Southwest pioneer

Southwest is truly a pioneer and the only US airline that seems to know how to run its business profitably, not lose money or require bailouts (like what happened after 9/11), and treat its employees well. I'm incredibly grateful for Southwest. It's like a breath of fresh air among a sea of mediocrity. It shows in its staff who seem to know customer service and are happy to be there (or at least act like it). Their pricing structure and rewards program is actually straightforward and easy to use too.

From the Washington Post:
"Southwest turned a profit in 1973 and hasn’t suffered a money-losing year since — a streak unmatched in the U.S. airline business.

Kelleher became Southwest’s chairman in 1978 and CEO in 1982, as federal regulation of airline prices was disappearing. He led the company through its period of greatest growth. As Southwest entered new cities, it forced other airlines to match its lower prices. Federal officials dubbed this “the Southwest Effect.”

Today, Southwest carries more passengers within the United States than any airline. While critics say Southwest has come to resemble the bigger carriers that it once fought against, it created a model of streamlined operations, low costs and lower fares that spawned similar airlines around the world."

I don't know where the North American airline business would be today had Herb Kelleher not brought his dynamic personality into the industry. He formed a company and brought in a corporate vision that allowed a budget airline to be successful without being bullied into submission by the big legacy U.S. airlines. He was successful while other budget airlines either caved in and went out of business or sold out and merged with the legacy carriers. Herb did things that made sense--like only running one model of airplane--the Boeing 737. He was fortunate to have great employees that we willing and capable of rotating jobs as both gate agents and luggage loaders.

The industry today certainly needs more Herb Kellehers and less Harvard bean counters that care less about the feelings of their customers.

I remember when he fought American Airlines - and won. Good man. RIP.

Another great article:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinandjackiefreiberg/2019/01/04/20-reasons-why-herb-kelleher-was-one-of-the-most-beloved-leaders-of-our-time/#67799d8fb311

"Kelleher and the people of Southwest Airlines showed us that it is possible to love people (employees and customers alike), have fun and make money simultaneously. Herb never believed that the discipline necessary to run an on-time airline with unprecedented service was mutually exclusive with treating people like family and making work fun. He said, “I’d rather have a company bound by love than a company bound by fear.” Southwest has 46 consecutive years of profitability to show for it."

If his business model was more common, the world would be a better place. Unfortunately, it's "shareholder comes first", everything else be damned.

Sorry to see him go. He helped make Southwest the hugely successful airline it is today.

In my younger years, I only flew on Southwest because it simply was the easiest, most affordable, and best on time airline to deal with and always had the most flexible change and refund policies.

I have noticed a lot of changes to Southwest since his active participation ended a few years ago. Some have been good, like their expansion into foreign markets and soon to come Hawaii. Some have been apparently driven by those hated Ivy League accountants such as cancelling all outstanding free drink coupons. But I guess things must change when you become the airline that moves more passengers every year than most others (they are currently 3rd in the world in number of passengers per year).

They kept his favorite drink on all their planes, Wild Turkey, in case he flew and wanted one. I sure hope that won't change as it is my favorite as well. I will have one or two on my next flight on Southwest in his honor.