Southwest Airlines Community

 Although Rick Pelc is fairly new to Southwest Airlines, he is no stranger to the airline industry. Rick is one of thefolks Southwest luckily discovered when the carrier acquired AirTran Airways, and he officially became a Southwest Employee in March 2012. He currently works as a Station Director of Ground Operations and oversees all Southwest and AirTran ground operations in Atlanta, as well as ground operations at nine other stations.   Rick grew up in Pittsburgh. Before working for AirTran and now Southwest, he was employed at US Airways for 26 years. His long career in the airline industry has taken his family to many different cities, the most recent being Atlanta. Rick and his wife, Claudia, celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary in October. They have two grown children: Their son, Bob, lives in Philadelphia, and their daughter, Stephanie, resides in Fairfax, Virginia. Rick is a passionate golfer, and he and Claudia enjoy traveling. They have played golf at Pebble Beach, Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, and Harbour Town in Hilton Head, South Carolina.    With a master’s degree in human resources, Rick prides himself on being a People-oriented Leader who ensures that Southwest supports its Employees positively. He stays involved in the industry and his community by serving on various boards, including the Atlanta Airport Area Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta Technical College, and he is an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta.    “I’m very impressed with how the AirTran Employeeshave been welcomed into the Southwest Family,” Rick says. He is excited to be part of an organization with such incredible potential. “When I saw the first South­west plane taxi to a gate in Atlanta, I realized this was a momentous occasion, and I was very proud to be a part of it. It’s exciting to see these two great airlines coming together.” This passion drives Rick every day, and his enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience are appreciated by his Southwest Coworkers.    Rick, in light of all the places your career has taken you, we couldn’t be happier that you finally landed at Southwest. —Shelley Logan Although Rick Pelc is fairly new to Southwest Airlines, he is no stranger to the airline industry. Rick is one of the folks Southwest luckily discovered when the carrier acquired AirTran Airways, and he officially became a Southwest Employee in March 2012. He currently works as a Station Director of Ground Operations and oversees all Southwest and AirTran ground operations in Atlanta, as well as ground operations at nine other stations. Rick grew up in Pittsburgh. Before working for AirTran and now Southwest, he was employed at US Airways for 26 years. His long career in the airline industry has taken his family to many different cities, the most recent being Atlanta. Rick and his wife, Claudia, celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary in October. They have two grown children: Their son, Bob, lives in Philadelphia, and their daughter, Stephanie, resides in Fairfax, Virginia. Rick is a passionate golfer, and he and Claudia enjoy traveling. They have played golf at Pebble Beach, Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, and Harbour Town in Hilton Head, South Carolina.      With a master’s degree in human resources, Rick prides himself on being a People-oriented Leader who ensures that Southwest supports its Employees positively. He stays involved in the industry and his community by serving on various boards, including the Atlanta Airport Area Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta Technical College, and he is an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta.   “I’m very impressed with how the AirTran Employeeshave been welcomed into the Southwest Family,” Rick says. He is excited to be part of an organization with such incredible potential. “When I saw the first South­west plane taxi to a gate in Atlanta, I realized this was a momentous occasion, and I was very proud to be a part of it. It’s exciting to see these two great airlines coming together.” This passion drives Rick every day, and his enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience are appreciated by his Southwest Coworkers.  Rick, in light of all the places your career has taken you, we couldn’t be happier that you finally landed at Southwest. —Shelley Logan ... View more