Mission: The mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit.
You may have heard some of the awesome and quirky things about working at Southwest. Here are a few of our favorites.
"Where do you work?" Many of our Employees have shared with us that they love answering this question, because their response is typically met with something along the lines of, "Oh, really? I love Southwest!" That's why honors like being named to Glassdoor's Best Places to Work list for the eight...
"We hire for attitude and train for skill. You need to have a warrior spirit, the desire to work really hard and have a sense of urgency. To have a servant's heart, which means you put others first, and a fun-loving attitude." -Julie Weber, VP People
With 20 years on the job at Southwest Airlines as a ramp agent in Dallas, 39-year-old Shane Parker is hoping for 20 more. "It's physically demanding - you have to be ready to get down and dirty," Parker said of his job, which calls for getting luggage transported properly and helping to turn aircraft on time.
Apply now through Aug. 14 for Southwest’s Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP). ELDP is a job rotational program that seeks to train and develop excellent Leaders. The ELDP Team is looking for individuals who have strong Leadership potential, as well as a desire to learn and grow as part of the Southwest Family. Participants should be willing and able to relocate anywhere in the Southwest system for the duration of the program, and again upon completion of the program.
During the program, participants are placed throughout the Southwest system for on-the-job training in a Leadership role, as well as Leadership training at Headquarters in Dallas. Program participants will rotate through each Operational Leadership Role throughout the 18-month program. For each job role, participants will receive basic job training, supervisory training, and then work as a Supervisor in each area, Leading the Southwest Way.
Potential Rotations Include:
Participants will have a Leader at their Station who will coach them throughout their time in the program. ELDP participants will also be paired with a current Leader at a different Station, who will act as a mentor for the duration of the programUpon successful completion of the program, participants are placed in a Leadership role anywhere in the Southwest system, based on business need.
Southwest’s Emerging Leader Development Program was recognized for outstanding achievements in leadership development and programs in HR.com’s 2016 Leadership Excellence Awards:
In addition to the four 2016 Leadership Excellence Awards above, Southwest was named one of Chief Executive Magazine’s 2016 Best Companies for Leaders. The program also took top honors at the Association for Talent Development’s Dallas AXIS Awards in 2016, earning Best in Show, as well as first place in the Leadership Development, Succession Planning, and Talent Mobility categories.
If you love working outdoors, and are looking for more than just a “job,” Southwest Airlines is looking for you. We’re hiring 500 Ramp Agents to provide our famous Southwest Hospitality by handling cargo and baggage service, directing and servicing aircraft, and performing related activities on the airport ramp.
Full disclosure: the Ramp isn’t the place for the faint of Heart. Ramp Agent positions can be demanding, with nontraditional hours and exposure to a wide variety of weather conditions. If you’re ready to give it your all, we’re hiring across the country.
Of course, we think Southwest is the best place to work, but don’t take our word for it:
More than just a paycheck, when you find your calling at Southwest, it comes with perks like these:
Southwest Pride
Soutwest Purpose and Vision
Medical Coverage
Employees choose from medical coverage options ranging from PPOs to a high deductible health plan. Southwest picks up a generous amount of the premium, making the monthly amount Employees pay for medical and prescription drug coverage for themselves and their families affordable.
Dental Coverage
Dental coverage options include preventive, basic, major, and orthodontic care.
Vision Coverage
Vision coverage is an available option for Employees and their families, and includes complete eye exams and contact lenses, or lenses and frames.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees can save money by making tax-free contributions to flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent daycare.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
If enrolled in the Health Savings Plan, a Health Savings Account (HSA) is available for Employees to save for eligible healthcare expenses—now or in the future. Employees may receive triple tax savings through this account. A Company-paid concierge service is also available to those enrolling in this plan.
Short Term Disability
Noncontract Employees are covered by a Company-paid Short Term Disability plan in the event of an illness or injury that lasts more than one week.
Long Term Disability
Employees can choose from Company-paid or Employee-paid Long Term Disability plans* that help protect them and their families in the event the Employee becomes disabled and can’t work for an extended period of time.
