customer Loyalty Engagement Index.  The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NYSE: CAR).  For more information, visit www.avis.com. www.southwest.com ... View more

    Listen for the DING! As Southwest Airlines Celebrates 37 years of FUN On Wednesday, June 18th, Southwest Airlines celebrates 37 years of flying by offering great DING! fares. Southwest will offer rates as low as $37 one-way (not available in all markets), for 37 minutes. Final offers will end before 7:37 p.m. These super-low fares will be offered five times throughout the day. Subscribers will receive details on the promotion today via DING! Flights will be available for travel August 11 through October 30. Roundtrip airfare is not required to book flights. Listen for the DING! throughout the day for exciting low fares! Using DING! is as easy as 1-2-3. 1. Visit www.southwest.com, download the DING! application, and an icon representing the Southwest Airlines plane tail will display in the system tray – the lower right hand corner of the screen, where the network connection and time icons are located. 2. Once installed, DING! will automatically inform subscribers when super-low fares are available with the sound of a bell chime and the appearance of a small envelope above the DING! icon. 3. When subscribers hear the chime or see the envelope, they can click the DING! icon to find super-low fares available only to DING! subscribers. ... View more

Last Father’s Day, USA Today published an article  equating CEOs to father-figures for their Employees.  Though I had never made the connection before, I remember tearing up in the car on the way to work that day thinking about it.      My own father is in his tenth year with Alzheimer’s.  After living out-of-state for 14 years, I moved into my parent’s house about six months ago to help care for him and share his last lucid moments.  Unfortunately, there haven’t been many, and it turns out that my presence here is as much for the support of my mother as it is for the care of my father.  While his good nature still shines through, the truth is, he is a shell of the man he once was.    My father was a great father.  The kind of father that always made us kids feel like everything in this world was for us; that we could go, see, do, and accomplish anything we wanted; like we were the best and brightest at everything we attempted.  Even though we knew we weren’t, he seemed to believe it, and more importantly, he made us feel that way.  He was, hands down, the most generous and unselfish person I have ever met in my life.      My father and I used to love to discuss politics and political theory, but, despite being an election year, we don’t talk about those things anymore.  In fact, when the neurologist asks him to name the last three presidents (a common “test” question of Alzheimer’s patients), the only name he can come up with is Hillary Clinton – which is actually quite comical, considering that he is a life-long Republican.   As recently as two years ago, my father would still ask me how work was going.  And when I told him how much I loved my job, he would always say, “Do you realize how lucky you are?  Very few people can say that they love their job!”  My father was a small business owner, and I know he would admire the Southwest business model.  I would so like to talk to him about it…about how different we are…about what we’re doing to stay profitable in these challenging times…etc.   But we don’t discuss those things either.  We mostly just talk about the weather and his awesome dog, Zeus.  The fact that I’ve spent the last eight months working on this blog doesn’t help.  Most of my friends don’t even know what a blog is, let alone someone with Alzheimer’s.   But when Bob Jordon, EVP of Strategy and Planning complimented our efforts on the blog, and when Bob Montgomery, VP of Properties thanked me for speaking to a group that he works closely with about our blog, I can’t deny that there was some sort of fatherly warm fuzzy there.  Subconsciously, I guess I do look at these men as father figures.    Not long after Gary Kelly was named CEO, I had the honor of sitting next to him at a dinner.  I don’t remember where we were or what the event was for, but I remember him saying how much he valued “attention to detail.”  I took those words to heart, and I’ve since been told that I tend to go a little overboard on the detail at times.    In October of 2005, I was walking down a street in Chicago when I got the call informing me that we would be launching service to Denver and that I would have the privilege of leading our inaugural efforts.  Denver was to be one of the fastest launches in our history, so there was no time to waste.  I worked around the clock for the next three months – 14-hour days making sure that every last detail was accounted for.  Turns out, the one thing I forgot was to have a bottle of water at the podium for Gary.  Between the public speaking and the mile high altitude, I’m sure he was parched; but he didn’t mention it.  When it was all over, he put his arm around me and said “good job, today.” I took one of those deep breaths you take when you’re fighting back tears, said thank you, and scurried back to the festivities so he wouldn’t see me cry.    Naturally, I want Gary to see me as a valuable Employee of this Company, but he has two daughters that are close to my age, and I suspect that he may, at times, see me as a child.   And, although Gary is at least 20 years younger than my father, I can’t deny that I do view him as a father-figure, and his simple praise that day was, no doubt, a nice substitute for the praise I will no longer receive from my own father.   I miss my father’s praise, and I miss him.  But the truth is, although we can’t talk about politics any more, and, although he doesn’t know what I do, I know he would be proud of me, because he’s part of me - my mother always says “I am my father’s daughter.”  And, more importantly, because he told me so when he had the chance.    So, Happy Father’s Day Jim Berg; Happy Father’s Day Gary Kelly; and, Happy Father’s Day to all of you fathers and father-figures out there.    ... View more

