A five-year-old boy is receiving widespread recognition after he identified a discrepancy in Southwest Airlines’ training manual, leading to a special VIP tour of the airline’s headquarters in Dallas. William Hines, who attends Campbell Early Learning Center in Jefferson County, Colorado, noticed an inconsistency in the diagrams depicting the aircraft’s terrain displays while perusing the manual. His keen observation caught the attention of Southwest CEO Bob Jordan, who invited William and his family for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the airline.
William has shown a profound interest in aviation, spending his free time studying various materials and models while dreaming of becoming an airline pilot. His fascination was further nurtured through a chance meeting with a pilot named Josh at a local book fair, which led to a two-hour visit where Josh introduced William to essential aviation concepts.
While reviewing the training manual, William discovered that two terrain monitors, which should have appeared identical, were mismatched. One diagram was extensively zoomed out compared to the other, prompting William to question the discrepancy. His mother, Amber Hines, explained, “One was very, very zoomed out while the other one was zoomed in. He was able to identify the fact that these should look the same, but they looked different because one was drastically zoomed out from the other one.”
Exclusive VIP Experience at Southwest Airlines
Amber shared their extraordinary experience on social media, which quickly gained traction among her friends, one of whom had recently started a position at Southwest. This connection led to the airline’s management being informed about William’s impressive find, eventually reaching Bob Jordan. The CEO’s personal invitation to the Hines family resulted in a memorable visit to Southwest’s headquarters in Dallas, Texas, where William received a first-hand look at the airline’s pilot training facilities.
During the visit, the family was accommodated in a hotel, ensuring that William felt like a true VIP guest. The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly his opportunity to sit in a full-motion flight simulator used for training Boeing 737 pilots. Under the guidance of an instructor named Chris, William experienced what it feels like to be in the cockpit of a commercial aircraft, an experience he is likely to cherish for years to come.
Southwest Airlines Responds to Training Manual Inquiry
While the nature of the discrepancy in the training manual raised questions, Southwest Airlines clarified that there was no error per se but rather a difference in the presentation of the terrain displays. The airline emphasized that each display was illustrated at varying zoom levels, which accounted for the mismatch noted by young William.
Amber Hines described her son as a “details guy,” highlighting his ability to notice the finer points that many might overlook. Southwest Airlines expressed admiration for William’s enthusiasm and attention to detail. In light of the ongoing demand for pilots, the airline has recently announced plans to hire up to 900 pilots this year, along with promotions for over 600 current pilots to captain positions.
William Hines’ remarkable observation not only earned him a unique experience but also showcases the potential of young minds to contribute positively in unexpected ways.
