Southwest Airlines Community

I first met Brian via the blog back in 2007, and I was immediately impressed by his knowledge about Southwest history and aviation in general. We immediately hit it off as he had a keen interest in aviation in Europe, having worked for a short while in Paris as an airline representative. He never looked down on anyone, and always found time for everyone. When we first met up in Dallas in 2008, he took time off from his schedule to show me all the historic aviation landmarks in the area. He also very kindly invited me to visit Love Field, and gave me a sneak peek at the "behind the scenes" life at Southwest. A big guy with a big heart, he always made sure I was well looked after whenever I came over. We got to keep in touch thanks to social media, and I will always admire him for being so open to new ideas and technologies! He was there at the start of Southwest's blog, and the numerous awards and trophies won by the team are a credit to the ground-breaking work carried out. I will miss his jokes, his infinite aviation & railway knowledge, and his facebook photos of Annabelle... but his spirit lives on both through the blog and his contrbution to the preservation of Southwest history. ... View more

... congratulations to OU! It definitely seems like it was their weekend... 🐵 ... View more

Nice aircraft interior picture! I'm wondering when it was taken, the seats and general atmosphere would make me want to say late 70's or early 80's, but the "no smoking" stickers on the overhead compartments would suggest otherwise? I still love the super constellation, and the glow of the exhausts at night... but unreliable engines definitely did not help! ... View more

Wow! integrated airstairs! :o) The hairstyles are fun to look at too! ... View more

Brian, Do you know if anybody else ever did 10 minute turns? I can't think of anyone... Love the new blog! looks really good! :o) Raphael ... View more

... Exciting news indeed! Hope you still get to have a great christmas, and some time off for the new year before the launch of the first RNP AR flights! :o) Raphael ... View more

Hi Bill, I remember the strong impression that Herb left at the LCC conference a couple of years ago, lighting up on stage (biiiiig issue in the UK, definitely a no go!). Certainly had the organisers nervous! Only Herb could've pulled that one off :o)) Indeed it is strange that almost all the LCCs out there have copied the SWA model, but not the culture... a typical example of that is Ryanair, who pretty much charge for everything they can think of, and use blackmail techniques as part of their business practices. I will always remember when they promised Bournemouth Airport (UK) that they would turn them into a secondary hub. The airport built a new terminal (financed by local taxes!) for them and about a week before it opened, Ryanair pulled out of the airport completely allegedly due to low profit margins! Some day I guess they'll hit trouble! Raphael ... View more

Hi Chelsea, I totally get that! I used to LUV Southwest for its aircraft, its crews, the fact that they invented the low-cost concept, and that they are pretty much the smartest people to be found in the commercial aviation industry (And Herb and Colleen are just about the best people out there!). And then, I went to Texas, and discovered that texans are an extension of the SWA culture! I always like coming over to the USA. I've hiked through Washington state, spent a few weeks working in Alabama, went to Florida a few times, quite often commute through NYC and Washington DC, but nothing gets close to the friendly laid-back attitude in TX! As a matter of fact, I'm back over in the States next month, and will be sure to drop by through TX again! :o) Raphael ... View more

Jay, You've left us... watering at the mouth! How DID he do to get that composite picture? :o)) Raphael ... View more

Happy B-day Southwest! See, everybody always makes a joke about the fact that I always go around with a camera. But in 40 years time, my picture archives may help our (future) corporate blogger find out such info! :o)) Raphael ... View more

Wow! Where there's a will, there's a way... a humbling story for all! I'm not sure we have the same strength of character today... a comfortable lifestyle has definitely softened us... Raphael Sheffield ... View more

WoW! Where else would you get a dedicated crew that can also handle pizza deliveries? :o) It's nice to hear a positive story about the good things that happen when your flight is delayed, rather than those horror stories of people being stuck on a plane with no water or toilet breaks... ... go Southwest! Raphael ... View more

Hi Brian, Cool interview, and really interesting way to put the subject together too :o) Raphael ... View more

Hi Brian! Glad you're back and on the mend! :o)) Raphael ... View more

Christmas is always a time of reflection for me. I look back on my year so far, and start planning the year coming next. It is also the opportunity to consider how fortunate I am, and what I can do next year to help those less fortunate than myself. Every year so far, I've always come to the conclusion that I could have done more, or could have done better to help others, but being surrounded by friends and family helps me to come to terms with that :o) Having the right to fly is an immense priviledge. 2 years ago, on Christmas eve I flew to be with a friend who had just broken up with her partner, and was left stranded away from her family in a city where she had no other acquaintances. This year again Christmas has been unusual, meaning that I will be flying home today, on Christmas day. My thoughts are with all those crews out there working on Christmas eve and Christmas day, to enable us to be reunited with our friends and family. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all at Southwest, and those reading the blog! :o) Raphael ... View more

HaH... ... the number of times I've been tempted to stick my hand in our vending machine in the office... it has a double flap system that often goes wrong, and your chocolate bar just sits there staring at you through the perspex... *sigh Dave, thanks for proving to me it's a bad idea... as I would probably have risked it myself one day! :o) Raphael ... View more

