Southwest Airlines Community

I promise this is not the start to a joke, so bear with me.  Three musicians and a songwriting friend were hanging poolside at a Tennessee lake house.  What started off as a fiddle riff eventually lead to the hook and chorus for a song and a feeling that would bring together and form a Country Music trio—The Farm. Fast forward to more than three years later, and Nick, Damien, and Krista with The Farm rocked out a plane full of Southwest Customers with “Home Sweet Home,” a tune that will have you tapping your foot to the beat before you know it.  At Southwest Airlines, we have the privilege of connecting people to what’s important in their lives through travel, but there’s something to be said about the feeling of coming home.  This song is definitely a great soundtrack to the feeling we hope our Customers have when the Flight Attendant comes on the PA before landing and welcomes you to your destination, which just might happen to be the place you call home. When Nick started warming up his fiddle in the front galley, I instantly knew the Customers onboard Flight #2345 were in for a treat.  Check out The Farm’s foot-tapping performance in this video—it’ll be a treat for you too. Want to get your hands on the Southwest-themed GS Mini that Damien is playing?  Head on over to southwest.com/taylortour and enter for your chance to win! ... View more

These past few weekends, I’ve really enjoyed sitting out on my deck with the beautiful weather here in Dallas.  It’s also given me inspiration to plant some native Texas flowers in my garden before those triple-digit days are here.  Recently, as I was getting ready to water my newly planted flowers, I realized that my garden hose was leaking.  Instead of throwing it away, I decided to poke holes along the length and turn it into a drip sprinkler.  Here are a few other yard items that you can repurpose or recycle: Grills: if your grill is no longer working, check with your local recycling service as they may offer a pick-up service.  If not, you can disassemble the grill and take the metal parts to a scrap yard.  Scrap Metal Junkie even tells you how to sell your scrap metal! Yard Waste: Are you a composter?  You can add grass clippings, branches, leaves, etc. to your compost pile.  If not, check with your city to see when they will pick up yard waste.  They will typically use your yard waste to make mulch, which is a great way to save this landfill space!  Sand: If your kids are no longer playing in your backyard sandbox, you can use that sand to fill holes in your yard, use it in the bottom of your planting pots to stop water from leaking, or add it to your compost!  Scrap wood: Instead of throwing away an old swing, leftover wood from a deck, or your wooden garden border, save it for your firewood or reuse it for a new project. Have any other ideas on yard items you can keep out of our landfills?  Let us know by commenting below or by e-mailing green@wnc.com.  DING!  You are now free to be green! ... View more

Happy Earth Day!  You read that headline right—with the help of our green-conscious Customers and Employees, Southwest diverted more than 9,800 tons of material from our landfills and into recycling facilities since our co-mingled recycling program began in 2008.  That’s the weight of about 232 of our red-bellied Boeing 737-700s!  This milestone wouldn’t be possible without our Employees operating with a green filter, so thank YOU to them and thank you to our Customers for encouraging us and letting us know that caring for our Planet is important to you. The next time you hear your Flight Attendant ask for your recyclables toward the end of the flight, thanks for helping to reduce the impact on the environment by passing them along.  Together, we can protect our Planet for many years to come! How are you celebrating Earth Day?  Let us know by commenting below or by e-mailing green@wnco.com DING!  You are now free to be green! ... View more

