Outgoing Southwest Airlines execs honored - in grand style - at Dallas’ Frontiers of Flight Museum

Oh, yeah: Gov. Perry, Sen. Hutchison and Mayor Leppert were there, too.

by John P. Meyer

On the edge of Dallas' Love Field - home for almost 37 years to air carrier success story extraordinaire Southwest Airlines - outgoing executives Herb Kelleher and Colleen Barrett were feted in the highest of styles Friday night (May 30), as event chairs Hugh and Judy McElroy and presenting sponsor Park Place Dealerships' Ken Schnitzer looked on.

Also schmoozing about on the packed-to-capacity main concourse of the Frontiers of Flight Museum (and then settling down to a catered dinner) were such notables as Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. (Keen observers would have spotted dozens of other high-flying luminaries amongst the 1,200 or so attendees, such as H. Ross Perot, Jr., former astronaut Walt Cunningham and original Tuskegee Airman Calvin Spann.) We're talking more celebrities and socialites than you could shake a bag of peanuts at.

Herb Kelleher and Colleen Barrett honored at Frontiers of Flight Museum

Herb and Colleen were the toasts of the town - and we're talking that tony kind of toast you put sturgeon eggs on.

(Click photo to see entire gallery)

Herb confers with Lt. Calvin Spann, a Tuskegee Airman

I had originally been slated to interview both Herb and Colleen prior to the event kickoff, but due to late arrivals (I'm not going to mention anyone in particular, but C'MON, COLLEEN!) the interview op transformed itself into a photo-oriented one. Not complaining, mind you - the fork-tender filet alone was worth the price of admission - just reporting the facts.

I recorded audio of several of the evening's more entertaining presentations, which I will process and post after edit; in the meantime, enjoy the photos.

A few things you should know about Herb and Colleen:

1) they're stepping down from their leadership positions at Southwest after more years logged at the helm than the Flying Dutchman;

2) they will both stay on at the company, working (one trusts) shorter hours under the presidency and chairmanship of new boss Gary C. Kelly;

3) Colleen's a fiend for all things Beatles (including Peter Max artwork);

4) Herb's a fiend for (among other things) Wild Turkey bourbon. Jimmy Russell - Wild Turkey master distiller - was a surprise guest at the evening's festivities.

Kick back and enjoy the slide show. I can't tell you what kind of beverage to have as an accompaniment, but I imagine Mr. K. would select a tall glass of Herb's Turkey Toast - the cocktail named in his honor.