flight attendant

baggage handler

customer service representative

software engineer

intern

Southwest Airlines

The review summary is verbatim what the example summary suggested, because it's true. I actually love being at work (the commute is a whole other beast) and I do feel super productive most nights. Oh, and there is a ping-pong table.

I work in the network operations center as a meteorologist. I work night shift and it is my preference. The overnight shift puts the airline to bed and sets up the board to start a new game tomorrow. There are less people so it's quiet and laid back unless the weather is crazy. On a regular night I show up, take a briefing on the weather expected through the end of the operation, and then weather expected for startup the next morning. I spend the night going through forecast models to see if there are any changes to the forecast, and if so, I notify the chiefs and the dispatchers so they can plan accordingly. If there is a severe weather outbreak, I will send watches and warnings out to the impacted stations so that they can stay safe inside and keep our equipment safe. If there is a hurricane or winter storm, I put together special briefings regarding impacts to the stations in the path. Toward the end of shift, my coworkers arrive to start the day and I brief them on the new forecast and then help them prep some morning paperwork before I head out. We forecast for every Southwest station, so some nights it's nonstop busy, while others there is some down time.

Casual chatter between coworkers and friends is encouraged as long as it doesn't get in the way of the work. There really is a family vibe to it all. Company-sponsored parties are held a few times a month and everyone is invited. I can only speak for Headquarters and the Ops Center campuses, though, not any of the individual stations, or bases as some folks call them. I do see stations doing fun projects and outreach when I read our company newsletter, so there are definitely opportunities there as well to get involved in work-sponsored activities outside of your daily grind (and I HIGHLY recommend doing so!). Really, you get out of it what you put into it. If you go to work with a good attitude and truly embody the spirit of the company, you will more than likely have a good day at work. There will always be some stressful days, but with judicious use of Warrior Spirit, Servant's Heart, and Fun-Luving Attitude, you will overcome the trying times.

There is a robust benefits package available, and how much you're willing to spend will dictate how much you get out of that as well. Single, healthier folks usually opt for more minimal coverage for less bucks, while folks with health conditions or kids have a fantastic health care plan that still won't break the bank. Vacation days and salaries are often negotiated by a union if your department is part of one (most operations groups have one), so I can't speak to what non-union PTO/Vacation plans and salaries are like. Special interest groups exist across the company, like diversity counsel, culture committee, and many volunteer groups involved in community outreach. SWA is huge into giving back to the community. The life insurance plans are excellent and more than fairly priced, there is profit sharing, stock options, free flights on standby, 401k, and a cool opt-in program to earn points to purchase things -  as good as cash! Points are earned for perfect attendance and being recognized for going above and beyond. Our entire team was given points from management after one particularly rough stretch of winter storm events last year that had us digging deep into the overtime roster.

Opportunities for career development are endless, and SWA is proactive about keeping their employees up to date with the latest industry standards and research. My 10-person team alone sends people to at least three conferences a year. Lateral movement with the different groups in the company is also common and lets people see much of what the airline business is all about. Non-specialized career fields like ground ops or flight ops, even many admin positions, have tons of opportunity for career advancement and promotion. SWA will even help pay for you to get a dispatcher license! They offer a tuition assistance plan for folks attending college as well. It's obvious they want their people to succeed, because when the employes do well, the company does well.

Happy employees = happy customers.

10/10 would not want to work anywhere else.

Southwest has been known as the LUV airline since its inception - and that was an applicable adjective for the first 30 or so years of its existence.  But as the Company has grown, upper-level management has changed and now believes (by behavior, not be promotion) profits take precedence over People.  In business, change is inevitable - especially if you want to grow and expand your business.  But you can change your technology, change your practices, change your procedures without having to change your values.  And that's where we've missed the mark the last 10-ish years.  Herb Kelleher used to say that we are not in the airline business, we're in the Customer Service business - we just happen to fly planes.  The Company motto, core value was that People came first (employees then customers, believing that if you take care of your employees they will take care of your customers).  And it worked! We've grown exponentially to become the largest domestic carrier in the US. We've been a model in business classes, schools as a great, underdog success story. The ultimate David versus (at the time) 3 Goliaths (American, United, Delta). And while they were all filing for bankruptcy protection and laying people off, Southwest was hiring people and making large profits. We're now the American Goliath.  But if you now look at our Mission Statement, our core values, Customer Service is nowhere to be found. We are now most definitely an airline, in the money-making business. Granted, people are in business to make money - and there's nothing wrong with making money. But is it ethical (much less, moral) to be making that money by deceiving your customers, allowing them to believe you're still the "same 'ol Southwest you've grown to LUV,' when we know we're nowhere close to that same airline?? 

