Southwest Airlines Community

i love the "roll it fwd" campaign, and i try to do it everywhere i go.... i must say, i am glad we finally got rid of those awful brown paper towels we use to have in the ladies restroom here in MX. ouuuuchhhh! those things were really paper...i had paper cuts from drying my hands with them. isn't it silly the things we will blog about lol.... ... View more

I got in to work this evening. One of my coworkers asked me if I had my camera, letting me know that our newest beautiful bird was here. I had to run out and check it out. IT IS BEAUTIFUL! I think it's the prettiest/coolest paint in our fleet, and I'm a Texas gal, and proud of our Lone Star...but this bird is beautiful! I had to walk all around it and check it out. It's amazing! GREAT JOB!!! ... View more

As an employee here at SWA, we have a great thing we can do...We can do a day in the field. Or a Walk in My shoes kind of a thing. One day, I decided to check out what our baggage handlers go through. (this was before I met my husband, who is a baggage handler a aanother airline across town) So I had my cute little ear protection muffs on, and my knee pads on and I was ready to go! First, I got into the bin...by way of that really neat conveyor belt (the belt loader) I was inside the baggage bin ready to go. The luggage started pouring in. I thought no problem, I can handle this. I'm short. That was a blessing for me during this day in the field. Most of our great rampers don't have the umm, luck, that I do being so short. They have to crawl on their knees while loading. I tried to do it their way. On my knees, I grabbed a suitcase that came off the belt loader. I tried to pick it up. When I attempted to lift it, the weight of the bag just "scooted" be across the bin floor. Then I realized I was not going to be able to lift the bags like the other guys/gals did. I had to stand up, and use my legs. I spent a few hours with our ramp guys, and it made me appreciate them alot more. GEESH! The strain on our folks' backs is reason enough to have strict limits on our luggage. These guys/gals work hard! I appreciate our company looking out for their health and well being as well as all of us. It is strenuous work. Sometimes more than other times. Now when my darling hubby comes home from work and says he's tired, I believe him. It's not an excuse to get out of his list of "honey do's" ... View more

Bob, I just wanted to let you know....SWA did not "get caught" with our hands in the cookie jar. It was something we found, and we brought it to the attention of the FAA. There was nothing to hide. Perhaps you should go back and read the above statement Paula wrote. ... View more

I am an employee of SWA. I am very proud to be here. I fly on our planes regularly with my family. My mother is traveling this weekend as a matter of fact. I also happen to work in the Maintenance department. I hope everyone can get the full facts before spewing, because honestly, alot of what I have read has nothing to do with facts. It is alot of statements about things that most people don't understand. And remember, the media likes to put a spin on alot of things. These items were not overlooked, and at no time were our planes unsafe. Don't you think if the FAA thought we were unsafe to fly they would have grounded our fleet? Of course they would have. Also, missing just one piece of paper, or a signature that you need to fly a plane can consider your aircraft "unairworthy"....that has nothing to do with the plane itself or the condition of it. So please, don't jump to alot of conclusions without knowing all of the facts. And as stated before, SAFETY truly is our number one priority! I am proud to be an Employee of SWA! ... View more

Diana, I guess that could be considered a bad hair day huh. How sad!...as i sit here laughing as i type this lol!!!!! That's funny! ... View more

Since how i'm sure Employees can't win...here's my caption... "I'll do anything for Luv!!" ... View more

My Mom was changing my son's diaper one day. He was not being very cooperative. He was wiggling and squirming around. My Mom then asked my daughter who was 4 years old to talk to him-to keep him busy and settle him down so she could change him. She looked at my Mom and said "What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?" I about fell over! "Where in the world did you hear that?" I asked. It's a line from the movie The Lion King. This is the same child, at about 3 pointed to an old man in Wal Mart with a pipe in his mouth (not lit) and said "look Mom, a Snarfblott"! Again, a line from a disney movie. Kids can say the darndest things! I have 3 kids and i could go on and on... ... View more

