I'm so extremely proud to be Ray Stark Sr.'s granddaughter! Captain Stark is my uncle. Reading grampa's short life story brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. He will always be an inspiration and encouragement. He never shared these stories with us and I'm humbled by the humility and class that reveals!
I love you Grampa - Jennifer
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10-22-2010
04:47 AM
194 Loves
RMSI road ambulances stationed in Kabul provide 24hr Emergency Response to numerous entities including the United Nations, USAID projects and a large variety of contractors across the greater Kabul area. RMSI also have dedicated ambulances based at numerous clinics across Afghanistan. Log on http://www.rmsi-medicalsolutions.com/
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brian and bill - sure wish ya'll would transfer to the okc res center, we could have used your expertise when we got stranded her all day and night christmas eve until about 9am christmas day. needless to say there were many unhappy big kids here as well at little kids at home waiting for santa. the only help we knew we would get would be if santa and his trusty reindeer decided to stop and pull our vehicles out of the snow but obviously he was too busy that evening. also we could have used your male "muscles" when all of us girls were trying to shovel and push each others vehicles. we did eventually get some help from some male reservation agents but no other help at all. bill, i think you are the guy who we always enjoyed reading your dispatch bulletins back in the good ole' days when it was just in our daily bulletins. back in those days when we all were a "swa family" things sure were alot simpler and what a pleasure it was to come to work. we do appreciate you all and hope everyone in dallas has a very happy, healthy and safe 2010!!!!!!!!!
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Oct. 29, 2008
Southwest Airlines
P.O. Box 36647 - 1CR
Dallas, Texas 75235-1647
Re: Oct. 18, 2008
Dear Sir/Madam:
On Oct. 18 I arrived at Love Field, having come from Illinois, visiting my sister who has cancer.
A passenger on my flight misdirected me to the basement when I inquired as to where to pick up my luggage and when I tried to come back through, an airport employee helped me back through the security checkpoint. Unfortunately, TSA nabbed me and informed me that I would have to go back and walk all the way around the airport outside till I found Baggage Claim myself, but they would not help me find the area. By this time, having chronic asthma, I began having an asthma attack due to anxiety.
Extremely upset, I found myself in the Southwest employee parking lot and it was only there that a female SW employee, seeing that I was crying hysterically and was distraught, walked up to me and offered to help. I wish I had gotten her name that night but perhaps you might post this letter on a bulletin board or somewhere where she might see it and realize how much she helped me. She personally drove me around to Baggage Claim, allowed me to use her cell phone to call my friend who had been waiting for me for 30 minutes, spoke to two police officers outside Baggage Claim about my situation, and saw to it that I found my waiting friend before leaving me.
I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated her kindness and that it really amazed me how she went out of her way to sympathize and help with my situation. I doubt any of the other airlines I’ve flown would have gone above and beyond the call of duty as she did.
Wherever, you are, Miss Southwest Employee, thank you from the bottom of my heart and please know that you truly made a difference in someone’s life that night.
Sincerely,
Terri Rimmer
Fort Worth, TX
TDR
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I am 32 years old and have flown on almost every major airline around since the early 1980s as a toddler/child. From PSA (one of my favorites), Alaska, American, United (in the 80s another favorite), Northwest, jetBlue, Virgin America, USAir, I think I might miss a few here and there, Southwest hands down has the best flight attendants in terms of keeping passengers safe and comfortable, and bringing light to a bad situation. Through all this, they remain professional (even while telling their jokes). Professionalism doesnt mean always having to be tight collared and have a plain look on your face, it means understanding a situation, the customers needs, and sometimes breaking into song and dance or yelling YEE HAWW while the plane is hitting air pockets is exactly what some customers are looking for - thats what keeps Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants professional, they give the passengers a sense of relief in a bad time.
Pilots are the biggest asset however to my safety. Their job is to get the plane off the ground, fly safely and get the plane and people on the ground in one piece, without any incidents aboard. Without them, I guess Id be taking a bus or a train right? Like pilots, and flight attendants, I know my duty on the plane as a passenger is to observe and ensure the safety of those around me. We all look out for each other, and it seems Southwest customers are the most diligent and dont let anything go unnoticed. If someone acts up, we quell it. If someone starts screaming, we quiet them. And if, god forbid, anything happens aboard, we all become cabin crew and risk our lives for the sake of others. Southwest as a brand, an airline, and a culture has taught us how to be the REAL passengers in the sky, and how to be the REAL support for those 6,000 pilots and tens of thousands of flight attendants that otherwise may not get shown appreciation, get that laughter in the cabin, or the clap at the end of the flight.
Pilots and Flight Attendants may never have met, or know each others names, but to us passengers, you are our family in the sky and names mean nothing to us when its all about the smiles and claps we give back!
