Welcome to the Future of Nuts About Southwest

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Welcome to the Future of Nuts About Southwest

Mon, 05/05/2008 - 14:46 — Brian Lusk

What's a good way to celebrate a blog's second birthday? Well we thought the best way was to take our blog and make it even better. Thanks for joining us on our slightly belated birthday celebration as we roll out our exciting new Nuts About Southwest platform, or as we call it around here, our "blog 2.0 site." Don't worry, this is still the Southwest Airlines blog, and you haven't landed in a time warp! Rest assured, everything you liked before is still here, but we have added a lot of new "stuff" that will give you more choices in information and even provide you the ability to personalize your Nuts experience.

Okay, so where do we start? Well, the effervescently efficient and engaging Christi Day has prepared an introductory video that will give you a quick tour of the site. You can find Christi's video on the right side of the home page, underneath the new Flickr photos area. Her video, along with this post, will be your "instruction manual" for the new stuff--although it's gonna be a lot more fun to watch Christi than read my words. We are guessing that this new video blog section will be one of the most popular spots at Nuts About Southwest, and Christi and her producer, the imaginatively innovative Paula Berg, have been hard at work traveling across our system compiling a series of videos that will take you behind the scenes with our Employees (some of whom you will recognize) at work. Christi's video series will post every Monday, and the video section will have all the blog posts that contain videos.

Again, the blog pretty much remains the same, with the exception of the previously mentioned video section that will now contain posts with videos. If you want the blog displayed in a full screen (similar to the way it was before), just click on the "BLOGSOUTHWEST" bar above or click on one of the "read more" links under each post. Although a few have left the Company, most of our bloggers are still with us, including your favorites like Bill Owen, Ray Stark, and Carole Adams, along with some new folks who work in different areas of the Company like Reservations, Cargo, and Customer Relations/Rapid Rewards. The blog will still be (we hope!) insightful, topical, informative, and fun. Now, let's talk about some of the new stuff.

On the upper right of the home page, you will see an area for photos, and these will come from our Flickr group. (Is it my age, or what, but every time I see Flickr, I think of "My Friend Flicka"?) We'd LUV to see your pics on any subjects related to Southwest Airlines, and this is the place to post your photos. Now take a gander under the blog and video blog sections for two more new features: One is our new weekly poll that will ask your thoughts on everything from current issues to funny topics. The area immediately to the right of the polls is our new headline service that will provide you with the latest news from Southwest Airlines.

Below the polls and headlines are two feeds from our official media site: One consists of Southwest-produced videos like our commercials and the other links to official Southwest photos. And finally, but definitely not least is the home of Red Belly RadioTM with the smooth voice and Renaissance-man mind of Steve Heaser. This audio podcast will run on a weekly schedule with new posts on Wednesdays. Steve, who has been doing this on our internal site for awhile, will have some fascinating reports for you.

But wait, we have more. Rest assured you will still be able to access, view, and comment on all of our features, but by completing your profile, you have access to other features like being able to set up a profile and customize the "My Favorite Feeds" tab.

What you see today is the result of at least a year's worth of dreaming and a good six months of hard work to bring you these new interactive options. None of this could have happened if it weren't for the efforts, guidance, and friendship of Chris Ronan and his Team at RD2, Inc. Without them, we would probably still be hoping and dreaming instead of unveiling and displaying. What you see today is really a "work in progress," and there are more new features still to come in the next phase, so don't wander off.

I've rattled on for enough now. Go, explore, and be sure to return, so you can let us know your thoughts.

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Comments

WOW!

Anonymous — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 07:40

West Texas Blog Boy gives his approval. Well done!

Jim — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 07:43

Well done all! I look forward to exploring the new blog and all the fun new features you've put together for us. Congrats to all who have no doubt been working non-stop to get this launched.

Harrison — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 08:05

Hmm... Seems like there are some social networking options yet to be enabled, which reminds me of a recent BusinessWeek article:

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2007/tc20070314_884996...

It all looks awesome so far! :)

Drew — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 09:30

Cool stuff! You've made my favorite blog even better! I think the Flickr photos will be addictive. Congrats to everyone on the blog team for all their hard work in bringing this new version of the blog to life.

