Southwest Airlines Community

Volunteerism is a cornerstone of the Southwest Spirit, and has been since the Company’s beginning.  Whenever the communities we serve have been in need, our Warriors have joined together across the nation to give from the heart.As the subsequent photographs show, our Employees’ Servant’s Hearts have beat loudly for quite some time—and take a close look!  You never know who you might recognize in the pictures below. We begin in mid-1993 as the Southwest Employees Environmental Program (better known as Project S.W.E.E.P.) was growing in popularity.  Through the group’s tree-planting contributions commemorating the Barry Goldwater Terminal 4 in Phoenix, Project S.W.E.E.P. was committed to spreading the word that Southwest Airlines was indeed an environmentally-conscious Company during a time when few companies considered their effect on the Planet. Meanwhile, that summer, an already dry and arid South Phoenix was ravaged by two colliding brushfires.  Much of the beautiful desert lands that fell victim were portions of South Mountain Park, which suffered nearly 2,000 acres of damage to what is the largest municipal park in the nation.  Voluntarily answering the call of duty, Project S.W.E.E.P.’s small-but-mighty team joined together with their friends and family on a rainy Saturday in October to help reclaim the withered land and plant more than 500 native plants. You’ll recognize some familiar faces here giving their time to plant trees in the park—Ginger Hardage, now our SVP of Culture & Communication, and Linda Rutherford, now VP of Communication and Strategic Outreach. Nearly two decades later, volunteering from the heart is still a common theme here at the LUV airline.  In fact, today, April 26, Southwest Airlines is announcing its founding sponsorship of the Trinity River Conservation Corps, a program to coordinate and manage annual volunteer events for the conservation and upkeep of the Trinity River Corridor and Great Trinity Forest in Dallas. In addition, as part of our Spring Systemwide volunteer activity, we are working with the City of Dallas and the Trinity Trust on a conservation project involving approximately 150 of our Dallas Employees.  Some things never change! In the photos above, we see Ginger and Linda—20 years later—still sharing their Servants' Hearts alongside their Southwest Co-hearts at the Trinity River project.  Pictured in the red shirt next to Linda is Kay Weatherford, our VP Revenue Management. #LUVFromtheHeart ... View more

According to a recent study, 75 percent of our nation’s garages are too full to hold cars.  Many of us have an overabundance of stuff that could use a good sifting through.   But wait!  Before you toss out those items, read below to see if they can be reused or recycled. Cables and cords. From extension cords to jumper cables, it’s amazing how garages tend to accumulate them.  Luckily, Best Buy’s E-Cycle program accepts both cables and cords.  Not near a Best Buy?  Take your cords and cables containing copper wire to a scrap metal yard.  As you may know, copper is in high demand these days and you might be able to score some big cash. Motor Oil.  According to the EPA, motor oil doesn’t get old—it just gets dirty.  Further, it takes 42 gallons of crude oil to make 2.5 quarts of new, usable oil, but only one gallon of used oil to create the same amount.  Most service providers recycle it themselves, but if you are changing your own oil at home, check with local automobile maintenance facilities, waste collectors, and government waste officials to see where you can drop off your used oil for recycling. Holiday Lights and Decorations. These items are near and dear to my heart, as I was a regular volunteer at my small town’s Festival of Lights!  If strands of lights or Christmas décor are taking up your garage, consider donating unwanted items to a local light festival.  If there’s not one near you, Home Depot allows trading of broken or used holiday light strings for recycling. For each unwanted incandescent light string, customers can receive a coupon of up to $5 off new LED Christmas lights!  Bicycles. If extra bicycles are taking up space in your garage, The International Bicycle Fund provides a comprehensive list of bicycle donation locations in your area.  Consider donating surplus helmets and knee pads to your local Goodwill. Televisions. E-cycling is growing in popularity throughout the country, and thanks to web sites like E-Cycling Central it is easy to find local e-waste locations.  Televisions, radios, and old VHS players are just the half of what these places will accept. Have any tips on repurposing other used or unwanted items in your garage?  Let us know by commenting below or sending an e-mail to green@wnco.com.  DING! You are now free to be Green! ... View more

