Southwest Airlines University Initial Preflight Packet Notes

Introduction

• Welcome to the Southwest Airlines Family as a Flight Attendant Candidate.
• Thousands of applicants, selected for training.
• Training details: attire, location, items to bring.
• Packet overview to prepare you for training.

About Southwest Airlines

• History: Founded in 1971 by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King.
• Growth: From 3 Boeing 737s to over 800 airplanes, 126 million passengers, nearly 72,000 employees.

Leadership

• CEO: Bob Jordan, 35-year veteran.
• COO: Andrew Watterson brings vast commercial and operational experience.

Training Expectations

Health and Safety

• Masks optional, gloves optional.
• Emphasis on hand hygiene.

The 5 As of Training

• Academics: 90% minimum on exams.
• Attendance/Reliability: No tardiness.
• Attitude: Uphold company values, give excellent customer service.
• Appearance: Meet standards, wear proper attire.
• Attentiveness: Engage in class activities.

Physical Performance Standards

• Maintain physical ability to perform all job functions.
• Meet uniform size standards.

Candidate Appearance Standards

• Professional appearance, clean and wrinkle-free clothing.
• Specific dress codes for business, casual, and pool attire weeks.
• Hair, makeup, and jewelry guidelines.

General Information

• Employment contingent on training completion.
• Pay: Initial $1,200 after hire.
• Accommodations for disabilities available.

Uniforms and Luggage

• Uniform fittings on the second training day.
• Maximum 3 pieces of luggage allowed for training.

Meals

• Prepaid card issued for meal expenses.
• Plan for additional expenses not covered.

Guidelines and Expectations

• No recording or photography during training.
• Cell phone use only on breaks.
• Adherence to appearance and behavioral standards mandatory.

Social Media Policy

• Employees responsible for their social media activity and impact.
• Guidelines for personal and corporate use.
• Respect company confidentiality and property rights.

Arrival and Graduation

• Hotel accommodations provided.
• Graduation ceremony with guests allowed.

Security and Behavior

• Personal safety tips during hotel stay.
• Professional behavior mandatory at the hotel.

Study and Preparation

• Study materials and expectations.
• Topics to study before training include: Inflight Operations Leaders, the 24-hour clock, airport codes, company terms and abbreviations, and public announcements.

Appendix: Important Topics

• 24-Hour Clock: Understanding military time.
• Coordinated Universal Time (UTC): Using universal time across time zones.
• Airport Codes: Memorizing codes for airports serviced by Southwest.
• Company Terms and Abbreviations: Familiarity with industry and company-specific terminology.

Final Checklist

• Ensure all required items and documents are ready for the first day of training.
• Be prepared for tests on essential training topics.