Poll: Best airline C.E.O.

SonicCruiser · 12-31-2001, 01:47 PM

Okay, we have talked about the worst, now what about the best.

My vote is for:

Herb Kelleher.

Without a doubt, what better example of leadership, vision,
inspiration, and guts?

The man is a legend, and an ICON.

Stanman · 12-31-2001, 02:46 PM

I would consider Gordon Bethune in the running as well. Unfortunately I posted much of my reply in the "CO questions" initiated by CO Boy but to reiterate:

Gordon Bethune has done a wonderful job guiding and managing Continental from one of the worst airlines in the US to one of the best managed. It's a svelt sexier airline of its former self and has done well challenging and competing with the likes of the giants of AA and UA. Considering its based in the same state as AA and Southwest, the best of both the "classical" airlines and the newer "no-frills" and still doing well is a credit to its management. That plus the guy actually flies his own airliners on delivery and worked at Boeing has got to be a plus. Also, that it is one of the few airlines beside Southwest actually posting a profit after 9/11 is no mean feat(granted this is after the US grants).

hernan · 12-31-2001, 06:17 PM

Herb is #1 !

AlphaSigOU · 12-31-2001, 06:52 PM

I can't complain 'bout Chairman Herb and all the people that provide Positively Outrageous Service at SWA. Flown them regularly for the past ten years and never been dissatisfied about their service. Make sure to keep him supplied with cartons of Merits and fifths of Wild Turkey!

Likewise, Gordon Bethune's not far from the top of my list, either. If he could whip an airline that was once seconds away from throwing in the towel back into fighting shape, he's doing a hell of a good job. And if the man is accessible to the traveling public (as I once saw at CO's Terminal C one time), it speaks volumes on how the airline is receptive towards their customers. How many times has anyone seen Mullin or Carty in the terminals at ATL or DFW, respectively?

My two cents' worth - before taxes take most of it away!

SQKRU · 12-31-2001, 11:07 PM

Hei, what about Sir Richard Branson.....

He has my vote. Just look at what he has done to Virgin Atlantic. Within just about 15 years, he has made Virgin Atlantic one of the world's premier airline. His innovative ideas and superb entrepreneurship has made Virgin Atlantic and other Virgin labels one of the most recognisable label in the world.

But I also have to give credit to Mr Herb. I was informed by a FA friend of mine in SWA, that he is very approachable and even does the job of FA when he is on flight. He mingles with his passengers, and once did the "macarena" in front of the passengers to amuse them. Way to go Herb.....

IFTNFS · 01-01-2002, 02:42 AM

Herb definitely has to get the vote. He started Southwest, so he was able to embed his business principles and his spirit deep into its roots. Of course, he didn't do it alone, but look at how well Southwest has done on his watch. For 30 years he was CEO, and even before they started flying it was HIM in the courtroom fighting to get his airline off the ground. CO may be one of the few profitable airlines right now, but don't forget that Southwest was able to do it without laying off a single employee. In fact, they even went ahead and introduced new service at the beginning of October!

I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the point.

Rick

Marc Hookerman · 01-01-2002, 12:04 PM

Herb Kelleher and Timothy Hoeksema are pioneers in their own taking failed concepts and making them successful and profitable through innovative practice. Both should be honored for their accomplishments and "no bull****" approach to doing business. Gordon Bethune is in his own class as the "golden janitor". Bethune is a superman who took a dumpster and turned it into a carrier with class and dignity. These three are kings.

Sentinel Chicken · 01-01-2002, 04:06 PM

There was an article on leadership in a recent issue of the US Naval Institute's Proceedings that I found particularly interesting in light of the discussion of airline CEOs. The article looked at the leadership styles of the military brass and noted that there's a difference between a "boss" and a "leader"- bosses push people toward goals whereas leaders pull people towards goals by example.

Herb Kelleher, like any corporate head, has his share of detractors, but you can't deny the example he's set for his employees at Southwest Airlines. I have the great opportunity to take care of the employees of airlines in my town, from Delta and American to Southwest. And hands down, the corporate spirit amongst the Southwest employees is a good deal more postive than that of the American and Delta employees.

