Consider this a warning -- you may suffer delusions that you're having a 1971 flashback if you fly on Southwest Airlines this week.

From Tuesday through Sunday, Southwest has invited its flight attendants to put on any uniform that they may have previously worn on the job.

The reason, of course, is that on Saturday, Southwest marks its 40th birthday. On June 18, 1971, the Dallas-based carrier started flying its three airplanes between Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.

There's also something in it for us, those of us who don't have a pair of 40-year-old hot pants to don for our flight -- free drinks.

Here's the memo (revised once) that went out Tuesday to all flight attendants from Maureen Emlet, Southwest's manager of cabin services communications:

"Southwest Airlines is 40 and fabulous! From June 14-19, we will celebrate Southwest's 40th birthday in a big way and fashion will play an important part. We're asking all Flight Attendants to dig out your favorite vintage Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant uniforms to wear throughout the week.

"Be sure to wear your wings at all times while on duty and especially as you're going through security. Of course, our appearance standards still apply, so be sure all clothing items are in good condition.

"As you know, we LUV including our Customers in our celebrations, so all Customers 21 and over may receive a complimentary beverage to help us celebrate our birthday on June 18. Feel free to use your creativity to turn your flight into a birthday celebration.

"In addition, to share our appreciation, all fathers traveling on Sunday, June 19 are invited to enjoy a drink on us. Please make a PA letting our fathers onboard know how much we appreciate them, and that we are happy to provide them with a complimentary beverage.

"We hope you will have FUN as we celebrate the big 4-0, and please be sure to send us pictures of your Southwest SPIRIT."

(NOTE: This is a slight revision from an original memo.)

Read the original article: http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/it-may-be-deja-vu-all-over-aga.html.