My Inflight career began at Southwest Airlines in 1987. Being from Knoxville, TN, I had never heard of Southwest. I discovered the Company while researching airlines that had never furloughed their employees and were profitable. After an interview in Nashville, I took my first flight on Southwest, heading to Dallas for my physical. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. I knew I had landed in the right place while in training. They kept stressing how well we were to treat our Customers.
Shortly after I began flying, I experienced one of my most memorable flights. I was working in the front one morning when we were notified Herb would be on our flight. I was already nervous, because I was flying with one of the original Dallas girls and now Herb! He got on the plane, kissed my cheek and headed back to the smoking section. I ended up delivering 3 messages from Colleen via the pilots on our 20-minute HOU-SAT full flight. I don’t know how I managed to finish passing out my drinks but I did. I will never forget how kind Herb was to me even though I must have looked like a scared rabbit every time I ran to the back to deliver another message.
Soon after my Herb experience, I flew with another wonderful man. This cute and funny guy, Kevin Blankenburg, was one of the first male flight attendants hired by the Company. We married one year later and I became a step-mother to two wonderful children. In the next 6 years, we added two more beautiful girls to our family. If it were not for the flexibility and work rules we enjoy here at Southwest, it would have been difficult for me to keep my career and raise my children with both parents flying.
In my 24 years at Southwest, my family and friends have benefitted from our buddy passes. We’ve taken countless couples trip, girl’s trips, and family trips. My children didn’t even know Knoxville had an airport, because we always drive to Nashville to fly anywhere. My mom has come on overnights with me and my sister flew around with me one day icing glasses and passing peanuts. She thinks I have the most fun job there is- and I do!
The people at Southwest continue to help me learn ways to become the best person I can be. When you fly with a crew for 3 days or even just one leg, you learn things about them quickly, so you can work together as a team. I can honestly say I have learned something from almost everyone I have flown with. Southwest attracts the best of the best and I have been lucky enough to fly with smart, hilarious, crazy, fun and compassionate people for 24 amazing years.
Stumbling onto Southwest Airlines and becoming part of this Company was truly a turning point in my life and one that I will always be thankful to God for!