Eric — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 09:42

Looks good. I'm assuming it's part of the transition, but you guys are aware that all the links are coded to an ip address instead of a domain name?

mikimous — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 11:01

I like the new look! Keep up the good work!

Brian Herbert — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 11:24

hmmmmmmh... I like :o)
the blog seems to be a bit like good wine - gets better as it ages
:oP

Raphael

Raphael Sheffield — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 12:53

I just noticed the ability to set this blog so the newest comments are on top. A much needed improvement - way to go! I wonder what else I'm going to discover as I play more?

Jim — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 13:03

mikimous, I'll admit that your comment had us stumped, as well as the IP address in the URL. Well since most of us are far from computer experts, we asked the developers. They assure us that the IP address is part of the transition process, and it should disappear and be replaced by www.blogsouthwest.com in 10-24 hours.
Brian

Brian Lusk — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 14:38

well done!!!!

bob ramos — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 14:47

Bug report - I guess.

When I tried registering - I put my correct birthdate (1990), but the site said I wasn't 13 years old! So I had to change the year.

Odd.

EDIT - Was able to fix this after I registered by editing my profile.

P.S. I like how you can now edit your posts!

Dan Webb — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 18:22

Love the new blog - great job!

Go Red Wings!

jmk22574 — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 15:40

Kudos on your fine revamp of this site! Back in March 2008, after watching the Holiday Travel Tips video (great job on that - informative and humorous), I participated in a blog for the video that discussed packing, carry-ons and opinions about paying for luggage. Now, in May, I have returned to see how that discussion has progressed and can find the video easily, but with only four comments - far fewer than I recall back in March. A Google blog search successfully finds my posting (dated March 25, 2008) on that blog, but a search on blogsouthwest.com does not. Did a bit chunk of material from the previous incarnation of this site not get migrated over when you moved to the current version? I'm still curious to see what SWA and others think about paying per pound for passengers and luggage, as well as where the "missing data" went. Thanks for a great resource!

g_hope@yahoo.com — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 16:02

Congratulations on your new Web site.

Anonymous — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 16:30

I love the design, but my poor blog disappeared from Link-Luv. :(

http://www.jeffreysigmon.com

Jeffrey Sigmon — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 16:41

Brian - I just checked out your profile and discovered that you were born in Clovis, NM. I wasn't born there but spent a lot of time there with my boyfriend at the time who was stationed at Cannon AFB. I have to say that it wasn't my favorite place he was stationed, but I do recall one memorable event in which we were driving on the highway toward Lubbock (at night) and had a near run in with a cow in the middle of this fairly busy road. Being from the north, the only thing I was used to dodging on the road at night was an occasional deer - good times! :)

Go Red Wings!

jmk22574 — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 16:45

Wow! I was wondering what the surprise would be! This is great! :)

Thought for the day: Why is it called Scotch tape when it's not made out of Scotch?

SWA LUV! :)

Leah — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 17:48

Congratulations on your terrific blog's evolution (maybe more of a revolution!) The Goodwill Ambassablog (http://www.ambassablog.com) at San Diego International Airport (where you are the biggest air carrier by far) is prouder than ever to be cross-linked with you now. We have you included under our Brother Blogs section. :)

Ambassablogmaster — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 18:18

I like the new blog there are so many cool features. Hi Brian I have sent you letters before

Zackary Coro — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 18:25

Me personally, I love the new layout! Very fresh and quite modern. Simple to navigate and the added "Flickr" group photos are awesome! Great job and congrats on the new layout!

Michael in Nashville.

Michael Davis — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 20:13

I lUV IT!!! Two thumbs up
Francisco Delgado

kikodelgado — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 22:02

I LUV the new look and new features!

Megan — Tue, 05/06/2008 - 22:26

Looks great, like the design, subscribing to the podcast!

Capt'n Chris — Wed, 05/07/2008 - 01:29

Thanks for all the comments folks. We surely do appreciate your feedback. Also a lot (and I mean a LOT) of the credit for the new design and features goes to the developer team frojm RD2, Inc. If you want to learn more about them, click on their icon way down the page at the very bottom at the right, outside of the Nuts design.

