Southwest Airlines Community

Wow, love the new hairstyle! we'd kind of got used to the short hair lol :o) good to know that you're getting used to life after the navy... How is university going? keep it up :o) Raphael ... View more

Wow... now that's rather neat! I'm looking forward to seeing a DC3 at Berlin Tempelhof in June - they will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift this year. It will be a massive fly-in, and will have a lot of importance as well, as it may be the last as Tempelhof may close soon... I'm hoping to travel up with my company's Junker Ju52, which will be accompanied by the Lufthansa Ju52 as well, so it should be rather nice! :o)) Raphael ... View more

Brian, Paula, the Team: Happy Easter to you too! :o) 'n thanks again for your dedication - moderating the blog over the weekend is great for us, but so much work for you too! :o)) ... View more

To Carole Pollock: All of the inspections were completed last year, please bear in mind that this issue occured in March 2007. Hence, your travel on Southwest should not be impacted for this reason :o) To all those who have vowed never to fly Southwest again: As a fare-paying passenger, you always have the choice as to which carrier you fly with. But when you fly on another carrier, do a quick google search on their flight dispatch reliability rates (which is very representative of the quality of preventative maintenance of the airline). You will soon find that Southwest has one of the best dispatch reliabilities in the industry - and that means that your flight will operate, safely, on time, thanks to high quality preventative maintenance. For those airlines who don't have a good dispatch rate: This does not mean that the aircraft are "unsafe". What it implies is that due to less investment in replacing items before they are broken, they have more incidents on the line, and thus more reasons to ground an aircraft. The old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" does NOT apply to the airline industry... If the despatch reliability is not overly good, you have just increased your chances of having your flight cancelled due to mechanical reasons :o) Raphael PS: Paula, Brian, hope you have a good weekend nonetheless - you're doing a great job, and not many airlines would let some of these posts through on a "moderated" blog :o)) PPS: for those who may ask themselves the question - no, I don't work for Southwest 🐵 ... View more

Hi, Before we get overly emotional, let us run over a few facts... with background information that may help better understand the situation. - Southwest Airlines has a maintenance program that is approved by the FAA, and that is regularly audited, and during the audits, the FAA did not find any discrepancy in the SWA maintenance program. - Southwest Airlines (like any airline) has a routine review of procedures and processes, and in the course of one of these reviews, discovered that there was a discrepancy in the inspection coverage relating to fatigue cracks/damage. - Following on from this review, Southwest launched corrective action, advising the FAA of the discrepancy, and identifying 46 aircraft that were non-compliant, thus requiring inspection of the affected area of discrepancy. - ALL airlines have a risk evaluation process, and in accordance with the aircraft manufacturer (Boeing), Southwest cleared the affected aircraft for further cycles pending inspection. Southwest carried out the inspections in under 8 days, which by aviation industry standards is extremely good performance, showing that the SWA maintenance organisation took the problem seriously and chose to action the issue immediately. - The subsequent inspections discovered fatigue cracks on the affected area on 6 aircraft. Whilst this may seem a cause for concern, do not forget that the original FAA Airworthiness Directive requires inspections within 4,500 cycles. If during these normal inspections fatigue cracks are detected, they could have started to occur well within the 4,500 cycles. This presumably is why Boeing advised Southwest to clear the aircraft for a limited number of cycles pending inspection - because due to the location of the area and the design of the aircraft, Boeing knew that this would not represent a further risk to passengers. The 46 aircraft flew in total 1451 cycles after the problem was identified - given the SWA utilisation of their aircraft, this is pretty normal. The FAA penalty letter is in accordance with FAA regulations - technically SWA flew aircraft that did not meet the required inspection schedule. However, the penalties imposed are subject to discussion. By carrying out a voluntary disclosure to the FAA, Southwest acted in the best interests of the air transport industry, as another operator with the same type of aircraft could potnetially have the same problem. With the FAA in the loop, those operators will have been advised to check their own maintenance schedules. Imposing a hefty fine should be discussed, as this may discourage other operators from voluntarily disclosing maintenance oversights that could be critical to other operators. The FAA will debate this issue with SWA as well as the Boeing Company. In relation to a comment made that "this is the worst violation that the FAA has ever seen", this comment would be incorrect, as this comment would apply to another operator who about 15 years ago cut costs by not carrying out essential maintenance, and modified/falsified maintenance records, resulting in a fatal accident. That operator is still flying today (with new management!), and the FAA have put measures in place to prevent such a repeat accident. Working in the aerospace industry, I can assure you that there is nothing extraordinary in what Southwest has undergone. Recently, an airline discovered what could be a potential problem with their aircraft engines. Their national authority (the equivalent of the FAA) and the engine manufacturer cleared their aircraft for further limited cycles pending a mandatory inspection of all engines in the fleet, with no adverse impact on safety. The risks were evaluated, and it was (correctly) identified that the aircraft did not present a threat to the safety of passengers. Southwest is still the best airline, with a fantastic maintenance structure that is very much a benchmark for the industry, and a dispatch and reliability rate that very few other operators can match. As well, Southwest have never been reluctant to invest heavily in their fleet, and therefore, as before, I will board a Southwest flight with no particular worries on my mind. And to all you regular travellers out there, if when you board an aircraft you spot something that gives you a concern, feel free to (politely) advise the crew. They are there for your safety as well as your comfort, and will be able to advise as to wether or not there is a real problem. Raphael :o) ... View more

