MY LOVE LETTER TO SOUTHWEST

#LoveLetterToSouthwest

This Southwest Airlines meltdown has made me think.

We all have our different experiences with various airlines and are indeed entitled to feel how we feel so if you have no luv for Southwest because of your experiences, I understand.??

But for me...

I've made my luv of Southwest Airlines known for several years. In fact, they are a dream sponsor for Move-In Day Mafia.

I luv their brand personality. It's light-hearted and fun and just like mine.?

I've always thought the other airlines were rather stuffy, formal, and corporate. To be fair though, Delta Air Lines handled me quite well when my niece Tee3 passed so they are my 2nd fave.

My family was one of those caught in the cancelations. So my years of experiences with Southwest have not been perfect but they have been quite positive and outright funny at times.

? Like the time actress Kym Whitley and I were flying together and her dream was to do flight announcements. The flight attendants let her and she had us all in stitches.

??Like the random songs the #flightattendants break out singing and the jokes they crack.

??Like the time I was hauling butt to the gate as they were closing the door,?running, sweating and out of breath and the gate agent puts his hand up in front of me and goes..."Stop. You made it, now let me carry your bag for you while you catch your breath."

??Like the time I was once again running, sweating and out of breath about to miss my flight... got to the door of the plane and the flamboyant flight attendant throws his hand up and goes, "Honey, you can not get on this plane looking like that. No ma'am. Stand there a moment to catch your breath. Here are some paper towels and a free soda. Now wipe your face so you don't embarrass me."?

Then he proceeded to announce to the rest of the plane that I deserved applause for making my flight. The other passengers burst out clapping and I laughed myself silly all the way to a seat.

And we've all seen the singalongs that happen at the Southwest gates sometimes...from both the customers AND the #gateagents.?As a matter of fact, on my last Southwest flight...the gate agent rapped our boarding instructions and we started clapping along.

So yeah...I've got plenty of #Southwest hilarity in my history and I love seeing all the other loyal frequent-flying Southwest Luvvers declaring their loyalty.

It is my prayer that I build a brand and reputation that inspires this kind of joy, forgiveness, and allegiance. It really is quite touching to see so many take a beat to remember the good experiences and not hate the airline.

I appreciate that for years Southwest refused to impose change fees when other airlines charged upwards of $250 for changes that didn't require customer service reps to initiate. We were required to do it online and they still charged $250!

When I got stuck in Dallas for #MoveInDayMafia?back in August, I had to change my flight 5 times! 5 times yall! And actually ended up getting a flight credit.?

I appreciate that when other airlines said they were temporarily implementing baggage fees, got bailout funds, and never lifted baggage fees, Southwest never charged.

And yet, I hate that so many found themselves stranded in an airport for Christmas, away from families...having to spend more funds to get home.

I've read the extensive posts supposedly from Southwest pilots and the commentary around the antiquated systems that imploded. My hope is that the new CEO gets the airline on its feet quickly and fixes the problems that operational employees had warned them about.?

There are a lot of problems to fix but like so many of you Southwest loyalists, I'm willing to ride it out.