Info and Registration
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Adopt-A-Pilot Program:
Fifth-grade classes in each of Southwest Airlines’ destination cities “adopt” their own Southwest Airlines Pilot for a four-week educational and mentorship program.
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Program Objective:
“Adopted” Pilots mentor students and communicate a key message: education is important in reaching personal goals.
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Educational Curriculum:
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 and professional education consultants.
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Incorporation of Technology:
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.
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First Introduced:
September 1997; Inaugurated in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education’s “America Goes Back to School” effort.
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Number of Students Involved This Year:
More than 25,000 (over 850 classrooms coast to coast)
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Number of Students Involved Since ‘97:
More than 170,000 students nationwide
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Number of Pilots Who Volunteer Each Year:
More than 650 Southwest Airlines Pilots
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Program Acknowledgments:
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.
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Awards:
- 2006 – Public Relations Society of America – Silver Anvil Award of Excellence in Community Relations/Business Services
- 2005 – Public Relations Society of America – Bronze Anvil Award for Excellence in External Video Programs
- 2005 – PRNews Platinum Award – Honorable Mention – Community Relations
- 2003 – Telly Award Finalist honoring outstanding non-broadcast video productions – presented to the Adopt-A-Pilot classroom video
- 2002 – Katie Award presented by Press Club of Dallas – Most Outstanding Media Relations Campaign
- 2001 – Commendation from First Lady Laura Bush recognizing Southwest Airlines Adopt-A-Pilot program
- 2000 – Golden Bell Public Relations Competition Platinum Award – Most outstanding entry in the airline category
- 1999 – Katie Award presented by Sprint Business and Press Club of Dallas
- 1998 – Golden Spike Awards Bronze Award
- 1997 – Commendation from former President Clinton recognizing Southwest Airlines’ Adopt-A-Pilot program
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Educational Note:
Most 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.
