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Southwest Airlines mourns founder and chairman Emeritus Herbert D. Kelleher (1931-2019)
DALLAS—Jan. 3, 2019—We are deeply saddened to share that Southwest Airlines Founder and Chairman Emeritus Herbert D. Kelleher passed away today at the age of 87. (www.swamedia.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Herb was an original. Very few of his caliber in the airline business any more. He will be missed.
I remember Herb being quoted as telling a news reporter who said flying Southwest was like riding a bus, " Yep but its a FAST bus " his ability to interact with everyone from the lowest bag buster to the investors was what allowed him to build Southwest including arm wrestling on TV the founder of another aircraft company over using the name Southwest RIP
I met Herb at a hotel bar while in Baltimore for the All Stars Baseball game many years ago. We were watching the game on tv and he sat down to have a scotch. I was on a layover and he was shooting an AMX commercial. Great conversation over a few drinks....what a wonderful man and pioneer! He will be missed.
GOOD GUY! I WILL HAVE A TOAST OF WILD TURKEY TO HERB TONIGHT IN HIS MEMORY...RIP HERB...
I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kelleher. I did however write to him regarding my experience when traveling on Southwest. I used to fly to Florida every 3 months to visit my father. I always used the same flight. I traveled frequently enough that the gate attendants, and flight crews knew me by name. I wrote to Mr. Kelleher and received personal responses. I always was very pleased by flying southwest.
On a flight to San Antonio some years ago, a jet bridge malfunctioned and we were forced to de-plane using the stairs on the ramp. A friend and I assisted an elderly person down the stairs. By the time we got to the bottom, to our surprise, Herb K. had arrived, making sure that passengers were OK. He shook our hands and offered any other help we needed. It was the only time I met him, but he showed the kind of class that has stuck with me for years as an example of how you treat people.
I have been a SWA flight attendant for 35 years. I am blessed to have visited with Herb many times. On several occasions, he “worked” with me on flights while traveling on business. He would offer to help set up the galley, but this often ended up in a mess, so we would send him out into the cabin to do what he did best, pass out peanuts and visit with our Customers. (Yes, Customers is capitalized intentionally-our Customers have made SWA successful, and we @ SWA have never forgotten this!!) He “luved” our SWA flyers, and his SWA family...truly heart broken, but so very thankful for all of the wonderful memories!!