I'm glad your friend is ok Jack, the pilots and flight crews of all companies are a very tight-knit community and have a difficult time digesting accidents like this.
Southwest has an excellent safety record and I do believe this may be their first accident ever and hopefully their last. Apparently it was a matter of extreme conditions, a short runway, possibly a slight tailwind and just plain old bad luck ... I really feel bad for the flight crew who I know where doing everything in their power to not let this happen and I feel terrible for the family who lost their little child, the kids are the ones who always seems to hit home the hardest.
