Southwest, American Air drop famed Halloween parties on virus

Southwest and American Airlineshave scrapped their annual staff Halloween parties because of the coronavirus pandemic, suspending revered traditions amid an unprecedented industry slump. “You all know Halloween celebrations will look differently this year,” Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said in his weekly message to employees. “Please remember to wear your masks while having fun with one another and our customers,” Kelly said in the Monday message. This is the first time Southwest has canceled its parties since 2001. At American, this will be the first Halloween without a party and trick-or-treating by employees’ children since the carrier acquired US Airways in 2013. CEO Doug Parker -- whose birthday is on Halloween -- imported the annual celebration from the smaller carrier, which had inherited it from merger partner America West. In the past, he’s joined other American executives in costume, including dressing as musicians Keith Richards, Billy Ray Cyrus and Boy George. Employees at the carrier’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters can dress up for the day, as can airport customer-service and gate agents, said spokesman Matt Miller. The cancellation “is primarily because of the fact that we have 19,000 people on furlough -- not a very celebratory time,” he said.<br/>