Blog Alumni

bthomas
Author Since 2010

Brooks Thomas

Communications Specialist
Dallas, TX  | 

Born under a favorable sign (Gemini) in the northern suburbs of Chicago, I transplanted to Dallas for college and decided I was okay with the decision, so I stayed. Like the Blog Boy himself, Brian Lusk, I attended Southern Methodist University for journalism. I also worked for the radio station there. Unlike Mr. Lusk, I graduated in 2006, about 40 years after he did. In my former life, I was an aspiring news producer. Complete newscasts watched since I left: 4.

Fun Facts

Languages

English

Hobbies

Travel, music, sand volleyball, not falling off my bike

Family

I’m a loner, Dottie, a rebel – Peewee Herman

Pets

Ernie the Golden Retriever (R.I.P.), Gilmore the Yellow Lab (R.I.P.), Vern the cat (R.I.P.), Elmo the Box Turtle (R.I.P.) All died of natural causes.

High School

Lake Forest High School – Home of the Scouts

College

Southern Methodist University

Favorite Sports Teams

Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Cubs, SMU Mustangs, Texas Rangers

Favorite Travel Destinations

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Your Favorite Southwest Story

Gotta pick two. I know that’s probably not allowed. LUV Classic 2010 and Haunted Headquarters 2010. The former is a golf tournament and the latter our huge Halloween party. In both cases, we selected winners through a picture contest on Twitter and I got to host them at each event. Very cool to bring guests into your own home and have them meet the family (Southwest family, of course). Since these are all people who are especially internet savvy, I imagine at some point they’ll come across this message.

Recent Activity:

Recent Activity Posts

SWA Stew: Episode 64

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Oct 19 2012
In this week's episode, we're talking about things you should be buying used, Tricky the rescued cat, the event that led to the creation of the 10-minute turn, our #CarvingTheLUV contests, and behind the scenes with Pete & Penny penguin. read more

An Evening with Kunde Family Estate

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Oct 15 2012
At a young age, Jeff Kunde remembers feeding cows out of the back of a beat-up truck, chucking hay with the velocity of a two-year-old.  Kunde's father would sometimes let Jeff stand on the seat, the youngster's hands on the steering wheel while Dad threw the truck into compound low, nothing to disturb the impromptu driving lesson but endless fields. During a summer break in college, Kunde... read more

SWA Stew: Episode 63

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Oct 12 2012
This week, we're talking about Season 5 of "Live from the Artists Den," our Winter Fare Sale, and our #CarvingTheLUV contest that will bring the winner to tour our haunted headquarters!  AND we're talking about the more than $600,000 raised for Ronald McDonald House Charities, and our two fine feathered friends Pete & Penny from SeaWorld San Diego, who recently hitched a ride on one of... read more

SWA Stew: Episode 62

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Sep 28 2012
SWA Stew 62 is a little bit ironic, don't you think?  Okay, maybe not.  But Alanis Morissette was featured in this edition, so we're halfway there.  Alanis played a concert in support of our sponsorship with Live in the Vineyard.  Stay tuned for more Live at 35 concerts, coming your way very soon!  Joe DiNocco holds a special place in our hearts, and we were happy to help... read more

SWA Stew: Episode 61

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Sep 21 2012
This week (if you can see me), we're talking about Joe's awesome biological reunion, and the Great Peanut Bombardment of 2012 (in honor of National Peanut Day).  Our World Premiere of The Voyage of a Dream has been met with a lot of praise.  Avast! Talk Like a Pirate Day was a real whale of a time, and we transformed southwest.com in our finest pirate speak.  Leading the pack once... read more

SWA Stew: Episode 60

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Sep 14 2012
This week's Stew tells a remarkable tale of bringing LUV home, finding friends in unexpected places, setting LUV free, and giving kids a fighting chance. read more

SWA Stew: Episode 59

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Sep 10 2012
The 59th edition of the SWA Stew was taped by our good friends at Dish Trip, at the Curtis Hotel in Denver, Colorado.  This magical edition of the Stew features another look at Emily's Dream story, premiering on here and our Facebook page on September 18th.  Also heralded was our eventual entrance into Branson on March 9, 2013, which Branson announced with a lot of fanfare.  In the... read more

SWA Stew: Episode 58

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Sep 04 2012
Hey, campers, we're going to Branson!  We're also helping out some great people get the care they need via our Medical Transportation Grant Program.  Once you're done flying, get driving via National Car Rental; it is our latest Rapid Rewards partner, after all!  And if you're still flying, why not fly on Colorado One?  We were very happy to introduce our latest specialty... read more

CONTEST ALERT: #ViddyADay Will Help You Get Away!