I'm glad that my life isn't the only one that's this crazy. We had a similar experience with possums, oh, and skunks. eeeekkk! the possums would come into our house somehow, and end up in the laundry room. i almost picked one up one day while doing laundry. for some reason, this seemed be to the best place for all of the mommies to come and have their litters..or whatever they are called, for it happened alot. my mom and i made a possum noose thingy to catch them with. we got pretty good at wrangling them. then there was the skunk incident, in which the dog chased it, under the house and it sprayed. it was really bad. we also had peacocks show up on top of our house once. there were raccoons of course and a bobcat or two. i'm not mentioning the invasion of scorpions we had once either for i am more terrified of those than anything else in the world...but that's only because one was in my bed and stung me several times. but that's the tip of the iceberg. that's only the animal incidents....awww, to be a country girl! what stories what stories. ... View more

i sent in my resume for one particular job posting, and SWA called me on another position. I did not get that job, but the original position i sent in for i did get. remember here, we hire for the person/attitude, train for the skills. i did not have any background in aviation. i had leadership skills and customer service skills and a great attitude. of course it helps if you know some about the industry, but it's not going to keep you from getting a position....that depends obviously on the position you are applying/interviewing for. mechanics and pilots should know alot!!!! lol. but you catch my drift right? there is alot of pride in our brand. and to this day, i'm still very proud to say i work for Southwest Airlines. ... View more

one of the happiest days of my life, getting my picture taken for my SWA badge and being issued my employee number. With that badge, so many things are possible! My family and I have excellent benefits. we travel all over this great country and i work with some of the greatest people. I think most Employees here would agree that that day was one of their happiest. I love to look at the picture on my badge and remember that feeling. I hope all of our Employees never forget how excited they were their first day here! I just had my 7th SWA birthday (Jan 2) and as always, SWA sent me a birthday/anniversary card. It's so nice to be remembered. Heck, sometimes my own family forgets my real birthday...but not SWA! Now, when i retire someday, that might be my happiest and most saddest day at the same time...i'll let ya know in about 25-30 years lol. ... View more

My son Marshall is not a Christmas baby. He is however, a New Year's Eve baby born at 11:26 p.m. December 31st. A tax deduction for the whole year! woo hoo! I don't think the hubby & I will ever see a night out celebrating the new year again...at least not for a long while. But it was fun having a sparkling grape juice toast in the hospital with the doctors and nurses at midnight. ... View more

I remember my very first day here at SWA. My first day, I parked in the parking lot that was located in front of the building that I worked at the time. (A/C MX Records.) At the end of my first day, I was told that I would no longer be able to park there because they were demolishing that parking lot to build a new hangar. I laugh now because I can now say "remember when" regarding our "old building". And now that I work inside the hangar....our new hangar is no longer "THE NEW" hangar. It's the old hangar...but not the oldest. Sound a little confusing huh? Try keeping up with all of the birds (A/C) in these new bays. I'm still trying to figure out which letter became what number! hehehe. ... View more

WELCOME HOME!!!!!!! USS BLOG BOY!!!! I have enjoyed your posts very much. Thank you for your service, and you insight to your work. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.... ... View more

