An airline supervisor must handle a passenger who's drunk at 7 a.m., and a colleague has the delicate task of telling a passenger that he smells too bad to travel. In this high-flying new series, we provide viewers with complete access to the inner workings and emotional stories behind the daily workings of Southwest Airlines--from individual passenger's tales and dramatic reunions to action at the counter between passengers and employees.
Airline personnel talk about underwear with rap star Sisqo, singer of the "thong song", and an angry family tries to prove their toddler is less than two years old so he can travel free in this high-flying new series that provides viewers with complete access to the inner workings and emotional stories behind the daily life of Southwest Airlines.
At Chicago's Midway Airport, Southwest employees spend 48 hours dealing with the chaos caused by a power blackout in the East. In this high-flying series, we provide viewers with complete access to the inner workings and emotional stories behind Southwest Airlines--from individual passenger's tales and dramatic reunions to action at the counter between passengers and employees. Our "cast" of characters includes the personnel who create a minor miracle every day by getting the airline airborne.
A&E's exclusive look at Southwest Airlines continues with pilot Steve Palmason's last flight after 30 years of service. Friends and family are onboard, and Southwest President Colleen Barrett and legendary chairman Herb Kelleher wait to greet him. Meanwhile, at LAX, supervisor Mike Carr faces the delicate task of helping an Alzheimer's patient clean up after he's had a small accident.
It's another challenging day at Southwest Airlines. In Chicago, distraught passengers demand compensation for the worst flight of their lives. Seems a rowdy group of biker kids disrupted the flight all the way from Las Vegas. Meanwhile, at LAX, a 10-year-old on his first unaccompanied flight is lent a hand from a flight attendant, and after a stressed mom and her two kids miss their flight, their attempts to get home to San Diego push everyone to the limit.
A passenger tries to con his way on to a Southwest Airlines flight, a customer service supervisor must find volunteers to leave two overbooked flights, and flight attendants help a Price Is Right contestant practice before the taping of a show. Grab your boarding pass and join us for another episode of this high-flying series that reflects our love-hate relationship with commercial aviation.
It's a busy and bizarre day at Southwest Airlines when a woman treats the LAX terminal as her personal bedroom, changing her outfit in full sight of fellow passengers. Supervisor Yolanda meets country singer Randy Travis before running into a group of drunk and troublesome young women who were kicked off their flight. And in Chicago, ramp staffers Hector and Juan hope they'll be chosen to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in front of 40,000 fans at Wrigley Field that night.
A&E's exclusive look at Southwest Airlines features a day of romance. Flight attendant Heather Hale waits for her boyfriend to arrive from Switzerland, not knowing that he wants to ask her a very important question. In Chicago, a student is desperate to fly to New York to save his relationship with his girlfriend, but every flight is full. And beautiful 6-foot-tall customer service supervisor Anita has trouble fending off a 5-foot-tall admirer.
The FAA rules are clear, alcohol and air travel simply do not mix. In LA, passenger Wayne Samuel has been drinking and it's fallen to supervisor Yolanda to tell him he's too drunk to board the flight. It's the night of the Southwest Spirit Party--a vast annual staff gathering--and a huge occasion for supervisor Mike. He's invited a special guest he wants to introduce to his colleagues. Gospel group the Faithway Doves are on their way to Chicago to be honored by the American Gospel society and surprise their fellow passengers with some remarkable spirituals.
It's a day of tension at Southwest Airlines. Erik faces the worst nightmare of all ramp workers. For the first time, he must push a $40-million plane out of a tiny gate, knowing that a mistake can cost the company millions of dollars and Erik his job. In baggage claims, David has to control his own nerves when a customer insists that the airline lost her luggage. And supervisors at LAX must confront a swarm of dangerous bees that has set up a hive at Gate 13.
A drunken passenger needs a police escort and two overweight customers take the armrest test.
Family relationships are pushed to the limit during another hectic day at Southwest Airlines. A grandmother isn't allowed to travel with her pressurized oxygen canisters; an elderly woman's relatives are distressed because she's separated from her life-saving medicine; and a couple that has been waiting 10 years to adopt a child is flying home with their new baby daughter, and an emotional meeting with the rest of the family is expected.
Wedding bells are ringing at Southwest Airlines, but not everything is going according to plan. In Chicago, a passenger going to her nuptials is denied boarding because she's too drunk to fly. In Hollywood, a stuntman waits anxiously with an engagement ring for his girlfriend--but will she show up? And pilots John Trumble and Annie Fitzgerald elope to Las Vegas.