Some saw only suitcases; he saw a flock Dunne Dittman went from unloading bags to recycling them as art. His 'Earlier Flight' hangs at RDU. Staff Photo by Chris Seward DUNNE DITTMAN BORN: Dec. 9, 1965, Houston FAMILY: Daughters, Lindsay Rose, 5, Emma Claire, 4; former wife, Meredith Roseborough EDUCATION: Clear Lake High School in Houston (completed GED in 1987) CAREER: Out of high school, worked as a data library tech for the Link Co., a manufacturer of aerospace simulators; 19 years with Southwest Airlines ground crews. FAVORITE ARTISTS: Edward Hopper, Diego Rivera, Georgia O'Keefe, Dennis Oppenheim and daughter Emma Dittman BEST ADVICE FROM AN ARTIST: "Dean Henbest, an old cowboy artist, once told me, 'Never give your finished art to your brother. If he commissioned it's fine, but since he didn't, he'll never treat it like a stranger who pays good money for it. And then later you'll see it in the garage behind some folding chairs.' " FAVORITE SUITCASE: "As an artist, still the old tweed-and-leather-bound stuff. For travel, as an expert witness to it all, Pelican brand only." Article by Lorenzo Perez, Staff Writer By his count, Dunne Dittman used to hoist as many as 400 pieces of luggage an hour working for a Southwest Airlines ground crew at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Do that for 19 years, and you would be excused if the never-ending carousel of duffles, suitcases and rolling pullmans flowed even into your off-duty thoughts. Dittman was fascinated by the old luggage, the bags battered by decades of miles and bearing faded stickers from Cairo, Moscow and other faraway locales. They promised the nostalgic story of a Bob Hope and Bing Crosby road movie. Those vintage pieces of luggage inspired Dittman's vision for a work of art that is at once whimsical and striking -- a V-shaped flock of geese made from Samsonite suitcases. The sculpture now hangs high in the atrium of RDU's parking garage and has made the baggage-handler-turned-artist into an airport celebrity. Every month, about 100,000 RDU travelers will pass under Dittman's sculpture "Earlier Flight" as they hurry from the parking garage into Terminal A. Dittman's installation of 15 geese crafted of stainless steel and vintage Samsonites has hovered overhead since April 16 and is expected to become a permanent piece of the airport's growing collection of public art. The airport people-movers feeding travelers in and out of the terminal limit opportunities for reflection, but the geese 30 feet overhead often provoke a reaction. "The third day we're here installing it," Dittman recalls, "I'm in a hard hat, and this area's still all roped off. Within five minutes, this guy comes up and says, 'This is beautiful. Cool!,' " Then, not even five minutes later, another guy comes comes up and says, 'They paid [expletive] money for this thing?' " Dittman laughed as he recounted his critic's profane review. The sculpture, 56 feet long and 47 feet wide, conjures the image of a squadron of flying toasters from computer screen-savers gone by. Yet the $56,000 project, commissioned by the airport, grants him the type of exposure many new artists can only dream about. How many other artists can say their installation will be seen by patrons from around the world? Head in the clouds Now 42, Dunne was the youngest of eight children growing up in Houston. His father was a NASA scientist who prepared biological experiments for space missions. His father also passed along some of his artistic leanings to Dittman, crafting nature scenes of elk and other wildlife out of cowhide. From an early age, Dittman was fascinated by hawks and other large birds that cast shadows as they soared overhead. "Geese to me are just so dramatic," Dittman said. "I know they're probably a problem to a lot of people, but I just love watching them fly. For me anyway, when they're in that V formation, and their necks are stretched out. It's so streamlined." He tried to re-create scenes of their flight on leather, as his father did, and in wood carvings. But Dittman said he could never solve how to work with a wood's grains and anticipate how wood would respond and change with each carving. After high school, art was limited to a hobby. His father had advised him early on to balance his art with a career. Dittman worked for about five years as a gofer for a mechanic friend who indulged his love of old cars. He worked several years with a NASA contractor that built flight simulators for the space program. But when the company moved to Binghamton, N.Y., Dittman said, he wasn't