Southwest Airlines Celebrates 15 Years in Omaha

March 4TH, 1995 was the first day of Southwest Airlines service into and out of Omaha. I started with them in October of the same year. There are only 7 people still in Omaha that started here that year. I'm one of them. And I've heard stories of how bad the weather was that day. A big snowstorm. What a welcome don't you think? The ramp agents had to drive around on equipment that didn't have any cabs on them yet. Maintenance hadn't put them on yet, for obvious reasons. It was the first day there after all. They had to deal with getting stuck in drifts on the ramp and there wasn't a pickup there yet with four wheel drive to use for plowing. It was all in all an ugly first day.

Now looking back I can hardly believe that it's been that many years already. I remember many milestones that have been met at this airline. And I'm proud to have been a part of it for this long. Many employees have come and gone in the time I've been here and some great friendships have remained.

Representatives from Dallas, TX, the location of our headquarters, came to Omaha on March 4TH and had our gates and ticket counter all decorated with huge balloons to help commemorate the occasion. They also served cinnamon rolls and coffee to the passengers while they waited for their flights to depart. Games were played in the gate area and a DJ was set up to play music from the 90's! How many times do you see so much activity such as these at an airport? We are after all the LUV airline! We love to have fun. Each employee was given a little thank you gift for being an employee and those of us that have been there since that year were given a little something extra as well. The reps from Dallas were taking random pictures of the employees and printing them on the spot for anyone that wanted a copy. We were even out on the ramp next to one of our planes taking pictures. It was a great day! The employees were treated to a meal that was catered in from one of our local fast food joints, Popeye's Chicken.
After arriving at work and before any passengers showed up, I used my cell phone to take pictures. Then I went up to the gate during the day to get more.

Our ticket counter.

By the gate podium.

Before the balloons were all set in place....at our two gates.


The cinnamon rolls were a hit!

Our DJ.

I don't know how many of you have ever flown on SWA but if you ever get the opportunity to do so, take it! Some of our flight attendants make it pretty fun! They sing songs, recognize birthdays or anniversaries, and play pranks! I hear from alot of people that have taken SWA for business or pleasure and almost always have a great story to tell of their flights.

Just last week SWA was ranked #12 in Fortune Magazine as one of the World's Most Admired Companies! How about that? Of only two airlines to make the list we ranked higher than Singapore Airlines! Kudos!

It's been a great flight the past 14 1/2 years and God willing this flight will continue another 14 1/2 years! I Luv this job.....