- Jun 13, 2005
- 565
- 6
From Mitchell Schnurman's blog, The Schnurmanator, on 11/11/05. (Mitchell is the business editor for the Fort Worth Star Telegram.)
------------------------------------------------
Herb stirs it up on AA flight
Herb Kelleher causes a stir wherever he goes, even in the rival's den.
Kelleher took American Airlines Flight 1199 this morning, the nonstop from Reagan National to DFW, and the executive chairman of Southwest Airlines had the first seat in first class.
As I boarded later with the economy crowd, I mentioned to the pilots that they had Kelleher as a passenger. That elicited a few oohs and aahs and some minor expletives about the Wright Amendment. The pilot said they ought to just tear up the runways at Love Field, but the first class flight attendant wasn't moved by the business star. "If you see George Clooney, then tell me," she said.
I mentioned this reaction to Kelleher, and he ribbed the attendant throughout the flight. "I told her I'd get her free passes to my next movie, and then I batted my eyes at her," Kelleher said, blinking like a guy with stars in his eyes.
Kelleher walked to the back of the cabin to talk with a retired military officer and another flight attendant asked him if he was trying to steal American's customers. Kelleher laughed loudly and hugged her. Then he offered her a job.
------------------------------------------------
Herb stirs it up on AA flight
Herb Kelleher causes a stir wherever he goes, even in the rival's den.
Kelleher took American Airlines Flight 1199 this morning, the nonstop from Reagan National to DFW, and the executive chairman of Southwest Airlines had the first seat in first class.
As I boarded later with the economy crowd, I mentioned to the pilots that they had Kelleher as a passenger. That elicited a few oohs and aahs and some minor expletives about the Wright Amendment. The pilot said they ought to just tear up the runways at Love Field, but the first class flight attendant wasn't moved by the business star. "If you see George Clooney, then tell me," she said.
I mentioned this reaction to Kelleher, and he ribbed the attendant throughout the flight. "I told her I'd get her free passes to my next movie, and then I batted my eyes at her," Kelleher said, blinking like a guy with stars in his eyes.
Kelleher walked to the back of the cabin to talk with a retired military officer and another flight attendant asked him if he was trying to steal American's customers. Kelleher laughed loudly and hugged her. Then he offered her a job.