ready to leave Texas. He stayed behind, worked for a bit with a family residential moving company before latching on with Southwest Airlines. Nine years ago, when the growing airline offered him the chance to move to its new Raleigh-Durham hub, Dittman was ready to come east. A chance to sketch The routine of working for an airline ground crew includes stretches of down time between balancing luggage loads on departing flights, guiding arriving flights to their gates and unloading luggage. Dittman used the pauses to hatch his artistic plans. He took portfolios and drawing pads to sketch in a vacant conference room between flights. Trent Williams, another ground crew member, lived with Dittman for more than a year after transferring from Las Vegas. Williams recalled seeing Dittman wander the airport during breaks. "He was drawing pictures and always going around the airport and looking at the sculptures, looking at the paintings," said Williams, 34. "He was just going around, seeing what artwork was there and what he could contribute to it." Lugging suitcases every shift, Dittman started noticing the faded leather or canvas suitcases with stitched leather corners, the ones decorated with hotel stickers from around the world. Soon he was patrolling area flea markets and yard sales on his days off. Vendors would see him coming and call out, "The suitcase guy is here!" and the vintage suitcases started piling up in his Durham home. He refurbished some, gave them to friends as gifts, and made loftier plans for the ones he kept collecting. Flight of whimsy About three years ago, Dittman approached Teresa Damiano, the airport marketing director, to pitch the idea of holding an art show featuring the work of airport employees. At that time, the airport was also launching expansive plans for more public art, and Dunne ended up coming back with his idea for "Earlier Flight." The airport authority was primarily reviewing proposals for larger installations from such established artists as Robert Kushner of Brooklyn, N.Y., who is preparing a stone-and-glass mosaic mural for the new terminal under construction. But Dunne's more modest idea also won favor, once he presented the authority some small-scale drawings and a prototype of a suitcase goose. Tim Clancy, president of Clancy & Theys Construction, was chairman of the authority's ad-hoc committee on public art when Dittman made his presentation. "The way he first described it, it could have been odd," Clancy said. "But then, anyhow, he came in with this goose and this concept, and it just sort of clicked for us. It's just sort of fun and whimsical." Some passengers go through the airport atrium parking garage without even noticing the winged suitcases hanging overhead from stainless steel cables. A few paused Wednesday morning, tapped a traveling companion on the arm and pointed upward with a grin. Some offered only a raised eyebrow or disbelieving shake of the head; others plowed forward with heads down, never looking up. New projects Near the airport, Dittman still has more than 50 old suitcases in two storage units, which double as his studio. The crayon marks that his 4-year-old daughter scrawled across the bottom of one unfinished canvas, a painting of a green, 1957 Jaguar sports car, convinced him that it's safer to keep his work here than at home. A recent shoulder injury convinced him that it was time to retire from the airport ground crew, but he manages a new offshoot of his family's trucking business to pay the bills. He has also picked up small art projects, including a series of paintings commissioned by a local collector of vintage cars. One of the latest paintings for this collector features a Camaro strapped to a rocket booster, blasting off into space. Local art dealer Wendy Ringenbach has displayed some of Dittman's paintings at her Madison Fine Art gallery in Brierdale Shopping Center. "Dunne's got a great eye," she said. "His biggest strength is he perseveres, and he's very headstrong. So whatever he decides he's going to do, he's going to do it. It may not be the top-selling piece in my gallery, but it'll definitely catch your eye, grab your attention. And just like those people at the airport, they're stopping and looking, which a lot of art doesn't do that for people." For now at least, Dittman said he's not thinking of new ways to rehabilitate the antique luggage he can't seem to resist. He figured it was good for at least another flock or two. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/tarheel/story/1068504.html ... View more