One thing that hasn’t changed since our LUV jets first took to the skies more than 41 years ago is our belief in making our communities a better place.  And, it’s no surprise that four decades later, our strong roots in the communities we serve have continued to grow as thousands of Employees have rolled up their sleeves to volunteer. This April is our second annual “Month of Giving Back” where we continue our year-long pledge to sustainability and our dedication to volunteerism as our Employees take part in hands-on conservation projects with the Student Conservation Association, the National Wildlife Refuge Association, Earth Day Dallas, and other environmental nonprofit organizations all in the name of being kind to Mother Nature. For our Employees, giving from the heart is nothing new.  In fact, looking through old photos of volunteer projects, we stumbled upon this one of Herb on October 15, 1990, when Southwest joined the tree planting program in Phoenix. The LUV airline announced Smart-Scaping, where we planted the first tree in the program and donated $25,000 in “seed money.” For our 40 th anniversary, you may remember our Conservation in Action Tour where Employees completed more than 40 volunteer projects to plant trees, clean parks, and beautify communities. We know that places are the hearts of our communities, so in honor of the Month of Giving Back, we hope that you’ll give a little of your time to keep the heart of your place beating strong.   What are your plans to celebrate National Volunteer Week and Earth Day?  Let us know by commenting below!   Southwest Employees roll up their sleeves during the Month of Giving Back: April 5: Southwest Porch at Park Tavern Opening, Beautification Project at Piedmont Park | Atlanta, GA A central focal point of Atlanta’s Midtown community, Piedmont Park is the ideal location for Southwest Employees in the Atlanta area to promote environmental initiatives in their city.  In conjunction with the park’s 2013 expansion and the opening of Southwest Porch at Park Tavern, Southwest Employees will assist in Piedmont Park’s mulching process. April 14: Make-A-Wish Dream Trips Granted During Southwest Inaugural Openings | Rochester, NY; Charlotte, NC; Flint, MI; Portland, ME Southwest Airlines aims to do all it can to give from the heart and make a difference in people’s lives.  To celebrate Southwest’s inaugural service to Rochester, NY; Charlotte, NC; Flint, MI; and Portland, ME; the carrier will host send-offs for four special Make-A-Wish® kids and their families as they travel on the LUV airline to experience their one, true wish. April 17: Volunteers of LUV Celebration | Dallas, TX Every year, Southwest Airlines celebrates the boundless Servant’s Hearts of its Employees nationwide who volunteer in the communities where they work and live.  Southwest Employees participate in many activities, including the airline’s Adopt-A-Pilot Program; working with kids to build confidence and help overcome obstacles; and cleaning up local communities, beaches, and parks.  Each year, Employees are nominated by their peers and nonprofit organizations for the Volunteers of LUV award and are recognized at a formal celebration at Dallas Headquarters. April 17: Lunch & Learn—A Lesson on Being Water-Wise | Dallas, TX Southwest is hosting a Lunch & Learn at its Dallas Headquarters to educate Employees on how to water their gardens and plants responsibly.  In conjunction with the Southwest Community Garden’s partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Urban Water Program Coordinator Patrick Dickinson will speak and share his expertise with attendees.  Literature and water conservation tools will be provided by the City of Dallas and the Dallas County Master Gardeners Association. April 21 through April 30: “Spring Into Action” Employee Volunteer Projects with the Student Conservation Association | Nationwide To celebrate National Volunteer Week, Southwest Airlines is teaming up again with the Student Conservation Association, the National Wildlife Refuge Association, and other environmental nonprofit organizations to help amplify the importance of promoting ongoing stewardship and sustainability through hands-on conservation projects. During this week, Southwest and AirTran Airways Employees give back to their communities through various environmental-based volunteer opportunities.  AirTran is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. April 20 - 21: Earth Day Dallas | Dallas, TX Founded in 2010, Earth Day Dallas seeks to elevate environmental awareness and influence the way North Texans think, live, and work.  The Southwest Airlines Green Team will be manning an exhibit at Fair Park that highlights Southwest’s sustainability initiatives and will be handing out sunflower seedlings to encourage gardening and outdoor participation. April 26: Trinity River Volunteer Activity | Dallas, TX In partnership with the Trinity River Corridor Project, Southwest Employees will participate in cleaning up Dallas’ Trinity River.  In addition, Southwest Airlines is excited to announce a grant for the creation of the Trinity River Conservation Corps. April 27: Concerts for Kids Community Day | Denver, CO Concerts for Kids Community Day will bring together hundreds of volunteers to complete a combined 6,000 hours of work in one six-hour day in the Denver-metro area.  Volunteers will work to complete multiple improvement projects including painting, landscaping, cleaning, roofing, carpeting, and more. #LUVFromtheHeart ... View more

