Lessons for Vanessa?
Thread Starter
Lessons for Vanessa?
Avweb article by Myron Nelson talking of his experience as a new hire with Southwest.
Southwest Airlines sadly announced the passing on May 8 of Colleen C. Barrett, one of the most prominent and beloved family members of the airline.
After starting as the legal secretary of founder Herb Kelleher, Colleen became the first corporate secretary and advanced all the way to president of the airline earning devotion, accolades and respect all along the way. In an industry where C-Suites are populated with B-School suits, Colleen was famous for her pink tracksuits.
Colleen and Herb were partners throughout the entire period of their leadership era. Together they were jointly the heart and soul of the development and growth of the airline.
I would like to briefly share a personal story that is but one example of what Colleen Barrett meant to the employees and customers of the airline.
In April of 1991, I was a new-hire pilot in class on the last day of ground school in Texas before our final exam when I received a note that I needed to call my wife who was at our then-home in Utah. Since it was before the days of cellphones, I ran down to the office of the training center to make the call.
My wife told me that one of our twin girls, born right before my employment with the airline, needed emergency surgery for something related to the twins being born significantly premature. She told me that she had already spoken to the baby’s doctor and that the surgery was scheduled in the hospital where they were born in an hour or so. My wife was dealing with a lot but she wanted me to check on the insurance policy we had with my new employment.
In those days new-hire pilots were on a temporary health insurance policy covering us for the first 90 days before transitioning to the normal corporate insurance policy.
Still in the office and with the help of the training center secretary Gloria, I called the temporary insurance company to verify benefits. To my dismay, they informed me that we would have no coverage at all because this would be considered a pre-existing condition. They then said that we could appeal that decision after the surgery but to do that we would have to have the surgery done in a different hospital that was part of their network.
By the time I got ahold of my wife again, she had already checked the baby into the original hospital and was distraught at the thought of dealing with a different doctor and hospital. The baby had herniated into her groin and needed the surgery immediately.
Right after that, I made one last call to our bank to see if I could raise the limit on our credit card to be able to make the required deposit for the surgery. After that, I went back up to the classroom with a heavy heart.
About 15 minutes later, I received another note that said to report to “Colleen’s office” in the headquarters building. When I arrived there, I was escorted right into her office where she informed me that Gloria had briefed her of what had happened. Colleen took me by the hand and told me to tell my wife to have the baby’s surgery right away at the original hospital and that she would either sort out the (expletive) insurance company or SWA would cover the medical expenses directly. She then told me to get back to class and to have a great career at SWA—which I did for the next 29 years. We never saw a single bill for that surgery and yes, the passing and memories of Colleen Barrett are meaningful to me and my family.
Southwest Airlines sadly announced the passing on May 8 of Colleen C. Barrett, one of the most prominent and beloved family members of the airline.
After starting as the legal secretary of founder Herb Kelleher, Colleen became the first corporate secretary and advanced all the way to president of the airline earning devotion, accolades and respect all along the way. In an industry where C-Suites are populated with B-School suits, Colleen was famous for her pink tracksuits.
Colleen and Herb were partners throughout the entire period of their leadership era. Together they were jointly the heart and soul of the development and growth of the airline.
I would like to briefly share a personal story that is but one example of what Colleen Barrett meant to the employees and customers of the airline.
In April of 1991, I was a new-hire pilot in class on the last day of ground school in Texas before our final exam when I received a note that I needed to call my wife who was at our then-home in Utah. Since it was before the days of cellphones, I ran down to the office of the training center to make the call.
My wife told me that one of our twin girls, born right before my employment with the airline, needed emergency surgery for something related to the twins being born significantly premature. She told me that she had already spoken to the baby’s doctor and that the surgery was scheduled in the hospital where they were born in an hour or so. My wife was dealing with a lot but she wanted me to check on the insurance policy we had with my new employment.
In those days new-hire pilots were on a temporary health insurance policy covering us for the first 90 days before transitioning to the normal corporate insurance policy.
Still in the office and with the help of the training center secretary Gloria, I called the temporary insurance company to verify benefits. To my dismay, they informed me that we would have no coverage at all because this would be considered a pre-existing condition. They then said that we could appeal that decision after the surgery but to do that we would have to have the surgery done in a different hospital that was part of their network.
By the time I got ahold of my wife again, she had already checked the baby into the original hospital and was distraught at the thought of dealing with a different doctor and hospital. The baby had herniated into her groin and needed the surgery immediately.
