05-08-2014
03:33 PM
Thank you Laura for both your generosity and patronage. I will share your suggestion with our Community Relations Team, as well as Jeff.
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This is the third in a series of posts about our fourth annual integrated annual report, the 2012 Southwest Airlines One Report™, where we illustrate our triple bottom line approach that takes into account our Performance and productivity, the importance of our People and the Communities we serve, and our commitment to efficiency and the Planet.
Since I began at Southwest Airlines in 2004, I’ve had the privilege of hiring the most talented People to work for a Company that I am extremely proud to work for every day. As the Executive Vice President & Chief People & Administrative Officer, one of my duties is to oversee programs that give all Employees the opportunity for personal and professional growth. People are our strongest asset at Southwest Airlines, and together our Team of nearly 46,000 Southwest Warriors shares their time and efforts to make a positive difference. Some points of pride for us as a Company in 2012 included:
Southwest Airlines was featured in Fortune Magazine’s Top 10 of the World’s Most Admired Companies.
Our Employees extended their Customer Service to the communities we serve by volunteering more than 137,000 hours across the nation.
The Southwest Engineering Team received the Heroes of the Heart award, which recognizes and appreciates a workgroup essential to our operation and Culture that does not have direct contact with Customers.
Safety is our number one priority, and our Employees participated in more than 520,000 Safety and Security training hours.
The photos below are highlights from the 2012 Southwest Airlines One Report™, and illustrate our dedication to our People.
Our People are our greatest strength. At yearend 2012, we had nearly 46,000 active, full-time equivalent Employees.
From awarding our top volunteers to recognizing Employees who go above and beyond, our Employees are celebrated with many different recognition programs.
In 2012, Southwest contributed more than $370 million to retirement savings through 401(k) Company matching contributions and Company contributions to our ProfitSharing Plan.
In 2012, our Employees received nearly 65,000 commendation reports from happy Customers.
In 2012, our Employees clocked more than 17,000 hours devoted to human rights training.
Today, more than four decades after our founding, we remain steadfast in our Purpose of connecting people to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost airline travel. We hope you’ll enjoy our upcoming blog posts each month and follow along on Instagram and Pinterest each week with photos and fun facts tagged #SWAOneReport as we share how we’re working to be the best in the business. You can check out and download the full report online at www.southwestonereport.com.
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04-29-2013
03:30 PM
103 Loves
At Southwest, we believe in connecting people to what’s important in their lives. As a national sponsor of Make-A-Wish, we have the opportunity to help wish kids take flight. Whether our Pilots are taking the time to pose for a photo in the cockpit, our Flight Attendants are making announcements that a special wish kid is onboard, or our Customer Service Agents are hosting fun sendoff parties in the gate area, it’s a joy to play a role in granting wishes. Today, Make-A-Wish celebrates World Wish Day, a celebration of wish granting with thousands of people participating. Make-A-Wish grants wishes to kids with life-threatening medical conditions in every community in the United States and its territories and nearly 50 other countries. It reminds me of all of the memorable wishes Southwest has had the privilege to enhance. Recently, Southwest set a record for our airline with the most cities to open in one day—Charlotte, NC; Flint, MI; Portland, ME; Rochester, NY; and San Juan, PR—as part of our ongoing integration of AirTran Airways. We also recently celebrated new service to Branson, MO last month. My favorite part of these inaugural celebrations was the Make-A-Wish sendoffs that took place and the unforgettable expressions on these kids’ faces. Here’s a look: Charlotte, NC
Zoe, who is five-years-old and battling cancer, knew her one true wish to go to Florida theme parks with her family would soon be coming true, but she had no idea that the SeaWorld penguins would surprise her at the airport to give her a proper sendoff! Portland, ME
Seven-year-old Emersyn’s wish to see butterflies and beaches took her and her family to San Diego to visit the Monarch Research Center, San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and the beautiful Southern California beaches. This trip of a lifetime allowed Emersyn the opportunity to forget about battling her neuro-degenerative condition and instead focus on the magic of her wish experience. Here she is smiling big and ready to board her flight! Rochester, NY
Jacob who is nine and lives with a neuromuscular disorder and his family will be traveling to Southern California to experience his wish to go to his favorite theme parks. While in California, he will visit Hollywood Studios, Medieval Times, and the Pirate Adventure. Jacob loves "Cars," so he also will be going to "Cars Land" while on his wish. Before Jacob headed to California, he spent some quality time on the ramp and even got to push a plane for departure! Branson, MO
Kyah is an easy-going, happy five-year-old with a nervous system disorder who loves animals and spending time with family. So, it’s no surprise that her one true wish was to go on an animal adventure! Kyah and her parents received roundtrip tickets to fly from Branson to San Diego where they visited the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego. The special sendoff in Branson even included Elvis and the Blues Brothers! Southwest provides travel to help make these kids’ one wish come true, but it’s really more than that. We offer our friendly service to keep these kids smiling, despite the battles they’re fighting. The LUV airline has supported communities from the very beginning, and it always comes from the heart.
