Wow! I open up the Blog and there's a picture of me and my wonderful mom! The best thing I've ever done is to take her advice and interview to become a flight attendant at Southwest (in '84 not '81). I'm so proud to still be a part of our wonderful Southwest family. But I'm even MORE proud to be Ann Williamson's oldest daughter! Happy Mother's Day to my sweet mom and all the other moms out there!
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03-15-2010
05:05 PM
8 Loves
Love March Madness. And how tickled am I that my Fightin' Baylor Bears are a #3 seed. And Michelle, I really DO hate to mention my Bears whipped up on the Horns three times this year! Sic 'em Bears!!!
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10-07-2009
01:09 PM
3 Loves
Wow! Just read Dean's post. So flight attendant's who enjoy their job and try to make people smile annoy you? Well, guilty as charged! As a flight attendant with 25 years here at SWA, I take that as a compliment. Yes, we may be on the "peppy" side and some of us may be cheerleaders for Southwest, but I truly fail to see the problem. I follow several airline blogs and read the complaints about poor customer service offered by other airlines. If you would rather have a surly, robotic flight attendant, then I suppose Southwest Airlines truly isn't for you. It's a shame, really. Because we work for a fantastic company which cares about not only our customers but the employees as well. If that's a problem, well I apologize from the bottom of my heart. But don't see things changing any time soon. We all like to "color outside the lines" and will hopefully continue to do so for years to come!!
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03-28-2008
12:51 AM
5 Loves
Hi Carole! Wow, I'm having some serious flashbacks. Those quarterly dreaded weigh-ins. I think I still may be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder!!! That's all any of us could talk about at the end of every quarter!! I guess on some level I do miss them. They were some serious motivation!! Now all I have for motivation is my 25th college reunion! Thank goodness they finally started putting a little Lycra in the blue jeans!! Hope you are well, and thanks for bringing back the old memories. This really gave me a good chuckle! Come see us in Phoenix!
Linda
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01-22-2008
09:36 PM
4 Loves
This truly IS the family airline. In 1981, my mom won a contest in Dallas and was "President for a Day" at Southwest Airlines. They liked her so well, she was hired as a full time employee. In 1984, she convinced me to quit my "real job" and interview as a Flight Attendant. I was hired 3 weeks later. Because of my mom's love for this airline, she convinced my Aunt, my cousin, and my younger sister to interview. They were all hired in various capacities. The best thing that happened was in 1985 when I met my future husband while on an overnight in Albuquerque. He was hired here in August of 1986 and we were married the next month. Only my husband and I are still here. The others have either retired or moved on to other things. I thank my lucky stars every day for my mom entering that contest in Dallas. Because of her, I work for the best airline in the world and met the most wonderful man in the world. Can't ask for much more in life!!
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10-27-2007
10:34 PM
5 Loves
Carole, You truly are classic! And aren't people funny?!! I recently had someone ask me the funniest question of my career. We were flying from Indianapolis to Phoenix. We left Indy about 7:30 am. We had been in the air for about an hour and a half when a nicely dressed young man asked me what time it was. I asked him if he wanted Phoenix time or Indy time. He said Phoenix time. I told him it was 7 o'clock in Phoenix. He looked me straight in the eye and asked if that was am or pm. I then looked HIM straight in the eye and told him " Since we haven't crossed the International Date Line, it is 7am in Phoenix". He thanked me and went back to his book.
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06-05-2007
06:33 PM
5 Loves
Mary's post got me thinking about when I first started flying and the subject of my emp. # came up. It was June 29, 1984 and I was "signing in" at my first overnight. I had just completed my very first day of flying and was anxious to take off my heels and put my feet in a bucket of ice!!! My other two crewmembers AND both pilots were shocked when they saw my emp. #. My number is in the low 7000's and they could NOT believe employee numbers had gotten that large. Needless to say, they found it quite amusing. I was so proud to have my new job, so I just laughed right along with them. In early 1987 we began hiring "zip codes". Wow, someone had a 5 digit employee number. We are now well into the 80,000's and my number is no longer laughed at. People are still shocked when they see it, just in a different way. And I've come to realize one thing. There is always someone senior to you and always someone junior to you. Unless of course you are our most senior F/A (Sandra) or the lowest one on the totem pole! And how fortunate we are to all work for the best airline in the world!! I proudly tell folks I've been here 23 years and hope to have many more wonderful years working and laughing and having a great time!!