Right after that, I made one last call to our bank to see if I could raise the limit on our credit card to be able to make the required deposit for the surgery. After that, I went back up to the classroom with a heavy heart.
About 15 minutes later, I received another note that said to report to “Colleen’s office” in the headquarters building. When I arrived there, I was escorted right into her office where she informed me that Gloria had briefed her of what had happened. Colleen took me by the hand and told me to tell my wife to have the baby’s surgery right away at the original hospital and that she would either sort out the (expletive) insurance company or SWA would cover the medical expenses directly. She then told me to get back to class and to have a great career at SWA—which I did for the next 29 years. We never saw a single bill for that surgery and yes, the passing and memories of Colleen Barrett are meaningful to me and my family.
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Top Answer
22nd May 2024, 03:15
It's a culture thing. You either have it or you don't. Just because you rename your HR Director as Chief of People and Culture doesn't create it. VH would do well to ignore what the overpaid consultants from McKinseys tell her and do what feels right. Chances are she will make better decisions and, with that, develop a culture that she and her workforce can be proud of.
It's a culture thing. You either have it or you don't. Just because you rename your HR Director as Chief of People and Culture doesn't create it. VH would do well to ignore what the overpaid consultants from McKinseys tell her and do what feels right. Chances are she will make better decisions and, with that, develop a culture that she and her workforce can be proud of.
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Chances are she will make better decisions and, with that, develop a culture that she and her workforce can be proud of.
The only evidence I have seen is completely the opposite! Please explain for the uninitiated upon which evidence you base that optimism?
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It won’t change while the board endorse it and never forget these comments she made about Joyce .
“We’ve been truly blessed as an organisation that you have been our leader,” Hudson said of Joyce, asking those on the call to hold their applause until the end. “I’ve learnt so much from you. We are a stronger organisation from having you as our leader.”
That is her role model , it’s in her DNA . TALKS THE TALK BUT WON’T WALK IT.
“We’ve been truly blessed as an organisation that you have been our leader,” Hudson said of Joyce, asking those on the call to hold their applause until the end. “I’ve learnt so much from you. We are a stronger organisation from having you as our leader.”
That is her role model , it’s in her DNA . TALKS THE TALK BUT WON’T WALK IT.
Last edited by dragon man; 22nd May 2024 at 22:28.
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Everybody is wrong except her & she thinks that by changing a mangers title that their attitude will change.
Like you say, what planet are some people living on.
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I’m not an apologist for the last 20 years of the Roos management by any stretch, but I don’t see this as a good example at all.
Being told to ‘get back to class’ while your young child is having surgery? That’s a disgrace! How about, ‘go home and be where you should be, and come back when you’re ready, take as much leave as you need, let us sort the rest’…? I realise Southwest might have thought they were doing the right thing here, but they were a fair way off the mark.
The one thing Qantas has always had going for it in my experience, is they tend to do the important/‘big’ things really well. The behavior Towards people on sick leave during Covid notwithstanding (an utter disgrace and reflection on Joyce’s management style), if you’ve got a health or family emergency they’ll move heaven and earth to get you home, and have you there for as long as you need.
Being told to ‘get back to class’ while your young child is having surgery? That’s a disgrace! How about, ‘go home and be where you should be, and come back when you’re ready, take as much leave as you need, let us sort the rest’…? I realise Southwest might have thought they were doing the right thing here, but they were a fair way off the mark.
The one thing Qantas has always had going for it in my experience, is they tend to do the important/‘big’ things really well. The behavior Towards people on sick leave during Covid notwithstanding (an utter disgrace and reflection on Joyce’s management style), if you’ve got a health or family emergency they’ll move heaven and earth to get you home, and have you there for as long as you need.
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Say what you will about working as a pilot in Australia vs the USA at least I won't have to ever consider negotiating with some insurance ghoul to allow a family member to live.
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Avweb article by Myron Nelson talking of his experience as a new hire with Southwest.
Southwest Airlines sadly announced the passing on May 8 of Colleen C. Barrett, one of the most prominent and beloved family members of the airline.
After starting as the legal secretary of founder Herb Kelleher, Colleen became the first corporate secretary and advanced all the way to president of the airline earning devotion, accolades and respect all along the way. In an industry where C-Suites are populated with B-School suits, Colleen was famous for her pink tracksuits.
