03-22-2012
04:49 PM
341 Loves
Every year in March, the center of the music, film, and online interactive industries across the globe converge in Austin, Texas for ten days of networking, discovery, creativity, and some old-fashioned good times! This year, Southwest Airlines was proud to be the Official Domestic Airline of South By Southwest. What started as small music event with 700 registrants in 1987 has now grown to more than 32,000 participants taking part in music, film, and high-tech interactive conferences and events. Our fun Southwest brand was front and center with a Team of Employees participating and hosting several events including the BMI & Billboard Acoustic Brunch and The Fader Fort, a four-day musical event filled with musicians from across the globe. SXSW 2012 was a far cry from my first SXSW experience. Back in 1994, a certain clueless radio DJ volunteered to work the doors at several of the music venues, handing out wristbands and doing other rather unglamorous chores. The flip side was I got to see an undiscovered Beck perform and actually got to shake the hand of one of my idols, Johnny Cash, who was the keynote speaker that year. That’s the power of SXSW. And this year proved to be no different. Southwest’s brand, along with our legendary Customer Service were consistent themes with the SXSW partners we worked with the attendees with whom we crossed paths. The streets of the state capital of Texas are just now getting back to normal, but the effects of this year’s partnership with SXSW will be felt for many months to come. Featured Picture: Southwest Airlines’ Laurel Moffat (second from the left) and Whitney Eichinger (far right) pause for a photo with The Lumineers at the BMI & Billboard Brunch. (Photo: Erika Goldring)
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01-05-2012
12:58 PM
214 Loves
2012 is only a few days old, but already our Pilots are showing their Servant's Hearts in a big way. At a news conference in front of Southwest Headquarters earlier this week, the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association handed over the keys to three, shiny new vans to the Ronald McDonald House. Last year, SWAPA held fundraising events across the system, raising more than $104,000 for the Ronald McDonald House charity. SWAPA had originally pledged to raise money to purchase a new van for the Ronald McDonald house of Dallas to honor Southwest Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Herb Kelleher. This effort was to recognize his induction into the Entrepreneurs for North Texas “Ring of Entrepreneurs” hall of fame. Their fundraising campaign was a great success! SWAPA was able to purchase three vans—one van will stay in Dallas, the other two are headed to the Ronald McDonald Houses in Las Vegas and Orlando. During the delivery of vans, Herb expressed his profound gratitude to the Pilots of Southwest for their fundraising efforts. “This is one of the most moving moments that I’ve ever had, and I’m just very grateful to SWAPA and to the Pilot cadre, not only for this occasion but also for the tremendous Leadership, wisdom, and foresight that you have provided Southwest Airlines for many decades as the greatest generation of Pilots in the history of the American airline Industry. I thank you with profound gratitude, and I salute you.” Herb also expressed his appreciation to the staff at the Ronald McDonald House for the work they do to keep families together as their child endures a serious medical crisis. “Their staff and their patients have been an inspiration to all of us and have gratified our Servant’s Hearts with joy and respect for a long, long time.” But that’s not all—SWAPA is also sending $3,000 to the Ronald McDonald Houses in each Pilot Base not receiving a van. Thanks to our hard-working Pilots for delivering the LUV for those who need it most.
