I am not a folder.
Can't fold clothes. I very frequently miss the mark on a half or tri-fold; rarely even use folders, and those fold for you. In each month's Spirit Magazine, there is an origami design. If you're like me, you scoff at the instructions (which scoff right back, by the way). The instructions' step-by-step process seems so easy, which makes failure that much... read more
Blog Team
Brooks Thomas
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.
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Recent Activity Posts
The Proof is in the Folding
By: Brooks Thomas 
Aug 02 2012
I am not a folder.
Can't fold clothes. I very frequently miss the mark on a half or tri-fold; rarely even use folders, and those fold for you. In each month's Spirit Magazine, there is an origami design. If you're like me, you scoff at the instructions (which scoff right back, by the way). The instructions' step-by-step process seems so easy, which makes failure that much... read more
SWA Stew: Episode 55
By: Brooks Thomas
Jul 27 2012
SWA Stew: Episode 54
By: Brooks Thomas
Jul 20 2012
SWA Stew: Episode 53
By: Brooks Thomas
Jul 13 2012
Liberty Takes Flight
By: Brooks Thomas
Jul 03 2012
35 Years in 'The Original Gateway to the West Coast'
By: Brooks Thomas
Jun 29 2012
Southwest Airlines in El Paso is like a five-star bed and breakfast you stumble upon during a daunting road trip. It's welcoming from the outside, but you don't fully realize its hospitality until you're fullly immersed, and properly settled in. El Paso was the first city I ever visited as a Southwest Employee. I don't know who made the call for my first dose of Southwest Culture... read more
What is LUV (Mail)? And Other Blog Enhancements
By: Brooks Thomas
Jul 02 2012
I know how your morning went down. Your synchronized yawn-and-stretch routine happened as it always does. You almost tripped on a Tonka truck on your way to the bathroom. You groggily stumbled down the stairs to prepare for your weekly battle with Monday. Your morning cup finished brewing, you settled in, and you checked to see what was new on Nuts About Southwest. ... read more
SWA Stew: Episode 52
By: Brooks Thomas
Jun 30 2012
On The Fly: In The Nick of Time (and Sometimes Not)
By: Brooks Thomas
Jun 28 2012
The aircraft door very rarely reopens. I’ve had it happen both in my favor and to my detriment. As for the latter, I can recall flying through security with worry written on my face, and nary a care for the baggage in tow. I was greeted by a sealed door; I knew my fate, too, had been sealed. Not happening. Not this time.I was more fortunate on the other occasion.... read more
SWA Stew: Episode 51 (#StopBullying)
By: Brooks Thomas
Jun 22 2012
Recent Activity Luvs
The Final Farewell of Atlantis
By: Brooks Thomas
Jul 09 2011
A passenger flying to Fort Lauderdale on one of our canyon blues snapped history yesterday: the final launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, and the end (for now) of NASA's space shuttle program. Ryan Graff glanced outside his window (which I'm going to guess was around 21A), to see the towering trail of smoke from Atlantis' rocket boosters, rising majestically from the Cape Canaveral... read more
A Blog Team Independence Day
By: Brooks Thomas
Jul 03 2011
This holiday weekend, there's much to be thankful for in America: our many Freedoms, the Military service men and women who protect those freedoms, and being able to come together with friends and family to celebrate all of it. For me, the last few days have consisted of relaxation, catching up with family and friends, and trying to find the source of all these fireworks. Funny... read more
40 Years in 40 Days: Class of 1977
By: Nancy Newsom 
Jun 12 2011
I began my career with Southwest Airlines in June of 1977 at DRC. Orientation was held at the original headquarters on Regal Row, where we were ushered back to Lamar Muse's office to watch a few Southwest Airlines commercials. I sat on the floor, and glanced over at Mr. Muse. His secretary sat down on his lap for a few minutes, everyone was laughing and I... read more
School's Out for Summer
By: Erin Terry 
Jun 08 2011
Well, friends, the time of year is finally upon us-- can you
hear the millions of teachers, parents, and students from sea to shining sea
shouting with joy? I sure can! And I must say, as a year-round, cubicle-bound
Employee, I’m more than a wee bit jealous…but I digress.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Mrs.
Anderson’s 4th grade class at Patton Elementary School in Austin,
TX.... read more
#1971 Photo Contest
By: Alice Wilson 
Jun 01 2011
Southwest is gearing up for its 40th Birthday, and we
want our Customers to join in on the FUN! So starting today, and continuing through
June 3, Customers can participate in our 1971 photo contest to become one of
four lucky winners to receive a trip for each winner and a guest to come to
Dallas and help celebrate Southwest’s 40th Birthday! Not only will these four winners receive 2... read more
Holiday Travel Alert: Now Accepting Bookings Through January 6, 2012!
By: Bill Owen 
May 24 2011
Flight Attendant for a Day
By: Susie Angiolilli 
May 17 2011
I first met
Customer Mary at the baggage carousel as she anxiously waited for her daughter,
Susan, to pick her up. It took a little time, so I waited with her and
discovered that Mary had come to West Palm Beach to celebrate her upcoming 90th
birthday! She definitely doesn’t look her age! Mary also shared the
fact that the Flight Attendants had been great on the flight. ... read more
40 Years in 40 Days: Class of 2003
By: John Midgette 
May 17 2011
I forget a lot of things. I’ll walk across the office to pick up something from the printer and refill my coffee mug. More often than not I’ll return to my desk and realize I’ve forgotten one or the other. Rarely is it the coffee.My kids remember my age better than I do.But one thing I have no trouble keeping track of is the day that I was hired as a full-time Employee at Southwest.... read more
Seattle Food Run
By: Annie Hoelzel 
Apr 14 2011
I suppose when traveling with a
cooler, people automatically assume you know where you’re going. I guess that would explain why four people
asked me for directions to various areas around town just minutes after grabbing
my cooler from baggage claim. Sadly, I
couldn’t point them in the direction they wanted to go, and had to ask
directions myself. Thanks to a very kind
man... read more
Jersey Cares, and So Does Southwest!
By: Jenna Williamson 
Apr 14 2011
Newark is OPEN!
This is huge. From our newest airport, you can hop a train to Penn
Station, and faster than a "Friends" rerun, you’re in the heart of New York City: home of the Yankees and the Mets, Broadway, and 5th Avenue. Land
of 20,000 restaurants. The place never sleeps. What’s not to love?
On the first Southwest Airlines plane to land in Newark, I was sitting
beside Bob D., Dallas... read more
Latest LUV Mail
From: Cynthia Moynihan
Tampa,Florida
An Act of Kindness
May 20 2013
Going to an airport and getting on a plane and traveling to
unfamiliar territory takes on a whole new meaning when one...