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. That's why we have this forum here. So everyone can chat...good and bad. But come on folks! Some of you are being down right rude, and I take offense to that. The Employees here at SWA have faith in our Leaders. Afterall, they have been hand picked by the Leaders before. If our company has made a mistake, they would "own" up to it and "fix" it. But I do not believe that's the case...no mistake made here. Ya know, most people don't call management to compliment a job well done. But have an employee make a mistake, or someone's food order be wrong etc. in any business, you can believe management will be recieving a phone call. Of course you are going to hear more negative comments. Does the phrase "squeeky wheel gets the grease" come to mind? Many, and I would bet most, are complaining and have not even tried the new boarding process. They do not even fully understand it. That is apparent by their comments. If you are a parent, and concerned about family boarding, don't be. You can check in online early as well. No one is forcing you not to check in online. You will be taken care of. If you are most concerned about boarding first to get that coveted "extra leg space" seat(s) then you can simply get the business or check in early online. When I travel, I really don't mind where I sit. If I'm traveling with my 2 year old, all I care about is that he and I have a seat together. We are not traveling overseas. I'm not going to be on that plane for hours and hours and hours. So it really doesn't matter. I just want to get to my destination SAFELY! That is my only concern. So if I sit in the middle seat....so what. That seat is the same size seat as the others. Southwest is my company! I'm proud to be an Employee! You will probably never see me. I'm not a "frontline" employee. But my feelings have been hurt by some rude comments on here. We are a company. We have job security, and that's a beautiful thing! I have changed the way I live now. My daughter now drives my Dodge Durango to school now and I drive her little peppy 4 cylinder to work....yep, my teen drives my vehicle, and I drive hers. Why? FUEL! We have had to adjust some things around for our budget. When you have a long commute, it gets very pricey. Imagine the fuel our jets use. Now imagine you had to figure a way to balance your monthly budget with the way fuel prices have increased. How would you do it? Other airlines did it at the expense of their employees. I know because my husband works for one of the other airlines. He took a cut in pay and benefits. That was/is very very hard on us. We do not want that here! I hope you, the flying public, do not want that for us either. We work hard. We work as efficiently as we can. Sometimes, you just have to try other things. And if a few people choose (key word) to pay a little more, while the rest get great prices, than that's a win-win situation isn't it? If price is not an issue, then you can help us by paying a few bucks more. I know our prices for our business select is NO WHERE NEAR a "first class" ticket price on other carriers. You still get first class service no matter what seat you are in on SWA. Our Customers' treatment is, and always will be the same great service. I'm sorry I have rambled on here....and almost written a book. But I take these comments to heart. All that we ask, is before you say we "blow" you should first at least try it. And then you can offer some constructive criticism if need be. You can also offer a compliment if need be. Let's be thanful that we live in a country where we do have the freedom to fly, the freedom to complain or compliment. Many places you cannot. Let's be thankful for our many friends and family and our armed forces men and women who will not be with their families this holiday to give us these freedoms, and hopefully to allow others around the world to have the same. **stepping down from soap box** ... View more

Carroll, that was funny! air "line" lol hehehehehe! we are hoping to do away with all that "line" but i will think of you next time i'm waiting in line! 🙂 ... View more

I keep reading on here...strollers being carried on! I have never seen a stroller carried onto a plane. Those are checked are they not? maybe except for the stroller that converts to a car seat. And quite honestly, I don't see too many parents carrying a car seat onboard either. At the most i have seen 2 carseats on one flight. I most of the time i do not carry mine onboard because I don't want the hassle of lugging it around with me and my child, and diaper bag etc. I'm pro active. Make it as simple as I can. My child sits fine in his seat with his lapbelt. I have plenty of things to keep him busy so he's not squirming everywhere. i like what one blogger had to say previously, that alot of this is EMOTIONAL! How can you complain if you have not done it (back to broccoli story here lol). I'm glad the family pre board is gone. It was frustrating to me to watch how it was taken advantage of...but then i still think alot of the pre boarders now (disabled who really are not!) is out of control. I'm an employee and i travel for fee and it was frustrating. So i can see how it would be for people paying for their flights. The bottom line is this...change happens. it must in order for us to continue. We have done a lot of fabulous things to make our Customers more comfy. In life, you will never please all of the people all of the time. So you have to please as many people as you can most of the time. Happy travels, and when you frequent fliers take your next flight, i'd love to hear back from you...an honest outlook on how it went. I'm sure there will be a few quirks as with anything new.... happy travels. ... View more

I'm just sitting here thinking....I know usually when I get off the plane, I'm the last one. I'm an employee....usually at the back of the plane. I prefer that locale. When the plane arrives at it's destination, I ALWAYS hear people commenting that the people with little kids are holding up the line for people to get off because they are at the front of the plane, trying to gather everything. Do you ever hear that? So, if families are not up front, then they have more time to get their things together, unhook carseats, etc why the people in front of them are deplaning...right? What's the difference if we save time on the front end or the back end of the trip? The point is to get that plane out safely and ontime! I am a parent...of a toddler. I am usually last to board because I'm an employee. I have NEVER EVER not been able to get 2 seats together for myself and my child. They usually close the door behind me...meaning a full flight, every seat filled. I travel with an umbrella stroller that i check at the gate, my child's diaper bag with everything i need in it. I don't lug the kitchen sink with me. I make it as simple for me as I can and for everyone else. I prefer to check baggage so I don't have to mess with it. We usually travel as a family of 5. But sometimes just me and the kids and hubby stays at home. And if you need assistance, all you have to do is ask. We luv our Customers! We truly do! Happy travels everyone! ... View more

