Colleen's Corner

As seen in this month's edition of "Spirit Magazine"

Colleen’s Last Word

Since I did not run for reelection to the Southwest Board in May and I am stepping down as a Southwest Officer as of July 16, it is a bittersweet moment for me to be now writing this, my last monthly column.

I have so enjoyed using this column over the last several years to share, explain, and sometimes clarify Southwest Airlines’—and my personal—passion for Proactive Customer Service delivery; my personal respect for our incredibly diverse and multi-talented 35,000-member Family; and the reasons behind many of the policies, procedures, guidelines, concerns, issues, and/or causes near to Southwest Airlines’ heart. Many of you have “connected” with me via this monthly column, resulting in a gazillion new-found Friends and penpals. Thank you for giving me your honest feedback, for being respectful even when you were taking me to task over a view or a decision, and for pointing out the error of our ways when we let you down. Thank you for allowing me to share with you my pride in our Company Culture; our Warrior Spirits, Fun-LUVing Attitudes, and Servants’ Hearts; our Community efforts; our pet Charitable Giving and Community Relations projects; our Good Neighbor mentality; and our expectation (and requirement) for a display of Golden Rule behavior among and from our Southwest Family at all times.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss the opportunity to “chat” with you on a monthly basis. Nonetheless, I will continue as a Southwest Shareholder and Employee for the next few years, so I am hopeful that our paths will cross again soon and often—perhaps aboard one of our LUV jets or via the mail (same address as always). Perhaps if I start trying to master e-mail on July 16 and if the Good Lord is willing and the creek don’t rise, I might well be using it by the Holidays! (I can just feel some of your smiles over that statement.)

The young girl who arrived in Texas in 1967 from the sticks of Vermont has had quite a ride, and for that I will always be thankful. You have been—and will always be—the most cherished, LUVed, and Valued Customers that any Company could ever hope for. May it always be thus!

Colleen Barrett
President, Southwest Airlines