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Go to any bookstore or Google, “Fatherhood,” and you’ll be sure to come across stacks of books and articles written about unlocking the secrets of being a good dad. As the father of three kids, 13- and ten-year old daughters and a six-year old son, I’ve acquired a certain zen-like knowledge (and massive hair loss) of what it takes to be a good father. You ready for this? It’s a little something called, being there. Two days after Father’s Day 2004 and four days after my son was born, my dad died unexpectedly due to complications from surgery. As I sat down to write his eulogy, I struggled to think of those impactful, life-changing lessons he taught me that prepared me for my own journey into fatherhood. I found it hard to pinpoint those moments, not because they never happened, they did. But, those lessons weren’t wrapped into nice little packages or captured in single moments in time. Those lessons were baked into 32 years of knowing this funny, intelligent, flawed, compassionate, and humble man. He was there. He was there at every one of my soccer games. He was there when I got into my first car accident. He was there with a U-Haul when I moved clear across Texas for my first job. The moments that were vivid in my head were so random. Things like the exact Simpson’s episode that made him laugh so hard Dr. Pepper shot out of his nose or the time he bought me my first set of golf clubs. The comedian Chris Rock once said that 80 percent of being a good Dad is just being there. I think it’s closer to 95 percent. The other day, my middle daughter was laughing hysterically about the time she got her one and only spanking. Our old house had a playroom over the garage. It was a nice spring day so I opened the windows and told my daughter to stay away from them while she played. Not two minutes had gone by when I heard a loud crash in our driveway. I sprinted to the driveway and saw the window screen had dropped on top of our car, and there was my four-year old daughter, eyes as big as saucers, staring down at me. I freaked! I ran upstairs, half scared out of my mind, half mad as heck! I grabbed her arm and gave her a nice little smack on her bottom. I had NEVER done this before, nor have I since and that was not lost on her. She was so surprised that her gum shot out of her mouth and on to the carpet. Fast forward to the present, my now ten-year old howls with laughter at the re-telling of this story. “The gum was still there when we moved. It wouldn’t come out!” she proudly exclaims through the laughter. It’s moments like these that my kids love to remember. My son still laughs hysterically at the time I belched the lyrics to “Hey Jude” (I really am a good dad) and when I taught him to swing a bat. My oldest remembers the first time I first took her to Starbucks and that I would watch Elmo with her when she was little. Earlier this year I was traveling back to DAL from PHL. On the last leg from HOU I was the last to board and ended up in the front row in the middle seat next to an elderly couple. The man was to my left and his wife was to my right. The man started talking to me but it was obvious that age had taken its toll. Half-way through the flight the man raised his hand and forcefully flung it in front of him. He then leaned forward and started to make circular motions with his hands. His wife noticed me looking at him and tapped me on my elbow and chuckled, “Don’t mind my husband,” she said. “He’s 93 and he’s in the later stages of Alzheimer’s.” She went on to tell me that he doesn’t recognize her anymore or the familiar and friendly faces he’s known throughout the years. But, what he does remember is going fishing with his kids. That’s what he was doing that day sitting next to me 25,000 feet in the air. He was fishing with his kids. I will never forget that moment, nor will I forget my own father who created countless memories and set immeasurable examples for me to follow. Thanks, dad.
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On January 12, 4:43 local time, a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated the island nation of Haiti. When the dust settled, approximately 250,000 people died, another 300,000 were injured, and a staggering three million people were left homeless. The destruction this event left behind will be felt for generations to come. One of the countless groups affected by the earthquake was the Haitian National Soccer team. Its headquarters in ruins, its practice field now a tent city for thousands of the homeless, the prospects of continuing to play the sport they loved seemed hopeless. But, because of the generosity of many here in the U.S., the team is getting a second chance, and the opportunity to send a message to the world that the Haitian spirit endures and their passion for the country’s national sport won’t be sidelined. Since mid-April, the Haitian National Soccer team has called Texas home. The team spends much of its time training at the T Bar M Camp in New Braunfels, TX. This practice time is crucial as they prepare for a May 5 match against one of international soccer’s powerhouses, the national team of Argentina. Southwest Airlines was just one of many who pitched in to help, flying the team from SAT to DAL last Friday for a scrimmage with FC Dallas in Frisco. Several Southwest Employees in DAL met the team at the gate, including DAL Safety and QA Auditor Reggie Andre who is a native of Haiti. Reggie, who lived in Haiti for 13 years, was able to speak to the team in their native Creole language, and even connected with a couple of players from his old hometown. The Argentina match is just days away, but our thoughts are with the Team beyond the soccer pitch when they return home to a country that is healing and rebuilding.
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“People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” --Rogers Hornsby Today is opening day for Major League Baseball. In 30 cities across the country, baseball fans begin the yearly ritual of checking box scores, agonizing over fantasy stats, or planning which home games to attend or which road trip to take to support their favorite team. Whether it’s the carnival-like atmosphere on Yawkey Way outside Fenway Park in Boston or the 100-year tradition of the current resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue throwing out the first pitch, baseball has a rich tradition, and Southwest Airlines is proud to be a supporter of America’s pastime. We're especially proud to help you support your teams--both home and away--since we fly into the vast majority of Major League cities across the country. To take our support of America's pastime to the next level, Southwest is excited to announce thatwe are also the official airline for three major league teams: the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and Texas Rangers. To commemorate these partnerships, Employees will be at each home opener visiting with baseball fans, handing out promotional items, and sharing in the excitement that only baseball can bring! Today, you can find our Team Southwest at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. On Friday, April 9, we’ll be at the beautiful Oriole Park at Camden Yards cheering on the Baltimore Orioles, and on Monday, April 12, catch our Southwest Road Warriors in front of Citizens Bank Park as the defending National League Champions Philadelphia Phillies make another run for the World Series. As a special benefit for Phillies and Orioles fans, we even created a ten percent Fare Saver for travel to and from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Visit southwest.com and purchase tickets today and tomorrow (April 5-6, 2010) for travel April 12 – August 31 (see Web site for terms and conditions). Phillies fans can also go to www.southwest.com/philly to take advantage of this great offer. Phillies and Orioles fans, start saving today and stay tuned throughout the year for more stories from our baseball cities. Play Ball!
