Yes Virginia, Some People Have to Work on Christmas Day.

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Yes Virginia, Some People Have to Work on Christmas Day.

Wed, 12/13/2006 - 09:48 — Carole Adams

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!

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Comments

There go my hopes of flying with you this month. :(

Drew — Wed, 12/13/2006 - 18:46

What a cute story! and a great job to have the flexibility! Merry Christmas.
Hoping to be with you soon-
FFA

Pamela Kay — Wed, 12/13/2006 - 23:38

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 lobbyÃ‚

Kim Seale — Thu, 12/14/2006 - 08:40

Gee Kim, I thought you were gonna add that the evening ended with you running into Bobby Knight?
Blog Boy

Brian Lusk — Thu, 12/14/2006 - 19:58

Dear BB,
Well, the hotel's lobby bar is only about 50 yards from the statue of Buddy Holly, does that count?
Kim :-)

Kim Seale — Fri, 12/15/2006 - 03:29

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!

Linda Kirby — Sun, 12/17/2006 - 18:48

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!

Mary NH — Mon, 12/18/2006 - 03:36

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

Robin Sell — Wed, 12/20/2006 - 01:48

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.

Leah — Fri, 12/22/2006 - 05:15

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 :-)

Kim Seale — Mon, 12/25/2006 - 21:38

Carole,
I just found the Southwest Blog site and love it! Yours is the first blog I have read and I must say it is a pleasure to read how supportive and fair your company is to each of their employees. I work as a Grant Writer and IT professional for a municipal fire department. My husband is a Captain with the same department. Our children are grown now and I am ready for a change. I prefer to fly Southwest because of the people, quality companies attract quality people and I would love to be a part of the crew. Thank you again for taking the time to "flaunt" your company. Even if you do have to work on Christmas just remember my guys the firefighters across the world that are also working and I hope you will wish with me that every firefighter has a safe and happy holiday season.

Chris Madden — Thu, 12/28/2006 - 16:50

I'm curious about bidding and scheduling.. How exactly does that work? Do you start out with a pre-assigned schedule and then you bid on making changes to it? Or do you start off with nothing and bid to get shifts? How does the airline make sure they have enough people to actually staff a flight? It seems to me that people wouldn't bid on the less desirable flights and the airline would then be left with no flight attendants to staff those flights.

Todd — Thu, 12/28/2006 - 23:02

Chris,
My hat is always off to our firefighters and police officers who work around the clock every day of the year; they are truly the unsung heroes of our country!

If you are looking for a career change, I couldn't recommend any company more highly than Southwest Airlines. Give 'em a shot -- they're always looking for great people!
Best wishes to you and "the Captain",
Kim :-)

Kim Seale — Fri, 12/29/2006 - 01:19

Todd,
You are correct about the less-desirable flights. I've been on quite a few flights over the years that were not popular with either the cabin or the cockpit crews. At first, it was a bit of a shock, but I've started getting used to it. The way it works is one of the passengers will get on the public address system in the cabin to see if there is anyone onboard who is a 737-rated pilot. Usually we can at least find someone who has spent an hour or two behind the controls of a Piper Cub, so that takes care of the left seat up front. Then, we can usually find someone who has watched the cockpit scenes of the movie "Airplane" enough times to qualify for the right seat.

That leaves the tough jobs, but most times, there will be a handful of us who have enough flight experience on Southwest that we split the peanuts and drink distribution duties. There just is nothing that quite compares to those do-it-yourself flights!

Kim :-)

Kim Seale — Fri, 12/29/2006 - 17:05

as a CSA for 5 years this will 2 be my first chritsmas off. WTG

alison — Sun, 12/31/2006 - 06:06

After a rough preceding week, I wasn't looking forward to spending Christmas day traveling. But, from the minute I boarded my last leg from Houston to Albuquerque (flight 1471), your crew immediately started spreading the laughter and good cheer. They made what must be an often trying job look easy, and on a holiday at that! So, to Chris, Timmy, and Curtis -- thanks for your smiles and your good spirits. You made my day!

P.S. Someone really does need to convince Curtis, for next year, that mistletoe berries and holly berries are NOT the same thing . . .
Much LUV to you all in the New Year!

Victoria — Tue, 01/02/2007 - 07:05

This is my first time reading this blog. Southwest sounds like a great company to work for and I would like to apply for a flight attendant postion. I have found information on the main website on how to apply but no clear information on how much a brand new flight attendant is paid, the website says about 18.00 per trip, but I don't know what that means. How much might that be per year if I work full time???? I make 16,000 per year at my 9-5 ,40 hours a week office job and am ready for a change. Would I make more as a brand new flight attendant???? Thanks, Allison - kittikat1502@hotmail.com

Allison — Sat, 01/06/2007 - 02:26

When a person is hired as a reservationist are they given a choice on the shift they are given?Can anyone help with this info?

Faith — Sat, 01/20/2007 - 01:12

HI - I HAVE AN INTERVIEW IN PHX NEXT WEEK FOR A FA POSITION, I AM SO EXCITED TO BE INVITED TO THE INTERVIEW-HOPEFULLY I WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO GO THROUGH TRAINING-I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS-WHERE IS THE TRAINING , HOW LONG, AND DOES IT PAY?HOW SOON AFTER THE INTERVIEW DO THEY NOTIFY YOU ABOUT THE JOB?
THANKS!!
JEN

JEN WEBB — Fri, 05/04/2007 - 21:35

I lived in Dallas in the late 70s and 80s. Trent Ready was a good friend of mine. Can you tell me what became of him. I heard that he has passed away, but no details. I would appreciate any information anyone can give me. Trent and I were both in sales with Century Papers in Dallas.

John Knauf — Mon, 11/26/2007 - 05:39

I am currently awaiting for the next FA training class to begin in the next month or so. I would like to find out what to expect in the first year. Main question is after probation, how hard is commuting back to DFW, and should I just consider moving to my base. Will I have a schedule that will allow me to commute if I decide to live in Dallas? I have other questions, I would appreciate any one that could enlighten me, e-mail me please. Thanks for the info.

Mary Boles — Sun, 12/30/2007 - 06:04

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