Contributor
Carole Adams
Twenty six years ago I began my career at SWA hoping to become the World's Oldest Living Flight Attendant. I thought that since I became a first time grandmother the day I started class (May 14, 1984) I had a chance. However, little did I know the competition I was up against… I was the second flight attendant over forty to be hired at Southwest. We must have proved ourselves because today there is truly no age limit. I’m a native Dallasite and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in East Dallas. This was back when the teachers drove nicer cars than the students! I started college at Texas Tech, married a fellow student, and finally graduated from East Texas State University in 1980 with a degree in Speech Pathology. (Passengers comment on my Texas accent and I tell them I used to be a speech therapist but since nobody wants to talk “this way” I had to get another job. I have two children and three grandchildren. I was widowed seven years ago after twenty four years of marriage to my high school sweetheart, Luke Adams (WW Samuel). I recently married John Richmond and live in Carrollton. I am thinking about writing a book, “Dating for Seniors - or How to Find a Low Cost Caregiver” Life is indeed precious and I encourage all to maximize it
Recent Activity:
Recent Activity Posts
Boarding Habits of Homo Sapiens
By: Carole Adams 
Jun 04 2007
This would be the title of my Flight Attendant Doctorial Thesis - if there was such a thing! In twenty three years, I have never lost interest in observing passengers board the aircraft. Many are predictable while others have their own style.
Yes, the usual drill is a "Good morning; Good evening; or Hello"; baggage stowed; seat chosen; open book. I am grateful for the personalities and... read more
Is there a doctor on board?
By: Carole Adams
Mar 30 2007
I am working on my second tray of drinks in the forward galley when a woman walks up to me and says, "I don't feel well." She is feeling weak with pain in her mid-chest and under her arms. Her seat is near the front, so I ask her to return to her seat and let her know I will follow her there. I reach for the interphone and call the Captain to start a phone patch to MedLink (the medical company... read more
But my heart belongs to Daddy!--Southwest Airlines Salutes Father's Day
By: Carole Adams
Jun 15 2010
The words from the song are oh so true. How can a girl not compare other men to the first man who picked her up and dried her tears. My dad died January 1, 1996, and in his Diary for the new year he had written, "The first day of my new life." And, it was.
These are the first things that come to mind when I think of my dad:
Cigar smoke--when I smell it I expect to look up and... read more
The Amazing Flying McPhees!
By: Carole Adams
May 26 2010
They fly through the air with the greatest of ease; then they jump from the planes, landing where ever they please. It looks like Jim and Elaine with both of their daughters (Lynnie is a Southwest Flight Attendant); followed by grandkids and assorted McPhee Family Armada.
Why would they do this? you ask with alarm. Don't they know they might break a leg or an arm? The answer will both... read more
Flight Attendant Boot Camp
By: Carole Adams
May 18 2009
I would bet most people measure the passing of a year using January to December - culminating in New Year's Eve. For Flight Attendants, our year is measured from the date of our last Recurrent Training to our next year's Recurrent Training. This date is emotionally significant since our expertise as a Flight Attendant is measured and we get to keep our job.
Recently, I completed my 24th... read more
How much can a sofa cost?
By: Carole Adams
Mar 06 2009
We knew we needed new carpet and new sofas, but better to wait until the dog dies. Darlyn is 15 years old and "tosses her cookies" regularly. The utility closet houses every rug cleaner on the market! One evening in November, I spot "the hole" in the arm of one of the sofas. Decision made-- I'm buying two new sofas and carpeting the family room. We were already waiting... read more
Miracle or Training? Both!
By: Carole Adams
Jan 16 2009
I woke up early this morning and was drawn back to the TV coverage of the Miracle on the Hudson - the US Airways water landing without pontoons! Many words have and will be spoken on this amazing incident. As a Flight Attendant my mind immediately goes to Emergency Procedures in my Flight Manual, training received in class and, most important, the Recurrent Training we all attend once a year... read more
Holiday flying--a report from the Field
By: Carole Adams
Jan 06 2009
In the last 13 days, I've worked ten! That's a lot of flying. Why? I wanted to make up for having worked only four days in December BEFORE the 23rd (vacation). We have had full, busy flights. I've demonstrated the safety features of the aircraft over and over and served 2,000 plus drinks. That's the nuts and bolts of our work. Let me share some moments of serendipity that make me smile as... read more
Gifts on a budget
By: Carole Adams
Dec 19 2008
Looking at the calendar, I realize I'd better stop merely thinking about gifts and start shopping! Don't we all want to give the "perfect gift"? We often equate this with spending a large sum of money. "Budget" is not just a rental car agency! I'll let you know what I'm thinking in hopes you will throw in some suggestions.
Computerized calendars (family pictures for each... read more
Thanksgiving Then and Now
By: Carole Adams
Nov 26 2008
I enjoy remembering Thanksgivings past with my mother and father, grandparents and siblings, spouse and two young children. Those were the best of times with nothing but hope for the future and gratitude for home and family--nowhere to go but up! There's still a picture somewhere of a turkey cake that took me three days to make and an hour for everyone to eat! My sister mentions it every year... read more
Recent Activity Luvs
Never Missed a Day--Southwest Airlines Salutes Father's Day
By: Jim Herring 
Jun 15 2010
Father’s Day is fast approaching, and I’ve been thinking about the valuable lessons my dad taught me over the years. There are many reasons why I’m proud of my father, but today I’ll just focus on one area where he truly left an impression on me—his remarkable work ethic.
Dad grew up on a farm in the small, rural town of Frost, Texas, where he was captain of the high school football team,... read more
Southwest Airlines Salutes Father's Day: A Pilot Remembers His Dad
By: Ray Stark 
Jun 14 2010
Throughout the upcoming week, we will be featuring Father's Day posts from our Blog Team. We kick off the week with this fantastic post from Phoenix Captain Ray Stark.
It was prior to the Great Depression when my grandparents divorced. Two years later, after my father's mom re-married and her new husband voiced great displeasure at having to feed two hungry boys, my grandmother told... read more
Smokin' Spirit Party
By: Steve Heaser 
Oct 28 2008
Length: 20:09
This is the spirit party to end all spirit parties. Taking up four hangar bays, 6000 Employees, former Employees and friends attended this Smokin' Spirit Party to celebrate two Southwest legends Herb Kelleher and Colleen Barrett. read more
Extreme Makeover: Home Ediition
By: Ashley Dillon 
Jan 16 2009
I get to do some pretty cool things in my role at Southwest Airlines. This fall, I got to be a part of an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode! That show leaves me crying like a baby every Sunday night, so I was excited to be a part of it.
For this episode, the family receiving the home makeover has an autistic child who is on a special needs baseball team called the Wild Cats. Southwest... read more
Miracle or Training? Both!
By: Carole Adams
Jan 16 2009
I woke up early this morning and was drawn back to the TV coverage of the Miracle on the Hudson - the US Airways water landing without pontoons! Many words have and will be spoken on this amazing incident. As a Flight Attendant my mind immediately goes to Emergency Procedures in my Flight Manual, training received in class and, most important, the Recurrent Training we all attend once a year... read more
Holiday flying--a report from the Field
By: Carole Adams
Jan 06 2009
In the last 13 days, I've worked ten! That's a lot of flying. Why? I wanted to make up for having worked only four days in December BEFORE the 23rd (vacation). We have had full, busy flights. I've demonstrated the safety features of the aircraft over and over and served 2,000 plus drinks. That's the nuts and bolts of our work. Let me share some moments of serendipity that make me smile as... read more