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“So, Paul. How would you like to join the Southwest Family?” I’ll never forget those words a little more than a year ago when my Recruiter called to offer me the job in the Public Relations Department at Southwest Airlines. One year, many laughs, lots of hard work, and dozens of new friends later, I am proud this week to celebrate my first year here at the LUV Airline. I’ll never forget my first day. I walked into a department meeting where the Team was reviewing the final design concept for the now famous SI One plane wrapped with a temporary decal featuring the cover model from the 2009 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Thank you, Bar. You know you’ve had a good year at your new gig when you struggle to think of your best moment, because there’s so many. My first event was the 30th anniversary of our New Orleans service. For that I donned a disco wig and partied at our gates with our Customers and Employees like it was 1979! Since then, I’ve created an 80s arcade at Indianapolis, grew a beard for more than a month so that I wouldn’t jinx the Boston launch, almost lost our CEO at that same launch, drove the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders around in a golf cart, tailgated with Cheeseheads in Milwaukee, and passed out beach balls and wrapped Christmas presents (well, I actually watched) at our gates at Baltimore/Washington. Have I mentioned I’ve only been here a year? Along the way I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of meeting many of the dedicated and hardworking men and women that make up the Southwest Family. The work that goes into keeping more than 3,100 flights a day to 68 cities running smoothly is never-ending. Telling their story is part of what my Team does and we take pride in the fact those stories are in rich supply. Year Two is off to a fast start. Those stories are waiting to be told, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead. If I could only remember where I left that disco wig.
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08-19-2009
11:08 PM
8 Loves
I'm glad the both of you were there to witness my stroke! What a weekend!
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08-18-2009
06:41 PM
192 Loves
Do you remember that scene from the movie, This Is Spinal Tap, where the band leaves their dressing room ready to storm the stage, but they keep running into broom closets and dead ends? Hold that thought! Southwest began its service to Boston in true LUV style. Close to 100 Employees, including our wonderful group of Employees now stationed at Boston Logan, participated in three days of activities culminating in a rousing sendoff at our ticket counter located in Terminal E. Starting Saturday with our ferry flight from Dallas, Boston got to know first hand what the LUV airline was all about. I’ll take many memories away from my week in Boston . But I think the best ones include seeing all the Southwest Warriors making their mark on the community. Whether it was our volunteers in the Spirit Junior costumes bringing smiles to our Customers faces or the brave souls who battled the heat and humidity to beautify and organize an elementary school in East Boston , I am proud to call these exceptional people my colleagues. Now, back to my Spinal Tap reference. On Monday, we held a news conference and celebration at Terminal E in Logan to kick-off our opening. It started off with our Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly, plus various other dignitaries, boarding a water taxi to the Logan Water Transportation Terminal, where they were met by a Massport fire boat water cannon salute, truly spectacular! Once at the dock Gary, along with a couple dozen cheering Southwest Employees boarded a Duck Boat, a truly unique Boston Experience and headed to our destination at Terminal E. In fairness to our driver, a very funny guy armed with a great sense of humor, this is not a route that’s normally on his schedule. As we’re approaching our destination, I couldn’t help noticing that we seemed to be headed toward the Arrivals, not the Departures area where the Minuteman Marching Band, Town Crier, and hundreds of guests were waiting. Yep, we took a wrong turn. Circling back included a brief 15-mph ride on the highway, and me, as the news conference organizer, about to lose my breakfast. But in true Southwest style, our CEO turned to me and said, “Paul, the news conference can’t start without me, so let’s just enjoy the ride!” It’s good to be back home, but the memories of Beantown will live on. Thanks to the people of Boston , especially all the good folks at Massport, for rolling out the red carpet and welcoming the LUV Airline with open arms!
