Southwest To Pay Some New Pa Hires $2,500 Bonuses Tuesday May 17, 1:16 PM EDT PHILADELPHIA (AP)--Southwest Airlines (LUV) is trying to speed up the hiring of 30 new ramp and provisioning agents. The airline is offering bonuses of $2,500 to new hires who make it past their six-month probationary periods. The jobs normally pay $8.75 an hour. Ramp agents direct airplanes in and out of gates and load and unload bags and freight. Provisioning agents stock beverages and snacks on the planes. Southwest will pay the new employees a $1,250 bonus after 30 days in the job, and $1,250 more after the six-month probation. Southwest started service at Philadelphia International Airport a year ago with 14 daily flights. It will have 50 daily flights by this summer, making it the airport's second-largest carrier after U.S. Airways (UAIRQ). Roger EWROPS