Kelleher is known for pitching in around Love Field (DAL) on the holidays, from helping load bags on Thanksgiving Day to serving drinks on a flight he might be on. I know several folks who work at the heavy maintenance base at DAL and they've told me on more than one occasion Kelleher will swing by the hangars to shoot the bull with the mechanics. A 737 mechanic I know told me that Herb tries to remember the names of every employee that he meets and even if it's months later he usually can recall your name. At the corporate HQ I've heard his office door is always open.

Some of my patients are in the corporate accounting offices at AMR/American and one of them quite honestly told me one day that they've done multiple cost analyses and projections on Southwest and "we just can't figure out from the numbers how they're doing it". Bob Crandall once told the local press in reference to Southwest that "that place runs on Kelleher's bullsh*t." Herb sent Crandall a big container of chocolate pudding with a small Sea World spoon in response.

If any of you have the chance, several months ago both Herb Kelleher and Gordon Bethune sat down with Fortune magazine for an interview on the state of the airline industry. It's very entertaining and gives quite a flavor to the "maverickness" that both Kelleher and Bethune revel in and operate by.

Scott · 01-01-2002, 06:27 PM

Best "almost present" CEO: Herb Kelleher
Best "retro" CEO: Patterson, UAL

IFTNFS · 01-01-2002, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sentinel Chicken
... Bob Crandall once told the local press in reference to Southwest that "that place runs on Kelleher's bullsh*t." Herb sent Crandall a big container of chocolate pudding with a small Sea World spoon in response.

Actually, I heard the pudding story happened a different way. After Southwest announced that they were the official airline of Sea World and unveiled a Shamu plane, Crandall said something to the effect of "So what are you going to do with all of that whale sh*t?" Kelleher responded immediately by saying something like "We're going to turn it into chocolate pudding and spoon-feed it to yankees from Rhode Island." Then the next day Crandall received the pudding with the spoon...

That's how I heard it happened anyways. I could be wrong though...

Rick

hernan · 01-01-2002, 10:03 PM

IFTNS . you got the right version.

Sentinel Chicken · 01-01-2002, 10:04 PM

Actually, Rick, I stand corrected, you're right now that I think about it. There was an article in one of our local magazines I think that talked about how Crandall actually had a lot of respect for Kelleher and what he did for Southwest- grudgingly, of course.

Did y'all ever hear the story of when Kelleher got a brand-new luxury sedan and walking out to his car at the end of the day there's 4 pilots, each one of them urinating on one of the tires, when he gets to his car. Apparently the pilots got wind of his new car and thought humorously that it needed a proper christening. From what I remember when I read the story, Herb thought it was the funniest damn prank anyone pulled on him.

Scott · 01-02-2002, 12:43 AM

Hmmmm.... so WN runs on Herb's bull***** and his Lexus or Beemer runs on pis$. How environmentally "correct"!

Chansen · 01-02-2002, 11:01 AM

BestCEO: Herb Kelleher, Southwest / Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group
Best "retro" CEO: Juan Trippe, Pan Am

L-1011-200F · 01-04-2002, 12:44 PM

Herb Kelleher is the # 1.

-200

LeitenderNotarzt · 01-08-2002, 10:06 AM

These have done (and are doing) an outstanding job:

* Branson, Virgin Atlantic
* Kelleher, Southwest Airlines
* Bethune, Continental Airlines
* O'Leary, Ryanair

Sean1999 Ram Air TA · 01-08-2002, 12:39 PM

I am w/ Scott on the retro Pres Pat Patterson is the man sure wish we had him now

Sean

12-31-2001, 06:17 PM	#3
hernan Senior Collector Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: CAROLINA,PUERTO RICO Age: 42 Posts: 426	Herb is #1 ! __________________ FLY SOUTHWEST. THE ONLY WAY TO FLY ! COLLECT STAR JETS. THE BEST MODELS!

