And we had fun, fun, fun!

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Mon, 06/05/2006 - 08:12 — Carole Adams

You've never been on a fun flight? You should have been on this one! My best friend Jamie called (we were in the same flight attendant class twenty-two years ago). "Mama's going to be on my flight from Houston to Dallas Friday night. I wish you could fly it with me!" From her mouth to God's ears! One of her crew members wanted a Friday night off and I was able to pick this trip up. The phone rang the night before - "Think of something fun to do!" What can we do to make Jamie's mother feel special? She needs to stand out. A plan is forming. I went to my closet where I found my pink feather boa left over from a flight attendant cruise in October. Just what I need! Look - my bunny slippers! They go great with the boa. I remembered Jamie's jeweled tiara left over from high school - the crowning touch! I filled a gift bag with Southwest prizes such as peanuts, a bag tag, pen, jar opener, etc. I have trouble sleeping I'm so pumped.

It's our last leg. We have through passengers from Harlingen onboard. I brief them on our big surprise and tell them we have a very special passenger coming onboard! Jamie and I go out to the preboard area and ask the Operations Agent to page "Wanda, Jamie's mother". We see her coming up looking bewildered. She would never dream of preboarding when she is traveling on a pass. No one wants to lose their pass previleges! I make an announcement to the waiting passengers while Jamie is "dressing" her mother in her special attire. No mistaking that she stands out! "Today is Wanda's day. Please join us in making her feel special!" At the front of the aircraft I introduce her to the through passengers. As she comes on the aircraft, we all chant, "Wanda, Wanda"! She is presented with her bag of goodies. As an added touch, she sits next to one of our original employees, now a vice president. As we demonstrate our safety features, there is no missing Wanda sitting there in all her glory!

After the seat belt sign is turned off Wanda does us the honor of passing out our peanuts! Queen Elizabeth could not have done a better job. She turns from side to side with a big smile for her "subjects". We are taking pictures. The mood was picked up by the rest of our passengers. I was amused when, upon deplaning, one of our passengers said, "Next time I want to be Wanda."

We can't give this kind of recognition to each of our passengers every flight. But, I hope when you leave our aircraft you have at least received a smile and a "Thank you for flying Southwest."

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Comments

Carole, Only you could come up with such a special way to celebrate Jamie's mom!! Come see us out in PHX! We miss your crazy sense of humor!!

Linda Kirby — Mon, 06/05/2006 - 15:36

Hello from "Jamie's mom"! Carole, it was great to be "Queen" of the flight. I sent the pictures to my friends (all of whom fly SWA and love it). They said next time they fly, they also want to be "Wanda"! Thanks again for a fun flight.

Wanda Burness — Mon, 06/05/2006 - 18:35

Such an entertaining flight, I enjoy flying Soyuthwest because of all the "extras".

Sue R Romines — Tue, 06/06/2006 - 10:12

And people wonder why we prefer SWA over any other airline. Nobody else has this much fun. Once, while waiting to board an American Airlines flight (no choice, we had to land at O'Hare), I noticed how dour and unhappy all the AA gate people were, and how they just did their job by rote. I stood up, walked to the Southwest gates and found someone at the boarding counter. I showed her my ticket and said, "I really feel sorry for the people at gate A2 and 3, they have no joy - I wish I could fly with you guys today."

That got a huge smile, two other SWA employees were brought over, the situation was discussed, and they presented me with ten bags of peanuts and a copy of Spirit magazine to take on my American flight.

You've got to love it, you just can't be unhappy when Southwest takes you places.

Now the bad news, I have to get on a Delta flight tomorrow since SWA doesn't go to Atlanta's Hartsfield and that is where our meetings are :-(

Jim — Tue, 06/06/2006 - 13:16

I wish I could fly Southwest everywhere I go! Believe me, when I have a choice, I fly Southwest. It really is a fun airline, & definitely my favorite. I'm trying again to get on with them as a flight attendant. I know it is hard work, but I'm not afraid of that! Plus, I LUV to have fun, laugh, smile, & be the very outgoing person I am! I know I will have so much fun, & I can't wait until they day comes when I'm wearing my flight attendant "uniform" (aka khakis & polos) & my wings with my name on them. I'm determined for my long time dream & goal of this happening to come true! :)