Emily Kasinger never imagined that a Southwest Airlines Pilot would play a huge role in taking her dream on the dance floor to 30,000 feet.  Helping kids dream big dreams—that’s the mission of First Officer Gary Hooyman who volunteers for Southwest’s Adopt-A-Pilot Program. This video highlights the amazing things that happen because of our unique Adopt-A-Pilot volunteer program and that our Pilots do more than teach math and science through aviation-related activities in fifth-grade classrooms—they inspire kids to stay in school, set goals, and dream big. We’re excited to announce that we’ve entered this video in the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship (BCCCC) 2013 Film Festival.  The BCCCC festival highlights entries that demonstrate the power of video to communicate the positive impact of a company’s work in its community.   TAKE ACTION | VOTE! We need your vote for Southwest to become one of the ten finalists, which will then be reviewed by a panel of judges to choose the winner.  Voting ends today.  You can vote by clicking here.  And, be sure to tell all your friends and family to watch and VOTE for the LUV airline!   Southwest may be an airline, but we do some of our best work on the ground, and it always comes from the heart.  Get the Word Out! Facebook: Vote for Southwest Airlines’ BCCCC Film Festival video—Southwest Pilot Takes Kids’ Dreams to 30,000 Feet: http://www.bcccc.net/index.cfm?pageId=2244 Twitter: Vote for @SouthwestAir’s @BCCCC video, Southwest Pilot Takes Kids’ Dreams to 30,000 Ft: http://www.bcccc.net/index.cfm?pageId=2244 ... View more

Not that long ago in Breezy Point, NY, families gathered around the dinner table to talk about their day or took a moment to breathe in the fresh air and walk along the Atlantic Coast.  Today, as you walk through remnants of what someone once called their home, all that’s recognizable is a radio flyer wagon missing two wheels and a red fire truck sitting on cement that once made up the front steps of a home.  Something else catches your eye.  A house that was completely demolished by the Superstorm and later fires, except for one thing left standing.  The American flag—caught on metal wires.  Someone wrote bigger, better, stronger, which is exactly the visual and statement this community is latching onto with all of their strength right now. The people who come to our aid every day now need our help after Hurricane Sandy.  The New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) needed saving seven years ago after Hurricane Katrina devastated their community.  The New York Fire Department (FDNY) sent their bravest to help rebuild The Big Easy.  The strong bond that unites NOFD and FDNY began after 9/11 when New Orleans Firemen traveled to New York to show their support by attending funerals of fallen firefighters.  FDNY paid it forward after Hurricane Katrina, and now NOFD repays the favor.  Southwest helped send three waves of New Orleans bravest to the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. In this video by Stephen M. Keller, you’ll meet Captain Billy Shanks and Captain Steve Lambert of the NOFD.  Captain Shanks knows what it’s like to feel helpless after his home in New Orleans was covered in nine feet of water after Hurricane Katrina.  This understanding allowed him to bring hope to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Captain Lambert lost his home in Hurricane Katrina and again recently after Hurricane Isaac.  His home is not repaired after the latest storm, yet, he went to New York, without hesitation, to pay it forward to those who saved him when he needed it the most. I invite you to join Captain Shanks and Captain Lambert with the NOFD, and show your support to those who may have lost everything.  In addition to flying in volunteers like the NOFD to help with the recovery effort, Southwest is proud to work alongside the Red Cross to provide assistance and response where needed. As a member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, we help ensure that the Red Cross can be on the scene of a disaster at a moment’s notice. When disasters like Hurricane Sandy occur, the Red Cross is there to provide shelter, food, emotional support, and other assistance to people in need.  Make a donation here if you wish to help those in need: http://american.redcross.org/southwestairlines-pub. ... View more