Colleen and Herb were partners throughout the entire period of their leadership era. Together they were jointly the heart and soul of the development and growth of the airline.
I would like to briefly share a personal story that is but one example of what Colleen Barrett meant to the employees and customers of the airline.
In April of 1991, I was a new-hire pilot in class on the last day of ground school in Texas before our final exam when I received a note that I needed to call my wife who was at our then-home in Utah. Since it was before the days of cellphones, I ran down to the office of the training center to make the call.
My wife told me that one of our twin girls, born right before my employment with the airline, needed emergency surgery for something related to the twins being born significantly premature. She told me that she had already spoken to the baby’s doctor and that the surgery was scheduled in the hospital where they were born in an hour or so. My wife was dealing with a lot but she wanted me to check on the insurance policy we had with my new employment.
In those days new-hire pilots were on a temporary health insurance policy covering us for the first 90 days before transitioning to the normal corporate insurance policy.
Still in the office and with the help of the training center secretary Gloria, I called the temporary insurance company to verify benefits. To my dismay, they informed me that we would have no coverage at all because this would be considered a pre-existing condition. They then said that we could appeal that decision after the surgery but to do that we would have to have the surgery done in a different hospital that was part of their network.
By the time I got ahold of my wife again, she had already checked the baby into the original hospital and was distraught at the thought of dealing with a different doctor and hospital. The baby had herniated into her groin and needed the surgery immediately.
Right after that, I made one last call to our bank to see if I could raise the limit on our credit card to be able to make the required deposit for the surgery. After that, I went back up to the classroom with a heavy heart.
About 15 minutes later, I received another note that said to report to “Colleen’s office” in the headquarters building. When I arrived there, I was escorted right into her office where she informed me that Gloria had briefed her of what had happened. Colleen took me by the hand and told me to tell my wife to have the baby’s surgery right away at the original hospital and that she would either sort out the (expletive) insurance company or SWA would cover the medical expenses directly. She then told me to get back to class and to have a great career at SWA—which I did for the next 29 years. We never saw a single bill for that surgery and yes, the passing and memories of Colleen Barrett are meaningful to me and my family.
Southwest Airlines sadly announced the passing on May 8 of Colleen C. Barrett, one of the most prominent and beloved family members of the airline.
After starting as the legal secretary of founder Herb Kelleher, Colleen became the first corporate secretary and advanced all the way to president of the airline earning devotion, accolades and respect all along the way. In an industry where C-Suites are populated with B-School suits, Colleen was famous for her pink tracksuits.
Colleen and Herb were partners throughout the entire period of their leadership era. Together they were jointly the heart and soul of the development and growth of the airline.
I would like to briefly share a personal story that is but one example of what Colleen Barrett meant to the employees and customers of the airline.
In April of 1991, I was a new-hire pilot in class on the last day of ground school in Texas before our final exam when I received a note that I needed to call my wife who was at our then-home in Utah. Since it was before the days of cellphones, I ran down to the office of the training center to make the call.
My wife told me that one of our twin girls, born right before my employment with the airline, needed emergency surgery for something related to the twins being born significantly premature. She told me that she had already spoken to the baby’s doctor and that the surgery was scheduled in the hospital where they were born in an hour or so. My wife was dealing with a lot but she wanted me to check on the insurance policy we had with my new employment.
In those days new-hire pilots were on a temporary health insurance policy covering us for the first 90 days before transitioning to the normal corporate insurance policy.
Still in the office and with the help of the training center secretary Gloria, I called the temporary insurance company to verify benefits. To my dismay, they informed me that we would have no coverage at all because this would be considered a pre-existing condition. They then said that we could appeal that decision after the surgery but to do that we would have to have the surgery done in a different hospital that was part of their network.
By the time I got ahold of my wife again, she had already checked the baby into the original hospital and was distraught at the thought of dealing with a different doctor and hospital. The baby had herniated into her groin and needed the surgery immediately.
Right after that, I made one last call to our bank to see if I could raise the limit on our credit card to be able to make the required deposit for the surgery. After that, I went back up to the classroom with a heavy heart.
About 15 minutes later, I received another note that said to report to “Colleen’s office” in the headquarters building. When I arrived there, I was escorted right into her office where she informed me that Gloria had briefed her of what had happened. Colleen took me by the hand and told me to tell my wife to have the baby’s surgery right away at the original hospital and that she would either sort out the (expletive) insurance company or SWA would cover the medical expenses directly. She then told me to get back to class and to have a great career at SWA—which I did for the next 29 years. We never saw a single bill for that surgery and yes, the passing and memories of Colleen Barrett are meaningful to me and my family.