Leah J — Tue, 06/06/2006 - 16:11

I am a rapid rewards member and i fly Southwest at least once a month. I am in the Navy so i try to go home as much as i can. Not
everything is bright at Southwest. I was on my way back to San Diego from Albuquerque two days ago. Our flight was delayed but i was told that i would be able to make my connecting flight in Phoenix. As we pushed back from the gate our plane just waited for another
twenty minutes. The flight attendants did their announcements, but that was it. We just waited. No one informed us of what
was going on. We finally took off. We landed in Phoenix I got off the plane only to find out that i missed my connecting flight. The gate
agent put me on another flight without saying sorry. I know it was not her fault but it seemed as if no one cared. I usually get funny
flight attendants but it just seemed as if no one was having fun. I know it is the summer months and the flights can be full, but i
fly Southwest because of its low fares and its wonderful employees. I guess i just got on a bad flight...

Francisco Delgado — Tue, 06/06/2006 - 21:11

Southwest Airlines always makes their passengers feel special and well taken care of. But, as close, personal friends of Wanda (Jamie's mother), we are all too aware of the "special" treatment Wanda receives most everywhere she goes. She walks into her local Walmart and lo and behold someone rushes to greet her with a huge smile and a very warm welcome. While Wanda is checking into her hotel, some nice young man carries her bags all the way to her room while another young man parks her car! And if all this isn't enough, every time she goes swimming at her local pool, just because they are so concerned about her safety and well-being, they have some young people sit in high chairs just to guard over Wanda's life!

Know as you are gazing up in the night sky and that first star appears, the wish echoing through Kentucky is..."I WANT TO BE WANDA!!!"

Carol and Barbara — Wed, 06/07/2006 - 01:16

A Big Company That Gets It Right...

I've never flown Southwest Airlines. But I want to. Even more after reading their blog...this entry is wonderfully refreshing. Imagine, a big company in an industry noted for bad customer service and lost luggage, putting together a blog ...

LandingTheDeal — Fri, 06/09/2006 - 07:11

As a Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant, I'm sorry that you had a "bad" flight.
One of the things that we have always been taught is if you are funny, be funny.
If you can sing, sing...if you can't DON'T. :-) Seriously, unfortunately you probably
just got caught up in the business of the day. If you ever see me on a flight,
let me know and I'll do my best to make it up to you.
Safe Flights!
James

James Malone — Wed, 06/14/2006 - 21:02

Just so you know, Carole is always up for some Fun, Fun, Fun and even more Fun. Her fellow Crew Memembers Luv her and
desire to be just like her when we grow up. Luv ya Carole!

kimberly colmenares — Thu, 06/15/2006 - 17:09

Reading Carole Adams' account of the way Wanda was honored on their recent flight reminds me a great deal of a part of the famous Peanuts Christmas TV special. There is a scene where Charlie Brown is depressed over the commercialization of Christmas and Linus takes the stage and recites the 'Christmas story' from the New Testament book of Luke, concluding with these words: "and THAT is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!"

Finishing up Ms. Adams' blog, I thought to myself, "and THAT is what Southwest Airlines is all about, Charlie Brown!"

It is a sad thing when we can't have fun at our jobs. I agree with Jim's post above. As someone who loves to 'people watch', I've observed the same thing as he has before. Walking through the corridors of the terminals at D/FW is like walking through a morgue. The passengers don't look happy because the overall mood of the place is set by the hundreds of employees of the 'other' airline who pass each other like complete strangers, stand at their work stations like zombies and make it very clear that even they don't like that airline.

Contrast that with walking through DAL or any of the other many airports I've visited as a SWA passenger. The people are happy because the mood is happy. SWA employees greet each other as they pass in the hallways, whether they are wearing the four stripes of a Captain or the knobby knee pads of a ramp baggage wrangler. Rank, title and position seem to disappear behind the commonality of friendship and a shared goal of enjoying themselves. Employees assigned to terra firma and those working at 38,000 feet alike dispense joy to their customers because it is real, not because it is mandated.

The beauty is that even without feather boas and a tiara, on Southwest, we are all "Wanda" and we are all "royalty"!

Kim
P. S. For the record, I'd prefer the smiles, goofy jokes and sappy songs at landing over having to wear a feather boa, but that's just me... :)

Kim Seale — Tue, 06/20/2006 - 14:22

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