*****gooooo kim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RAAAAA RAAAAA!**** Kim, Thanks for being such a GREAT cheerleader! I have great faith in our guys and gals that run our company. This blog sure has lit up with tons of concerns and I completely understand alot of it. Change is scary sometimes. I don't think SWA has every been stingy or greedy. But we are a business, and the company has to make a profit. If not, we will end up in the Airline Graveyard! I certainly don't want to be there! Our peanuts are still free and so is our fabulous Customer Service! There will never be a charge for that! When I was a kid, I hated broccoli....or so I thought. It looked gross! I never would eat it. Then one day, out of fear of hurting my potential future mother in law's feelings, I had a bite. It was great. I am the biggest broccoli rice casserole fan now!!!! Had I not tried that first bite, I would have missed out on a ton! Okay, so it was just a green veggie, but I tried something new, that I had thought was bad. It turned out to be great. I'm so glad I did! It's kind of hard to "knock something" until you've tried it. Good luck everyone, and happy travels!! ... View more

It's kind of funny how people take things so serious. People saying they will never fly us again.....because of all of this. It's very sad to think of losing a Customer over this but COME ON! As Ian said, there truly are more important things. I don't feel SWA needs to stir the pot, nor does SWA owe anyone any kind of explanation about the facts. It was a judgement call. I was not there. Maybe it was wrong, maybe it was right. But is it really worthy of all of this attention? I don't think so. I have had people upset me before...out to eat, buying a car, whatever....do I expect the President of the company to call me and apologize? NO WAY. And neither should anyone else who lives on planet Earth. Do I expect an apology when one is due? Yes I do. As always, there are people out there who will try to exploit any kind of situation to gain something from it. I'm not saying that in this case, because frankly it's hardly worth my time to type here much less read elsewhere about it. But I do get offended when people talk bad about my Company...We all have made mistakes. And no matter how it was handled, someone would complain. Someone would say we did too much, someone would say we did too little. This woman stated all she wanted was an apology. She got that. Oh, but you are a large company, so now i'm going to sue you too. So what I said that I wanted wasn't really the whole truth. Now you are going to pay me. Let's all get a life. Whether I was an Employee or not, this whole thing is a joke and waste of time and internet space if you ask me. And people consumed by this need to move on. We are a company over 30,000. I suppose the head of this company must be able to constantly watch over all of us huh? Nevermind run a major airline. Let's focus on the important things in life. Not some woman who's clothing was felt it was too revealing. And honestly, what business is it of anyones if you were not there, not a part of this? I don't understand. Why care? ... View more

anyone ever counted the rows of seats on a Boeing 737? How many window seats and aisle seats there are? I'm just curious. BOARDING GROUP A IS NOT THAT LARGE! Please think about it before popping your top. You have always trusted SWA to do the right thing, then trust us now. ... View more

As an Employee...and a PROUD employee of SWA, I must say I am not suprised by what I have read. The sad thing is, everyone has their reasonings. Tall people believe they are the only ones to sit in an exit row. Parents with children think they should ALWAYS get to pre board. Business travelers think they should have the pick first because they are solo travelers and are the bank of our company. The truth is, everyone is. Every Customer of ours is VERY IMPORTANT. I was recently on a trip with my family. My husband, 17 yr. old daughter, 13 yr old son and my 2 year old son. (yea, quite a spread there lol) Of course being Employees, we were last to get on board. I was very happy to be on board but at that time, there were no seats together for me to sit with my 2 year old. No one was exactly willing to promptly give up a seat either. But you know what? Our FABULOUS flight attendants came through for me! And they will for you too! It did not matter that I was an employee. They did not know this. They helped get a seat together for my son and I and off we went....for an on time departure! There will always be someone who is not happy. No one person/company is going to make everyone happy. As far as the families concerned about pre boarding, you still will board early.....in front of other people who are just as important. (remember, i'm a parent with a small kid too) Even if families board after group A, there are plenty of seats together I PROMISE. Don't knock it until you have tried it! Also, You, our awesome Customers, have luved us for a reason. Don't you know by now that we are here to server you? To do the best we can for you? We all know our Customers are our bread and butter! Just give it a try! You will probably find out it it much easier to chase down a 2 yr. old in the play area, instead of standing in line waiting. Happy flying to all, and remember, the aisle and window seats arrive the same time the middle row does. 🙂 P.S. I wish everyone had all their facts straight about our policy before rambling and complaining. 🙂 ... View more