12-31-2001, 06:52 PM	#4
AlphaSigOU Insane Collector Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Wylie, Texas Age: 43 Posts: 1,419	I can't complain 'bout Chairman Herb and all the people that provide Positively Outrageous Service at SWA. Flown them regularly for the past ten years and never been dissatisfied about their service. Make sure to keep him supplied with cartons of Merits and fifths of Wild Turkey! Likewise, Gordon Bethune's not far from the top of my list, either. If he could whip an airline that was once seconds away from throwing in the towel back into fighting shape, he's doing a hell of a good job. And if the man is accessible to the traveling public (as I once saw at CO's Terminal C one time), it speaks volumes on how the airline is receptive towards their customers. How many times has anyone seen Mullin or Carty in the terminals at ATL or DFW, respectively? My two cents' worth - before taxes take most of it away! __________________ *Chuck Corway (AlphaSigOU)* *Causa latet vis est notissima* -- the cause is hidden, the results are well known. James Bond: "I'll take the full odds on the ten, two hundred on the hard way, the limit on all the numbers, two hundred and fifty on the eleven, thank you very much." Plenty O'Toole: "Hey! You've played this game before!" James Bond: "Just once." *REMEMBER THE ALAMO!!! REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR!!! REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11!!!!*

12-31-2001, 11:07 PM	#5
SQKRU Senior Collector Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Dubai, UAE Age: 32 Posts: 359	Hei, what about Sir Richard Branson..... He has my vote. Just look at what he has done to Virgin Atlantic. Within just about 15 years, he has made Virgin Atlantic one of the world's premier airline. His innovative ideas and superb entrepreneurship has made Virgin Atlantic and other Virgin labels one of the most recognisable label in the world. But I also have to give credit to Mr Herb. I was informed by a FA friend of mine in SWA, that he is very approachable and even does the job of FA when he is on flight. He mingles with his passengers, and once did the "macarena" in front of the passengers to amuse them. Way to go Herb..... __________________ Keep Discovering Fly Emirates

01-01-2002, 12:04 PM	#7
Marc Hookerman DC-10 Lover Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Saint Louis, MO USA Posts: 352	Herb Kelleher and Timothy Hoeksema are pioneers in their own taking failed concepts and making them successful and profitable through innovative practice. Both should be honored for their accomplishments and "no bull**" approach to doing business. Gordon Bethune is in his own class as the "golden janitor". Bethune is a superman who took a dumpster and turned it into a carrier with class and dignity. These three are kings. __________________ Jet Noise : The Sound of Freedom Midwest Express Airlines "The Best Care in the Air"**

01-01-2002, 04:06 PM	#8
Sentinel Chicken Go-Getters Go Ozark Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: DFW/THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS Posts: 4,167	There was an article on leadership in a recent issue of the US Naval Institute's Proceedings that I found particularly interesting in light of the discussion of airline CEOs. The article looked at the leadership styles of the military brass and noted that there's a difference between a "boss" and a "leader"- bosses push people toward goals whereas leaders pull people towards goals by example. Herb Kelleher, like any corporate head, has his share of detractors, but you can't deny the example he's set for his employees at Southwest Airlines. I have the great opportunity to take care of the employees of airlines in my town, from Delta and American to Southwest. And hands down, the corporate spirit amongst the Southwest employees is a good deal more postive than that of the American and Delta employees. Kelleher is known for pitching in around Love Field (DAL) on the holidays, from helping load bags on Thanksgiving Day to serving drinks on a flight he might be on. I know several folks who work at the heavy maintenance base at DAL and they've told me on more than one occasion Kelleher will swing by the hangars to shoot the bull with the mechanics. A 737 mechanic I know told me that Herb tries to remember the names of every employee that he meets and even if it's months later he usually can recall your name. At the corporate HQ I've heard his office door is always open. Some of my patients are in the corporate accounting offices at AMR/American and one of them quite honestly told me one day that they've done multiple cost analyses and projections on Southwest and "we just can't figure out from the numbers how they're doing it". Bob Crandall once told the local press in reference to Southwest that "that place runs on Kelleher's bullsht." Herb sent Crandall a big container of chocolate pudding with a small Sea World spoon in response. If any of you have the chance, several months ago both Herb Kelleher and Gordon Bethune sat down with Fortune* magazine for an interview on the state of the airline industry. It's very entertaining and gives quite a flavor to the "maverickness" that both Kelleher and Bethune revel in and operate by. __________________ *Piss on noise abatement!*

12-31-2001, 01:47 PM	#1
SonicCruiser Collector Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Greenwood, Indiana, USA Posts: 75	Poll: Best airline C.E.O. Okay, we have talked about the worst, now what about the best. My vote is for: Herb Kelleher. Without a doubt, what better example of leadership, vision, inspiration, and guts? The man is a legend, and an ICON.