THE BEST TRADER IN THE BUSINESS:  Southwest Airlines Aggressively Hedging Against Fuel Costs Southwest hedged more than 70% of its fuel needs this year at relatively low cost which helped the airline remain profitable, explains CEO Gary Kelly. We’ve been hedging for decades and we’re prepared for difficult times, he adds. Next year we’re about 55% hedged at $51 a barrel and we’ve got a decent position started for 2010 through 2012. But no one can predict what energy prices will be. It’s an insurance program and it’s helping see us through. And that’s just one component (of our business model), Kelly adds. We continue to have the lower-fare advantage and that’s huge. Low-fares attract more business. (Consequently) we’re able to grow when everyone else is shrinking. Traders what do you think? Gary Kelly is a great CEO and I think Southwest is best of breed but I just can’t recommend this stock, says Jeff Macke. Right now airlines are trading vehicles, adds Guy Adami. Play the volatile ones not Southwest. To view Southwest’s CEO Gary Kelly’s Interview on Fast Money, visit:  http://www.cnbc.com/id/24858373  (scroll to the bottom of the page for the video player)  ... View more

By George Anders, Wall Street Journal  With oil near $130 a barrel, why does Southwest Airlines stand alone in the airline industry in its aggressive use of hedging to keep fuel costs under control? Southwest has locked in more than 70% of its jet-fuel requirements this year at a price equivalent to $51 a barrel for crude oil. By contrast, other big carriers have hedged 30% or less of their fuel needs this year. Those carriers generally expect to pay the equivalent of $85 to $100 per barrel of oil under their hedging programs. For Southwest, the payoff has been huge. Low-cost fuel has helped it stay profitable in the past year, even though its core airline business otherwise would have operated in the red in some recent quarters. Meanwhile, other airlines are posting losses, jacking up airfares and resorting to hefty baggage- check surcharges in an effort to cover escalating fuel costs. To read more, visit:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121192242646723961.html  (SUBSCRIPTION NEEDED)  ... View more

  DALLAS, May 22, 2008 -- Today's New York Times story on American Airlines' plan to charge for all checked luggage included a reference to Southwest Airlines that said, "Other major American airlines, including Southwest Airlines, said Wednesday that they were considering matching the fee." That is not true. The next line quotes a Southwest spokesperson saying, "We're doing everything we can do to boost revenue, but it's not our goal to nickel and dime our customers." That is true. We want to assure you that Southwest Airlines still allows you to check up to two free bags when you travel with us, and has no plans to change that. You can still count on Southwest Airlines to provide high quality air travel at a low fare, without a lot of extra fees. We look forward to seeing you onboard very soon. (And bring your luggage!) ... View more

Herb Kelleher discusses our Culture, high fuel prices, and airine fees on MSNBC. To view, visit:    http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=750335270&play=1   ... View more

