Fontaine leading it, it was something that you could see and picture, but to actually see what’s going on-wow.” Loius Freeman (middle) with Southwest Airlines representatives. “Our goal at the time was to help the TSU Aviation Program to grow into the program that it can be. “To me personally, I’ve been on an Aviation Advisory Board with TSU for several years,” said Freeman. Southwest Airline’s investment in TSU meant something special to Freeman. Twelve years later he became the first Black chief pilot of a major United States airline. In 1980 Freeman became Southwest Airlines’ first Black pilot. Lillian Poats, TSU’s acting provost, also on hand was a brother who is living history-Louis Freeman, retired Southwest Airlines captain. Phot by Aswad Walker.Īlong with a host of TSU dignitaries, including TSU President Dr. “To be an African American who has always wanted to become a pilot, it’s kind of nice to see that.” TSU President Dr. “This TSU-Southwest Airlines Destination 225° partnership just goes to show that your school is trying to do something for you,” said Griffin. Several current TSU Aviation Program students were on hand, including Paul Griffin, a sophomore in the Professional Pilot Program. TSU Aviation Program student Paul Griffin. Kinnebrew voiced that Southwest Airlines is keenly aware of the shortage of Black pilots and other pilots of color, stating, “We’re especially committed to opening these pathways to candidates who have traditionally been under-represented in our workforce. We wish to guide future pilots to Southwest (225° on a compass). To accomplish this goal, we created Destination 225°, a long-term talent pipeline to develop first officers, candidates for future opportunities. Thus, our desire to partner with TSU is to identify, mentor and encourage high-potential aviators, and most importantly, to offer them jobs. “As a result, Southwest Airlines plans to hire more than 1,000 pilots this year and thousands more over the next decade. He mentioned that as of February 3 Southwest Airlines has 418 firm orders for new sub 737 max aircraft, planes scheduled for delivery from this year through 2031 to support the fleet modernization and potential growth. “Southwest Airlines appreciates being the employer of choice for pilots today, but we also recognize that our aircraft order book requires that we start developing a pipeline for future first officers, candidates such as those sitting in this building, with their knowledge and experience from TSU’s Aviation Science and Technology program,” said Kinnebrew. “Black male pilots represent less than 2.4% of all pilots that are flying commercially, while Black female pilots make up less than 0.3% of all pilots in the industry,” said Fontaine, while pointing out Southwest Airlines’ Destination 225° program as strategically placed to drastically improve those numbers, and get TSU students jobs in the aviation industry. Terence Fontaine, TSU’s Director of Aviation, played host at the official announcement ceremony held in the atrium lobby of TSU’s Science Building. ![]() Please support Defender coverage of the Black community. The partnership will create a pathway for graduates of TSU’s Aviation Science and Technology program, which includes a Professional Pilot concentration, by leading aspiring Black and other minority pilots to Southwest Airlines. ![]() They announced TSU as the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to join the airline’s First Officer recruitment program – Destination 225°, so named because on a compass, 225° is the southwest directional heading. Officials from Southwest Airlines landed at Texas Southern University recently, and came bearing gifts.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |