Giddy up, partner! Our Cowboy is Reaching for the Skies

[#1]

The anticipation’s been killing you!  For more than a month now, we’ve been wondering what Gary Kelly and the Gang would be for Halloween.  Did you suggest the winning costume?  There were several ideas from Customers on Nuts About Southwest, and the post about Gary’s Halloween costume on our internal site has more comments from Employees than any other post. Lots of Halloween SPIRIT! 

Drum roll please……Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines’ CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board, has been spotted dressed as Woody from Toy Story! 

With Toy Story 3 making a huge mark this year, it is very fitting that Gary pose as the “Rootin’est, tootin’est cowboy in the wild, wild West.”  Many of you may not know that Gary is our cowboy.  When Gary gets a free weekend, he heads to the ranch.  He was born and raised a Texan, and if you listen closely, you can hear a bit of a drawl in his voice as he leads Southwest Airlines across the wild frontier.

Quite a few Toy Story characters are at Southwest Headquarters today.

Buzz Lightyear, who happens to be Southwest’s Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven, has been flying “to infinity and beyond” all morning.

Laura Wright, Senior Vice President Finance & Chief Financial Officer, is disguised as Woody’s friend, Jessie, the Yodeling Cowgirl.

The classy and always flirty Bo Peep is none other than Senior Vice President Planning, Tammy Romo.

Who could forget the budding, and slightly “plastic,” romance between Barbie and Ken?  Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President Strategy and Planning, and Ginger Hardage, Senior Vice President Culture & Communications, are meandering the Southwest halls today, searching for closets full of clothes and pink Corvettes. 

Woody’s faithful steed, Bullseye, is here, with none other than Dave Ridley, Senior Vice President Marketing & Revenue Management, at the helm. 

And what about those Toy Soldiers?  A very mean, very green, Jeff Lamb, Senior Vice President Administration & Chief People Officer, is on patrol. 

A big thank you to Spirit Halloween Superstores for transforming our Leaders into the cast of Toy Story!  Keep your eyes peeled.  You never know where you’ll see the cast next, around the Southwest System or on the silver screen. 

[Marty_Merz]

The Halloween outfits are adorable.. but I didnt' know where to comment on you airlines so I am using this site. Thank you for being our airline of choice.... we use to be a big Delta fan and left to use your airline ( family in PHX , DEN and San Diego).... due to a death in our family we had to use last minute flights to PHX... They put us on DL going and CO coming back. My husband and I both were reminded why we left DL and swore to use your airline 100 % if at all possible. Your staff is friendly and your planes are clean. Thank you and have a wonderful Holiday Season

[Devi]

I travel two to three days a week on southwest. It is a superbly well run airline. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of this company, which I am sure rakes in the profits. But why not? I travel late evenings and early mornings and the staff on the flights is consistently friendly. The special "perks" that have been historically provided are starting to inch towards mirroring other second rate airlines, i.e. using banked unused dollars only for the original ticket purchaser and drink tickets that now expire within a year. These are relatively minor changes, but I hope nothing else changes AND that maintenance and safety of the planes is the #1 priority. Finally, the photos of the CEOs and others are a great touch, however, there is very little diversity in the group which makes me wonder. Otherwise SWA "rocks" as my kids would say!!

[sue_therrien]

This is one of the many reasons I love Southwest. You people are fun. Love the costumes

[Anonymous1525]

Those Halloween costumes are just great - everyone looks like they are enjoying the dress-up event - nice to see the "adults" having so much fun!! Also we really enjoy all the commercials that SWA has on TV - the new singing one by the employees is outstanding!! SWA has a great family of very talented people!!! Happy Holidays to you all!

[Nancy_Hewitt]

I LOVE Southwest Airlines. Everyone is always professional, but in a very entertaining & amusing way.

[Anonymous2424]

I flew Southwest once when I happened to be in a market you service. Surely wish you would look at moving farther north - into the Dakota's. We have such limited airline service and choices are few. We are pretty much stuck with the airlines who don't really care if they service their clients and customers or not. Because we have no other choice if we want to fly out of here. Think about it Southwest - you could do well here.

[Judy_Tada]

Great idea of having the CEO, Gary Kelly, a cowboy from Toy Story. I always think of cowboys from the SW in our America history. I want to take this opportunity to thank SW Airlines. We have family living in Colorado & have noted unexpected good customer service. Obviously, you attempt to hire people that treat others kindly. Above all, I pray for safety for us in the air, but your best prices & good customer service keep us coming back. I am so happy that you allow us free check in luggage. In a time of pinching pennies, I am happy you have a great safety record. Your flights are full to capacity, but I understand why!!! I pray for success for your Airlines with a good safety record always.

[Caryl_Casciato]

We love to fly Southwest and were in Orlando prior to and returning on Halloween and loved the way the gates were decorated....looking around everyone enjoyed them. Your staff are always very helpful and cheerful....and sometimes entertaining!! Please stay that way. Thanks again. I was recently married so my name changed....but my email hasn't.

[jillyp]

Hey, I would say that green army men and aliens are pretty diverse! Just kidding, but I know that Southwest has a great commitment to diversity, both at the managerial and staff levels. Great company inside and out. Best wishes to all of you for a great holiday from a very loyal flyer. We appreciate all you do to make it a safe, fast and fun experience.

[Anonymous2459]

My daughter flew from Jackson, MS (thru Midway) to Las Vegas, NV on Halloween. She was looking forward to the games / prizes / costumes that SW had advertised, but there were none on either flight. What a disappointment!

[Anonymous547]

Shared your blog here with some friends at Disney Company!

[Joni_White]

Love those costumes...I use to work for WDW toy store is one of my faves. My family use to be loyal Delta customers but, your airline has been our choice since you started flights out of Orlando. I am very impressed with all your crew and the planes I have been on.

[Anonymous2172]

luv southwest! I have my whole family flying around with "yuns". why doesn't the person paying for the tickets get the frequent flyer miles?? Gramma

[Shawn_Klupchak]

I am dying to be part of your group and bring whatever diversity is needed...when are spots going to open up for flight attendants out of Chicago? S.

[Lawrence_H__Men]

Great Costumes, to bad that individual pictures weren't posted of each person; with their names; would have made a great advertisement campaign for Southwest and could have been used for a Christmas picture campaign for Southwest . I have an idea in my head for the picture but I haven't made it yet. I'll save the group picture and work on it.

[Debby1]

My husband and I only fly Southwest, with one exception: Hawaii. Southwest flies everywhere we want to go to visit family and vacation except the lovely Hawaiian Islands. Any chance you'll add this island state to your vacation destinations? We love that you maintain an on-time schedule for both departures and arrivals. All Southwest employees are friendly and professional. We're so glad that SW loves Denver. Keep up the good work - and THANKS! Debby Fort Collins, Colorado

[Larry_Howard]

Southwest Airlines is setting the standard and goals for the airline market. My wife and I felt like we were part of the family. Southwest has the best flight attendants in the industry. I believe your airlines will continue to grow. I just want to ask one favor!!! Please as you grow do not lose your friendliness, cheerfulness or joy, and keep in mind that it was your customers loyalty that got you to where you are at today. A lot of businesses start out with the customer in mind. "However it seems that when they become sucessful, greed sets in." Sincerely, Larry Howard

[Trish_Settecase]

All of my friends fly Southwest. So do I and my husband. We like Southwest so much that we fly as close as we can to our destination and rent a car to go the rest of the way. It is always a pleasure to fly Southwest. Some of the other airlines have become so very bad, being late and not helpful at all when the flight has been cancelled and you need help. Keep up the good work and I look forward to my next flight with you. You are great!

[Gail8]

I fly Southwest whenever I can. I would fly more if only you could expand into Montana where all 3 of our children live. I love the friendly attendants & your great "on time" record. The free checked baggage is wonderful. Thanks for all the great service I have received.

[Betty_Jo]

I LOVE SW!!! I'm 76 and only get to travel once or twice a year...but in the last 10 years I've only flown on a different airline ONCE.... I am really looking forward to all the new markets that SW will be opening up with the merger of AirTran!! One thing I would really like to see on MY airline is ....a GPS on the back of seats so we can know where we are flying over at any given time....well, maybe one on each center seat??? Thank you for all the safe, fun flights I have enjoyed on SW...I have never had my luggage lost, and have only been late twice

[Kathy_May]

Your costumes are terrific! My husband and I love to fly SWA because you make it fun! When turbulent winds strike, you turn the flight into a game of making folded paper displays for a contest and keep the focus on fun. Taking off from San Fran was a hoot with peanuts silently rolling down the isles. If one paid attention, they really could stock up on those packs of peanut! Over and over I have had wonderful, fun, experiences with the SWA team. I am awaiting the time when SWA will be open in Atlanta and have been sending mementos from trips to my friends and family there. I also hope that the seats on the newly acquired TransAir planes will be revamped to have some comfort to them; as is they have caused lower back pain. That would not be fun. All the best to all of you at SWA! Thanks for all you do to may our life more pleasant! KLM

[Anonymous2538]

I agree with the person who commented on having Southwest fly to the Dakotas. I am currently living in Washington state but have family in North Dakota and go visit at least twice a year. I also have family in Texas and always use Southwest. It is so nice to be able to check in two pieces of luggage with no problem. Any other airlines charges you for extra baggage. Thank you for that Southwest. All of your staff from the front counter to the steward and stewardesses are always curtious and helpful. I have never had any problems since I have flown with Southwest. Thank you.

[Anonymous1595]

I would love an appointment with Gary Kelly to discuss advertising Southwest in Las Vegas more. All i do is see Southwest planes in the sky over my apartment. The least you can do is give me an appointment to represent your company in Las Vegas. Thank you.

[Gus1]

To Devi, Diversity is way overrated.

[lucy]

I love this Toy Story photo! My message to the corporate world: YES, you can have fun while working!!!!

[Anonymous1185]

SWA-Simply Wonderful Always!!! And just to think it began with a few planes and routes in TEXAS!!! Being a parent of a son who is a pilot for another airlines, I have life-time passes to fly anywhere in the world! Needless to say, SWA is always my first choice. The Rapid Rewards membership along with low fares have permitted my other son,sister , and I to travel and experience many amazing cities. Ironically, the pilot son usually joins us by SWA, also. The friendliness, the" fun"tansies, and the freedom SWA have given to our family are priceless!!! VIVA SWA!!!

[Barbara_Weber]

Mr. Kelly and Staff, My husband and I flew TPA-DEN on 27 Oct. the 5:00PM n/s. Our crew was SOUTHWEST AIRLINES!!! I found out they were MCO based and they were excellent! They were what SWA stands for and why we fly SWA. In the past we have not had as good service and comments have been made that cost cutting is service cutting as well, This crew was the crew dilligence, service and care we had come tto expect under Herb and had started to miss. That said our return DEN-TPA on 1 Nov. n/s departing DEN around 5:00 PM arr. TPA at 10:35 PM with our LAS crew was just as pleasant an experience and exhibited everything SOUTHWEST had come to stand for. Please be sure with the merger the "new FA's are as well trained and in the mode of the SWA Herb started almost 40 years ago. Please commend the crews for their excellent service on our flights. Thank you, Barbara Weber

[PCHarris]

I love Southwest airlines.... The crew and staff are always so pleasant, and they make the flights so enjoyable.... I use to travel a lot for work, so I experienced all of the airlines. I have to say I loved when I had flights on Southwest, they made me enjoy my travels. Keep up the excellent work.

[Carol_Murphy]

Wow! Your great service just got better for our family. More service between IAD and DEN. And--we hope the Air Tran deal will provide us with SW service from IAD to PWM. So pleased to find you more and more in "our neck of the woods". As a F/A with 2 recently defunct airlines I feel comfortable saying you all are the BEST. You say what you do AND (unlike the others) you do what you say. When can I apply for a F/A position with you? Safeflyt, Carol Murphy

[John_Torres_Bod]