Our hiring policy used to be that we "hired the person, trained for the position" because the actual person mattered more than their credentials and what was on their resume.  No more.  You can't even get an interview unless you already meet certain criteria, have specific credentials on paper. Your degree matters more than your personality.  Your education matters more than your attitude and aptitude.  And, again, there's nothing wrong if that's how a business chooses to hire.  Just be honest and open about it.  That's my biggest issue with our Company.  We're resting on our laurels, relying on our reputation with our Customers - but we are not that Company anymore.  And I truly believe it's only a matter of time before they catch on.  And once they do, I've got to think they're going to feel like they've been deceived and misled that last several years.  

On top of all of that, we've become so top-heavy with management that it's created a competitive atmosphere rather than one in which everyone is trying to help each other achieve their potential. Your direct Leader used to want to help you in your career, help get you to where you want to be, where you're capable of being.  Now they're just in the business of protecting their own territory (or trying to climb the ladder themselves) that developing their Team is fairly far down on the list of their priorities.

All that said, there are much worse places to work. Even though there's a lot of fake corporate-cheerleader types, there's also a lot of good, genuine people. And if you do your job, you don't worry about getting laid off or furloughed. But don't be fooled by the reputation - SWA Spirit used to be the heart of Southwest. Not it's simply hanging on for dear life, just trying to remain a part of it.

If you're a retiree looking for a job to stay active and make some money I would 100% recommend this job to you. If you're single and have no problem being on the road constantly to make good money I could recommend this job to you. If you're someone trying to make this a career and support a family I would have a difficult time recommending this job to you. 

To make good money you pretty much have to dedicate yourself to the job and live on the road until you move up the pay scale. It takes 13 years to reach top pay.  It's nice that it's union but because the railway labor act prevents airlines from going on strike contract negotiations are dragged out for years. There hasn't been a contract since 2018 and there's no contract on the horizon. This means there hasn't been pay raises since then, and with the way current inflation is going you're basically taking a step back pay wise every year. It's a very very complicated pay system to explain, so to equate what you make a year vs the "hourly pay" for this  job wouldn't be easy. Best way to explain it is that if you worked the minimum necessary without picking up extra trips you're looking at $30k/year and if you were topped out you're about double that. Now you can work about as much as you want to so if you want to completely throw yourself into the job you can easily make double or maybe even triple that kind of money if you really pushed the envelope on how much you work. 

People often talk about the glory days of the job being pre 9/11 when the job was more relaxed and you were allowed to have more fun. Afterwards it became more structured. Also the job used to have long overnights where you could enjoy the city you were staying in. Nowadays it's long working days and short overnights where you pretty much only have time to eat, get a drink or two, and grab some quick sleep before heading back out. Not every night is super short but most are. I will say I've gotten to see most of the country which I'm grateful for, but I certainly have not gotten to go out and explore cities like I had expected. Covid has made this an unbearable job. All airlines required flight attendants to be the mask police the past couple years but when people don't respect you or your authority it just became draining. We do what we're told and get all kinds of attitude from passengers for doing so. Hopefully covid and masks end soon and a little more civility comes back to the sky but it's certainly never going to be what it was before. Southwest as a whole is probably one of the best companies you can work for especially as an entry level worker with no higher levels of education. You can walk into southwest and get a job that doesn't pay great to start but eventually you do make great money. To be a kid that's only 18 and gets hired in this company is an amazing thing. The 401k match is untouched by anyone else and you're guaranteed to have an incredible retirement if you get into the company at an early age. 



