Southwest Airlines recently celebrated an amazing achievement: the formation of a mother-daughter pilot crew! CaptainHolly PetittFirst Officer Keely PetittAlthough they have just completed their first flight together in a plane, both were interested in aviation for a while.
Holly Petitt’s Dream Of Flying
Holly started her career as a flight attendant. Holly became a flight attendant after she rode in the jumpseat on the flight deck alongside the pilots. She realized that she wanted to fly the plane. Holly began pilot training and continued to work to earn the certifications that she needed to be a pilot.
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Holly had three children while she was pursuing her flying career. To be a stay at home mom, Holly quit her job as an airline attendant and began to study flight school.
Holly was impressed at Southwest Airlines’ work environment after she attended a Women In Aviation International Conference. She applied for a pilot position and began flying for Southwest Airlines.
Her Daughter followed in Her Footsteps
Keely watched her mom follow this dream her entire childhood, so it’s no surprise she also wanted to pursue the same career. At 14, she decided she would follow in her mother’s footsteps and started working towards this goal. Keely earned her pilot’s license and even scored an internship with Southwest in 2017. After working with Southwest, Keely was certain that this was the airline for her.
“Southwest was always the end goal for me,” Keely. “There was really never any other option.”In May, she completed her pilot training and received her Southwest Airlines wings.
‘It’s Been A Dream Come True’
The mother and daughter duo made their first flight together on July 23, from Denver—their hometown—to St. Louis. The Petitts made history as the first mother-daughter team of pilots in the airline’s history. Many airlines aim to increase the number female pilots. The Pettits represent a shining example of two women who have pursuing their dream of flying.
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“It’s been a dream come true,” Holly shared. “First, I found this career and fell in love with it, and then that one of my kids fell into this and in love with this career too. It’s surreal.” Many people have been inspired by the story of the pair’s dreams of flying—and touched by the fact that mother and daughter were able to pursue this dream together.