Executive Changes Announced After Annual Shareholders’ Meeting DALLAS—May 21, 2008—Today, Southwest Airlines Board of Directors elected Gary Kelly, Southwest’s Chief Executive Officer, as its Chairman of the Board.  The airline announced that Kelly will also assume the title of President when Colleen Barrett’s employment contract expires on July 15, 2008 making Kelly CEO, Chairman, and President at that time.  Additionally, the Board of Directors elected Executive Vice President Ron Ricks to fill Barrett’s vacated position of Corporate Secretary.  “The awesome task before us is to ensure the continued prosperity of Southwest Airlines—one of the greatest success stories in American business,” Kelly said.  “We all pledge to continue to keep the LUV alive and the Warrior Spirit strong that Herb and Colleen inspire in all 34,000 Southwest Employees.”   Herb Kelleher ceremoniously passed the gavel to Kelly at Southwest Airlines’ annual Shareholders’ meeting today at the Company’s headquarters.  More than 300 Shareholders attended the meeting where Kelleher and Barrett were honored for their more than 40 years of service to the airline.  Both Kelleher and Barrett will remain full-time Southwest Airlines Employees through July 2013. To view a tribute video click here: http://gallery.swamedia.com/videos/value=open/type=video Or, for an online version click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEssvKeDKGQ Additionally, the airline redefined the roles of its three Executive Vice Presidents.  Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President Strategy and Planning; is responsible for strategic planning, technology, airport security, facilities, and schedule planning.  Ron Ricks, Executive Vice President Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary; is responsible for legal, labor and Employee relations, political and public affairs, and properties.  Mike Van de Ven, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; is responsible for all operations, maintenance, Customer Services, safety, security, and environmental services.             "Southwest Airlines has a depth of management talent and Leadership capability within our Officers that has been put in place to best enable a successful future for Southwest Airlines."  Kelly said.  “Southwest Airlines is prepared for this as succession transition planning has been a priority of our Board of Directors for a number of years.” After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers an excellent traveling experience.  Southwest offers a very comfortable ride with premium all 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 ... View more

Texas Monthly's Evan Smith sat down with the legendary Herb Kelleher recently to talk about FAA Inspections, competition, fuel costs, and how Southwest has changed over the last 37 years.  Q:  Tell me about the big lessons you’ve learned in the years you’ve been in this business. A:  You want to create an environment in which people can be themselves—to be effective in business you don’t have to look like a brick. You can make anything complex if you want to, and you can spend innumerable hours debating things that are of no consequence, so you have to prioritize. Fight hierarchy and bureaucracy as hard as you possibly can. Don’t ever let it become the master; always remember it’s the servant. And quickness is important, particularly in the airline business, because your principal capital assets travel at more than five hundred miles an hour. They’re not shoe factories. If a shoe factory closes in Seattle, you can’t move it to San Antonio and have it competing there within a couple of hours, but with airplanes you can. I’ve always said that I want us to strike with the speed and alacrity of a puma. For the full text, visit: http://www.texasmonthly.com/2008-06-01/talks.php ... View more

Okay…You can’t blame us for wanting to point out that despite the dismal prediction for airline Customer Service this summer, Southwest Airlines’ score in this year’s American Customer Satisfaction Index actually IMPROVED from last year. With an industry average of 62 points, Southwest is actually up 4 percent from last year, to 79 points. Borrowing a quote here from Claes Fornell, the survey’s founder, Southwest “has led the industry in passenger satisfaction for the past 15 years, and is one of only three airlines to improve since last year. It’s strong ACSI results kept the airlines from setting a record low.” Among our points of difference: • Southwest does not charge a change fee • Southwest does not charge you to purchase a paper ticket, or to purchase that ticket at the airport • Southwest allows two checked bags for free • Southwest does not charge for soft drinks, juice, water, snacks, pillows, or blankets • Southwest does not charge to check a bag at the curb • Southwest does not eat the value of an unused ticket (it may be applied toward future travel)   Also, we’re hedged up on fuel, adding routes, profitable, and not seeking a merger! ***To read more, visit the following links to articles from some of the industry's most popular bloggers:  SHOCKER: Airline service still lousy via Sky Talk by Rick on 5/20/08 http://startelegram.typepad.com/sky_talk/2008/05/shocker-airline.html The biggest losers: big airlines, hotels — and you via elliott.org by Christopher Elliott on 5/20/08 https://www4.swalife.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/elliottorg/~3/294270745/ Survey Says, Americans Can’t Get No Satisfaction — from the Airlines via RickSeaney.com by Rick Seaney on 5/20/08 http://rickseaney.com/2008/05/20/survey-says-americans-cant-get-no-satisfaction-from-the-airlines/ The truth about airline customer satisfaction surveys via tripso.com by David Burns on 5/20/08 http://www.tripso.com/today/the-truth-about-airline-customer-satisfaction-surveys/       ... View more