SWA is a good company, with a great culture, but the culture is not as awesome as it once was. If you could be a fly on the wall in the break areas or even just listen to the conversation employees have with each other, sometimes while on duty,  you'd understand what I'm saying. 

Many of the co-workers, some of the managers and supervisors are wonderful people to work with, and SWA takes pride in hiring the best, friendliest and internal and external customer service oriented individuals... however, the world is comprised of good and bad people so this just isn't always the case. I've witnessed very, no extremely rude agents handling external customers and unbeknownst to them,  internal customers, but because of seniority their job is not at stake so they are essential given a free pass to behave this way.  

There are some good, honest, fair managers but some supervisors, who are often promoted from agent positions, are on a power trip and our six month probation period apparently makes it very easy for them to make the life of new agents very difficult. The managers have been ported verbally threatening new agents jobs to get them to do their bidding and if a new agent dares to speak up against any injustice,  they are treated poorly, gossiped about between supervisors and agents, then only after being worked a bit more, sometimes ot or a double,  they are let go. Supervisors and agents with a bit of seniority are basically allowed to do what they want and treat new agents and customers how ever they want. This, i hsve learned, is the case in many stations. 

That all being said, I  luv Southwest Airlines as it is presented and for the most part strives to be,  I just think there needs to be some internal house cleaning, even if it just means specialized, reoccuring, training reminding employees how to treat others, after all at SWA, we follow the golden rule. 

There are so many good things about and good people at SWA, but the number of the few "bad eggs on a power trip" is still too high in my opinion.  I've seen employees let go for legitimate reasons, on the other hand I've witnessed good employees tossed out because only one or two (of the very many) managers,  supervisors and or employees just didn't like them personally, even if they had good commendations from customers. 

I would recommend working at SWA, it's an awesome opportunity and we like to hire individuals who stand out and shine but the unfortunate  truth for some is that you have to either be in the good graces of the specific supervisors who let the power go to their head or keep your personality and shine down to a dull dim so you can pass probation.

Southwest Airlines is definitely a good place to begin a career and in most cases people get hired and NEVER leave (truth).  The company offers lots of benefits and perks such as full medical, dental, life, etc. They match your 401k contributions dollar for dollar up to 9.3%. They also give each employee a percentage of profit sharing although most employees only receive it as part of their retirement plans and are only able to access the funds upon leaving the company (in any manner). Every employee and their eligible dependents can fly for free although it is only standby so if there aren’t any seats available you will not get on the flight. This is the same as with all airlines I might add. Southwest now gives the employees the option to receive frequent flyer miles which helps with being able to book tickets instead of waiting for an empty seat. They also give employees several discounted coupon codes to use when booking tickets. Great perks. Southwest does a great job of promoting from within regardless of educational level and experience. This can be both a pro and con since some upper level management team members are highly unqualified to lead. There is also a noticeable lack of diversity among upper level management and also within the Flight Attendant and Pilot workgroups. The company has recently created a Diversity and Equity Committee because of lots of pushback from workgroups but the Committee itself is not diverse. Southwest also lacks current technology in several departments. Their systems don’t work together seamlessly so it causes chaos whenever things get hectic which is normal in the airline industry.  The good news is that despite all of the chaos that is the norm for airlines, Southwest tends to be able to throw the best parties. They have annual Spirit parties and Rallies as well as full glam work anniversary parties. They know how to have a good time!! 

Overall, I would recommend Southwest as a great opportunity. I have been in the airline industry for over 20 years with a little over a decade here at Southwest and I must admit that I have had fun and made a considerable amount of money. Despite the not-seemingly-cared-about challenges with diversity and inclusion as well as technology and the somewhat lackadaisical attitude towards employee safety among some workgroups, Southwest is a stable and consistently profitable place to work. Good luck!

What is the best part of working at the company?
I loved my co-hearts, kick-tails, and awesome customers!