Recently, I received an offer I couldn’t refuse.    Lori Skinner, responsible for maintaining Southwest’s relationship with the Ronald McDonald House, invited me and Fellow Intern Elly Jurgensen to accompany her to the Houston House to serve dinners to the families who stay there.  I immediately accepted, and that day, I learned the true meaning of a Servant’s Heart.  You see, what happens at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston is not just special—it is utterly extraordinary.  On the second Tuesday of every (and I do mean “every!”) month, HOU Employees from all departments join together to not only cook meals for the families lodged within the Ronald McDonald House, but they also deliver to satellite Houses at Memorial Hermann and Texas Children’s Hospital. The HOU Dinner Team genuinely embodies the word “Team.”   From Hector, a 28-year Southwest Provisioning Agent to Ramp Agent Vashon Smith—whose dance moves rival Michael Jackson’s—each volunteer strives to bring a smile to each and every face they see within the House.  They know that after a long day at the hospital with their children, a home-cooked meal truly serves as comfort food for Ronald McDonald House families. No one understands this notion quite like PHX Ops Agent Byron.  Having lived in the Houston Ronald McDonald House throughout his daughter’s cancer treatment, Byron now uses his vacation time to volunteer at not only his own Ronald McDonald House in Phoenix, but the Houston House that provided him so much support.  But Byron does not stop there—he also volunteers at other Houses across the country using his vacation days.  Referring to the day his beautiful daughter passed as The Dark Day, Byron works to help prevent other parents through the ultimate darkness. Although I am sure the HOU Team would never accept it, each member deserves limitless recognition for all they do.  With each hand I shook and hug I received, I felt exactly what other Employees had described—I felt loved.  These Employees are changing lives just by being themselves, and it is truly commendable. I know hundreds of Southwest Employees across the nation are making the same lasting impression with their local Houses.  If you haven’t already, I encourage you to schedule a date with your local House for the upcoming systemwide dinners on June 11 and November 12 so we can continue spreading the LUV. I’ll never forget this experience, and it will certainly be a memory I will always have from my Southwest internship.  So thank you, to the Employees I met for showing me what living the Southwest Way is all about.   ... View more

My Dad is my hero.  Beyond putting my needs before his each day, he is a figure of success, has proudly served our country, and taught me early on that, although it is important to memorialize our nation’s past, we must also work to celebrate its future.   This year’s Arbor Day is on April 26, and it is an opportunity for Americans to make their community and country (and Planet!) a better place by  beautifying neighborhoods, providing homes for local wildlife, and making our surroundings just a little more stunning.  Does planting one tree really make a difference?  Ten years ago, I certainly didn’t think so.  When my Dad brought home 30 pine seedlings barely a foot long from a local Arbor Day event, my Mom and I simply rolled our eyes.  That weekend, my Dad went to the local nursery, purchased mulch and composted manure, and dug holes around our acreage for each baby tree.  Throughout the year, my Dad went from tree to tree, watering each with ten-gallon buckets and giving every tree the special care it required.  Those pine seedlings survived the famous Gulf Coast snow of 2008, numerous hail and rain storms, and even Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Ike.  Today, a majority of the trees are still living, and are now more than 20 feet tall—they are even producing their own baby seedlings.   Although Arbor Day has been celebrated for nearly 150 years, it continues to be just as important to our country today as it was when first celebrated in 1872.  As the damage of deforestation continues to grow, trees can no longer be taken for granted in our communities. Planting his pine seedlings continues to be a source of pride for my father.  What can you and your family do to celebrate this year’s Arbor Day?  Check out these four tips below: Get people into action. Ask a civic or service group to promote a paper drive to gather paper to be recycled and save a tree.  Use the proceeds to buy a special tree to plant in a park or other special public place. Conduct a tree search.  Ask people to find large, unusual, or historic trees in your community. Once the results are in, publish a map that highlights the winners, or hold a walk showcasing them. Tell people to take a tree identification hike and have girl scouts or boy scouts act as guides. Encourage neighborhood organizations to hold block parties and get their members to adopt and care for street trees in front of their homes.  Pass out buttons.  Give away trees or seedlings. Have any special plans for Arbor Day 2013?  Share them with us by commenting below or by e-mailing us at green@wnco.com.  DING!  You are now free to be Green!   ... View more

