I am reminded of the day I had my one-on-one interview with Recruiter Trent Ready. When I sat down I said: "Trent, I've been thinking of you every night after I go to bed." Looking perkier he said, "And what have you been thinking?" You're going to ask "Will I work Christmas?" I told him. He responded: "And your reply?" I answered: "Of course I will work Christmas!!" Well those words have come back to haunt me 22 times!
A few weeks ago, after several intense hours, I turned in my bid for my December schedule. Every month there is usually one or two days I need off. But DECEMBER! Referring to my Calendar I need the second off for Ginger and Mickey's party; the 5th is Brenda's party; Carmen's luncheon is the 6th; the 9th is Christmas at my oldest son's house; there's the big party on the 15th; the Christmas program on the 21st; and a friend's wedding on the 23rd. Ooops, I can't forget that I promised my youngest son I would take care of his two children on December 13, 14, and 15 in Houston while they attend a wedding in Cabo San Lucas. These are just the things I know about as I write this on the 8th of November. This is my first Christmas with my new honey - he actually seems to think I will be available Christmas AND New Year's eve! Let's see, how many days does that leave me to work?
I do have two things going for me. First, I have vacation December 8 - 14, and I bid to be pulled from two trips. I also have an overlap on the first and can be pulled from a trip. That takes care of the first of the month. The last of the month will take $$$$$. We are blessed with the ability to put our trips into what is called "Trip Trade/Give away". Then if we add, from our own pockets, money - the trip just could disappear from our schedule. So, you ask, what's the problem? Lost income just when taxes are due is my first thought. Then, since Dallas is a very senior base, will I get a line that meets my criteria? Maybe, maybe NOT! Let's not forget, "What if My Company needs me?" The only absolue MUST is babysitting my 6 and 8 year old grandchildren. Home Alone was a cute movie, but...
The day after I bid, I called to get the results. Over 8,000 other Flight Attendants did the same. So, in December I hope to see you - but not on the 2, 5, 6, 9, 13, 14, 15, 21, 25, or 31!
Comments
There go my hopes of flying with you this month. :(
What a cute story! and a great job to have the flexibility! Merry Christmas.
Hoping to be with you soon-
FFA
Carole,
I always enjoy your posts, and this is no exception! You know that I'm already in LUV with Southwest for a variety of reasons, but one of the main ones is how well they treat their Employees! I hope you enjoy your time off and that your multiple family commitments are times of real blessing for you!
Now, this seems like as good a place as any to post a very public compliment for a crew. I don't mean to hijack your message thread here, but I think you'll be glad to hear this story. I am writing this from Lubbock on a Wednesday night after starting in Dallas on Monday and having now had seven flights since then on my favorite airline! On Wednesday night, after two flights earlier in the evening, my co-worker and fellow Road Warrior for the week and I were back in Dallas awaiting our flight to Lubbock. It was running late and when we boarded, the crew was working their last flight of a long day.
However, despite the fatigue that comes at the end of most people's workday, these upbeat folks were still displaying that trademark Southwest Spirit. One of the FAs handled the PA announcements with the freshest set of jokes that I've heard in some time, and while leaving Dallas 30 minutes late, they repeatedly apologized for the delay and assured us that they were doing everything they could to get us airborne quickly and would try to make up as much of the time as possible.
If this story ended there, it would be just your standard "FA's are great" episode, but even AFTER their work day was over, that Southwest Spirit didn't end. When my buddy and I checked in at our hotel in downtown Lubbock, who should we see just then gathering in the lobbyÂ
Gee Kim, I thought you were gonna add that the evening ended with you running into Bobby Knight?
Blog Boy
Dear BB,
Well, the hotel's lobby bar is only about 50 yards from the statue of Buddy Holly, does that count?
Kim :-)
I remember my very first Christmas flying for Southwest. I was on reserve and they called me out on 23Dec for 4 fun-filled days of flying. I spent that night in Houston, Christmas Eve in Harlingen and Christmas Day in Los Angeles. I ate Christmas dinner at the bowling alley next door to the hotel. It was the only place open. My mother wrapped all my stocking stuffers so I'd have something to open. I was 22 years old, and it was the first Christmas I'd ever spent away from my family. I had the world's largest pity party in my hotel room and vowed to come home and quit!! That was Christmas of 1984. Of course, I did not quit. I flew my next trip with my best friends, had a ball, met my future husband on an overnight and haven't looked back! I no longer have to work Christmas, and every year I look back on Christmas 1984 and have a good laugh.
There will be many, many flight attendants and pilots working Christmas Day. If you are a passenger on one of their flights, be sure and give them a big smile and say THANKS!! They won't be home with their families, yet they are still out there delivering that wonderful Southwest Positively Outrageous Service we are all known for. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Carole - always a pleasure reading your posts - almost as much as opening the door of the aircraft and finding you on the other side! I'll be at my "second home" for Christmas - turning flights in the heartland, and handing out the Christmas Spirit boxes the Culture Committee folks packed earlier in the month (what a workout!)...Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday - looking forward to seeing you in the New Year!
I just wanted to give a shout out to all of the hard working Reservations Agents that will be working on Christmas as well. The Reservation lines are open 24/7 so that we are available for our Customers needs.
Merry Christmas
Robin Sell/Oklahoma City Reservation Center Team Leader
Hey, Robin. If I'd been picked for RSA training in OKC & if I were going to attend the first training class beginning January 8th, I'd have gone for orientation tonight! I'm sad, seriously. :(
Anyway, thanks to all the airline employees! Hopefully I'll be working for the Company some day.
Well, the folks who have to work today probably won't see this today, but on behalf of all of your loyal fans, Customers and the general public, THANK YOU to all of you SW Employees who are working today and keeping those planes moving so folks can get where they need to go.
Y'all are real troupers!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone at Southwest Airlines,
Kim :-)
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