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It's Joliet, IL, not Joliette. 🙂 And it's just "Midway Airport." We don't call it "The Midway Airport," or ever refer to "The O'Hare Airport." 🙂
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02-21-2009
04:01 PM
19 Loves
Hey Ray :
I myself would like to become a SWA Pilot, and I would love to get some advice from you, if you could possible shoot me an e-mail b_catone@yahoo.com it would be great to hear from you!
Sincerely
Bobby Catone
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why does southwest only use the smaller aircraft?
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03-13-2008
07:22 PM
15 Loves
I had a dream in which there was an explosion to the southwest of the building I was leaving. Three words were Ray, Stork, or Stark. When I woke up, I looked up Ray Stork and found out it was a line of baby clothing. I looked up Ray Stark and found out he was a "Southwest" airline pilot. As I watched the noon news report today I saw the soundbite about Southwest grounding some planes for more thorough inspections. I ask that Ray Stark be particularly careful in preflight inspections and checklists. I hope it was just a nightmare and nothing more. Thank you.
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Thanks Ray! I seem to have missed your post.
Joe
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04-05-2008
04:40 AM
14 Loves
Captain Ray - Any update on the GPS question? I am flying SWA next week and love to use my Garmin eTrex Legend to pass the time, as it shows me where I'm at and when I'll arrive at my destination, plus lets me put a name to the little towns I'm looking down on from 35,000 feet..
Is it acceptable to ask the flight attendant to check with the captain regarding GPS use on board?
Thanks,
Chris
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10-12-2007
07:55 PM
5 Loves
Just a quick question for Terri...is your father a fireman? How about your sister Sal?
Jim
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08-17-2007
07:00 PM
8 Loves
I fly on the Boise - Salt Lake City route each week. I always fly home on the scheduled 1901 flight that is always scheduled to leave at 9:10 P.M.. I love Southwest and their service. During the summer month this flight always gets bumped back I don't mind the delay because the incoming flight is coming from Chicago and I realize how busy that airport is. I just have one question? Why do the flight stewardess always say at the end of the flight will make it up to next time. Its been three straight weeks where this has happened and I don't think it will end until Summer is over. I just wonder how many other individuals who fly wonder the same thing.
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Random question here but, by any chance how exacly do you become FO or even in the airline with southwest airlines? What are the procegers?
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[...] to funnel it through the marketing or PR funnel. In July last year, Phoenix-based captain Ray Clark blogged about how pilots do “walk around inspections” like you would do for a car, in addition to [...]
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03-07-2008
10:10 PM
9 Loves
Hell-o
I waited til almost the last minute to look for information regarding flying.
My son and his wife are treating me to a flight on Southwest Airlines to Bakersfield California. The last time I flew was in 1995. I do not like to fly. Every time I get in the air I feel like I want to run up and down the isle holding my head and scream GET ME OFF! I'm trying real hard to be brave. I will be departing Buffalo NY on flight 561 at 7:20 AM on Monday Mar 10. Please, if you can put in a word to the powers that be, I would appreciate a little encouragement. My confirmation # is K25Y9E. Thanks.
Jari Tiebor
Buffalo, NY
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06-28-2009
02:43 PM
4 Loves
Correction on my above questions. Pressures shown is psig should be shown in psia.
Jon Hehman
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Exceptional customer service by your staff especially by Capt. Douglas Dawson on my flights departing from BWI. You need more staff like Capt. Dawson, a very personable man.
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05-05-2007
10:43 AM
8 Loves
I just read MSN Money's article "25 Companies where customers come first" I would like to commend you for the things you have done to rank where you did in this article. I fly out of Jax, FL on another carrier quite often, but based on the article I am considering a change. Sonny
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09-05-2007
07:23 AM
10 Loves
[...] Not sure how many airlines are doing this, but it’s hardly a surprise from a company such as Southwest Airlines, that consistently allow their employees to impact their brand voice. Ray Stark, a phoenix-based captain is doing just that. [...]
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12-29-2008
11:36 PM
5 Loves
Check this out.... on Google Earth, so cool! Take yourself down to the threshold of runway 17C @ DFW in Dallas/Fort Worth. Now, note the shadow of the laqnding plane. The shadow of the plane which is (apparently) awaiting clearance for take-off on 17R gives you an idea where the sun is and where you might find the plane casting the shadow on 17C- NO plane! Rod Serling would love it! I love it! If anybody can explain this to me please email landmarkk@charter.net
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06-09-2007
01:20 AM
3 Loves
Hi Ray, I just finish watching coverage of the Space Shuttle launch tonight and made a note of when the launch occured and then went to Flightaware
and checked to see if there were and Canyon Blue and Red Boeing 737s in the area. I noticed that there were two good candidates. One is Flight 1705 which took off from Orlando at 6:35 PM CDT (3 minutes before launch) and was 10,000 ft above the Econlockhatchee River Swamp area (28.32 degrees N and 81.08 degrees W) at 6:38 PM CDT (the time of liftoff). The other Flight in the area was flight 1326 which took off from Fort Lauderdale at 6:10 PM CDT for Long Island. This flight was 35,000 feet above and area near Winter Park (28.58 degrees N 81.37 degrees W). My short question is do you think either of these two flights had a view from the window seat of a Boeing 737-700 of the Space Shuttle launch?
