Southwest in Cincinnati? Isn’t Cincinnati in the Midwest? Yes, but we are talking, “Southwest Airlines”. With great celebration and anticipation Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG) welcomed Southwest Airlines on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Beginning on that date, Southwest Airlines started passenger service from Cincinnati to both Baltimore and Chicago.
What is the big deal about an airline coming to a new airport? Well, first of all it is close to where I live. However, in a nutshell, it is because Southwest is unique and has been a “game changer” in the airline industry. Over the next couple of blogs I will explore how Southwest has become one of the most desired, if not the most desired, airlines to fly upon in the United States. They are known for great fares, great service and free bags. So how did this all happen?
Everything rises and falls on leadership – so said my youth pastor and coach Carlin Dempsey in 1977. I found out he was right. At Southwest the leader was Herb Kelleher. Herb was, in a nutshell, a character. He founded the airline in 1971 in Dallas, Texas. Dallas was in the midst of opening a brand new airport, Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport. The “old” airport, Dallas Love Field, provided a great location for the new airline. Hence the love and heart theme in many of Southwest’s marketing materials.
Herb Kelleher believed in several things as a leader. He first of all believed in jumping in and being part of the work at Southwest. How so? He often would get aboard a plane in the early days and sit in the uncomfortable, small, jump seat in the cockpit and laugh and joke with the pilots as they flew along. He is also famous for “slinging bags” on Thanksgiving. In other words, working alongside the baggage handlers at the airport on a day that most are at home enjoying a turkey with their families.
Herb Kelleher was the CEO from 1971 to 2007 and once shared his highest priority as a CEO. He believed that his Number 1 job as a leader was the culture. Both fostering and maintaining the culture of the organization. In the next blog, we will look into that culture.