My 60th birthday gift to myself was a new career - as a flight attendant with SWA! It was a second chance in life that few people enjoy. As a young woman of 20, I was accepted by United to go for training in September of 1965, when there were still LOTS of restrictions and qualifications in the field.
I met Jim, my husband now of 40 years, on that September's Labor Day Weekend. Vietnam was going on, there was a draft at the time, and being a F/A required being single. Need I say more? We married & raised two kids.
Over the the years I worked in both the retail and secretarial fields.
Then, in January of 2005, flying cross country to my older brother's funeral in California, two SWA flight attendants suggested to me that I apply to Southwest. I laughingly replied, "Oh sure, like they're going to hire a 59 year old woman!" They both assured me with confidence that there were older people in their training classes.
My husband has cheered me (it took well over a YEAR from first application to the first day of training); supported me (because HE loves me, he KNEW there was no way they could turn me away once they met me), then consoled and encouraged me (training was STRESSFUL, as you all know!).
Our 33 year old daughter's response to this endeavor was, "You go Mom!"
And, the 31 year old son said, "You're gonna do what? Why?" Later followed up by, "Does this mean I'll get to fly for free?" Spoken like a true son!
So, its been a scary, wonderful, exciting, and enriching trip. And, it gets better with each passing flight. My thanks to SWA for this opportunity, to Sarah Roork (SWA F/A) for suggesting it, and obviously to my husband for sharing in the dream. And thanks for this opportunity to share my joy!
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