Last week, I was out to dinner with a very good friend of mine. We were celebrating her birthday at one of our favorite restaurants, and after dinner, we decided to continue the evening at our favorite watering hole.
In what could have been a "Wanna get away?" moment for a very nice young man standing next to us, my friend found herself dampened by the drink he spilled in her direction. After we assured him that no permanent damage had been done, we made introductions, met some of his friends, and in the natural course of small talk, the question "So, where do you work?" came up.
Years ago, in my life before Southwest Airlines, I worked at "A Major Retailer." During my eight years there, I held Supervisory and Manager positions in fourteen different departments. (On more than one occasion working the phones as the Manager of Customer Serivce, it was suggested that I try to perform a physically impossible act.) When I was at any kind of social gathering - holiday party for my spouse, backyard barbeque with the neighbors, or some other place where one faces that eternal conversation starter (or ender), I would cringe at the question "So, where do you work?" because my reply would inevitably be followed by a story. Everyone seemed to have a story. A bad story. My outside hope would be for an inappropriate request for the use of my employee discount instead of the bad story - it would be so much easier then to smile and politely change the subject.
Anyway--here we were, blotting my friend's sleeve with the hope of drying it out a little quicker, and when asked about my employer, I didn't hesitate before replying that I worked for Southwest. And while the drink spiller confessed he flew another AAirline more often, our hearts immediately went to his friend who--instead of displaying some plutonium American Express card to impress us--pulled out his Rapid Rewards Visa Card and started in on how much he loves to fly Southwest! So, we spent a little time trading stories - good stories about his travels, runway configurations, and a presentation he had given in which Southwest was the topic. And I do believe his next drink was on us - courtesy of a Southwest Visa Card. Yes, Derrick, I am a SWA geek too - and proud of it.
I really hope you have great stories to tell about your job, and your employer - and if you don't always, I understand. Just watch the elbows of the people around you. And wear something that dries quickly, just in case.
Comments
I'd have better stories to tell about my job if my work address was 2702 Love Field Dr. *cough* :D
What a way to meet somebody!
sometimes, fate works in wonderful ways :o)
Southwest people are really lucky to work for such a caring employer, and I am sure that they are aware of it as well!
And anybody who only has bad stories to tell... maybe it's time to move on and find your Southwest... it sometimes takes courage, but it is well worth it in the end!
I am extremely fortunate to work for a good company too, and we have plenty of good/funny/positive stories to tell too! :o))
Nothing like a shameless RR Visa plug, eh?
"AA"irlines none to subtle are you??? Of course I'm sure that SWA is far better than most other AAirlines....Unless you happen to be well enough off that you can pay for first-classs. I think only First-Class would be better than Southwest and other jetCompetators.
Hey Matthew....
I am an employee and I shamelessly plug my RR Visa through every card reader that I have to use to pay for something with. I have even earned my first free ticket cause there is nothing like flying with a confirmed ticket :o).
Robin
Oklahoma City Reservation Center
MER~ LUV'd your story! It's great to hear how SWA stories come up most everywhere. I too being an SWA GEEK & very PROUD of it have many stories like yours. One that comes to mind is from church. A man one row in front of me was getting out his offering & I couldn't help but notice his RAPID REWARD card showing from his wallet! So as we were leaving church (though I did not know him) I told him "Thanks for being an SWA RR member". He responded "WoW you are good how did you know that is: my airline of choices, " It's MY ARILIINE"? I felt like I needed a "Get AWAY", because I had to confess that I saw it in his wallet. He chuckled, I said I Thank you because I work for SWA! He responded with: Are you working my flight next week to the West coast, I hope so." I'm not for sure,but ya never know. I concluded with Thanks for "Exercising YOUR freedom to move about the country with us at Southwest! " I wish you "Blues Skies & gentle Breezes!" in the SPIRIT of Southwest i am ~ Rich C
PLUTONIUM American Express? How can I be down with THAT?!?!?
"The card that glows at night....It's the bomb!"
Jedi Blog Master with a nuclear credit card....
Better use tongs while you hold that card Paco!
The white zone is for the immediate loading and unloading of passengers. There is no stopping in the red zone.
Ding! boy
Joe
Joe,
Shall I ask Homer J. Simpson for help with nuclear credit cards? I'm sure he'd know!
Jedi Blog Master
Great post Mary.
My wife works for a "major retail chain," and whenever anyone makes a purchase with an SWA Rapid Rewards Visa, she always thanks them for flying Southwest.
Ding Boy and Jedi Blog Master, I think those plutonium cards have been dipped in the reactor onboard USS Blog Boy's ship.
Blog Boy
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