What a great posting.....when I travel, I always carry my ticket/pass holder and inside I always keep a current flight schedule, pen, and small note pad to make notes on. This is handy when trying to find a way home from LAS! or anywhere else. I also travel with a pack of gum, and if the kids are with me, ALWAYS activies for them such as crayons and books and plenty of snacks. ... View more

Ricardo, I'm not positive, but i know at one time, film, had to be handled seperately so the x-ray machines would not ruin them. Not sure if that is the experience you are talking about...but if so, it was for your film's protection. 🙂 ... View more

i wanted to share a story. 6 years ago yesterday, my dad died. he was my step-dad, but i thought of him as my dad. he was out of state and suffered a massive heart attack while visiting his ill mother. i had been with SWA for 6 months and 6 days when he died. my mother, step bother and myself flew to RDU and rented a car for the trip to West Virginia where my dad was. on our flight, i met some of the most wonderful flight attendants. I am not even sure if they knew i was an employee. they sensed there was something wrong and showed compassion. each leg of our trip we were so fortunate. everyone was very kind and helpful. my greatest relief was with a young man in cargo who assisted me with EVERYTHING about getting my dad home to DAL. i was never so more proud of our great company. I don't think anyone will ever know how much the kindness EVERYONE showed to us meant. to this day, i do not know any of the names involved. the young man in the cargo department will never ever know how much he truly saved me. for i had to be strong and take care of my mom, he was strong and took care of me. our company took care of my family. they arranged time off for me, covered my shifts and brought my family home. to this day, i am upset that i cannot remember any of the peoples names involved in that tragic day in my life. but what i can say, if you just about look at any SWA employee, it could truly be one of my "guardian angels." we are fortunate to work with the greatest people. sometimes you just may not know how you truly impact our lives. thanks to all for having a big heart and taking care of us all. and my pal in cargo and our f/a from BNA-RDU you truly are forever in my heart! you made a difference! thank you! ... View more

Fred, Great post! Great posting by everyone on here....but i'm confused by Elaine's post. Is there any doubt where you should choose? i'm kidding. I'm sure there is something at the other place that is making you question which path to take. Let me just tell you this....i am so incredibly proud to be an employee here at SWA. I have been here for over six years now, and i still love it when people ask me where do i work, and what do i do. i worked mainly in sales before coming here and i have never regretted changing paths. It is true what Fred said. We all own a little piece of our lemonade stand, and each will hold the other accountable. "hey, that's my profit sharing" comes to mind right? Fred, thanks again for the great post. Elaine, good luck which ever path you choose. ... View more

WOOO HOOO!!!! our mechanics are the BEST!!!!!! (but i did not need a trophy to tell me that) ... View more

Cindy, thanks for the great compliments. I am very grateful to be working for such a great company. my hubby actually works for aanother aairline. i can't believe even how they treat their own employees sometimes. we really are lucky to have such a great company to work for and we truly have the best Customers in the world. I truly believe that all of us believe that too. We would be nothing without our Customers. That's why every paycheck of ours states "made possible by our Customers" or something to that effect....and you better believe i will not forget that! when people ask us what we do for a living, i always tell them that we both work for airlines....i work for the good one, and he doesn't. :) and by the way, the #8 on your list....it amazing how many people do have trouble with those little bags of peanuts. ... View more

Will, thanks for the clarification.... and Kim, thanks for getting my back. We are a nice bunch of folks around here. I'm proud to be a Texan. And to me, that means respectfulness and courtesy....sometimes to those who least deserve it...."kill it with kindness" is my motto. When I am around rude people, I usually try even harder to be nice. Maybe their bad day will get better. Will, hope to see ya on one of our beautiful birds sometime soon. 🙂 ... View more

Great post! I too believe your posts are my favorite out of all that I read on here. I can't wait to read the next installments! Keep up the great work, and thanks for your contribution! ... View more