Southwest Airlines Adding Six New Nonstop Flights and Two New Destinations               DALLAS —May 20, 2008—Southwest Airlines announced today an expansion of its Denver service with six new nonstop flights and two new destinations.  The additional service includes new nonstop flights between Denver and San Francisco and Denver and Omaha .  Flights are available for booking today for travel beginning on Sept. 2, 2008.  To take advantage of these new Southwest Airlines flights, visit: http://www.southwest.com/?src=PR_NS%20DEN_052008. “We will continue to grow in Denver as it is a major focal point for us, and the market is responding exceptionally well to our service,” said Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly.  The Company will be accommodating this new service with two aircraft that it previously planned to retire, bringing this year's net aircraft growth to 13.  With today's announcement, Southwest’s 2008 year-over-year available seat mile capacity growth is expected to be in the four percent range.       BEGINNING SEPT. 2, 2008:   Three new daily nonstop roundtrips between Denver and San Francisco .    Three new daily nonstop roundtrips between Denver and Omaha .      To celebrate the new nonstop service, Southwest is offering a $59 one-way advance purchase fare between Denver and Omaha and a $79 one-way advance purchase fare between Denver and San Francisco .  These 14-day advance purchase fares are available for purchase today at southwest.com for travel beginning on Sept. 2, 2008, through the end of the schedule, currently Oct. 30, 2008. Southwest Airlines began service to Denver on Jan. 3, 2006, with 13 daily nonstop departures to three destinations.  The airline currently operates 79 daily nonstop flights from the Mile High city, making Denver the fastest growing city in the Company’s history.  With previously announced service, Southwest will operate 95 nonstop flights from Denver to 30 cities when these flights commence on Sept. 2, 2008.  More than 150 Southwest Airlines Employees call Denver home.          NEW SERVICE FARE RULES Fares are available for purchase today through June 4, 2008. Fares are for nonstop flights only. All tickets must be purchased 14-days in advance. When combining fares, all ticketing restrictions apply. Seats are limited. Fares may vary by destination and day of travel and will not be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Fares do not include a federal segment tax of $3.40 per takeoff and landing.  Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of up to $9.00 one-way and U.S. government-imposed September 11th Security Fees of $5.00 one-way.  Fares are subject to change until ticketed.  Tickets are nonrefundable but, if unused, may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines.  Fares are valid on Southwest-operated published, scheduled service only and are not available through the Group Desk.     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.   ... View more

By Meghan E. Moravcik - The Arizona Republic Fifth-graders at Legend Springs Elementary in Glendale tracked Southwest Airlines pilot Mike Carter's flying for a month, adding the mileage and doing research on the history and weather of the places he flew to. He was one of three Southwest Airlines pilots who met weekly for four weeks with fifth-graders in an Adopt-A-Pilot program aimed at getting kids excited about school and their future careers. Across the country, 600 Southwest Airlines pilots volunteer in 620 schools for the Adopt-A-Pilot program. Carter taught the students about the science of flying and did experiments with them. "The whole idea is to get them interested . . . in (different) careers," said Carter, who also had the students interview adults who have careers they thought were interesting. He has participated in the program for six years. To read more, visit: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/18/20080518edpilot0518.html ... View more