Since Southwest’s beginnings more than 40 years ago, the LUV airline has always approached business differently—instituting the ten-minute turn, democratizing the skies with affordable air travel, delivering Legendary Customer Service—the list goes on and on. One thing that has remained constant since Southwest took to the skies four decades ago is doing the right thing and focusing on the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet.  Recently, The Civic 50 revealed the companies who ranked in its national initiative to survey, rank, and recognize America’s S&P 500 most community-minded companies.  We’re proud to share that Southwest Airlines was named in the top 20 for demonstrating a strong commitment to corporate civic engagement in the communities we serve.   A partnership among Bloomberg News, the National Conference on Citizenship, and Points of Light, the Civic 50 survey is the first to scientifically measure corporate civic behavior.  The initiative fills a notable gap in existing research and creates a roadmap for businesses seeking to become better stewards of their community.  You can view the complete Civic 50 list, by visiting Businessweek’s web site.   We want to continue providing our Legendary Customer Service for many years to come, so thank you to all of our Employees for helping us attain that goal by building meaningful relationships in our communities. ... View more

Happy Green Tuesday!  If you’ve ever wondered how Southwest is doing its part to make a positive difference, that headline should help answer that question.   Since 2008, Southwest Airlines has recycled the weight equal to nearly 165 Boeing 737-700 aircraft with our co-mingled recycling efforts.   Operating with a green filter is important to us, and through our co-mingled recycling program, Mother Earth gets to benefit since we are diverting those soda cans and newspapers from our landfills, minimizing future greenhouse gas emissions, and preserving raw materials as well as the energy and water required for processing raw materials.  On top of all that, the rebates we receive for recycling fund our recycling program so it’s cost neutral to Southwest, and we are able to purchase renewable energy-driven equipment like the solar compactor we installed at the Las Vegas Provisioning Station last year. The weight of 165 red bellies is a lot, but we’re not stopping there.  Over the next four years, we aim to increase the quantity of materials recycled onboard our aircraft and in our facilities by 2.5 percent per year for a total of ten percent improvement by 2015. Are you helping your family and Coworkers recycle?  Let us know how by commenting below or by e-mailing green@wnco.com.  DING!  You are now free to be Green!  ... View more

Southwest celebrated turning 41 this year, and we’ve been blessed to have four exciting decades filled with a lot of happiness, innovativeness, and success thanks to our Employees, Customers, and Shareholders.   Whether you’re celebrating a milestone birthday such as Community Relations & Giving’s fearless Leader Debra Benton (I’m not revealing which milestone birthday, because I LUV my job), or you’re toasting to another year, do your part to reduce party waste and be nice to Mother Nature.  Here are some easy ways to make your party not only cheaper, but green as well! Send out Evites to all of your BFFs to save on the cost and waste of paper and money on stamps. The décor of a birthday party can be just as important as the party itself.  Use large leaves from your backyard as place cards, and then write each guest’s name on them in permanent ink. Purchase baby trees from your local nursery for centerpieces, and you can plant them when the party is over!  Use reusable cloth napkins instead of paper ones, and prevent waste by using as little paper and plastic items as possible. When it comes to food and drinks, make sure your guests are recycling them.  Place baskets that are labeled as trash and recycling in a common area so they know what to do.  Aluminum is an easy material to recycle, so canned drinks are always better than having drinks in plastic bottles. Buying organic or sustainable food and drink is another important aspect to a successful green birthday party. Parties will always be fun events, but by implementing some of these green tips, you can have an environmentally responsible party as well.  Birthdays are great, which is why we want to preserve our Planet and help it have as many birthdays as possible! Have an idea of how to make your next birthday party green? Let us know by e-mailing green@wnco.com or by commenting below. DING!  You are now free to be Green.  ... View more

This year, Southwest turned 41 years young, and to celebrate the occasion, we surprised and delighted hundreds of Customers across the Southwest system on June 18 with a little music serenade.  Not too long ago, we put a call out to musicians to submit a :30 second music video incorporating Southwest and our 41 st birthday for the chance to play their music live at 35,000 feet.  Southwest fans from across the nation casted their votes, and our three finalists—the Eric Grant Band from Laconia, NH, the Bad Cactus Brass Band from Phoenix, and The Gajillionaires from Los Angeles, CA, sang Southwest’s birthday wishes for Customers during inflight concerts and passing through select airports on the LUV airline’s birthday. In this video, you’ll witness a first—a brass band inflight concert complete with a tuba featuring the Bad Cactus Brass Band as well as the Eric Grant Band and The Gajillionaires rockin’ out with our Customers.  Enjoy!   ... View more