G Hope, I think you are right in that most of the comments on video blogs didn't migrate over here to the new site. I let the RD2 folks know.

Hi Leah, Francisco and Zachary--glad y'all migrated to the new sitel

jmk22574, that stretch of highway from Clovis to Lubbock is the bottom leg of what is jokingly referred to as the "Muleshoe Triangle"--after the largest settlement inside the triangle's boundaries. Although it isn't as mysterious as the Bermuda Triangle, nomadic cows tend to dominate its mythology.

Ambassablogmaster, thanks so much for including us on your blog roll!

Jeffrey, not sure what happened, but your back on Link LUV.

Brian Lusk — Wed, 05/07/2008 - 06:55

Very well done! The layout is modern, clean, and lends itself to the user interactivity you promised. I can't wait to see what you guys roll out for the next phase.

Matt Madderra — Wed, 05/07/2008 - 08:19

Very nice! Very creative, and tons of great tools!!

Brent — Wed, 05/07/2008 - 08:34

I see your commericals several times per day. The one commerical that I see is the one pf 2 people on an elevator. The woman will not let the man put in his number. This is one o the WORST commericals that I have ever seen. Do these people work for you or do they get paid for the commericals. This commerical should be deletef from your commericals. It makes me sick every time that I see it. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. i WILL NOT FLY YOUR AIRLINE BECAUSE OF IT. Paul

Anonymous — Wed, 05/07/2008 - 17:35

Hi Brian, It's zack again. I am really nuts about southwest. I was thinking there is an airport in my state looking for an airline. Bangor International Airport was looking for an airline to start service there. Back in 2007 American Eagle Pulled out of BGR and then allegiant came in. When they started service they said that they were looking for another airline. The airport is currently served by Continental Express,Delta Connection,Northwest Airlink,U.S. Airways Express and Allegiant air. I have talked to lots of the teachers at my school and they all fly southwest. This would be a great airport for SWA. Allegiant flys to Orlando non stop and thats it. You guys could start flights to orlando, and baltimore. Maine only has 3 low cost airlines Airtran, Jetblue, and Airtran

Zackary Coro — Wed, 05/07/2008 - 17:36

1. I love the new website
2. I'm glad Southwest finally found a way to go to FLL from the west coast in one stop with the new Denver route. This will help Southwest a lot if the timing is right for cruise passengers.
IE: Leaving FLL at 12noon.
3. I would love to see Southwest at Minneapolis airport. They could do some short haul flights such as Chicago (1 hour flight), St. Louis (90 minute flight), and Denver (2 hour flight). This should allow people on Southwest to go most served cities in one stop and should require no more than 3 planes. Minnesotans hate Northwest Air and need a better discount airline than Airtran.

Steve — Wed, 05/07/2008 - 18:28

are u serious about the commercial comment?? Seriously...i looked it up and its quite funny..If this prevents u from saving money when u travel then good riddance....

heres a link to the commercial...its however missing the beginning where the woman has pressed the top floor button and is trying to shut the doors on the man entering the elevator....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb9WltIxjSA

ENJOY!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 05/07/2008 - 21:04

Folks:

Congrats on raising the bar, again.

You guys are doing awesome things in multimedia communication.

You continue to be a role model.

Thanks.

Cindi, blogging for Flight Options at
http://flightoptions.blogspot.com

CDeutsch — Thu, 05/08/2008 - 09:29

Cindi,
Thanks so much for the kind words, and I hope our readers will drop by to visit your neat blog. It's under Flight Options on our Link LUV section to the right

Zackary,
I am definitely not an expert on Schedule Planning (see Bill Owen for that!), but I do know that we have looked at Bangor from time to time. The problem is that there are so many great possible new cities to serve that we are very selective. We also are concentrating on connecting the dots between our existing cities.

Brian

Brian Lusk — Thu, 05/08/2008 - 09:47

Congratulations on the new enhancements! Great to see the additions for the Flickr group, and Red Belly radio and the tags!

Have fun!

Jill — Mon, 05/12/2008 - 10:53

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