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Aug 27 2012
You know the old saying... a Viddy a day keeps the doctor away?  Okay, so I used my unwarranted creative license there, but it's not entirely false.  For three days in August, we're partnering with our Viddy buddies to give you a chance to get away to one our 76 Southwest cities.     The objectives are the same, but very different.  Of course, you must have the Viddy app... read more

Sending Ohio Some More LUV

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Aug 13 2012
All weekend, we're celebrating inaugural Southwest service in Dayton, and Akron-Canton.  This live blog chronicles events from both cities, going beyond the airport to show Customers a little Southwest hospitality, and a whole lotta LUV.  Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Monday, 10:00 a.m. Brooks Thomas (DAY) We're making headlines here in Dayton!  If you're unfamiliar with... read more

Recent Activity Luvs

Yo, D.J., Bring That Back! [Contest Alert]

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Sep 12 2011
Autumn 1989 Baseball cap with awkward crease in the middle of the bill? Check. Train sweatshirt with collared polo, fit for a tiny human? Check. Southpaw baseball glove (I'm a righty now) ready to go? Check. First day of school? In the books. Exposure to music: limited to car radio, but I do remember "Maneater" from the very early stages of my life.  Summer 1996 Bob Dylan and... read more

Celebrating 30 Years of Successful Kids

By: Ana Schwager aschwager

Aug 24 2011
“Always give back—find a way to help others” are the simple yet powerful words that Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl has always remembered since first hearing them from his former University of North Carolina Basketball Coach Dean Smith in the early ‘70s.  Yes, Coach Karl has 1,036 wins and 75 career playoff series under his belt, but just as important as these wins are the “give back”... read more

Like Father, Like Son

By: Capt. Clarke Peele cpeele

Aug 24 2011
Flying my recent three-day trip with my youngest son, Justin Peele, as my First Officer made me the proudest Captain at Southwest Airlines. When Justin was in the seventh grade, he made it known that he wanted to be a pilot and follow in his father’s footsteps. From that moment, I mentored him with the hope of someday looking over at the right seat and seeing my son as my Copilot. Justin... read more

Trading Places: Rangers at Love Field

By: Stephen M. Keller skeller

Aug 23 2011
Rangers players "subbed" for Southwest Airlines Operations Agents and Ramp Agents to marshal in a Southwest Airlines 737, unload baggage from the aircraft, and greet passengers as they arrived at Dallas Love Field, and mingled with travelers at the terminal. read more

It Ain't Easy Being T.J. LUV: A Spirit Junior Story

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Aug 11 2011
After moving back to Dallas, I had a brief stint as a mascot.  I was the now-defunct Frisco Thunder's very own Thundercat.  Sweat-stung and blinded by crazy lighting, I would navigate the crowd on intuition alone, knowing I had a duty to the audience.  Hurling myself over railings, sliding head-first toward the field goal post--I did it all. A cumbersome servitude? Yes. ... read more

Meeting My Dad

By: Princess Young pyoung

Aug 10 2011
“I’ve waited forever for this.”  This is what my biological father said to me as he embraced me for the first time since I was six months old.  I met my dad face-to-face for the first time this summer. As an Intern at Southwest Airlines, we have the privilege of using non-revenue travel benefits to explore the country.  This means that if a seat is available on any destination... read more

We Are Family Part II

By: Jonathon Nield jnield

Aug 08 2011
In my relatively short time at Southwest Airlines, I have seen why we are such a tight-knit Family that unconditionally loves and cares for each other. It's who we are as individuals who share the passion for Southwest’s Golden Rule to treat each other as you would want to be treated. We don’t just say it, we mean it and live it. However, I’ve realized something profound about our Family that... read more

Lead With LUV: A Book Built on Success

By: Ginger Hardage ghardage

Jul 20 2011
For almost four decades, President Emeritus Colleen Barrett has symbolized the heart of Southwest Airlines--and she epitomizes the concept of Servant Leader.  Anyone who has been fortunate enough to receive a personal letter from Colleen, or to be mentored in person by this amazing woman, will know what a huge heart she possesses. In fact, I think her outlook on life and business is... read more

Showing LUV to Our Communities for 40 Years

By: Rachel Barry rbarry

Jul 12 2011
In Southwest Airlines’ 40th year of service, it’s amazing to look back and see how much we have changed over the years.  Since our humble beginnings, there are some things that we’ve held true—building meaningful relationships, showing our LUV and our commitment to our Customers, and making a positive difference in the communities we serve.  In honor of our 40th Anniversary, we want... read more

Caption Contest: Walk the Line to Oshkosh

By: Brooks Thomas bthomas

Jul 12 2011
The latest edition of EAA Oshkosh AirVenture is just weeks away, and we want to give five lucky aviation enthusiasts the opportunity to ride on a Southwest flight directly into the Oshkosh AirVenture festival grounds.  Each of those five winners gets to take a guest. Winning is as easy as registering an account with Nuts, then commenting on this post with your wittiest caption to the... read more