As you walk away from the aroma of fresh fish just off of Fisherman’s Wharf and head to the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, you can start to feel remnants of musicians and artists past as you approach Columbus Avenue.  Just near the historic City of Lights Bookstore and Jack Kerouac Alley where you’ll find engraved poems by John Steinbeck, sits Bimbo’s 365 Club, which looks like someone stopped time after the jazz club opened its doors on Columbus Avenue more than 60 years ago.  From the coat check in the foyer to the sharply dressed bartenders ready to serve you, Bimbo’s is a refreshing getaway from the traditional music scene as it emanates that 1950s glamour with a stage that has seen an array of acts from dancers to crooners over the years.   In Stephen Keller’s video, Live From The Artists Den Executive Producer Mark Lieberman says that there are very few places that have a long history where they’ve kept the integrity of their architecture alive.  In their effort to celebrate the rich history of a place, Bimbo’s was an ideal choice for this Artists Den performance featuring The Wallflowers.  San Francisco is the birthplace of the Artists Den where the series started in Mark’s living room in Cow Hollow years before the TV series to bring interesting bands from the area into a private home.  As the Artists Den revisited their roots in San Francisco, Southwest was able to help with this special performance by flying in sound, lighting, camera, and stage folks from around the country to capture and create the night.  As The Wallflowers took the stage with more than 600 fans filling the room, the reminiscing for me and many others began as the acoustics from one of their staple songs—Three Marlenas—traveled throughout the room.  I heard this song for the first time half my life ago, and have followed the Wallflowers ever since—and I’m very much anticipating their new album to come out since Rebel, Sweetheart released seven years ago. I realized that this moment of connecting people with their love and passion for music (mine too) was just another reason why I’m proud to work for the LUV airline that helps build meaningful relationships just like this one. ... View more

Today Southwest is turning 41 years young, and we’re celebrating our over the hill birthday plus one by surprising and delighting a few lucky Customers across the Southwest system with a music serenade.  A little more than a month ago, we put a call out to musicians from across the nation to submit a :30 second video incorporating Southwest and our 41 st  birthday for the chance to play their music live at 35,000 feet.  Last month, fans casted their votes, and now hundreds of Southwest Customers will have the chance to rock out in select cities on our 41 st  birthday with music from our three finalists—the Eric Grant Band from Laconia, NH, the Bad Cactus Brass Band from Phoenix, AZ, and The Gajillionaires from Los Angeles, CA. For Customers traveling through Manchester, Baltimore/Washington, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Seattle, be sure to check out the concert times and flight numbers below to see if these shining stars will be traveling with you on your flight, or you might just see them in the gate area!   We hope you can join in on the fun and celebrating 41 years of that good ol’ Southwest hospitality with fun, reliable, and efficient service.  Happy Birthday to the LUV Airline! Band: Eric Grant Band Music Video: Eric Grant Band Music Video   Band: Bad Cactus Band Music Video: Bad Cactus Brass Band Music Video   Band: The Gajillionaires Music Video: The Gajillionaires Music Video ... View more

