Must-see Herb TV

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Thursday used to be the night of must-see TV with Friends and Seinfeld.  Well this Thursday, it is once again with CNBC presenting their in-depth look at Herb Kelleher as part of their Titans series that chronicles some of America’s top business leaders.

 The production team conducted in-depth interviews with Herb, Gary Kelly, Colleen Barrett, and other longtime Employees, and they scoured our archives for historical items to tell Herb’s and Southwest’s story.  Titans airs at 9 pm, 10pm, 12am, and 1am Eastern Time on Thursday.

In advance of the airing, CNBC asked Herb to contribute a post to their blog, and his topic was, as might be expected, the People of Southwest Airlines.  To read the post, click here and set your dials to CNBC at 9ET/8CT Thursday night.  

[Mike_Barnbaum]

Brian: Really quick, I received your message about Titans airing on CNBC this Thursday. On my TV Listings menu on my Comcast System in Sacramento, I found exactly what you were referencing. The only new episode airs at 6pm Pacific. There are repeat episodes airing at 7pm Pacific, 9pm Pacific, and 10pm Pacific. My system allows me to set "reminders" so that when I am watching one program and need to watch another, my front screen reminds me that I set a reminder to watch another program. Thanks to your blog post on July 13th, I have set those reminders for the air time of Titans here in Sacramento and the West Coast. I hope to post another blog when I have concluded watching this program.

[Mike_Barnbaum]

To All at Southwest Airlines: After watching the CNBC Titans Weekly Special on Thursday from my Sacramento, California home, I want to say that Herb Kelleher truly is an American Business Titan. It is because of Herb and the Go-At-It Attitude to "Democratize the Skies of America" that I have the "Freedom to Go, See, and Do" like I never have possible. It wasn't until I saw Titans on Thursday the 14th of July, 2011 that I learned about Braniff and that I learned about Southwest being the number one air carrier of Whiskey during a major business competition with Braniff for flights between Houston and Dallas. Colleen Barrett pointed out to viewers like me that Southwest Airlines was to be the carrier offering fares for "The Common Man." That sentence reminded me of the Classical Music Piece known as "FanFare for the Common Man." The rich history of Southwest Airlines was recapped to viewers like me like I never could have immagined. It was truly amazing. One of the saddest parts was the retirement of Herb Kelleher. It was a sad day for sure. When the CNBC Titans Program showed that the reigns were turned over to Gary Kelly and a segment showed Kelly asking "What would Herb Do?" I was thrilled. It is really great that the leadership at Southwest Airlines always has Herb in mind. If I remember the segemnt was regarding whether or not to charge fees for checked baggage. In that segment I was taken back when I heard that Southwest is passing up $500,000,000 in potential revenue, but that great marketing and having great market share has taken care of that and then some. The best thing I liked about the CNBC Titans Program was when Herb talked about treating the employees of Southwest Airlines. It is something that I live by. I am so glad that Southwest treats its employees number one and its customes like me second. It is because of how the employees are treated that that treatment is passed onto passengers like me. Thank you for making each of my flight experiences ones with "Positively Outrageous Service" Southwest Airlines. Moving forward, I am so pleased to see the progress being made between Southwest and its acquisition of AirTran proceed as smoothly as possible and to get all things right to create as Reggae Sensation Bob Marley would put it, a combined airline with "One LUV" for Planes, People, Pilots, and of course, Peanuts. Hey, now that's a great idea, a classical music piece or a song that identifies Southwest once all transactions have occurred in the transition of AirTran Airways into Southwest Airlines. United Airlines uses Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," so perhaps Southwest could use "One Love" by Bob Marley as its theme song. No doubt about it. "LUV" is in the air and on the ground at Southwest Airlines, and "One LUV" would be a great theme going forward from here. Speaking of going forward, Southwest Airlines at Sacramento International Airport is going forward in the alphabet from Terminal A to New Terminal B. All of Southwest Headquarters Employees and Southwest Airlines Employees not on duty are welcome to attend a Grand Opening Party. While you are on the Internet go to http://www.sacairports.org/int/ where you will see the official opening date of Thursday the 6th of October. There is much more including an open house and a formal event which registration is required. All that are available at Southwest Airlines are welcome to attend. Many of the Sacramento passengers like me hope to see you there. Sincerely, Mike Barnbaum, Rapid Rewards Member in Sacramento, California