The Cost of Freedom

One of my idols, Winston Churchill, wrote: “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time—a tremendous whack.” In a steamy Philadelphia summer, 233 years ago, a group of American patriots met to deliver an important point. The “whack” they used, the Declaration of Independence, was like Churchill’s pile driver. It wasn’t subtle, but it certainly was eloquent. A band of Americans turned their backs on the English Crown because they believed that our “inalienable” rights came from a source much higher than a monarch.

Those who signed the Declaration of Independence included such household names as Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams. But the document was far from being a guarantee of success for a new independent nation. The signers could have just as easily been tried and executed as traitors had England prevailed. Hardships, discomfort, and valor were the power behind the paper. That power eventually led to independence, but nothing was guaranteed to the signers. So in between your holiday fun, take a moment to reflect on how lucky we are as Americans.

A different kind of revolution began with the birth of Southwest 38 years ago. At that time, most Americans were priced out of being able to use the convenience and safety of air travel. Like many of you, my first airline flight was on Southwest. At the time, I appreciated the low fare. But it wasn’t until I began my Southwest career that I truly appreciated what our own “Founding Fathers” had accomplished. Southwest came very close to failing in the early years. Our Warrior Spirit was forged overcoming what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles, and our existence was never guaranteed.

In all honesty, we still have no guarantees today. Each and every day we have to show you that every Customer matters to us. We are still fighting to bring you the lowest possible fares delivered with the best possible Customer Service.

That’s our message to you, delivered with the “whack” of July 4th fireworks: low fares, great service, and safe and comfortable flights. You deserve the Freedom to Fly around this great and wonderful land, and we pledge to protect that Freedom.

Gary Kelly
Chairman, President, and CEO
Southwest Airlines

---

Operation: Kick Tail recognition
When a family’s 87-year-old mother sustained life-threatening injuries from a fall at a ski resort, the daughter contacted our Representatives at the Albuquerque Customer Support and Service Center. Our Reps helped get the mother’s daughter and sister from Louisville, Kentucky; to Portland, Oregon; with compassion; efficiency; and LUV. Unfortunately, the mother’s condition continued to deteriorate, requiring a medical charter to take her home to Kentucky. Within three hours of this decision, our folks had the family members on a Southwest flight to be home with their mother during her last hours. During that long trip home, one of the family members had enough time to tell our Chicago Flight Attendants about her ordeal and the reason for the trip. As she deplaned, the Flight Attendants gave her heartfelt homemade cards expressing their condolences, thoughts, and prayers.

---