By BRAD HAWKINS / WFAA-TV An on-time departure happened this week at the helm of Southwest Airlines leadership. Seventy-seven-year-old Herb Kelleher, who is arguably the father of low-fare flying around the world, is stepping down, but not moving out. Kelleher is dropping back to a five day work week, which means more time with his nine grand kids.  To read more and see Brad's interview with Herb, visit:  www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/wfaa080518_mo_kelleher.8770d3f.html   ... View more

    Herb Kelleher, the legendary founder of Southwest Airlines, proponent of low fares, and friend of deregulation, delivered the Charles A. Lindbergh Memorial Lecture tonight at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. He reflected on his long career in aviation, on the fundamentals of Southwest, and offered a few comments about the future of the airline industry. As usual, Kelleher’s lecture was full of humor — most of it pointed at himself.   To read more, visit Evan's Blog at http://evansparks.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/southwests-kelleher-gives-lindbergh-lecture/.   ... View more

  We found this nice piece writen by FCfree over on FlyerTak outlining 19 reasons why Southwest is better than the other carriers.  You can check it out at   http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=821431.  We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.  -Paula     via FlyerTalk Forums by FCfree on 5/7/08   Being a former 2P and 1P at United Airlines, I still read and post over on that FT Board. However, the more I read and post there, the more I realize how much better Southwest is than United. I used to think it was mostly about the price, and, no doubt, Southwest blows United away. I priced one flight June 15-20, LAS-DEN-LAS on Southwest at $198. For comparable flight times, United was $272. But, honestly, that is only the beginning of how Southwest is better. I thought it would be fun to list all the ways that Southwest is better. And, if there is a way that some legacy has some minor advantage, its ok to list that too. For example: Change fees. None at Southwest. Just raised to $150 at United. Lack of change fees means you can book early and cancel if you need to -- a hidden cost savings at Southwest. United, you play the "wait-and-see" game until you are pretty sure you really need to go from A-to-B. By then, you are paying closer to the middle or upper end of the equivilent of the "wanna-get-away" fare.   Ticketless Travel Funds: Southwest invented it. United rarely needs it, the change fees cause almost no remaining value. You can't look it up on the Internet, but keep your ticket number (the long one) and you can access it on the phone with an agent. Phone booking: Southwest: Free. United $15. This helped me out a lot one time when I couldn't get to a computer and I wanted to make a change. ***Visit http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=821431 to read the next 16 things on FCfree’s list.        ... View more

Southwest Airlines Adding Five New Nonstop Flights and Three New Destinations DALLAS, May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines announced today an expansion of its service in Denver with five new nonstop flights and three new destinations. The additional service includes new nonstop flights between Denver and Sacramento, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, and New Orleans. The Company also announced it will add one additional daily nonstop flight between Denver and Phoenix (for a total of seven). Flights are available for booking today for travel beginning on Aug. 4, 2008. To take advantage of these new Southwest Airlines flights, visit: http://www.southwest.com/?src=PR_NS DEN_050708. "Denver's strategic location fits nicely into our network, and we are delighted by the response we have seen to our service and growth in the Mile High city," Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said. "We have been able to consistently grow according to our plans in the two plus years since we returned to Denver, which is typical of how we enter a market this size." BEGINNING AUG. 4, 2008: Two new daily nonstop roundtrips between Denver and Sacramento. One new daily nonstop roundtrip between Denver and Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood. One new daily nonstop roundtrip between Denver and New Orleans. One additional daily nonstop roundtrip between Denver and Phoenix (for a total of seven). Southwest Airlines began service to Denver on Jan. 3, 2006, with 13 daily nonstop departures to three destinations. The airline currently operates 61 daily nonstop flights from the Mile High city, making Denver the fastest growing city in the Company's history. More than 150 Southwest Airlines Employees call Denver home. After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers-offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the 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 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. http://www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines CONTACT: Public Relations of Southwest Airlines, +1-214-792-4847 ... View more

