Contributor
Jim Herring
Since 1997, Jim has worked in various departments (Customer Relations; Charitable Giving; and currently, Culture Services Outreach) for the greatest airline on the planet (Southwest, of course!). He’s had countless FUN experiences on the job, but playing Austin Powers in a Halloween show at Southwest Headquarters really stands out as a favorite. Sounds funny, but it’s not unusual for Jim to mention that he’s one of the luckiest guys he knows. Jim is excited by opportunities to travel and especially enjoys Europe, where a trip to Austria turned into six of his life’s most exciting months. He enjoys being surrounded by books, coffee, and music so much that he visits a local Barnes & Noble a night or two each week. Without a doubt, his greatest passion is listening to music (recorded/live). He has an immeasurable appreciation for great songs, great lyrics, and great musicianship, and he’s one of the biggest Beatles (Yeah, yeah, yeah) fans around.
Recent Activity:
Recent Activity Posts
Paradiddles, Flams, & Fills...
By: Jim Herring 
Dec 09 2010
It all started when I was 13 and a friend of mine, a fellow junior high band member, gave me a pair of drumsticks as a birthday gift. I played cornet in band, but soon realized I would have had more FUN if I’d chosen percussion. On more than one occasion, our band director, Mr. Larry Colvin, caught me in a band hall practice room banging on a drum that I’d confiscated from the percussion... read more
Off We Go...
By: Jim Herring
Nov 11 2010
… Into the Wild Blue Yonder.
In early October, I was transported back in time to a bygone era when Americans lived a simpler life and, through sacrifice and bravery, rightfully earned their reputation as The Greatest Generation.
It was a privilege to join others at the Vintage Flying Museum's 20th Annual Big Band Hangar Dance, an evening set aside to raise funds in support of the museum (... read more
Polar Pete to the Rescue!
By: Jim Herring
Jul 14 2010
Who is Polar Pete, you ask? Why, he's the newest camper at Camp I-Thonka-Chi.
As I've shared in a previous post, every year in early June, a group of Southwest Airlines Employees volunteer to share our LUV with a group of remarkable, brave kids who happen to be burn victims.
We recently returned from our 17th annual visit to Camp I-Thonka-Chi, where young patients of Parkland Memorial... read more
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
All You Need is LUV
By: Jim Herring
Dec 09 2009
June 6, 1962 saw this band's historic first visit to EMI Studios at 3 Abbey Road, St. John’s Wood, London. During the next eight years, they pushed the boundaries of recording music to unparalleled heights to create what is regarded by countless music fans (including me) and musicians as the greatest collection of studio recordings in Rock ‘n’ Roll history. Note to our younger blog readers: I... read more
Do You Remember?
By: Jim Herring
Aug 18 2009
Have you ever thought about your very first recollection, and if so, is it something you hold dear? (I hope so.) My first remembrance is a treasured one.
It was a cool day in the fall of 1964. I was only four years old when I tugged on my mom’s coat pleading for her to take me to see the Beatles in their first feature film, A Hard Day’s Night. This fun and influential movie had opened... read more
Camp I-Thonka-Chi, Here We Come!
By: Jim Herring
Jun 09 2009
I'm happy to report that the time has come once again to join some of my Fellow Southwest Airlines Employees as we share our LUV with our cherished Friends at Camp I-Thonka-Chi (for more information on the remarkable children and young adults who visit this incredible Camp, please see my blog post from 8/12/08).
Before heading out to Camp, each child must go through a brief... read more
The Day "Q" Came to Town
By: Jim Herring
Apr 20 2009
They call him “Q.” More on this in a minute.
I’m sure that most of our blog readers are aware that Southwest Employees are encouraged to work hard, have FUN, and be themselves. Well, after 12 incredible years as a member of the Southwest Family, I’m here to tell you that there’s another vital element that each Southwest Employee adds to the mix—it’s the Freedom to express our passions—... read more
My Favorite Christmas Flick
By: Jim Herring
Dec 17 2008
The Holiday Season is upon us. There's a chill in the air; festive decorations everywhere you turn; tasty treats galore; Christmas presents to select and put under the tree; holiday parties to attend; most importantly, though, it’s a time to be joyful and count your blessings.
But there's another ingredient that has become part of Christmas tradition for many of us—watching a favorite... read more
What's on your "Thanksgiving List?"
By: Jim Herring
Nov 25 2008
No matter what your current situation is, you can always find someone and/or something that brings a smile to your face and inspires you to give thanks. If you were to make a list of all the people and things in your life for which you are grateful, how long would it be? As Thanksgiving approaches, I've been reflecting on my own "Thanksgiving List," and if I were to reveal all the... read more
