Originally Posted by
canigetasixpack
Man, you think you’re doing an excellent job at work only to get on here and be told you’re nothing more than a sentient soda machine, awful at customer service, and my mere presence brings y’all endless frustration. Ouch.
I’m a FA, but I like checking out this forum because, honestly, y’all have the best gossip and news about what’s going on. I care deeply about this company & my coworkers. I know what it’s like to work an office job in a dying Rust Belt city and only make $38,000 a year. I’ve been in the industry since March 2020 (great time to make a career transition btw!) and I fly 150-180 a month. According to my investment calculator, if SWA is still around a decade from now, I’ll be a millionaire by my mid 40s. To give you perspective on my background, my parents are retiring exclusively on social security. To say that I’m grateful for everything this job has given me would be the understatement of a lifetime. Southwest hasn’t helped me climb the economic ladder, it’s put me on an economic elevator in a high rise.
A HOU Captain and I chatted at the bar a couple weeks ago for about an hour about how much we love what we do, what I try to do for our customers, and how Captains like him - communicative, caring, and just plain happy - make my job even better. I’m an A flyer, and I really do care about y’all. If you’ve heard the phrase “You need anything? I like my pilots happy and hydrated” you know exactly who I am. The displacement situation, which I only learned about because of these forums, has me so mad for y’all, especially the Denver guys and gals. Living in a base while being forced to commute to another is cruel.
…more good stuff
Stay happy & hydrated.
This guy needs to be VP of in flight. Seriously.
My post was made in jest. There are cliches about every group and I’m not naive enough to think the 63 year old thrice-divorced captain at the bar in new balances trying to pick up the 26 year old flight attendant doesn’t raise any eyebrows on the other side of the cabin door or the 25 year old FO who is absolutely doing his best to grow the creepiest wispiest mustache he can because his dad never taught him to shave isn’t getting roasted back there.
The FAs who show up, look professional, and do their jobs well are fantastic to fly with and it’s definitely appreciated. The 25% who harangue our passengers, look like an unkempt mob, claim light chop is moderate turbulence, never want to serve yet somehow stir up drama while simultaneously playing on their phone for a transcon give the entire group a bad name. Most people here want what’s best for our passengers which is where the frustration comes from when you find someone who doesn’t care at all.
I’m sorry for the NTAC captains you’ve had to deal with. It’s embarrassing. On the front side of the cockpit door, you’ll *usually* find two people who want to get off the gate on time or early, find a smooth ride, make a friendly PA or two, and get the airplane down in the touchdown zone with a nice landing. It annoys me when I can’t make those things happen for our passengers and fellow employees, especially the nice landing part. Good thing there’s always another leg to attempt to be better. Taking pride in what we do is a hallmark of professionalism and it’s good to see that in other employees.
I really do appreciate the effort from
those who show up and put in the work. Thanks for checking on us up front. That happens less and less often, but it’s always appreciated.