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04-05-2007
02:39 PM
6 Loves
Jeramy, Nope, that wasn't me. I've been a F/A for SWA for 23 years. Before that, I was a college kid at Baylor. Wish I knew more Spanish. It would come in handy on the Love Jet!!
And Happy Anniversary to our great Phoenix Base. As of Sunday, we've been here for 20 years!!
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04-04-2007
03:49 PM
6 Loves
Cindy - What a great idea!! I watched my dad go off to Vietnam TWICE when I was little, so I remember how tough it can be for family. I will be on my patio in PHX at 5pm my time with candle in hand. My husband and I will say a prayer for the safe return of the USS Nimitz and all our brave soldiers across the world!! Hope everyone that reads this blog will do the same....and tell family and friends!!
Linda Kirby
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03-13-2007
11:37 PM
4 Loves
As a F/A for SWA, I have seen some awe-inspiring sights out of passenger windows as well as the cockpit windshield. I think the most humbling sight I remember seeing happened on September 17, 2001. It was the Monday after 9/11. I had spent the previous week stuck in Baltimore with fellow crewmembers after all air travel was halted. I arrived home to Phoenix on that Friday, and immediately volunteered to go back to work on that Sunday. I knew I couldn't sit home. On that Monday, I don't remember out city pairings, but the Captain rang me to come to the cockpit. We were flying in the Northeast, following the Hudson River. As I entered the cockpit, I was immediately struck by what the Captain wanted me to see. Off our left side was downtown Manhattan, draped in a cloud of smoke. The wind was blowing, causing the smoke to form eerie patterns. I don't know how long I sat there, but at some point I realized I had tears running down my face. None of us spoke. We each sat there silently, lost in our own private thoughts. I remember thinking I should be seeing the World Trade Centers, and just couldn't wrap my mind around the realization they were not there. To this day, whenever we fly over Manhattan, I am immediately transported back to that fateful day, and I always say a silent prayer for those who were lost on that terrible day. I don't think I'll ever see anything that will compare to that sight, and I hope I never do.
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02-21-2007
05:43 PM
13 Loves
As a Flight Attendant for SWA, I spend a LOT of time in vans going to and from hotels. More often than not, there will be another crew in the van from a different airline. SWA crews tend to talk about what we ate that day, where we will eat that night, and what food should we bring tomorrow (notice a theme!). Other airlines talk about EVERYTHING under the sun, and the conversations tend to run towards the negative. We get quite an earful. They know we are SWA crews because EVERYONE is in uniform. For some reason, other crews love to "air their dirty laundry" in front of us. Even after a rough day, this is THE BEST AIRLINE TO WORK FOR, BAR NONE! Can you imagine what the van drivers must be thinking?!!
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02-15-2007
02:49 AM
1 Love
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I am a Flight Attendant based in Phoenix. 21 years ago, I met my future husband while on an overnight in Albuquerque. He started working for us in August of 1986, and we married in September of 1986. He is now an Operations Supervisor in Phoenix . This is truly the "Love" Airline. There are so many of us in Phoenix that have "fished in the company pool". We will celebrate our 21st year of marriage this year and credit Southwest Airlines for bringing us together. Keep flying Southwest because we, as a family, definitely need the job security!!!!!
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I remember my very first Christmas flying for Southwest. I was on reserve and they called me out on 23Dec for 4 fun-filled days of flying. I spent that night in Houston, Christmas Eve in Harlingen and Christmas Day in Los Angeles. I ate Christmas dinner at the bowling alley next door to the hotel. It was the only place open. My mother wrapped all my stocking stuffers so I'd have something to open. I was 22 years old, and it was the first Christmas I'd ever spent away from my family. I had the world's largest pity party in my hotel room and vowed to come home and quit!! That was Christmas of 1984. Of course, I did not quit. I flew my next trip with my best friends, had a ball, met my future husband on an overnight and haven't looked back! I no longer have to work Christmas, and every year I look back on Christmas 1984 and have a good laugh.