Your "two bags per person" policy will mean that hundreds of poor children in Juarez, Mexico, will be warmer this winter. My wife has 10 relatives flying SWA from El Paso, Texas to visit us in Nashville, Tennessee this Christmas. Because of your "two bags free" policy, they will each return home carrying about 50 pounds of donated jackets—perhaps 500 pounds total—back to El Paso. These jackets will then be transported across the Rio Grande River to the crime-ravaged city of Juarez, minutes from El Paso. My wife, Teresa, grew up among the poor of Juarez. She has watched schoolchildren walk to their makeshift classroom: a yellow school bus resting on its axles and without glass in the windows. The children sit in this outdoor school throughout the winter months, with the 30-degree desert winds blowing in the bus from one side, then exiting through the windows on the other side. Imagine trying to learn while cold... Now, living in the security and beauty of MiddleTennessee, Teresa has the opportunity to provide a measure of healing for those in her old Juarez neighborhoods—and for her own soul. It is your baggage policy that will allow Teresa to fulfill one of her greatest desires: To bring a measure of relief and hope—and warmth— to children in Juarez. Thank you, John and Teresa (Torres) Bodle Murfreesboro, Tennessee

[Patt1]

To Devi, not to worry. I was employed with SWA for 13 years and in the highly technical group in which I worked, there was a great deal of diversity. I agree with you about this - SWA rocks!!

[Julie4]

I just love how you bring fun into work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is no wonder that Southwest is always my #1 choice.......keep up the great job!!!!

[Faithful_Flyer]

Hello Mr. Gary Kelly and Southwest Halloweeners, My daughter and I flew on Halloween. We had a blast with all the employees who dressed up. We even had a traveling SW fortune teller give us a fortune and candy while waiting at a gate. We had a rapper announce boarding and give us access to the plane. We saw festive decorations at several gates. We experienced announcements on flights that wished us a special Halloween experience. There were colorful posters on the outside of the overhead baggage compartments. And most of all, there were lots and lots of smiles to accompany the festive atmosphere anywhere we looked. Thank you so much for making our Halloween an even more festive experience than we thought possible. My teenage daughter truly had a great experience and wants to fly next year on Halloween again. So perhaps next year we will spook up a flight and again enjoy the wonderful atmosphere that your employees. Thank you again for making our experience special. All the very best to each of you, L3

[Linda_Glassman]

What a bunch of good sports!!!!!

[Kim14]

SWA has many things going for it - not the least is its employees. (Kudos to marketing, maintenance, flight attendants, cleaning crew and on and on) But to see the admin do this? It is Top Down fun! Speaking of fun - flying to Denver to Sacramento 2 months ago - flight attendant gave the most hysterical 'flight instructions'. Nothing was overlooked for proper instructions...just little comments made. I laughed and laughed. Those that don't listen to these instructions? Are missing a good hoot!

[G__Kamienski]

Congrats on the AirTran deal! I hope the Southweat culture migrates to the AirTran employees and not the reverse. Also, thanks for coming to the new Panama City Fl airport!

[Linda_Sinclear]

My husband and I have been flying with SW since the late 90s... all trips a blast. Try going to New Orleans during Mardi Gras - the crew were all in the spirit. I hope someday SW will travel to Hawaii so we can hulu down the aisles! Linda

[Barbara_M]

Early on Halloween morning, I hopped on flight #2562 from Baltimore to Fort Meyers. Due to a mechanical issue, we were re-routed to Orlando to grab another plane. My seat mates and I were intrigued to see how the transfer at Orlando would take place and if our luggage would make the transfer as well. Sure enough, our transfers, both people and luggage, were seamless and efficient, and our delay was limited to just under one hour. Additionally, we were greeted on the new plane by a costumed flight attendant in a silver colored outfit with very short shorts who made many of us laugh. These are only some of the many reasons why I love Southwest Airlines. Having started back in the day when we checked in at the airport and picked up a number, I love the online check in, and the convenience of advanced check in if I need to. Thank you, all of you, for a wonderful way to travel.

[Easter]

I was lucky to find your mail.blogsouthwest.com web site. I have to say that it's a swell blog! I like how determined each of the entries are. They are well balanced, both cognitive and funny, and the pictures are nice too.

[Margaret_Lehmbe]

If only the customer service skills matched the creativity of the costumes. SW SUCKS as an airline. Customer service is a foreign concept to the employees there and they need to RETHINK the mission and RETRAIN in customer service skills. Your no assigned seat policy is a JOKE for people traveling with young children. Your "Who gives a CRAP" attitude by inflight as well as other employees is viewed by the general public. I CAN say WE DO give a crap and we HAVE a choice and the choice is we will NEVER EVER EVER fly this piece of crap airline again EVER.... Customer service WHAT A JOKE.