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
not knowing/ not being able to plan my schedule in advance; the mandatory overtime; the fast pace in Denver; feeling like my management team (and the union members) either did not have my back or lacked the support they needed to be available to support us as individual human beings - unique and diverse.  I enjoyed my job, though I found the role physically tough on my body at the required pace.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Like just about everywhere, there are some awesome people to work with and there are some that are more challenging.   I love the company was built on a model of scrappy and fun (thanks Herb for taking care of the people who worked for you); though this is not the way it is currently run.  There are still some really good souls that have been part of the times when the AWESOMENESS was built!  May the legend inspire more greatness to come.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Rushing through early morning Denver traffic praying to not hit a patch of tail spinning ice; clocking in early (lest you get point for being late); rushing from one task to the next (praying to stay safe physically while arriving early/on time to work each plane in the alotted timeframe); making sure I brought my lunch and drink so I might have enough time to eat without having to find something expensive and rushed in the concourse; remembering to bring hand warmers and toe warmers for the super-cold days; and a fan for the hot days.  Watch the schedule closely before taking time to go to the bathroom.  Dont laugh too much around coworkers in sight of supervisors lest they think you are slacking off and threaten to write you up. IF you can get through the probation period without points, you may survive a few years, you may get a portion of your vested 401k match; If you get through 5 years, great job!  If you get past that, you are likely there until you retire.  Seniority rules means you wont want to leave or change unions especially because you lose seniority on bidded schedules.  Because of this, if you think/know you want to change departments, do so early in your career.  Write "kicktails" for your coworkers.  These gems provide a much-needed validation to & from your cross-department colleagues.  Management seems to be rewarded/judged on other aspects that are at odds with celebrating the co-hearts they actually supervise.  Volunteer and stay positive.

Southwest Airlines has a history of being a fantastic employer; and in many ways they are. Imperfect, yes; but corporately their "heart" is in the right place. If the requisition for Ramp Supervisor was anywhere but LAS, I would not hesitate to recommend you submit your resume'.  But not in LAS...  Sadly, entrenched management - and far too many "mid-level managers" striving to justify their existence; has resulted in a 'management mess' that the ramp supervisors have to deal with daily. The managers have little or no understanding of ramp operations, the few who have worked the ramp did so, so many years ago, as to make their experience more detrimental than beneficial. That, in combination with 'CYA'; makes the job much more difficult than is necessary. They will pay lip service to their supervisors-but not listen to suggestions to improve the operation. They are 'stuck' where they are in their own career, and thus have little or no interest in furthering yours. Much like the saying..."at the end of your rope? tie a knot and hang on."  The recent merger with AirTran has made many feel either threatened or proud (for the wrong reasons) and the 'blending' of the companies is hostile at best, in LAS, BWI, MDW, and ATL.  That, in combination with a unionized workforce that has not been able to sign a new contract (still in negotiation...) since 2010 or '11; has put the non-union ramp supervisors in the role as "bumpers" between the ramp and management; and thus usually "hung out to dry". You will get little or no back up from your managers, there are probably only 1 or 2 MROs you can actually trust. The other supervisors will have your back unless it means risking theirs, then it is (understandably) every man for himself. I have been in passenger aviation for over three decades, after leaving Southwest, I am now in a management position with Alaska Airlines; where - thankfully - my experience and knowledge is viewed as an asset and not a 'threat'. If you can get hired by Southwest, and then asap transfer to another station; go for it. If you have to stay in Las Vegas; start using your experience to go to another carrier...   I have many friends still on the ramp in LAS, and it is heartbreaking that they feel 'trapped'.

After working for  three other airlines, I absolutely knew that Southwest Airlines was top shelf.  Why?  What's not to like about a company that seeks out my opinion on a proactive basis.  Southwest called me by my first name.  From Day 1, my experience was one of awe.  I was met by a team member, who introduced me to everyone.  And I mean everyone.  People appeared to be very happy--and helpful, not just with each other  but also with the flying public.  Quite frankly, I was astonished with this alone.  I was hired as an Operations Agent--planning the weight and balance of several models of Boeing aircraft.  After 17 months, I was promoted to an Operations Supervisor and also selected as a Station Trainer for Operations for a three-year stint, until the company decided to open their own training university at Dallas Love Field in Texas.  What kept my job fresh, was that there was no typical day.  Every day was an adventure.  New faces and new places.  Southwest was constantly growing.  The environment was fluid and so exciting.  It all kept going and the vibe was ultra-positive.  New cities opened with thoughtfulness and precision.  Soon, we were going international, adding to the fun.  Nothing was ever stagnant and there was always something to learn.  We worked hard and played hard.  We were reminded to GO, SEE, and DO.  Workplace culture was legendary.  The pay was bar-none.  Time flew along with our passengers.  Yes, the pace was other worldly, but we were treated like royalty.  Our HQ people cared about us and we knew that they knew WHO were were.  We would get surprises in the mail from the People Department.  Little gifts.  Sometimes a check for Valentine's Day.  We were up for any challenge presented because our HQ staff demonstrated over and over that there was nothing we could not do, if we all put our heads together.  We all drank the Kool-Aid, climbed every mountain, solved every problem and loved every moment.  I retired from Southwest after nearly 16 years and would recommend SWA to anyone wanting the career of a lifetime--with people who LUV you!
   