Paula, Brian and the Blog team, WoW... I'm impressed by you guys and girls! managing the blog over the last day must've been mayhem! :o| To all the posters, do bear in mind that the Blog is moderated for unsuitable language, outside of that, I've never seen any negative comment not allowed though in the last two years, so there is no doubt as to the integrity of what the blog team is doing, they're letting all comments (aside from downright abusive and inappropriate!) through! If your comment doesn't go through immediately, it is because the team have to give it the once over to ensure it is not grossly inappropriate... imagine how much work that's been! (AND the team also has other jobs to do at the same time... WoW! I guess that's multitasking for you!) Ref the SWA codeshare with Volaris, I have to say that: a) I'm initially rather happy to see that SWA will be able to offer flights to Mexico, even in a codeshare b) I'm surprised at the number of concerned posts by SWA employees I guess there isn't quite enough information out there to really make my mind up, although it seems logical today to consider a codeshare with a Mexican operator that can provide a large number of destinations and routings that interconnect with the SWA network, much like the WestJet partnership. I will follow what comes out closely over the next few days before deciding wether there's any reason to feel cautious or concerned about this news! :o) Raphael ... View more

hmmmh that reminds me of the old joke... it's not the plane's fault, it's not the pilot's fault, it's not the airline's fault... it's the... asphalt (sooooorry... I tried to resist but couldn't!) :o| Raphael ... View more

WOW I LUV it! :o)) ... View more

Also, modern aircraft have safety systems to prevent spoilers/thrust reversers from inadvertently deploying in flight. A "firm" landing allows the aircraft systems to identify that it is on the ground, enabling optimal braking/thrust reverser/spoiler deployment. A firm contact will also mean optimum grip on the runway, which in contaminated conditions (such as standing water) will help prevent the aircraft from aquaplaning. If the correct conditions are not met, the pilots will choose to "go around". The crews will have briefed the procedure during the approach, and it is the "failsafe". A lot of pilots actually refer to a landing as a "rejected go-around"!. hence, if you go back up, you should not be worried :o) (personally, I see it as a second opportunity to check out the scenery!) :o)) ... View more

Fool's Garden - Lemon Tree don't ask me why, it just springs up randomly, and stays for days on end. "I wonder how, I wonder why, yesterday you told me 'bout the blue blue sky, and all that I can see... is just a yellow lemon tree..." (daaamn that's it stuck again!) Generally, it goes away when it's replaced by another one, but that one does keep coming back! Raphael 🐵 ... View more

Texas State Fair: Twinkies deep fried in coca cola? *shudder LoL ... View more

Hi Ray, indeed the cost of flying has gone through the roof... I'm fortunate that my employer is dedicated to aviation as a whole, and subsidised in part my private pilots licence. Flying in a flying club has cut out a lot of the expense that can be associated with aircraft ownership and maintenance, but whilst I "pay by the hour", aircraft availability may not match my schedule, and going away for more than a weekend with an aircraft can be complicated to organise... An option to get into the "owner" market is to build your aircraft yourself. If you don't feel you can handle starting from scratch with raw wood and/or metal, you can find a large number of kits on the market that will suit most needs, as well as most budgets. You can also get some help building them! Alas, these can require a lot of time and dedication to complete... but on the "experimental" register, you are then allowed to carry out your own maintenance, which reduces the operational costs. Looking at the selection available at Oshkosh for example, you'd almost buy one there and then! :o))) When it comes to loaning your aircraft to friends, the lawyers get in the way again. Insurance companies may be reluctant to provide cover, as your premiums are determined according to your experience and familarity with that category/type of aircraft, and unfortunately if even the smallest thing goes wrong (even a small tech issue), the costs often swell quickly, with responsibility & warranty issues :o) Now flying WITH friends (even if they are technically PIC) is always a solution, enabling people to fly further and spread the costs across more people, especially since most light aircraft are dual-equipped, with full access to all controls from either left or right hand seat! But, flying is still a dream come true for me! ... View more

Indiana Jones, definitely... :o) ... View more

This 4th July, I will be thinking of a special friend of mine who's birthday it is on this very special day (she turns 30, but don't tell anybody!). I will also be thinking of all american military personnel who are far away from home, before my own "Independance Day" on the 14th July... when I will be on duty, with a thought for our personnel also deployed overseas. :o) Raphael Sheffield ... View more

Hi Bill, funny how the subject has just come bouncing back after the discussion last year... certainly makes me smile... :o) Raphael ... View more

Oooooooh That is sooooooo cool! I'd LUV to participate only my singin' is rather off key... (good job you soundproofed the truck!) :o) Raphael Sheffield ... View more

hmmmmmmh... I like :o) the blog seems to be a bit like good wine - gets better as it ages :oP Raphael ... View more

Wow, really LUV the livery! (side thought: it would be cool if you had a special paint scheme for the armed forced, but then obviously, you couldn't name it air force one or marine one) :oP ... View more

WOW! Congratulations! now that's pretty impressive... triplets! quite cool! :o)) what a way to expand the family! :o)) keep us updated! ... View more