12-31-2001, 02:46 PM	#2
Stanman Senior Collector Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Waxahachie, Texas, USA Posts: 426	I would consider Gordon Bethune in the running as well. Unfortunately I posted much of my reply in the "CO questions" initiated by CO Boy but to reiterate: Gordon Bethune has done a wonderful job guiding and managing Continental from one of the worst airlines in the US to one of the best managed. It's a svelt sexier airline of its former self and has done well challenging and competing with the likes of the giants of AA and UA. Considering its based in the same state as AA and Southwest, the best of both the "classical" airlines and the newer "no-frills" and still doing well is a credit to its management. That plus the guy actually flies his own airliners on delivery and worked at Boeing has got to be a plus. Also, that it is one of the few airlines beside Southwest actually posting a profit after 9/11 is no mean feat(granted this is after the US grants).

01-01-2002, 02:42 AM	#6
IFTNFS Senior Collector Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Harwich, MA, USA Age: 27 Posts: 427	Herb definitely has to get the vote. He started Southwest, so he was able to embed his business principles and his spirit deep into its roots. Of course, he didn't do it alone, but look at how well Southwest has done on his watch. For 30 years he was CEO, and even before they started flying it was HIM in the courtroom fighting to get his airline off the ground. CO may be one of the few profitable airlines right now, but don't forget that Southwest was able to do it without laying off a single employee. In fact, they even went ahead and introduced new service at the beginning of October! I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the point. Rick

01-01-2002, 06:27 PM	#9
Scott Insane Collector Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Escondido, Ca. USA Age: 50 Posts: 2,763	Best "almost present" CEO: Herb Kelleher Best "retro" CEO: Patterson, UAL __________________ Fly the Friendly Skies of United uniTED takes wing Feb 12, 2004

01-01-2002, 10:03 PM	#11
hernan Senior Collector Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: CAROLINA,PUERTO RICO Age: 42 Posts: 426	IFTNS . you got the right version. __________________ FLY SOUTHWEST. THE ONLY WAY TO FLY ! COLLECT STAR JETS. THE BEST MODELS!

01-01-2002, 10:04 PM	#12
Sentinel Chicken Go-Getters Go Ozark Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: DFW/THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS Posts: 4,167	Actually, Rick, I stand corrected, you're right now that I think about it. There was an article in one of our local magazines I think that talked about how Crandall actually had a lot of respect for Kelleher and what he did for Southwest- grudgingly, of course. Did y'all ever hear the story of when Kelleher got a brand-new luxury sedan and walking out to his car at the end of the day there's 4 pilots, each one of them urinating on one of the tires, when he gets to his car. Apparently the pilots got wind of his new car and thought humorously that it needed a proper christening. From what I remember when I read the story, Herb thought it was the funniest damn prank anyone pulled on him. __________________ *Piss on noise abatement!*

01-02-2002, 12:43 AM	#13
Scott Insane Collector Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Escondido, Ca. USA Age: 50 Posts: 2,763	Hmmmm.... so WN runs on Herb's bull***** and his Lexus or Beemer runs on pis$. How environmentally "correct"! __________________ Fly the Friendly Skies of United uniTED takes wing Feb 12, 2004

01-02-2002, 11:01 AM	#14
Chansen Complete Wacko! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 3,016	BestCEO: Herb Kelleher, Southwest / Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group Best "retro" CEO: Juan Trippe, Pan Am

01-04-2002, 12:44 PM	#15
L-1011-200F Collector Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 55	Herb Kelleher is the # 1. -200

01-08-2002, 10:06 AM	#16
LeitenderNotarzt El Siete Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Nordrhein-Westfalen Posts: 1,194	These have done (and are doing) an outstanding job: * Branson, Virgin Atlantic * Kelleher, Southwest Airlines * Bethune, Continental Airlines * O'Leary, Ryanair __________________ L-1011 TriStar ... Beauty of the Skies

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01-08-2002, 12:39 PM	#17
Sean1999 Ram Air TA Senior Collector Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 249	I am w/ Scott on the retro Pres Pat Patterson is the man sure wish we had him now Sean