A blizzard in Chicago causes massive cancellations and delays at Southwest Airlines. Two honeymooners rush to make it to Los Angeles in time to catch a flight to Tahiti, but with most flights grounded, they may not make their connection. A group of teenage Eminem fans, who flew all the way from Idaho to LA to see their idol, discover it may be a long time before they set eyes on him.
In Chicago, Sandy comes to the rescue of the Park Forest soccer team after their reservation falls through on a rival airline. Val helps a passenger track down his army buddy, last seen somewhere between the ticket counter and the gates. They've survived months together on active duty in Iraq, but will they be able to reunite for their journey home? Meanwhile at LAX, temperatures rise when an airline mix-up separates parents from their children.
From penguins to party animals, the airport looks like a zoo to Southwest Airlines staffers. A nervous Colleen may have to deny boarding to rowdy football fans. At 30,000 feet, penguin passengers Pete and Penny get the star treatment from flight attendants Sam Anderson and Janie King. A man dressed as a tiger ignites intrigue in Chicago. And when passengers complain about a man in a short black miniskirt who's exposing himself, Yolanda must tell the gentleman to cover himself if he wants to fly.
Southwest Airlines workers race against the clock to help passengers in distress. At the ticket counter in Los Angeles, Mike is confronted by a frantic woman who's late for her flight, but there's little he can do to calm her down. Meanwhile, in Chicago, a passenger is desperately trying to get to her dying mother. Supervisor Denise has to tell her that she didn't make her original flight and is rebooked on another flight--but will it be too late?
There isn't much goodwill on earth for the Southwest Airlines staff during the holiday season. Customer service supervisor Mike Carr has to tell an inebriated passenger that too much Christmas spirit can be a bad thing. Supervisor Yolanda confronts an angry flyer who's lost his paper ticket and refuses to buy another. And assistant station manager Ginny Bona nearly puts two unaccompanied minors on the wrong plane.
A family of six is told that only five seats are available on their flight; a blind man waits to meet his blind date; a customer loses her ticket.
In Chicago, a staffer awaits a brother returning from fighting in Iraq.
A woman traveling with her dog is reminded of the no-pet policy; and a passenger with an uncooked chicken is told it can't be brought on the plane.
William Hung is spotted at LAX, where he gives an impromptu performance of "She Bangs"; costumes for a Madonna concert disappear. In Chicago, rock fans try to convince staffers that they're in a band.
Strongman Phil Pfister needs a seat with leg room on his flight to the Battle of Muscle Beach contest; a staffer in Los Angeles deals with a crate of clams in the baggage area.
A family discovers that they left their tickets on a bus; police investigate an abandoned bag; a family arrives with 18 boxes and only have 20 minutes to board their flight.
Pilot Tony May gives a group of fourth-graders a lesson on flying. Also: a child has separation anxiety when her parents send her to stay with her uncle while they head to India.
A man takes his wife to Las Vegas for their 30th anniversary and has a surprise visitor for her onboard. Also: a drunk stand-up comic; and woman with decaying fish in her bags.
A staff person must decide if turtles can be allowed on a plane; a plus-sized passenger is told she must purchase two tickets; a very tall teen requires an exit-row seat.
Yolanda tries to help a Saudi Arabian woman who can't speak English, while Denise encounters the same situation with a Czech man. Also: a delayed flight.
A passenger is removed from a plane after an incident with a flight attendant; Carol confronts and irate grandmother; and Mike deals with a passenger with a bad attitude.
A family is turned away because they are carrying too much liquor; a passenger confronts her fear of flying; and photographers are unhappy that they have to check their equipment.
A man gets drunk at a bar; a pilot performs at a stunt show.
A boy suffering from a brain tumor is traveling to get an operation. Also: a woman has a seizure.
A passenger gets angry when told to come off a flight to make room for two flight attendants; a passenger's lighter is confiscated; a man travels for his first day at a naval academy. Also: trouble involving a boy with cerebral palsy.
A widow travels to meet members of her deceased husband's Vietnam War platoon; two passengers have an altercation; a passenger is confused about his flight time.
A woman travels to Florida for a blind date; comedian Bobby Collins travels to Las Vegas.
Ed Siegenfeld travels with the Triple Crown trophy; a passenger is not allowed to travel with her oxygen tank.
A family arrives without their tickets, which they left on a bus; a staffer is hesitant to let a man in need of medical attention on board a plane; and two businessmen learn that their seats have been given away.
A 5-year-old is afraid to fly, and threatens her family's trip; a passenger travels to participate in a trapshooting contest; and a mother wants her plane free of peanut dust to accommodate her allergic son.
A flight attendant known for his celebrity impersonations has fun with comedian Ron Pearson; and a passenger emits a foul odor.