When I got my latest Texas Monthly in the mail, I was reminded of their Monthly Outdoor Guide app that I recently downloaded that tells me all the best places to hike, bike, picnic, and more things to enjoy outdoors in Texas.  It also reminded me that I need to put some air in my bike tires so it’s not just an ornament in my garage.  June 2 is National Trails Day, so, what better motivation to go check out a greenbelt just north of me that connects Ray Roberts Lake with Lake Lewisville. The Texas heat is starting to rise, but when I actually do get out to a trail, even during the most humid summer days, I realize that 90 is hot, 100 is hot, and 110 is hot.  So, might as well load up with my 50 SPF and lots of water and enjoy the beautiful outdoors.  Here are some other trails around the country worth checking out: Silver Comet Trail: This 62-mile trail is just outside of Atlanta where Southwest recently began service in February. You’ll enjoy a 500-foot long trestle, pine forests, and rock cliffs along the way. Ohio to Erie Trail: From Cincinnati to Cleveland, this 300-mile trail spans the state of Ohio and is great for mountain bikes.  The trail passes through rural areas, farmlands, nature preserves, and regional parks. The Colorado Trail: You’ll want a good mountain bike for some backcountry riding on this 470-mile trail through Denver.   Mt. Tamalpais: If you’re craving some scenery full of forests, meadows, lakes, and ocean views, this is your trail near the San Francisco Bay area. National Wildlife Association (NWRA): The NWRA is a great resource to find thousands of trails near the closest Southwest city to experience landscapes, plants, and wildlife up close. Where do you escape outdoors?  Let us know your favorite trail by commenting below or e-mailing green@wnco.com.  DING!  You are now free to be Green! ... View more

Happy Green Tuesday! The Memorial Day Holiday Weekend will be here soon, where we all have the opportunity to take a moment to be still and think about the brave sacrifices of the service men and women who have fought for the Freedoms we enjoy and appreciate every day. This weekend also kicks off summer, so whether you plan on celebrating this time of remembrance by planning a picnic to enjoy the outdoors, attending a parade, or hosting a grilling or BBQ party, here are a few ways you can think green while you’re sporting your patriotic American spirit by wearing red, white, and blue: · Shop local organic. Head to your local organic food store or farmers market to serve up that veggie appetizer plate for your guests. Not only will you be eating healthier, but you’ll be supporting your local economy at the same time! · Reduce waste. If you’re packing up your picnic basket or ready to serve food at your BBQ, reduce your waste by using reusable picnicware. If you’ve stopped in stores like Target or Crate & Barrel lately, they have fun, festive picnicware designs that will brighten up your party or get together without adding waste to the landfill after everyone has enjoyed some lemonade and barbecued ribs. · Recycle. If you’re hosting a party at home or at a public place, make sure you have a designated recycling bin, and let your guests know about it so they can drop any aluminum, paper, and plastic in a recycling bin rather than piling it into the trash. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces about 4.4 pounds of garbage a day. Do your part and help reduce this number! · Clean Up Naturally. After everyone has enjoyed full bellies and a day of being together, make sure to use green cleaners like Simple Green or Green Works by Clorox and biodegradable trash bags. And, when you can, use towels that can be washed and reused rather than paper towels. However you plan on honoring this day, consider observing the National Moment of Remembrance. On Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time, whether you’re a Southwest Employee taking care of the thousands of Customers who will fly this weekend or if you’re celebrating with friends and family, pause for a minute and have a moment of silence to honor those who secured our Freedoms. How do you plan on adding green to your Memorial Day Weekend celebration? Let us know how you live and work Green by commenting below or by e-mailing Green@wnco.com. ... View more

Giving back is just part of the Southwest DNA.  In my almost five years at Southwest, I’ve had the privilege to volunteer alongside my Co-Hearts to plant trees, paint schools, clean-up parks, help build trails, and the list goes on.  Just last year, nearly 5,000 Southwest Warriors rolled up their sleeves to volunteer more than 114,000 hours to support almost 900 different organizations in the communities where they work and live.  Being a good neighbor and making a difference in people’s lives is something our Employees are passionately focused on throughout the year. Last month, Southwest Airlines celebrated our dedication to volunteerism and our commitment to sustainability with a “Month of Giving Back” by working with multiple nonprofit organizations to host a variety of activities and contests around National Volunteer Week and Earth Day. Here’s a look at some of the impact made possible by our Employees and Customers: Employees Give Back:  We kicked off National Volunteer Week with our systemwide Share the Spirit initiative where Southwest and AirTran Employees will give back to one local school in their city.  When it’s all said and done, hundreds of Southwest and AirTran Employees will complete more than 70 projects in over 70 cities. All in the Name of Earth Day: Southwest provided Customers the opportunity to give back with flowers by handing out 15,000 free wildflower seed bookmarks in 30 Southwest cities on Earth Day.  We also handed out 1,000 bookmarks at Earth Day Dallas where Southwest was a proud sponsor of this two-day festival celebrating everything green. Customers and Employees Learn Together:  Southwest hosted a Lunch & Learn at its Headquarters to educate attendees to discover the recipe to compost.  Nearly 200 Customers and Employees in attendance learned how to compost and reduce the amount of waste that ultimately ends up in landfills.  Southwest also gave away free compost bins to every attendee, which were donated by the City of Dallas.    Southwest has a commitment to our triple bottomline of Performance, People, and Planet, and I’m proud to be apart of that cause to do the right thing.  What are you doing to make a difference in the backyards of your community?  Let us know by commenting below! ... View more