Basic Life Insurance
All Employees receive Basic Term Life Insurance at no cost, in a coverage amount equal to their annual salary, up to $50,000. Employees may elect Optional Life Insurance up to 10 times their salary, and choose from various levels of life insurance for their Spouse/Committed Partner and/or Children.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance is also available as another way to protect Employees and/or their families in the event of an accident.
Other Available Benefits
Other available Benefits include Adoption Assistance Reimbursement, Paid Adoption Leave, Child and Elder Care Resource and Referral Program, Committed Partner Benefits, a Concierge Program, Supplemental Hospital Insurance, Pet Insurance, Auto and Home Insurance, and Long-Term Care Insurance.
Wellness Rewards
Southwest Employees can live better on and off the job with wellness programs. Employees and their spouses can earn up to $500 by taking specific steps to be more engaged in their health and wellbeing.
Clear Skies
Employees and Family members have access to free counseling resources and work/life balance tools.
Time Off
Employees enjoy time off for personal use, vacation, or to care for themselves or a loved one. The amount of time off varies depending on your work group and years of service.
Employees earn excellent pay and can prepare for their futures with our exceptional retirement programs.
401(K) Plan
Save for retirement through our 401(k) Plan with pre-tax or Roth contributions. Southwest will match Employee contributions dollar-for-dollar up to a range of their eligible salary between 8.3 and 9.3 percent. Employees can choose from a broad spectrum of investment options, and rollover any eligible funds from a previous employer.
Profitsharing
Employees share in Southwest’s success with our ProfitSharing Plan, which rewards them for their contributions to Southwest’s profitability. Contributions are a percentage of their eligible salary and have ranged from one percent to nearly 16 percent over the past ten years. Southwest was the first in the airline industry to offer a ProfitSharing Plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
With our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employees can purchase Southwest common stock at a 10 percent discount through payroll deductions after six months of continuous service.
Our Employees have the benefit of experiencing our legendary Culture firsthand. While every Employee is responsible for promoting and preserving our Culture, we also have a Culture Services Department that is charged with championing a Culture through which every Employee knows he or she matters.
Three vital elements of our Culture are appreciation, recognition, and celebration. In order to promote and foster a fun and healthy work environment, we work to appreciate every Employee through Local and Companywide Culture Committees. Employees take time to recognize each other in formal and informal ways. Celebrating is something that Southwest is known for, and our Employees enjoy annual Companywide celebrations such as Spirit Parties, Chili Cook-off, and the Southwest Rallies. On top of the Company-sponsored events, our Employees enjoy participating in locally-hosted celebrations and recognition for life events and milestones.
Flexibility
Non-uniformed Employees enjoy a casual dress code and a flexible schedule. Noncontract Employees in certain departments may benefit from alternative work schedules such as compressed work weeks, flexible start and end times, and job-sharing.
Holidays
Southwest recognizes ten holidays a year for Noncontract full-time Employees, which can be designated on a date of the Employee’s choosing each year.
Commuter Benefits
Commuter benefits save Employees money, allowing them to designate pretax payroll deductions to pay for commuting costs like bus, light rail, regional rail, streetcar, trolley, subway, ferry, and vanpool, plus they support environmental initiatives that are near and dear to our hearts.
Southwest Employees make a positive difference in the communities we serve.
Volunteering
Employees are encouraged to volunteer for causes that matter most to them, and Southwest supports them through our Tickets for Time program, by donating roundtrip tickets to nonprofits based on Employee volunteer hours. Plus, we offer several volunteer opportunities throughout the year to allow Employees to make a difference with their Southwest family.
Local Giving
Community Giving Boards made up of local Employees decide how Southwest will give back to charities in their neighborhoods, tapping into the passion points of their community.
National Giving
At the national level, Southwest makes a positive impact on a number of issues through our charitable relationships. By donating to organizations that support People and the communities we serve, we take pride knowing that our donations of time, money, and resources have meaningful impact.