Capt. "Bubba" Edens takes his last flight. Also: a staffer deals with a passenger carrying cockroaches in his bag.
A father searches for his teenage daughter, whom he fears got off at the wrong airport; a disabled passenger's scooter breaks.
An overbooked flight to Las Vegas makes tempers flare; a woman cries when her boyfriend fails to give her an appropriate farewell; the LAX staff has a bowling match.
A man carries a rare tree, one grown in soil from every U.S. state; a passenger refuses to pay a $1 upgrade fee; a woman says goodbye to her boyfriend, a marine departing for Iraq.
An elderly passenger becomes ill on a flight; a flight attendant reunites with a passenger whose life she saved by using CPR; an inebriated man passes out; a woman becomes irate over missing her flight.
A flight instructor is delayed by security, forcing his pupils to wait; a passenger loses her ticket.
Ghost Chasers International president Patti Starr travels to investigate a paranormal sighting. Also: an angry passenger.
Two friends travel to celebrate Mardi Gras; a woman loses track of her companion; two quarreling passengers are blocked from boarding their flight.
A Beatles tribute band is late for a flight that will take them to a concert; passengers are angry over a delayed flight.
April Fool's pranks confound the staff. Included: comedian Rickey Smiley fakes a sight impairment to get priority boarding; a man claims people are stepping on his invisible wife.
A dancer heads to Las Vegas to become a performer; a woman's bag is damaged on a trip to Arizona; a matron of honor could miss her flight to the wedding. Also: a mix-up involves Yolanda's grandmother, who is traveling to Sacramento.
A poker champ heads to Las Vegas for a competition and meets fellow players on the plane; and a woman misses her flight and an important business meeting.
A woman misses her flight; an elderly woman needs to travel with oxygen, but she isn't allowed to take it on her flight; a 108-year-old woman travels with her daughter. Also: ticket problems.
A passenger dreads flying, and it's been 20 years since her last flight; four Russian travelers miss their flight; a man discovers that he's at the wrong airport.
The weather causes a variety of problems. Included: a lightning strike makes two planes malfunction; fog causes delays. Also: a missed flight.
A rodeo star stops in Houston; a woman misses her flight; an irate passenger is held up by security.
A group of young Americans travels to Mexico to aid needy villagers; a couple's flight to Las Vegas leaves without them; a woman is told she's too intoxicated to board her flight; and two men who don't speak English get off their flight at the wrong airport.
A woman's M&Ms memorabilia is ruined in baggage handling; gasoline is detected in the backpack of a camper; a woman who went on a shopping spree needs help with her bags.
A passenger with a peanut allergy develops a rash; two women miss their flight while hanging out at the bar too long; a man has to get to New York City as soon as possible when he learns that his wife has gone into labor. Also: cancelled and over-booked flights.
A passenger is accused of impersonating an NYPD officer; a woman misses her flight; a woman learns that her dog is not allowed on a flight. Also: angry travelers.
Ballroom dancers practice at the airport while waiting for a flight that will take them to a competition; a man's electric guitar is missing; an inebriated man is not allowed to board his flight.
Love stories are presented. Included: a Southwest employee and his fianceé travel to Las Vegas to get married; a passenger prepares to make a marriage proposal; a man meets a woman to whom he proposed over the phone and has never seen.
A man misses his flight because he didn't hear the announcement; a traveling Vietnam vet needs a shower and a change of clothes; Red Sox fans want to travel back to Boston, but the flight is oversold.
An intoxicated man is removed from a flight; a flight is halted due to mechanical failure; and a woman misses her connection by seconds.
Gina enrolls in a flight-attendant training program; comedian Buzz Sutherland travels to a show; a woman's flight is delayed by maintenance problems; a family is missing some of their bags.
Gina has her first experience as a flight attendant, and runs into some turbulence; the police are called in over a spitting incident; a group of women causes a commotion; and a couple are suspected of being intoxicated.
A former Miss Delaware travels to Chicago for a pageant, but she's afraid of flying; a woman can't find her son; and two wedding planners miss a flight.
A passenger misses his flight, but his medication is on board the plane; a woman becomes angry when she learns that her flight was oversold.
A man misses his flight while traveling to meet his wife; a woman is intoxicated; an airline computer won't accept a woman's ticket; a group of Chinese businessmen learn that their flight has been oversold.
Staffers are asked to contribute hair for the Locks of Love charity; BWI's "Maryland One" aircraft is unveiled and Southwest chairman Herb Kelleher attends the ceremony; unhappy travelers learn that their flight has been oversold; and an elderly passenger is missing.