. The VP seems unaware of the situations going on with those employees on the front line and those who are just above front line. Discipline structure is lacking and those who wrote the standards and culture to live by do not live by these standards set for those below them. Granted, not everyone is like this in this area of Southwest but I hate to think what the founders of this great airline would think if they saw what was really happening.  One in particular rules by fear and manages by personal feelings and then attempts to use company policy against reports to their leaders' reports. Some managers pour some strong kool-aid here but buyer beware...there may be poison in your cup if you aren't careful.  Office politics are stronger than usual here - upper levels encourage an open door policy but realistically do not believe in this without regrets. Lots of complacency and not enough change in some parts where it really matters, too many individual opinions to create change. Signing up for extra committees and finding out later you are unable to balance the work load and then politely declining will send up red flags. I saw this as directors seeing as a sign of weakness and then becoming an immediate target. Unusual amounts of office politics rampant in a company that encourages a great culture and rides on the "Luv" spirit that is so formally pressed from Day 1.  

Positively speaking, most of the coworkers are great. During hard times on the front line there is a sense of family and unity to get through. At first, there was incredible amounts of flexibility and trust. As hands began to switch and departments change, it turned the other direction. Lots of diversity and diversity groups to participate in. Bonuses available to supervisor group yearly and profit sharing. Room for advancement if you know the right people and have fought for the trust from your leader. By far the best and somewhat worst career experience yet?

A typical day at work includes making, changing, and cancelling reservations for Corporate Customers, Travel Agents and the General Public, and putting up with numerous  Team Leaders who will walk the floors and "listen" for mistakes, like a "witch hunt" or something.  They don't layoff per say, but will follow the process to get you out, and if you go to another department or to  inflight (like many have) and don't make it thru, they will NOT TAKE YOU BACK, unless you are a favorite.  I know 1st hand of jobs that were "found" @ LGA, BUR, LAS, and DAL to name a few places for some of those that were not able to "cut the mustard" of their new position so to speak.I learned that they do have their "favorites" even if your score card is pretty much perfect, they will find ways to get rid of you, or make your life miserable.  Co Workers are great, lots of Happy Hours, trips to SeaWorld, Disney, etc... , even though we have lost about 20 on my team since 3rd quarter 2013, from walkouts, firings or forced "retirements".  The hardest part of the job is trying to figure out what the various Team Leaders want, and which ones you can "trust", as there is so much inconsistency.  Southwest refuses to charge for bags and changes which is great, but their NEED for  extra revenue is HIGH, and they have us soliciting for the Chase Visa,  Early Bird Check In's, Business Select tickets, Rental Cars and Hotels.  Chase, Hotels and Rental Cars pay Southwest a commission for each one that is booked.  Employees do not receive a commission, but if you miss it on a call, they let you know about it  The most enjoyable part of the job of course is being able to be "yourself" when helping someone in need whether thru humor, seriousness or sympathy depending on why they are traveling, such as a funeral, sporting event, wedding, graduation, family reunion, vacation, etc...

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Flight attendant 12 salaries reported	$31.50 per hour
Baggage handler 8 salaries reported	$21.00 per hour
Customer service representative 10 salaries reported	$21.42 per hour
Software engineer 22 salaries reported	$109,414 per year
Intern 3 salaries reported	$22.33 per hour

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