Southwest Airlines has a remarkably low turnover rate – just around  four  percent, in fact.  Nevertheless, every once in a while I receive a “farewell” e-mail from a Fellow Employee who is either retiring, moving away, leaving the company to pursue an old dream or to take on a new adventure.  If you work in an office, I’m sure you’ve received one of the e-mails to which I was referring.  The one where the person leaving thanks everyone for their friendship and good times, shares their new contact information, and promises to stay in touch. I don’t know why, but I have a bit of a fascination with these e-mails and a few years back began collecting them.   A couple of weeks ago, however, I received one that was too beautiful to just file away.  So beautiful that I read it twice through, forwarded it to several people, and then printed it out and read aloud to my mother – fighting back tears at several points.   With the permission of its author – the lovely and charming Ms. Maureen Harbauer – here it is in its entirety. Please enjoy.   “This time marks the end of seven great years as part of the Southwest family as well as a 40 plus years off and on relationship with the airline industry.  I'm proud to have finished my career here and look forward to spending more time with my husband sailing, learning the piano, gardening and playing with our grandchildren.  My journey began with the airlines in 1959, shortly after I arrived in the United States.  I was hired as a Sales/Reservations specialist for Eastern Airlines, the industry certainly has changed since then - Eastern grew quickly in those early years transitioning from prop planes to jet engines.  I remember calculating mileage, reconciling accounts all by hand and our inaugural flights to Miami and San Juan - truly an amazing time in our industry.  In 1964 I married Wolfgang, my "One and Only," and shortly thereafter put my career on hold to raise our three children.   I returned to Eastern Airlines in 1988.  The industry was still reeling from deregulation ten years prior causing many hardships for Eastern and other carriers.  In 1990 I traveled to our  nation's Capitol to represent Eastern to our elected officials - a final attempt to ask for support for an airline that was in existence for 63 years.  They deserved their rightful place in aviation.  I'll never forget the last flight - the 11pm shuttle to Boston in 1990 - of this once great airline.  I was working the ramp at LaGuardia airport.  Sadly, within 30 minutes of that departure the entire gate area was transformed to represent another airline.  Eastern Airlines was no more.   Next stop: Southwest Airlines.  What a breath of fresh air.  Several weeks training in Dallas rejuvenated my spirit.  I gained an entirely new perspective of the industry.  This was a time to build lasting relationships - friends with whom I keep in touch with to this day.  During my tenure as a Customer Service Agent at BWI we faced the most challenging trial of our spirits, skills, service and strength - September 11, 2001.  Peers became friends, friends became family.  I'll never forget the singing of patriotic songs with anyone who'd care to join in - Customers and  Coworkers alike.  In the days that followed, Southwest showed their commitment to their Customers, and our country.  We all came to work every day - trying our best to serve.  I remember flights going out with two to three passengers and how grateful they were.  My flight plan took me in 2002 to Mike Miller's office as an Administrative Assistant.  With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Safety Administration, the industry was facing a new wave of security regulation.  To stay competitive,  Southwest had to turn on a dime - and turn we did.  Balancing the needs of our Customers with the needs of our country was no easy task.  In 2004 after a short stopover in Station sales - I landed in the Baltimore Marketing office as a Marketing Supportive Representative.  Marketing is about people - spreading the message of Southwest.  In this capacity I was afforded the opportunity to interact with Customers, potential Customers in ways I would never have imagined.  I've been American Idol  judge, Eliza Doolittle (before she became a lady), Basketball player, Spirit Jr, and yes, even a Hobo.  I have attended Luau's, BBQ's and countless other events in an effort to spread SOUTHWEST SPIRIT.  This down to earth approach is really a testament to top management.  Our Southwest Culture is a direct reflection of their  Leadership.  Southwest continues to evolve.  If there is anything I've learned in my career, it is that the only constant must be change.  Thank you - friends.  I'll always cherish the many relationships I've made here.  The times spent spreading the Southwest message have been most rewarding.  "We" - and now "You" and the positive personal relationships are what makes Southwest great. Truly, with much respect    Maureen Harbauer    ***To hear an interview with Maureen, visit the Red Belly Radio section of the blog and click the post titled "To Maureen with LUV."      ... View more