There will be many, many flight attendants and pilots working Christmas Day. If you are a passenger on one of their flights, be sure and give them a big smile and say THANKS!! They won't be home with their families, yet they are still out there delivering that wonderful Southwest Positively Outrageous Service we are all known for. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
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Great post Carole!! But an addendum to 9 might be 9a) after making mess in bathroom, pull trash can next to bathroom door, eat a lukewarm bowl of Top Ramen soup over it and have your family ask, every minute mind you, "Where's mine?" Happy Holidays Carole!! Come see us in Phoenix!
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09-15-2006
08:17 PM
10 Loves
Kevin,
Greetings from a fellow Baylor Bear, Class of 19**! It's sure been a long time since we've had something to cheer about; however, when I was a sophomore, Baylor went undefeated in the SWC and only had one regular season loss to San Jose State (insert requisite moment of silence). I still follow the Bears and even have PRIDE and Here Come the Bears on my IPOD. Doesn't every good Baylor grad have a BUGWB CD? Anyway, I'm a flight attendant out in PHX and don't receive much info in the papers out here, but diligently follow them on the Baylor Sports website. Hope to see you on a flight one day. SIC 'EM Bears!!
Linda Kirby
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Bill, I SO enjoyed reading your post. My husband and I never had children, but I reminisced about my own "growing up" years. I sincerely believe my parents raised my sister and I and at least eight neighborhood kids!! The house was always full. My sister and I are both married now and living across the country from each other and our parents. I talk to my folks daily and see them at least every other month thanks to my great fortune at being a SWA flight attendant. I remember going off to college, then watching my younger sister join me at Baylor (Go Bears). My parents were both agonizingly sad and joyously happy. They've now had the house to themselves almost 20 years. They have one grandchild they absolutely dote on (they think they are the only 2 people to EVER experience grandparenthood) and they travel quite frequently on good ol' SWA thanks to parents' benefits. Enjoy your quiet and tidy house...for the time being. Wait until that grandbaby gets there. You'll be tripping over baby shoes and squeaky toys....and loving every minute of it!
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Hi Lisa. First of all, thanks for all the time you have devoted to public education. You should be applauded!! Second, this IS a great company to work for. I have been flying for many years and still love it. I am married with no children, so it is easier for me than most. You spoke of both ticket counter and flight attendant positions. Both are terrific, but I guess I'm partial to flying. The only thing to consider is whether you would enjoy being away from home 2 or 3 nights a week. And we do have lots of folks who make this a second career. Early 40's is actually young!! You can go to the Southwest website and find information on both career paths. And maybe I will see you out on line one day!!
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06-24-2006
01:11 PM
2 Loves
Dave's observations are right on the money. I have been a flight attendant for SWA for 22 years. I read "The DaVince Code" before justr about everyone else, because I saw many copies on the airplane. I knew about Blue Tooth before most, and remember being shocked to see bell bottoms back in style. We definitely know what's hot and what's not!! These market research companies should be utilizing this "untapped resource". Especially all us "dinosaurs" who have been around forever!!
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06-05-2006
04:36 PM
5 Loves
Carole, Only you could come up with such a special way to celebrate Jamie's mom!! Come see us out in PHX! We miss your crazy sense of humor!!
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05-27-2006
04:55 AM
11 Loves
A horse walks into a bar. Bartender says, "Why the long face?" What did one earthquake say to the other earthquake? "Not my fault!" Did you hear about the fire at the circus? It was intense! Get it! My nephew shared these jokes with me. I've been known to tell a few on the airplane. It was great to read all the previous posts. I now have some new ones to use on the plane!! I've been flyin' for 22 years, so my jokes are getting a little old. Thanks for the new schtick!!
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04-29-2006
04:52 PM
9 Loves
I am a flight attendant for SWA and have been for almost 22 years. The banning of peanuts on flights where a passenger has an allergy is a fairly recent phenomenon. However, it is popping up more frequently. Recently I did have a passenger on board with a peanut allergy and we actually removed all peanuts from the aircraft. As luck would have it, a passenger seated next to the passenger with the allergy opened a bag of peanuts brought from home. I had the passenger with the allergy come stand in the back galley until his reaction subsided. Unfortunately, he did not bring his EPI pen, thinking all would be well. The peanuts were put away, and the passenger returned to his seat without further incident. It is important to understand as a flight crew, we do all we can to stop this from happening, but it is still MOST important to carry those pens just for situations such as this.
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