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a warm story that reminds me of how strong life can be, and how beautiful! Kaitlyn fight!
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So, most of my Southwest experiences have been positive. The "new rewards program" sucks, it seems be modeled after the other airlines and not really benefiting me the way it has in the past. I would normally achieve 1-2 free round trips every year and now I don't think it will happen the the same way. Where's the loyalty gone?
A few months ago one of the other airlines kicked a customer off for saggy pants. I thought to myself "never on Southwest", but do I understand correctly that the lead singer of Green Day was just recently kicked off a flight for the same thing? THIS IS INSANE! PEOPLE CAN FLY WITH TUNA SANDWICHES, SCREAMING BABIES, AND PASS GAS THE ENTIRE FLIGHT, BUT NOT SAGGY PANTS. REALLY?
Disappointed in Southwest...
Kyra
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In reference to the "LOCAL CANDIDATES ONLY" question, we limit some posting to local Candidates because there is talent and qualified folks who live locally. Usually we are looking for a quick hire as well so it is easier to hire locally. Call me at 407.541.3002 if you want to discuss in more detail!!!
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01-16-2010
06:21 AM
17 Loves
First I would like to say that I've flown SWA many many times on Business and Pleasure. It's my favorite airline, for a few reasons. But, I have had a few issues in the past, but SWA has taken care of those issues remarkably well and I've always been impressed with their service.
Soon, I will be getting a Service Dog and know that the first time I fly with my dog will be TOUGH......or maybe not. I just really hope that SWA takes care of me and my dog when it's our time to fly. Thou, I have checked and some airlines have made arraignments for NEW Service Dogs that will be flying with their owners the chance to actually walk around the airport, board a plane and get adjusted to being on an airplane. Most service dogs are not trained to know what an airplane is until they are partnered with their handler. So, I hope that SWA has something that would allow for that. The last thing I would want is for my dog to freak out in flight. It is tough since Most if not all of SWA planes are 737's and don't really have much room for YOU and YOUR DOG except up in Rows 1&2 to be at your feet. OR the one emergency aisle that only has 2 seats in it. I don't want anyone to treat me as special, I'm normal.....but soon when I have my service dog, everyone will know and I don't have a problem with that. I'd like to educate people to why we have service dogs and what they can do for us. So, SWA....Please make my first flight with my dog, the best flight ever! Thanks!
Todd
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08-03-2009
01:53 PM
8 Loves
I heard Colleen Barrett speak a few years ago at a Willow Creek Association Leadership Summit and was completely impressed with her leadership style and commitment to customer service as well as her employees. I am now working as a Transit Manager in Louisiana and would like to contact Ms. Barrett to speak at our annual Public Transit Association Meeting in December. Can you possibly forward my contact info along to her or let me know a way to contact her myself?
We would like to do something different this year in selecting a key note speaker and feel that someone with Ms. Barrett's professional and ethical approach to management would greatly benefit the transit managers of Louisiana! Not to mention the fact that she is a fabulous speaker!
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Valerie McElhose
General Manager
Monroe Transit System
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02-15-2011
04:15 AM
25 Loves
I was lucky to find this www.blogsouthwest.com site.
What a wonderful post! I am just starting out in community management/marketing media and trying to learn how to do it well - resources like this blog are very helpful. As our company is based in the United States, it's all a bit new to us. The example above is something that I worry about as well, how to show your own natural enthusiasm and share the fact that your product is useful in that case.
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Nicole- even in large organizations there are People willing to admit mistakes...keep the faith!
Jeff
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01-30-2007
03:45 AM
7 Loves
Loved this little story!!!! Obviously, you all are focusing on Ann's Abilities rather than her DISability. I have a 14 yo son who is disabled with something similar to Down syndrome. It's "Down" not "Down's", by the way.
My late husband and I had an only child born w/DS; unfortunately she died of the heart defect that frequently comes with the syndrome, at age 6. But wow, was she ever a little personality.
Ann, you go girl!
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09-09-2010
01:52 PM
28 Loves
Ok don't know if anyone is still reading this but got the email yesterday and taking my drug test today. So far so good it took about a week and a half to get my background cleared. we will see what the next step is hopefully training in dallas. I feel I will have this job for awhile.
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08-06-2006
09:50 PM
13 Loves
Thanks Jeff for sharing your blog about Linda. Linda, I don't think we've met yet, but you are an earth angel. You and your husband are courageous, and I'm thankful that you're a fellow Southwest Employee! It was heartwarming to read everyone's comments, especially your sister's; she's so proud of you!
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09-13-2007
01:42 PM
2 Loves
Thanks Peter for taking the time to share your story. Our FA's are the best!
Jeff
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08-20-2009
01:47 PM
22 Loves
I could be wrong (very wrong) but I thought the "Attire Incident" was due to a customer complaint. A customer with children on the plane. I definitely see how you say it is a bit hypocritical for SW to refuse service to someone with more clothing than the FAs used to wear. But SW has changed their image since then. They have gone to a more family friendly outlook. So please don't give up on us just yet!
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Could you please tell me what the starting salary is for SWA flight attendants?
Thank you
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