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08-14-2009
02:17 PM
180 Loves
Beantown. The Hub. The Walking City. Whatever you want to call it, Boston is a city that’s alive with history, culture, and cuisine. And, coming this Sunday, Southwest Customers can count Boston as the 67 th city in our expanding network with ten daily nonstop flights – five daily nonstops to Chicago Midway and five daily nonstop flights to Baltimore/Washington International with connecting service to 48 other destinations, I’ll get back to that in a bit. But did I mention the cuisine? As luck would have it, the start of Southwest’s service this weekend coincides with Restaurant Week Boston ® . Speaking as a perpetual dieter, this had me worried. But, I had nothing to fear as I found out that Bostonians, especially in the downtown area, do this thing that us Texans have a hard time comprehending; they “walk.” Walk to work. Walk home. Walk to restaurants. Walk to the T Stations. And, they sometimes just walk to walk. One place where Bostonians won’t have to walk much is at our new ticket counter and gates at Boston Logan’s Terminal E. Our new Logan location can be described in one word, convenient! Located at the end of the terminal, our new ticket counter is just steps from the entrance. Once your bags are checked, we boast a dedicated security checkpoint that leads directly to our gates at E1A and E1B. As the infomercial spokesman would say, “it’s just that easy!” Planning a new city opening is an incredible yet stressful occasion. Our new BOS Employees led by Station Manager Brian Kunkel have been hard at work the past couple of weeks getting our operation up and running. They’re ready for our first flights on Sunday, August 16 in what is sure to be one heck of a party in Terminal E! As for me, I’m looking forward to all of the festivities we have planned for this weekend. From the ferry flight loaded with SWA Employees arriving on Saturday to the Southwest Social later that night to our community service project at the Curtis Guild school in East Boston, it all culminates to a uniquely Boston-flavored news conference complete with water taxis, Minutemen Marching bands and a town crier. Did I mention the “chow-dah?” One last thing, I’m also looking forward to shaving the “ Boston ” beard! Born out of a typical fun BOS planning meeting, I mentioned to the team that plans for our BOS weekend were falling into place. Being superstitious, I stated, “Maybe it’s because I haven’t shaved for a few days.” The Boston Beard was born. And like any good superstitious baseball player or hockey player battling for the Stanley Cup, the beard has remained. Two days and counting until our new service to BOS, and two days and counting until I’m reacquainted with my razor! Hey Boston , it’s on!
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Growing up an Air Force brat and the proud son of a Vietnam Vet, Independence Day was always a big deal. Granted, when you lived on a military base, every day was like a mini Fourth of July. Every morning at dawn, the honor guard raised the large American flag up the large flagpole in the middle of base. And, every evening, the flag was taken down as the "Star Spangled Banner" played on loudspeakers that could be heard several miles away. It didn’t matter if we had a mean game of football or basketball going, we all stopped what we were doing, put hand to heart (cars even stopped along the busy roads), and faced the big flag as it was lowered for the evening. Those sights and sounds are still with me to this very day. Independence Day will be a day of reflection, remembrance, and celebration for me for several reasons. This Fourth of July marks the first under the leadership of an African American U.S. President. No matter your political view, the significance of this should not be lost on anyone. This also marks my first Fourth of July working here at Southwest Airlines. To work for a great American success story is a liberating and humbling experience. The talented and diverse People who work for this Company are truly focused on the unifying notions of living The Golden Rule and giving everyone, “the Freedom to Fly.” Every day I am blown away by their dedication to Customers and LUV for one another. The beauty of this holiday is that it gives all of us the opportunity to take a break from our busy lives to celebrate with our friends and family the Freedoms that generations of men and women fought for, and to focus on what unites, not divides us. Whether your celebration includes grilling in the backyard, visiting Willie Nelson at his Fourth of July Picnic, or heading to Beantown to watch the legendary Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, take note of the patriotic sights and sounds of this weekend. Here are just a few songs on my Fourth of July Playlist (Francis Scott Key and Lee Greenwood aside) that remind me of what an incredible country we live in and, despite all our differences, we really are united in both in good times and in bad. "America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles--Legendary song from a legendary musician “Pink House’s” by John Mellencamp--“Ain’t that America, you and me…” “Born in the U.S.A.” and “The Rising” by Bruce Springsteen--It’s the Boss, need I say more? “Air Force Anthem (Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder)”--This one goes out to all my fellow Air Force brats who heard this song played religiously during Fourth of July celebrations and many other events! “Pride (in the Name of Love)” by U2--Great song about the central figure in the non-violent struggle for civil rights. “America” by Neil Diamond--“They’re coming to America, Today!” Now, where’s my spangled jumpsuit…? “Stars and Stripes forever” by John Phillip Sousa--The soundtrack to firework displays all across America What’s on your playlist?
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