A champagne flight (Southwest Airlines honors vets)

The Arizona Republic ^ | June 3, 2002 | George Smith and Paul Goodyear

[dittomom]

Last week, a shipmate and I were waiting in Oklahoma City to board a Southwest Airlines flight to Phoenix.

Over the PA came the announcement "Are Paul Goodyear and George Smith present?" We identified ourselves.

The PA continued, "These men survived the sinking of the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor and have been in town to participate in a presentation ceremony."

A round of applause, then more from the PA, "We are going to allow these men to board first."

No objections, then the PA added, "We are presenting each man with a bottle of champagne."

This was roundly applauded.

Who says Southwest does not have a champagne flight?

It was very gratifying to know that some still recognize that Sept. 11 is not the only day of trauma faced by Americans.

Our thanks to Southwest Airlines and all participating employees and public.

George Smith
and Paul Goodyear
Casa Grande

[dittomom]

Kudos to Southwest Airlines for honoring our veterans!

But most of all a very big thank you to George Smith and Paul Goodyear for their service to our country.

[dittomom]

PINGING ARIZONA!!! Saw this in the paper today and didn't want you to miss it.

[dittomom]

This PING's for you!!

[Semper911]

Great story. Thanks for putting it up.

We don't have much time left to honor the brave men and women who won WWII, so that we could enjoy freedom.

[Bubba_Leroy]

Now that's the way to run an airline

[dittomom]

Amen, we can never thank them enough. I was really touched by this letter to the editor today. Especially the very humble and matter of fact way that it is written.

[Non-Sequitur]

Yeah, but did they give you any peanuts to go with the champaign?

[hoosiermama]

I'll second that AMEN! We truly cannot be gratful enough to those who have served our nation.

[DLfromthedesert]

Thank you. I needed to see some good news.

[Aaron_A]

A very nice jesture by SW

[DeaconBenjamin]

Now you know why they were the only airline to make a profit after 9/11.

[PLK]

My spouse and I flew Southwest in February. We were very pleasantly surprised by the great service on this discount airline. I would recommend it to anyone.

[strela]

What a great story! Thank you!

I've got several reservations to book for some business travel next year. And, if Southwest flies to any of those places, you can bet I'll be using them and telling them why.

[A Navy Vet]

Good stuff...thanks for the ping.

[HiJinx]

Thanks for the ping. Someone's doing it right.
My first assignment overseas (1978) I flew in uniform.
Pan Am put my wife and I in first class. Shame they're no longer flying.

[Snow Bunny]

Great story dittomom...!!

....."This PING's for you!!"............LOL....you are so adorable!!! I love it !

[DoughtyOne]

Very cool!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Kudos to Southwest Airlines for honoring our veterans!

BUMP!

[demkicker]

Southwest is to be commended. What a great story!

[in the Arena]

Someone in the chain of command at South West should be recognized for this action. Quite a contrast to the service Joe Foss received at Terminal 4.