SWA Adopt a Pilot Program....SWA Culture insight

[chase]

The following is a good summary of the Adopt-a-Pilot program that involves nearly 10% of all pilots at Southwest. While SWA does have a unique reputation, it doesn't come by it merely because of our business model....it gets down to the folks we hire in my opinion. This program illustrates I believe the "service mentality" that many of our folks have....there is no money, glory or fame in doing this....it involves giving up free time & giving something back to children who may not have exposure to the aviation industry. With all the negative things out there to focus on when it comes to flying, working with bright-eyed children & watching their eyes light up when they talk about flying......it is a nice way to stay rooted in the fact that flying is still a privilege to some & that we should all consider ourselves fortunate to do something that is still "magical" in the eyes of a lot of young folks. Thanks to all the pilots who are involved & their sacrifice in bringing the joy of flying to so many children.

I've attached the website where one can go to & download lesson plans for classes, teachers & for the pilots....it is designed for a 5th grade curriculm.
____________
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Adopt-A-Pilot Program:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fifth grade classes in each of Southwest Airlines’ destination cities adopt Southwest Airlines pilots for a four-week educational and mentorship program.[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Program Objective:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Adopted pilots mentor students and communicate a key message: education is important in reaching personal goals. [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Educational Curriculum:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Curriculum covers geography, math, science, civics, history, aviation, creative writing, computer technologies, and research skills – developed in cooperation with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Association of Teachers of Math and Science, and professional education consultants.[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Incorporation of Technology:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]An online version of the program reaches outlying schools nationwide with "virtual Pilot;" classes communicate with their adopted Pilots through e-mail; students research geographical and historical information about cities where their Pilots fly.[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]First Introduced:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]September 1997; Inaugurated in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education’s “America Goes Back to School” effort.[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]No. of Students Involved This Year:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]More than 15,000 (over 400 schools coast to coast)[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]No. of Students Involved Since 1997:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]More than 65,000 students[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]No. of Pilots Who Volunteer Each Year:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]More than 450 pilots.[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Program Acknowledgments:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]First Lady Laura Bush; Secretary of State Colin Powell/America’s Promise; Former President Bill Clinton; Former Secretary of Education William Riley; Former Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater; Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Program Contributors:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Boeing, Wal-Mart, Wolf Camera[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Awards:[/font]

• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2003 - Telly Award Finalist honoring outstanding non-broadcast video productions – presented to the Adopt-A-Pilot classroom video[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2002 - Katie Award presented by Press Club of Dallas – Most Outstanding Media Relations Campaign[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2001 - Commendation from First Lady Laura Bush recognizing Southwest Airlines Adopt-A-Pilot program[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2000 - Golden Bell Public Relations Competition Platinum Award - Most outstanding entry in the airline category[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2000 - School to Career Honor Roll Awards - Most Innovative Program presented by the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1999 - Katie Award presented by Sprint Business and Press Club of Dallas[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1998 - Golden Spike Awards Bronze Award[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1997 - Commendation from former President Clinton recognizing Southwest Airlines' Adopt-A-Pilot program[/font]
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Educational Note:[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Many of the classrooms participating in the program are challenged by lack of funding. Motivation by educational professionals is high, and they have cited this corporate/school partnership as effective for students in disadvantaged areas.[/font]

Whether you’re just getting started, you’re mid-flight, or you’re bringing your program in for a landing, the Adopt-A-Pilot Committee appreciates all the efforts of participating pilots this spring semester. We are ecstatic and grateful for the record number of pilots volunteering to be “adopted”—you’ve extended the program’s impact to thousands more children nationwide!
Good News!!! Base with Pace Winner Announced
· A special thanks and congratulations to the pilot base with the highest percentage of participating pilots. This year’s prestigious honor goes to (drum roll, please!) …MDW pilot base, who topped the charts with 15.1 percent of MDW pilots volunteering in the Adopt-A-Pilot program.
The race was close, with the PHX and BWI pilot bases right behind. Congrats to MDW – we’ll be hosting a commemorative celebration at your base sometime during the month of April, so look for invitations at your home address soon. Good luck to the rest of you next year!
“Passing” Along Our Thanks – As another way to thank our “adopted” pilots, all participating pilots have been entered into a raffle held at each base location for green passes and hotel packages. Chief Pilots are drawing one winner from each pilot base…winners to be announced in April …it could be you!
While On the Road –Remember creativity goes a long way when corresponding with your classes from the road. Here’s an example from MDW Capt. Jim Baird, who e-mails his class in Dallas, TX, geographic quizzes that actually rhyme! (The following is just an excerpt.) Please share what is going on in your classroom, as well as any photos that can be sent to [email protected].
Graduation Notes—The close of the program can be one of the most meaningful visits for pilots and students. The AAP Resource Book provides fun graduation ideas, or brainstorm with your teacher and class to plan your own unique celebration. Graduation is also a perfect opportunity to invite local reporters to see how business and education can come together to benefit children. If you have any questions about how to invite media, please contact us at [email protected].


http://www.southwest.com/programs_services/adopt/adopt_home.html

 

[Ty Webb]

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming . . . . .

 

[SWA/FO]

Lets talk about the Air Tran adopt a pylot program.

 

[LearAv8r]

or we can just hi-jack the thread to discuss how the SWA taxi speed is to high or how we cut everyone off....blah blah blah


whatever.


Overall a great program for kids, that dude had nothing good to say about SWA. (probably still pissed that they lost out on the MDW gates)



Lear-

 

[canyonblue]

I have participated the past 3 years. The past 2 involved three 5th grade classes. Great program SWA puts out and the kids sure love it. I always make sure I teach them how to ride their bikes fast on the playground, and cut off the 3rd and 4th graders.

 

[Ty Webb]

Let's talk instead about how SWA seems to let a few more douche bags slip in to each class.

When exactly did HR lose control of the process?

I'm thinking it was around 2004.

 

[SWA/FO]

HR never really had the process. I was hired before 2004....(was that a slam?)

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Let's talk instead about how SWA seems to let a few more douche bags slip in to each class.

When exactly did HR lose control of the process?

I'm thinking it was around 2004.

Ty,

SWA calls the HR department the people department.

No thanks needed....glad I could help.

 

[TAZ MAN]

Let's talk instead about how SWA seems to let a few more douche bags slip in to each class.

When exactly did HR lose control of the process?

I'm thinking it was around 2004.

Pot...meet Kettle

 

[LearAv8r]

Let's talk instead about how SWA seems to let a few more douche bags slip in to each class.

When exactly did HR lose control of the process?

I'm thinking it was around 2004.



Just like my post earlier: my point exactly......if you don't have anything nice,.......... well forget it you just don't get it. Anyhow I was also hired before 2004 so I guess I am safe too....

so be it...kind of like Lowecur..take the post for what it is worth...or the source


Lear- (aka douch bag or is it douchebag......)