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12-01-2007
12:31 AM
6 Loves
On October 31, 2007. I did something I thought I would never EVER do. Fly on a airplane. From CLE to SAN my journey was set. I researched and read every periodical I could get my hands on to comfort my fears. I don't know what my fear is but I knew I didn't want to fly to get there. After reading about SWA, I took the chance.
My trip to San Diego was flawless as it was my first time on a plane in 20 years. I was scared to death but the attendants and pilots were very communicative and understanding of my situation.
Additionally, I want to thank the Southwest pilots flying from San Diego to MDW in Chicago and onto Cleveland, Ohio. These guys were incredible.
On the return, landing in Chicago was an experience. OMG. Any fear I had, was definately re-enforced. The plane was rocking and swerving like crazy but the pilots were in control. I was very impressed and honestly was comforted by the experience. Chicago is the windy city and now, I now know why.
On to Cleveland, well, it was even worse turbulence but again, the pilots worked that plane, got it together, and landed us safely. I couldnt' believe I go through that but I did it. ( and they did it too !!! )
How does one ever get used to that kind of experience?, I don't know but I know I do want to fly again soon because of SWA's ability to comfort it's passengers and the pilot's ability to maintain the aircraft in such terrible turbulence and wind.
Because of you guys and your ability, I was able to be with my future wife. I would not have been able to experience that in San Diego if I had not given up my fear and trusted your airlines with those fears. Thank you for securing me. You will see my business again.
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Darby Eden Asuncion Malik Lakiesha Laurice Donnie Florencio Andre Willena Enoch Lita Faustino Ozell Edgardo Hugo Gabriella Nathanial Quinn Edison Enoch Jerald Ellena Gianna Loida Felton Earl Edison Rosemary Isaiah Ashely Samuel Rosalee Hunter Quinn Cyrstal Kathryne Felton Barry Josef Chieko Caleb Donnie Elma Lora Fonda Neil Hazel Lorenzo Alphonse
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12-17-2006
06:39 PM
10 Loves
PS. I just noticed the date of my original post: December 7th. I realize that was my father's birthday.
Dad was a civilian pilot all his life and imbued his kids with a love of aviation. His grandaughter Allison was a great joy to him. He would be so proud of her today if he were here to share her accomplishments.
As am I.
Ray
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05-22-2008
01:08 AM
20 Loves
Southwest, when are you going to start flying to Minneapolis. In April, Air Tran Airway discontinued its service between Chicago (MDW) and Minneapolis (MSP). I've heard that SWA and Air Tran have a non-compete agreement, but now that Air Tran has cancelled this easy 1-hour flight, the other airlines (NWA, United, American) have tripled, almost quadrupled the price of their round trip service. Why would the prices of these flights increase 4 fold? There is no reason for it other than AirTran’s competition was keeping prices low. Gasoline prices, although nearly $120/barrel, still do not excuse the other carriers from gouging their customers. I am a frequent flyer, and make the trip between Chicago and Minneapolis weekly, but I am extremely price sensitive. Northwest just got bought out…this is the perfect opportunity to seize market share, while they are attending to the new merger…. Southwest, you are our only hope!
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Thank you for making me feel better! I am a white knuckle flier. My first flight was in 1975 flying from Buffalo, NY to Chicago to Las Vegas, NV. When we took off from Chicago I thought we were going straight up in the air and then we heard a crash, followed by another crash. We were told the first crash was the landing gear doors closing. The second crash was a bag of ice falling on the floor. I thought the plane crashing was going to be the next sound!
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I Fly for Southwest Virtual in flightsim and am based in San Diego. I can Fly the approach to 27 in my sleep. I'll swear the parking garage is bigger in Flight sim. Amazing pictures.
SWVA 7071
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My uncle Capt John Matter was one of the first pilots Southwest hired! My cousin,also named John is a pilot for them too. Say hi if you know him-tell him Lee still wants that PLAYBOY JET PHOTO showing uncle john at the controls!!
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09-21-2006
12:05 AM
20 Loves
How does the HUD help you when you have a gusty crosswind approach?
You guys sure them look easy (at least the ones I saw today in Sacramento).
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