We have all heard that “April showers bring May flowers,” but did you know that the month of April is actually National Garden Month?   What makes gardening so great is that you don't have to be a pro to give it a go, or even do the gardening where you live!  Here are four ideas to help you celebrate this month—including some details on what our Fellow Co-Hearts are doing! Start a garden. Never gardened before?  Not a problem.  Have some space in your yard?  Great. If not, do you have a balcony, windowsill, patio, or deck you have permission to use?  Also great.  Now take into consideration the direction of your light source, the amount of time you are willing to invest, and what you’d like to grow.  The more room and sun exposure you have access to, the more likely you will be able to handle produce like tomatoes, onions, or leafy greens.  Flowers are a great idea, too!  No matter your decision, do your best to buy seedlings that are started locally in order to help support our local microclimate. Support a local community garden.  This week, I had the pleasure of speaking to Senior Business Consultant, Jaime Ibarra, in Network Planning.  An 18-year veteran of Southwest Airlines, Jaime LUVs his Company and is a member of our Green Team here at Headquarters.  In addition, Jaime is also the “mulch muse” behind our own SWA Community Garden in Dallas.  Jaime’s goal for the continually growing garden is for Employees to not only embrace their love of gardening, but to teach others as well!  In addition, all produce harvested from the garden is given to local area food banks.  Stay tuned for updates on ways YOU can help as we continue to celebrate National Garden Month throughout April.  Two of the many 4'x20' community garden plots flourishing in the SWA Community Garden and some recently planted marigolds are pictured below: Not in the Dallas area? You would be surprised how many neighborhoods and local communities have public gardens.  Check out the American Community Gardening Association’s Community Garden Locator to find a local garden near you. Plant a Row For the Hungry.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one in eight households in our country experiences either hunger or the risk of hunger.  The demand for hunger assistance has increased by 70 percent in recent years, and research shows that hundreds of children and adults are turned away from food banks each year because of lack of resources.  The Garden Writers Association connects local gardeners with organizations like churches and food banks who could use extra produce as a donation.  As you plan your vegetable garden, plant a few extra rows that will give you enough bounty to share with your local shelter or soup kitchen.  Or, share your garden's bounty with a neighbor who might need it. Start a neighborhood flower team.  Have some spare produce or flowers in your garden?  Consider gathering your friends and neighbors, asking for their own natural contributions, and taking them to your local church or nursing home.  Sharing your time and energy with others is a great way to celebrate this month! Attention all gardening pros—have any other ideas on how to celebrate National Gardening Month?  How about some tips for those of us who may not have the greenest thumbs?  Let us know by commenting below or by e-mailing us at green@wnco.com.   DING!  You are now free to be Green! ... View more

With passion and courage, many American women have taught us that when we join together to advocate for change, we can advance our mutual well-being and strengthen the fabric of our Nation.  As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I thought it only sensible to recognize several of the many brilliant American women that have defended our Planet. Rachel Carson (1907-1964) A well-known environmental heroine, Carson was one of the first women to study at Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory as well as receive a degree from the famed Johns Hopkins University in the mid-1930s.  Later, in 1962, Carson released Silent Spring, a book in which she attacked the widespread use of the fertilizer DDT.  Readers were shocked to hear of the fertilizer’s decimation of many animal species, including song birds, hence the title.   The book helped to crystallize the beginnings of an American environmental movement, and was a catalyst for changing national pesticide policies.    Although Carson died two years after the book was published, her disclosure of DDT’s harmful effects and links to cancer led to its banning ten years later.   Lady Bird Johnson (1912-2007) You may know her as the former First Lady of the U.S., but Johnson is also celebrated for her many environmental efforts during her husband’s presidency—particularly the Beautification Act of 1965.  Because of Lady Bird’s influence and this Act, wildflowers and greenery are now planted along many of our nation’s roadways.  I know that the sight of bluebonnets lining the highways in the spring and summer are truly beautiful and make me proud to be a Texan.   Marjorie Harris Carr (1915-1998)  As the first woman to become a wildlife technician in Florida, Carr is best known for tireless work in conserving the state’s lavish environment and abundant wildlife.  In 1968, 16 miles of the Ocklawaha River were dammed and the nearby lands flooded, causing many plants, fish and mammals to lose the ecosystems they had depended and thrived on for years.  Through Carr’s actions and her development of Florida Defenders of the Environment, Floridians rallied and prevented another 20 miles from being dammed.  The canal was never finished and the dammed area is now a reservoir. Today, Floridians are still working to accomplish her dream of making the Ocklawaha River an entirely free-flowing waterway once again. I credit my Mom with being the first to instill the principles of respect, responsibility, and stewardship for the Planet in me. Who do you credit for the successes in your life?  Let us know by commenting below or by e-mailing us at green@wnco.com.  DING!  You are now free to be Green!    ... View more