Turn an empty wine bottle into a vase or candleholder for your table.  Wrap your gifts or ripen up your tomatoes using old newspapers.  Cut plastic bottles into sections to have a container garden.  These were just a few ideas I mentioned recently to get your creative juices flowing to share your fun and unconventional ways you recycle ordinary objects like water bottles, T-shirts, and newspapers into something new—all for the chance to win a dream green getaway to San Diego. There was certainly no shortage of creative entries, and now I have some ideas of my own to try.  Like, whoever thought about turning an old kettle into a lamp?  Thanks to everyone who not only entered, but for showing your commitment to our Planet and looking for ways to take the three R’s—reduce, reuse, recycle—to heart. Congrats to our grand prize winner, Nicole from New York, who is following Southwest’s motto of operating with a green filter by planning her wedding so that she and her guests reduce their impact on the Planet.  Among her “green” theme, Nicole’s centerpieces are made of reused items—wine corks, wine bottles, and various glass jars—the wine corks are secured together with ribbon and the seam hidden with a wooden heart painted blue.  Additionally, her program will be displayed on a menu board, which will be placed out for all of the wedding guests to see.   An excerpt from Nicole’s entry: Last spring, I became the happiest girl in the world because the most awesome and caring man I have ever known asked me to be his bride. As we began planning our big day and  researching area venues, we realized there must be a better way to do thing to decrease our carbon footprint. We ultimately selected a venue that is a vineyard.  Not only is the place stunning, but it is also practical, and green.  The food that will be used to cook dinner for our wedding guests is either grown on the vineyard or within 100 miles of the vineyard.  That was one way that I could feel better about the impact my special day was going to have on the Earth. We are also making a donation to a local charity in lieu of traditional favors.  Planning a wedding is hard, and trying to make a wedding green is not without its challenges, but my fiance and I are committed to making our wedding as green as possible—as committed as we are to each other! Congrats, Nicole, on winning, and of course, for your upcoming wedding!  We wish you all the best and much happiness, and we hope you enjoy sunny San Diego at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina, your annual park passes from the National Park Foundation, AND your Southwest-branded bike.   DING!  You are now free to be green!  What are you doing to reduce, reuse, recycle in your community?  Let us know by commenting below! ... View more

Air Transport World (ATW) Magazine recently revealed the winners of its inaugural 2012 Eco-Aviation Awards, and Southwest Airlines was named the Eco-Pioneer of the Year for our focus on efficiency long before environmentally-sound business practices were understood or recognized.  Whether it’s diverting more than 7,300 tons of material from landfills and into recycling facilities since August 2008 (the weight of about 173 Boeing 737-700 aircraft) with our co-mingled recycling program or unveiling Evolve, our all-new eco-friendly cabin interior that emphasizes comfort and personal space, Southwest continues to operate with a green filter. Since our beginnings more than 40 years ago, Southwest Airlines has always approached business differently—the ten-minute turn, Bags Fly Free, no furloughs—the list goes on and on.  One thing that has remained constant since we took to the skies four decades ago is doing the right thing in our triple bottomline for Performance, People, and Planet.  To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™.  ... View more