Repurpose with Purpose
Southwest Employees can visit almost any corner of the world with generous travel privileges, and turn recognition into something meaningful with SWAG Points.
Travel Privileges
Employees have free unlimited travel privileges for themselves and eligible dependents on Southwest Airlines. Eligible dependents include spouse or committed/registered partner, eligible dependent children under 19 years old (or up to 24 if a full-time student), and parents. And, with pass agreements with other airlines and discounts with rental car companies, hotels, theme parks, and more, Employees can choose their own adventure.
Southwest Airlines Gratitude (SWAG) Points
At Southwest Airlines gratitude is a way of life. We make it easy for Employees to see all the ways we recognize them in an online recognition platform we call SWAG- Southwest Airlines Gratitude. Our Employees can earn SWAG Points through some of our recognition and incentive programs and turn them into further rewards like Guest Passes for friends and family, Rapid Rewards® Points, merchandise, gift cards, or event tickets.
Southwest Airlines University (SWA U)
Southwest Airlines University, located in Southwest's, state-of-the-art training facility, provides technical training and personal and professional development opportunities through classroom and online formats.
Leadership Development
Southwest provides Leadership Development for Leaders at all levels. The Emerging Leader Development program is a rotational program designed to develop well-rounded emerging Leaders. The Manager-in-Training Program offers intensive Leadership development to prepare Leaders for the next level.
Movement Around The Company
We love to promote from within, and encourage movement around the Company to increase skills and Company knowledge.
Days In The Field
Days in the Field allow Employees to spend time in a department of interest and get an idea for which direction they would like to steer their Southwest career path.
Tuition Reimbursement
Southwest provides Employees opportunities for professional development, continuing education and skills training. Full-time Employees may be eligible for up to a $5,000 reimbursement annually for graduate degrees and $2,500 reimbursement annually for undergraduate degrees and certifications.
Employees stay connected to the Company and their Coworkers through a variety of channels!
SWALife, Connections, & SWALife TV
Employees can learn about what's going on at Southwest and in their department, create and update a profile, leave comments on blog posts, connect with their Cohearts, and more on our intranet, SWALife, and through our new collaboration tool, Connections. For those on-the-go, SWALife TV (digital signs) provides a quick glance at a variety of news, operational stats, and local announcements.
E-Mail & Text
You heard it here first! Employees can read the daily SWA News Brief and important department updates by checking their Southwest e-mail, and opt in to receive breaking news via text.
LUVLines
Read all about it in our magazine for Employees, LUVLines, which publishes monthly and features Companywide and department-specific articles.
Without a Heart, it’s just a machine. We have a huge Heart for our Military. Our colors may be blue, red, and yellow, but our support is for the red, white, and blue. With over 7,500 Veterans and over 850 Military Spouses and thousands of Customers who have served or are actively serving, our support of our Military comes from deep within our Heart. We honor our Veterans and their incredible Warrior Spirit.
Salute to Our Troops
Helpful (20)
I have been working at Southwest Airlines full-time (More than 10 years)
Pros
Everything, if u love the airline industry, this is the ONLY place to work! High Morale, High Company Spirit! They treat you as #1 , not like a slave!
Cons
Well with Airline, the scheduling can be rough ! Once you have a few years in with the company, the most desirable schedules become available. But that is something we all knew and and accept prior to looking for such a job.
Advice to Management
Quite being so darn nice and accommodating!! Too many smiles and laughs!! JUST KIDDING, THE MANAGEMENT IS AWESOME!!!
Helpful (41)
Application
I applied online. The process took 8 weeks. I interviewed at Southwest Airlines (Albany, NY) in February 2017.
Interview
Applied in Dec of 2016, got called for a phone interview in Jan of 2017, after the phone interview, was given the opportunity to have a F2F interview, it was scheduled for Feb 2017. The interview was quick and easy 30 minutes or so. They told me that they were going to get back to me with in a week, the interview was on a Friday, they called me the following Monday, told me that they were going to proceed in the hiring process. Next up is the drug test and the background check. They give you 48 hrs to complete the drug test.
Interview Questions