Warmer temperatures are creeping into the weather forecasts and before you know it, it will be time to take care of those pesky home repairs you meant to do last year. Whether you are replacing your roof or remodeling a room in your home, there is one constant rule—when something new goes in, something old must be tossed out.  Take a look at these unknown recyclables hidden among your home repair rubble to help ensure that they serve a second life rather than waste away. Roof shingles—Each year, ten million tons of asphalt shingles are torn off of American homes.  These shingles can easily be recycled into hot asphalt mix to pave your local roads.  In fact, shingles from one average-sized home can pave up to 200 feet of a two-lane highway, so check out the Owens Corning Roofing’s Shingle Recycling Program for more information.  To date, they have already recycled nearly 600,000 tons of used shingles! Paint—If painting is on your to-do list, don’t toss its hazardous ingredients straight into the landfill once you have finished your project.   Drop off your used paint cans at your local Household Hazardous Waste facility, or consider donating to a local home repair cause like Habitat for Humanity. Brick—Believe it or not, brick is a very environmentally friendly option for homes due to its sustainable production and resourcefulness.  Consider using old or leftover brick to offer a unique look and feel to your garden projects.  You can also donate to organizations like Habitat for Humanity, or donate your bricks to local masonry companies for resale.  The lowest qualities of bricks can be ground up to make concrete, so there is a use for bricks in almost any condition you have! Carpet—Unfortunately, the U.S. tossed seven billion pounds of unwanted carpet into our nation’s landfills in 2012.  The good news is that carpet recycling is gaining steam in many communities across our country.  Visit the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) to see how you can recycle your old shags. Taking care of our Planet and your home is very important!  Have other suggestions on how we can remodel while also being Green?  Let us know by commenting below or by e-mailing us at green@wnco.com.  DING!  You are now free to be Green! ... View more

Spring Break is fast approaching, the kids are almost out of school, and you’re desperate for a vacation. Check out these five tips to go Green on your upcoming vacation—without the hassle. Purchase reusable containers for your beauty products instead of the convenience-sized containers at the drug store.  On your next trip, you can just refill them with your usual products—and you’re keeping extra plastic out of the landfills, too! Bring a reusable water thermos.  This will keep you from having to repeatedly purchase water bottles on your trip and tossing them in the trash. Unplug all energy sources in your home prior to leaving.  Turn off your heat or air conditioning, unplug all appliances, and ensure all lights are off or on safety timers.  “Phantom loads” can cost the average household $150 per year, so save that cash for your next vacation! Enjoy the great outdoors.   Pack some food and stretch your legs in the great outdoors by checking out local parks.  Our friends at The National Parks Foundation offer a great list of parks, no matter where your journey takes you. Consider staying at a “Green” hotel. Check out Green Hotels Association for a list of accredited members.  Extended stay hotels and cabin rentals are also great options, as they are designed to be energy efficient! Being Green while on vacation can also save you some big Green, too.  Have any tips on how YOU are eco-friendly during your personal retreats?  Let us know by commenting below or by e-mailing us at green@wnco.com.  DING!  You are now free to be Green! ... View more