He did this in his life outside work too, he never, EVER, hesitated to put himself between danger and those he loved or felt responsible for - his father was a Policeman and even as young as 15-16 he came to his Dad's aid when he was being overwhelmed by drunks or the like.
Some months before his passing when I was caring for him and he was living with me, we watched a documentary about Herb and the Southwest story. Dad said "Gee. If I had my time again I want to work with THAT bloke". He loved everything that Herb said because Dad was a logic person, he was especially amused by the signs on the training centre walls that included "No Assholes".
Thank you for posting this story, it brought a tear to my eye. It was just the sort of thing my Dad would do. RIP Colleen x. I didn't know you, but I know your brand of person.
I’m not an apologist for the last 20 years of the Roos management by any stretch, but I don’t see this as a good example at all.
Being told to ‘get back to class’ while your young child is having surgery? That’s a disgrace! How about, ‘go home and be where you should be, and come back when you’re ready, take as much leave as you need, let us sort the rest’…? I realise Southwest might have thought they were doing the right thing here, but they were a fair way off the mark.
The one thing Qantas has always had going for it in my experience, is they tend to do the important/‘big’ things really well. The behavior Towards people on sick leave during Covid notwithstanding (an utter disgrace and reflection on Joyce’s management style), if you’ve got a health or family emergency they’ll move heaven and earth to get you home, and have you there for as long as you need.
Being told to ‘get back to class’ while your young child is having surgery? That’s a disgrace! How about, ‘go home and be where you should be, and come back when you’re ready, take as much leave as you need, let us sort the rest’…? I realise Southwest might have thought they were doing the right thing here, but they were a fair way off the mark.
The one thing Qantas has always had going for it in my experience, is they tend to do the important/‘big’ things really well. The behavior Towards people on sick leave during Covid notwithstanding (an utter disgrace and reflection on Joyce’s management style), if you’ve got a health or family emergency they’ll move heaven and earth to get you home, and have you there for as long as you need.
I was very worried that I would lose the job I had craved for so long.
Then a letter arrived from the Manager of my division in QF. "I have been kept up-to-date about your knee injury and I thought I'd send you this note to send mine and the company's best wishes. I also want you to know, as you may be concerned about being so new to the company, that we understand and that you concentrate on getting well. Your job will be waiting for you when your are fit and able to come back to work".
To say it lifted my spirits is an understatement. It did that and it and other things that happened along the way inspired the highest degree of loyalty. As my late father used to say of the company "When the chips are down, they really do come through........"
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Ahhh. When Qantas was Qantas! The empathy and compassion shown to staff 'back in the day' was something one can now just dream about. Some mentoring by Tubby would do wonders.
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Thread Starter
chimbu, I gathered some time ago that the airline is no longer imbued with the mind set of Herb Kelleher, but has adopted the cat o' nine tails approach in management dealings with the hoi polloi, it's what is taught to the MBA crowd these days, Herb and Colleen must be rolling in their graves.
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Herb visited PSA and they gave him their entire operations manual and everything else that he would need almost to replicate PSA in Texas. He never forgot their generosity.
Southwest was a great airline when Colleen, Herb and other similar minded people were running it, but like everything else this day, it appears (sadly) to have been overrun by this BS, US-led 'culture' of parroting mindless weasel-words such as "going forwards", "reaching out", describing items of business as the "education piece" or the "training piece" and nothing is a department or segment or industry anymore, it's a "space".
If that use of the word is so indispensable then why don't we hear NASA talking about their operations in "the space space"? It is what management has been reduced to today. Senior management is mostly, sadly, inhabited by these morons who are flat out counting past 10 but keep their jobs and prosper (for want of another word) by parroting this weasel-word nonsense while not having an effing clue what they're talking about. Mediocrity reigns sadly.
Then what gets up my nose is how these imposters occasionally crow about their 'achievements' as if they are so much more capable and could not be outpaced by the older hands such as Herb and the likes of Tubby Ward.
Fact is Herb or Tubby, in order to outshine these clowns would only need to be dressed and on their feet.
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Thread Starter
Ironic that all the Loco's stated that they were modeled on SWA but now SWA is modelled off all the other Loco's
