The Bag Man

     “I knew nothing about airlines, which I think made me eminently qualified to start one because what we tried to do at Southwest was get away from the traditional way that airlines had done business.
     “I think that was very helpful." Herb Kelleher said.
     Herb was also often up front promoting the carrier. He was pictured handing out peanuts on board flights as Southwest’s innovative low cost, no frills service gained attention.
     When a rival carrier claimed that people might be embarrassed to be seen flying “no frills,” Herb delivered the Southwest message in a TV commercial with a bag over his head.
     “We will give you this bag for all the money you save!” he laughed.
     Mr. Kelleher served as Southwest's executive chairman from March 1978 until May 2008 and as president and CEO from September 1981 through June 2001.
     He served as chairman emeritus at the time of his death.

Kelly Views

     “His vision for making air travel affordable for all revolutionized the industry," Southwest chairman and CEO Gary Kelly said.
     “But his legacy extends far beyond our industry and far beyond the world of entrepreneurship.
     “He inspired people; he motivated people; he challenged people—and, he kept us laughing all the way."

Parker Rolls

     American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said Kelleher's vision "brought the freedom of travel to hundreds of millions of people, and his appetite for taking on any real or perceived battle was unmatched.
     “His style presents the ultimate case study for airlines or any service company whereby if you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers, which will take care of your shareholders," Mr. Parker said.
     Often clad in jeans and a plaid shirt, Southwest Airlines during the Kelleher era was a place where every day was dress-down day.
     Southwest, it should be remembered, began in 1971 as a tiny commuter serving three Texas cities with four planes and 190 employees.
     Today the carrier moves more passengers annually in the United States, than any other airline.

Cargoman Boesch

     I recall that when Bill Boesch retired as President of American Airlines Cargo, and we all gathered in Dallas to salute the air cargo industry great, Mr. Kelleher entered the ballroom and stood in the back of the gathering talking to Robert Crandall.
     Herb spoke in deep resonate tones, probably driven in no small part by his love for bourbon and cigarettes, so even when he talked in a whisper, you could hear him from a distance.
     In any case, just after Jan Meurer offered some kind words and a giant bouquet of tulips to Bill, Herb also got up and rocked the room.
     We asked Bill to share some thoughts about Herb Kelleher.
     “When a great heads-of-state dies, we have massive state funerals and flags at half mast.
     “But in the airline industry when the great pioneers pass, the ones that have developed our heritage, their passing goes almost unnoticed, except maybe by family members and in this case a few people at Southwest.
     “Herb Kelleher was one of the greatest.
     “He was a man of integrity and strong will who viewed his employees as his most important asset.
     “So it is my hope that those employees will do something special to honor him for years to come.
     “And if they do something I hope they reach out to me to contribute in any way I can. “This industry will miss Herb and his genius. When you were around him you couldn't help but smile and feel good for weeks afterwards.
     “Herb, my friend, may God appreciate you the way our industry did, and if there is a airline in heaven, I hope you are running it!”
Geoffrey