A majority of my early childhood memories consist of sitting on the kitchen counter watching my parents cook exquisite meals together.   As I grew older, I slowly became more involved in their food adventures—something that served me well throughout college—and I developed my own love of food and cooking.  I have now graduated from school and relocated to Dallas, but my favorite room in my apartment is still the kitchen. Did you know that 22 percent of your household’s energy consumption comes from your use of kitchen appliances?  Check out these tips to save money and help our Planet when using these tools: Refrigerator & Freezer If you’re like me, you don’t have children in your home, and your fridge might look a little bare at times.  Unfortunately, a near-empty fridge will run its cooling cycle more frequently, sucking up energy—and costing you more money.  Refrigerators run most efficiently when fairly full, so fill ‘er up! If you live alone and often have bare shelves, you can fill the extra space with water-filled containers (plus you’ll have water on hand in case of an emergency!). Dishwasher Only run a cycle when it’s full or YOU WILL  waste water, energy, and cash.  Do you have a time delay button?   Set the dishwasher to begin its cycle at midnight during off-peak energy hours.  You’ll save money on your energy bill since off-peak electricity tends to cost less, and you won’t have to worry about turning UP your TV to compete with the sound of the dishwasher!       Ovens, Toasters & Toaster Ovens Your oven uses more energy than most of your kitchen appliances, especially if it’s conventional.  Want a piece of toast?  Your toaster uses less energy than your toaster oven or oven, so reach for that first to conserve energy.  When using your oven, if two dishes only have a 20 to 30 degree difference in oven temperature, go ahead and cook at the lower or middle temperature and it won’t make much of a difference, but it will save a lot of energy. Whether you love spending time in the kitchen, or just love the deliciousness that comes out of it, cutting down on energy consumption can help both your wallet and the Planet.  Have any great tips for going Green in the kitchen?  What about fun recipes?  Let us know by commenting below or sending an e-mail to green@wnco.com.  DING! You are now free to be Green!   ... View more

I was never very good at math.  Numbers + letters + symbols = absolute confusion, and although my mother is a calculus teacher, her proficiency with numbers apparently skipped a generation. One thing I am well-versed in, however, is saving money, and if it helps the Planet, that’s a plus! Take a look around your office and home; I would bet some of these energy-saving tips can help you out, too. Home Equations: Multiply your current indoor and outdoor plant population by two = at least $8 of A/C savings per month Subtract any incandescent light bulbs currently in your home and replace them with CDL light bulbs = $150-300 of savings per year Add a low-flow, 2.5 gallon per minute shower head to the most often used restrooms in your home = $1.75 of savings per shower Subtract eight degrees from your current thermostat setting = $150 of savings per year Add more biking and walking into your daily commute = $0.77 per mile traveled saved Office Equations: Divide frivolous paper printing in half = at least $30 of savings per month Subtract out-of-date contacts on your company’s mailing lists to prevent  trashed return mail = at least $60 of savings per year Subtract used ink cartridges and ancient computer equipment through area recycling centers = at least $85 in discounts from various office supply stores Add clearly-labeled recycling bins to your cubicles and break rooms = less paper waste in our nation’s landfills! Math may not be a subject we all enjoy, but anyone can appreciate a positive increase in spare cash!  Going Green can definitely save you some green—and cut down on clutter and energy consumption.  Have any green tips you would like to share?  We’d love to hear them! Let us know by commenting below or sending an e-mail to green@wnco.com.  DING! You are now free to be Green! ... View more