... fortunately, I'm rather hoping you will be around with us for a long time to come! :o) Raphael ... View more

Hi Elizabeth, I think that what you do at SWA is brilliant! It is also important to understand that not everybody can necessarily have the qualities to be a great leader, I know many people who are brilliant in their areas, without being able to inspire and manage a team... Working on their personal development and ensuring that they have a fulfilling career that is focused on what they do well is so important... especially during the early stages of mapping out someone's career! :o)) Raphael ... View more

well, I'm pretty sure that Southwest would drive AROUND their grandmother to get a plane off the ground on time... (or leave her sat down in the lounge with a bagel, at least!) :o) Raphael ... View more

Pete, I second you on that - hole in the back of the garden, and burial with the appropriate honours! Bill, this did make me laugh... had a little surprise of my own this morning: woke up, hit the light switch - no light. got up, went round the house, no electricity anywhere. opened the window, the whole village in darkness! I'm just hoping they've fixed the problem by the time I get home tonight! got out of the house, and had to scrape ice off the windscreen of the car (the temperature dropped from a mild 12 degrees C yesterday to sub zero - nice!). a rather strange way to start the day! :o) Raphael ... View more

Brian, the Vickers Viscount is definitely a firm favourite of mine, I find it has quite elegant lines, particularly in the fuselage design! even though the Lockheed L-188 Electra was a great aircraft, the name always has me thinking for a split second of my all-time favourite small twin-engine piston aircraft - the Lockheed L-12 Electra (which was the more widespread variant, with 114 aircraft sold). The Lockheed Electra that Amelia Earheart disappeared in was the earlier version L10E, which had been customised with long range fuel tanks. http://www.acepilots.com/earhart.html Someday, I would LOVE to fly one of those aircraft... :o))) Raphael ... View more

Hi John, I think that most of those early jet aircraft were incredibly well designed and fit for the task - it is often surprising how much punishment they can take and still bring their crews/pax/cargo back down safely! In the "definitely not something considered when the aircraft was conceived" category, there is the Boeing 747 incident on the 24th June 1982, when a British Airways flight overflew the erupting Mount Galunggung volcano in Indonesia. All 4 engines failed as the ash choked them, and the aircraft underwent a long glide and loss of altitude before recovering power and performing an emergency landing. In more recent years, on 22nd November 2003 an Airbus A300 cargo aircraft was struck by a portable surface to air missile as it took off from Baghdad airport. Having lost the use of flight controls, the crew managed to bring the aircraft back for an emergency landing using engine thrust differential, the only working control left at their disposal. http://www.talkingproud.us/International051504.html whilst this is all slightly off-topic, it all goes to show that aircraft such as the Boeing 737s that Southwest operate are the products of a vast amount of experience, with designs that cater for the most unexpected types of events. coupled with great flight crews (such as Capt'n Ray - and happy new year to you if you are reading!) and fantastic dedicated maintenance, Southwest beats any other form of transport when it comes to getting you from A to B safely, reliably, on time and at low cost! (... and if you get stuck, you'll get better customer service than if you were waiting for a recovery truck on the side of a busy motorway!) :o))) Raphael ... View more

