Tracy
Honorary Flight Attendant
If there is a person who is meant to
be in the sky, it is Tracy. Her kind heart and loving personality
make peoples’ hearts soar. Tracy is an honorary flight attendant
and enjoys working for Southwest. She has made many friends and
constantly seeks new experiences to learn and grow from.
In 2018, Tracy began her journey as an Honorary Flight Attendant. While on a Southwest flight back home from Texas, after visiting her brother with her parents, Tracy met a flight attendant on board named Vicki. They talked often while on the flight, with Vicki bringing extra snacks. Tracy briefly mentioned that she wished she could be a flight attendant. After the flight ended, Tracy asked Vicki if they could take a picture together and it was the dawn of a new friendship.
After Vicki asked Tracy and her
family for their address, she would frequently send post cards
from places she had traveled. Then one day Vicki asked them all
to meet for lunch where Tracy was presented her Wings, which is a
Southwest name tag in the shape of wings, making her an
honorary flight attendant. Tracy was so excited, she cried, but
little did she know her world was going to open up. Vicki asked
Tracy if she would be willing to work an evening flight from
Sacramento to Seattle. With excitement, Tracy said yes!
Once she arrived to the airport with her parents to work the evening flight, Tracy was greeted by CBS Sacramento 13 and photographers from Southwest. It was a touching moment for Tracy as she wore her attendant uniform and was excited for the opportunity. When she boarded the plane, Tracy saw decorations with signage welcoming her. Her parents even had the best seats on the flight and got to witness all of Tracy’s wonderful work. She fulfilled all of her attendant duties and had quite the successful flight. Three months later Tracy was flown to Southwest Headquarters in Dallas where she and Vicki were presented the Winning Spirit Award by the Southwest CEO and President
This first working flight was the beginning of Tracy’s career in the skies. Every time her and her family fly, she works the flight. She has made so many beautiful friendships and cherishes every moment. It has allowed her to work with other departments for Southwest, such as the customer service department. When Southwest introduced their direct from Sacramento to Hawaii flights in 2019, Tracy, her parents, and special surprise appearance from Vicki, were aboard the first flight there. Southwest welcomed them with a royal treatment upon their arrival.
Her time in the skies has given her
the opportunity to copilot a plane. Thanks to her friend Vicki,
Tracy was introduced to a retired pilot who invited her to
copilot his plane to Willows and gifted his pilot hat to her.
Upon their return from Willows, Tracy and her family were greeted
with another celebration at the Sacramento International Airport
with a warm welcome from media channels to commend her on her
flight.
Besides being a seasoned flight
attendant, Tracy is an artist who creates beaded bracelets. She
makes them to sell and then donates the money to the Down Syndrome Society along with making
them in Southwest colors to share with other flight attendants.
In addition to her philanthropic efforts, Tracy and Vicki were
featured in Women’s World Magazine. A catchphrase they always say
to each other is “girl power” with raised fists in the air,
wearing matching bracelets Tracy made. Truly, Tracy is a living
example of Women’s History.