This Valentine’s Day, why not introduce a little Green into your festivities?  Instead of investing in products that are potentially harmful to our Planet, consider turning this year’s celebration into a Green tradition. Check out these fun alternatives to the typical Valentine’s Day gifts and prepare to impress your significant other: Nix the greeting cards.  According to a recent New York Times survey, nearly one billion Valentine’s Day greeting cards are sent through the mail each year—and we all know what happens to these cards on February 15.  Try something more personal like a customizable eCard from eGreetings.com or a homemade cookie cake to save trees AND cash! Shop online.  Sites like Etsy.com offer thousands of handmade gifts, many of which are made from recycled or sustainable materials.  Another great option is purchasing an experience as a gift like a massage or a couple’s cooking class. Consider planting a gift.  Instead of purchasing cut flowers for your special someone, consider giving back to the Planet and giving a plant.  Not only do potted plants and potted flowers light up a room, but they also won’t be thrown in the trash several days later! Take in some fresh air.  Instead of the typical dinner and a movie combination, get back to nature and enjoy the outdoors—and each other’s company—by going on a hike or a picnic.  You could even take this time to plant the live gift you gave your sweetheart in a special spot in your yard. Love can be celebrated in a countless number of ways.  This year, spend a little time planning something uniquely Green and show your loved ones just how much you care for them—and the Planet! Do you have any Valentine’s Day gift ideas that you would like to share?  Let us know by commenting below or sending an e-mail to green@wnco.com.  DING! You are now free to be Green! ... View more

Hi, my name is Erin, and I am a laundry procrastinator.  I would rather scrub dishes all day, vacuum my entire apartment, and then run a marathon before I’d do two pesky loads of laundry.   To be honest, there are many reasons for my hatred of Laundry Day, but the most prevalent is probably the expense.  Now that I pay bills on my own, I am increasingly worried about each dollar, and that includes purchasing detergent and paying the water bill!  Being Green while also saving Green is very important to me. Check out these four tips below to help make your Laundry Days a little less painful on your wallet AND the Planet. Wash less often. Bear with me; I know it seems a little weird.  But, according to The Laundress, items such as jeans, skirts, and sweatshirts only need to be washed after four to six wears.  These items are pretty durable and unless you are working in certain environments, they are perfectly fine not being washed after every single wear. Wash only full loads. You may use less water when you do a smaller load, but you are still using the same amount of energy!  Don’t waste it.  Always fill the washer before starting it up. Use only cold water. Up to 90 percent of the energy used when washing clothes is to heat up the water.  Unless clothes are very stained or soiled, only wash using cold water and you’ll save some cold, hard cash. Make your own laundry detergent. It’s easier than you think and can save you at least $15 weekly!  Combine 2 cups of finely grated bar soap, 1 cup of washing soda, and 1 cup of borax. Mixing well and using about two tablespoons per load will make your wallet that much fuller. Have any other money and energy-saving ideas when it comes to Laundry Day?  Let us know by commenting below or sending an e-mail to green@wnco.com.  DING! You are now free to be Green!  ... View more

Happy Green Tuesday!  From eating out less to cutting back cable channels, we are all looking for ways to save a little extra green—so why not save Green and go Green, too? Check out these four eco-friendly AND money-saving tips: Carpool.  According to AAA, the average American commutes 16 miles to work each way.  With the average vehicle achieving less than 23 miles per gallon, the typical consumer uses around seven gallons of gasoline per week.  I’ll save you from doing the math—that’s nearly $1,300 a year!  Carpooling with Coworkers or participating in online carpool groups like Southwest's Commuter Benefits Program or Divide the Ride can not only save you tons of cash, but also cut down on your car’s release of auto emissions.  Also, check out public transportation in your area. Recycle Your Old Electronics.  We all have that one drawer in our home filled with unwanted old cell phones, chargers, and batteries.  Don’t just throw them away and pollute our landfills—recycle them for cash!  Web sites like Gazelle.com and YouTradeIn.com allow you to trade-in your old rinky-dinks for some spare bucks!   Use Power Strips. Whether it is an unused cell phone charger constantly plugged into the wall or your computer always in standby mode, a lot of energy and money is wasted while these plugs draw power for nothing.  In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, these “phantom loads” cost the average household $150 a year.  So, be sure to plug your idle electronics into one power strip and turn the strip off when the various plugs are not needed. Participate in Paperless Billing. Bills will always be a headache, but these days many billers offer small discounts to Customers who sign up for paperless billing in order to cut down on their own costs.  With today’s stamp prices, it’s even easier to save some cash and avoid the line at the post office. Have more ideas on how to save money while protecting the Planet at the SAME time?  Let us know by commenting below or by e-mailing us at green@wnco.com.  DING!  You are now free to be Green! ... View more