Brian, you are of course correct, the -80 being a one-off that had significant differences with the "final" 707 aircraft... those were the days when prototypes were truly that, rather than pre-production aircraft as we see today! the 1950's were a turning point for aviation, from turbocharged piston engines to jet propulsion, and there were some fantastic aircraft flying around... such as the beautiful Lockheed Constellation. http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1277712/L/ my personal favourite remains the Boeing Stratocruiser though. The below website has some interesting extracts of brochures and flyers of the time, what a way to fly! http://www.ovi.ch/b377/articles/boeingUnited/ ... it was one of the very few aircraft not to have a positive fuselage angle in flight - and apparently it was quite tricky to land, as it had a tendancy to "wheelbarrow" down the runway on the nosewheel! :o) Raphael ... View more

... and a quick edit on dates: the 707 first flight actually took place on the 15th July, 1954, when the prototype (the model 367-80) made its first flight from Renton Field. http://www.boeing.com/commercial/707family/index.html I am presuming the 20th Dec 1957 refers to the 1st production aircraft flight... :o) Raphael ... View more

Hi Brian, Of course, the first commercial jet airliner was the British de Havilland Comet, which first flew on the 27th July 1949. The early production aircraft suffered a string of accidents due to metal fatigue, a then unknown phenomenon that was discovered on the DHC Comet, the first aircraft to really challenge the limits of stressed-skin designs, a new feature at the time. The Boeing 707 was by far the more commercially successful aircraft of course, benefiting from many of those early experiences. The DHC Comet is still in use today as the Nimrod MRA4, a military patrol aircraft used by the UK Royal Air Force, and is seeing active service in Afghanistan. It is also used to patrol the north atlantic, and contributes to many search and rescue operations in that area. There is a fantastic picture of the 707 flying inverted when Boeing test pilot "Tex" Johnston performed a barrel roll on 7th August 1955, during a flypast for the Seafair Gold Cup hydroplane race on Lake Washington - unfortunately I have not been able to find a good quality picture on the internet... It is actually amazing how far aviation has progressed since the early days a little over a century ago... :o) Raphael ... View more

Bill, my thoughts are with you and your family... thank you so much for sharing your thoughts... without having met your mom, it feels like we knew her... a beautiful tribute... ... View more

Hi Ray, Indeed, airlines are quite profficient and used to operating aircraft in winter weather! My thoughts also go to all those ground crew who work to turn around the aircraft in the cold (and sometimes) snow! (Now that's where that Warrior spirit is really needed! and a cuppa hot coffee!). So a big thumbs up to those guys and gals we rarely see but do a great job getting us all up in the air! :o) ... View more

Bathtub: Non-loadbearing aerodynamic leading edge structure in the way of the root end of the wing. Hockeystick: Joint plate between two wing panels. AOG: Aircraft on Ground (generally for technical reasons!) AGS: Aircraft General Standard. Fasteners/items of general use common to all aircraft. Cow's head: Refuel coupling on an aircraft. FAL: (Aircraft) Final Assembly Line FOT: First Operational Test (Test carried out before first flight). MAP: Mise au point. Design office in the Final Assembly Line which deals will all aircraft design configuration issues. PAC Man: Product Assurance Coordinator. Handles quality issues for a specific aircraft type. Slave: Bolt or dowel used to temporarily assemble parts, prior to being attached with the correct fastener. Washing lines: Vertical work station on which aircraft wing panels are positioned and worked on prior to wing assembly. PAMELA: Process for Advanced Management of End of Life Aircraft (aircraft recycling project that greatly reduces waste materials when disposing of old airframes). Of course, we have many other terms and acronyms... :o) Raphael ... View more

Hi James, I know just what you mean! As a frequent traveller, I often have to endure long flights (on airlines that are not Southwest, which obviously doesn't help!), and jump time zones... Fortunately, we get put up in hotels that generally have good facilities, my favourite being a Pool... nothing like going for a swim to relax and get in a little exercise! and most times, they are open 24h (or almost), so if you're in a different time zone, you often have the pool for yourself! I always pack some running shoes, T shirt and shorts, and try and go for a little early morning run, when we're in a city for just 24 or 48 hours that's more often than not all the sightseeing we get to do! Although you have to check local rules/laws/customs carefully (i.e. in the USA, Jaywalking etc!), or work around the local infrastructure (some towns are just not designed for pedestrians and lack walkways!). And very often, we also get exercise in airports, running down the concourse due to a late gate change etc etc! :o)) Raphael ... View more

