A Blast From the Past on Southwest This Week

The founder and former chief executive officer of Southwest Airlines recently passed away, and the airline is introducing a unique perk to staff for a limited amount of time that allows them to honor his legacy—they can bring back good-condition vintage Southwest uniform looks and wear them to work.

Southwest Airlines founder and former CEO Herb Kelleher recently passed away, and the airline wants to do its part to remember his legacy. Employees recently received a memo, reported on by the Chicago Business Journal, noting that in remembrance of Kelleher, they’re able to change up their uniforms for a limited period of time.

“To commemorate our beloved founder and celebrate his life, (Southwest) frontline employees will be able to wear previous Southwest uniforms beginning Jan.7 through Jan. 13,” the memo said.

It does come with some restrictions, though. The skimpy uniforms from the 1970s aren’t going to work, as the memo says that the airline is only allowing “any company-issued uniform shirt or sweater” that’s in good condition as originally issued. Vintage accessories from that era are allowed, though, including scarves, ties, wings, and “red/yellow/blue ribbons (one of each) color no larger than two inches in diameter.” Customer service and operations agents have to follow the same guidelines, they just don’t need to wear wings because they aren’t in-flight employees.

Flight attendants on Mexico routes, though, have to abide by current uniform regulations, and pilots are restricted to vintage ties and scarves, and the ribbons. As far as the ground crew, they can wear any company-issued uniform piece they want, vintage or current.

[Image: Wikimedia/Aero Icarus]