Since I’ve been flying a lot lately I’ve become even more fond of Southwest.  Have you flown with them?  I know many people give them a bad rap because it’s a ‘no-frills’ airline, but I’ll take that any day since they let me change flights all the time and consistently have the cheapest fares.  Plus they have great direct flights out of Birmingham.
 
I don’t know for sure, but I think they were the first airline to not use the traditional ‘hub-and-spoke’ system like the other airlines.  Does anyone know if this is for sure true?  I’m not going to research it, so we can just go with this.  Several other airlines have adopted a hybrid hub-and-spoke system in the past decade or two.   

I did not like their new boarding system when I first experienced it back in December, but since then I’ve come to really like it.  It keeps people from standing in line well before the plane is ready to be boarded. 

I asked a flight attendant (in the old days she would be called a Stewardess) on Sunday how many days in a row she works.  She said, “I’m probably not the best person to ask that because I only work six days a month.”  She’s been with the company for 20 years and she said seniority is everything with them.  She flies when she wants.  I like that kind of job.  Of course, I don’t know how much she’s getting paid, but obviously she can afford it.  This is one reason why all their employees are much happier than the other airlines. 

I read a great book last year called “Lessons in Loyalty” about how Southwest Airlines operates and what type of people they employ.  It’s like one big party.  I’d love to work for them.  Too bad they don’t have planning or logistics positions in my area. 

 “I’ve had many ‘whoops’ moments,” he said. “My safety is altitude.”

Rossy — whose sponsors have dubbed him “Fusion Man” — says his form of human flight will remain the reserve of very few for now. The price and effort involved are simply too enormous, he says.

I used to dream I was flying all the time when I was little.  This guy has to be living his dream.  Great story.  I hope it’s true.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24617833?GT1=43001

I just recently learned of this event that takes place in a few cities along the Alabama and Florida coasts.  If you thought you knew what a mullet was, get ready for defnition #2.  It’s entertaining.  Better hope PETA doesn’t see this; they’ll start some kind of protest.