... and of course, we're always happy to help, especially if it can raise money for such a good cause! :o) This is again a great representation of the community spirit of Southwest! helping disabled children to experience flight is such a great thing... I know Kelli spends a lot of time helping out, not only with the fly days but also with all the organisation over there, so congratulations! :o) Raphael ... View more

Happy thanksgiving to all! :o) Kim... special thought for you, hope you're doing ok Raphael ... View more

Hi Francisco, Great to hear that you're back! Wow, what a change of lifestyle... will you not miss the sea too much, being in Albuquerque? Then again, just hop onto a SWA flight down to the coast... :o) Raphael ... View more

Hi Brian! I'm going to have to root for the "home" airshow... The Paris Air Show at Le Bourget of course! On the plus side compared to Farnborough: better public transport access (a direct RER metro line from the city centre). definitely the place where Airbus & Dassault send most of their hardware (and also - perhaps by coincidence - where most new european aircraft types have been presented, for example the A380 back in 2005, and the Falcon 7X this year). THE place where the Russians normally eject from/crash a fighter aircraft (ok, they haven't done that in the last couple of years... but...) home to the Musee de l'Air et de l'Espace. Admittedly, the flying displays can only be viewed well from the chalets... and that is really bad. This year, the Mig 29M with directional exhausts was the best flying display, I was next to a french air force pilot wwhen it performed, and we both agreed that fortunately, these days, dogfights were mostly non existent, negating somewhat its unbelievable handling! The way it went vertical, stopped, and then did a forward sumersault was a neat trick though! I do like Oshkosh though, and particularly in the USA the number of old/classic aircraft still flying... the only place in Europe where such a concentration of collection aircraft can be found is Duxford, home of the Imperial War Museum collection! the Flying Legends show is well worth attending! (they also organise day trips to Deauville in de Havilland Dragon Rapides... that is soooooo cool). :o) Raphael ... View more

Hi Brian! Have a FANTASTIC time in Las Vegas! hope you manage to get out a bit as well and visit! :o)) ... and being just down the road from Nellis Air Force Base, hopefully you will have the time to go and see some of their many aircraft? :oP Raphael ... View more

WOW kudos to Gary for pulling this one off! :o)) and congratulations to all those involved in getting his costume juuuust right! that is faaaantastic! it does however make me wonder what Gary will find for next year... this one is going to be rather difficult to beat! Raphael :o) ... View more

Btw, an interesting review by the Sunday Times: http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/article2744236.ece Taking off in an A380 is definitely the bit where most people notice a huge difference... anthough engine startup is amazingly quiet as well - most people can't notice when the engines are started. ... View more

Talking of lions, tigers and other creatures of the feline kind... That reminds me of the time an old lady let her tabby cat out of its cage during a flight. The poor thing ran straight up the aisle, into the cockpit (the stewardess was serving the crew some coffee right at that moment), and hid in between the captain's rudder pedals. It would not be coaxed out, and after the captain got severely scratched, the aircraft had to divert and call in the professionals... I'm pretty sure Southwest also have some errr... "wild" stories involving live animals! :o)) ... View more

A chemists' prank... We dropped a collegue's cell phone into a big beer mug full of chemicals (that happen to have perfect isolating characteristics), left it on his desk, and watched him despair for a few seconds when he returned, than rang his phone. He was quite shocked to see it ringing inside the liquid! (Alas, for confidentiality reasons, I cannot name the product! - it is non-toxic, and with a bit of help evaporates, leaving no residue). Raphael ... View more

Faaaaaantastic news! ... and what a fabulous way to reward the hard work that you have all put into the blog... A big pat on the back from the many contributors: - At Southwest, for taking time out of their busy schedules to write about their work - All over the place, for taking the time to contribute high quality comments! :o))) Raphael ... View more

the scary thing is - you can still (kind of) see the original meaning behind... :oS ... View more

... and for those who work in aviation: I recuperated a tooling flag (a long strip of red pretty indestructible fabric with a metal eye) and tie-wrapped it to the base of the handle on my case. It's good enough for a Ramper to spot from a distance, and I immediately know which one if my bag as soon as it pops up on the carrousel! I've also written my name and cell phone number on it with a permanent marker, which can help get it back to me if needs be! (of course, if too many people do this, there will soon be an endless stream of bags with red markers on them coming out onto the carrousel! 🐵 ... View more