Highguy76 From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 184 posts, RR: 1 Posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 9860 times:
Does anybody know if the handsome devil on the tail of Alaska's planes has a history, or a name? I've just moved to SEA and would love to hear any good stories about my new hometown airline.
Highguy
Fpdonald From United States of America, joined Aug 2002, 430 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 9828 times:
I believe that is was already mentioned here in the last year, but I don't have a specific answer; however, read this blurb about your new hometown airline.
DL Widget Head From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 2040 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 9820 times:
I know he didn't always smile--that's something he was compelled to do in the last few years.
United777 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 1648 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 9784 times:
Well me being from Seattle also when I look up in the air to see a jet overhead and when see a big blue thing on the tail I know it's a Alaska Airlines jet. Alaska Airlines I would say is one of the jewels of Seattle and the pride of Seattle. Although it is called "Alaska Airlines" it is Seattle's airline. If you fly to Seattle from anywhere on the west coast or now even the east coast chances are you fly on Alaska Airlines. I'd say the managment at AS knows what the Seattle people want in a hometown airline and they do it. They also do a lot for the community here in Seattle.
Also when you mention Alaska Airlines you have to talk about Horizon Air. It is the sister airline of Alaska Airlines but isn't just the jewel of Seattle but the whole Pacific Northwest. It is the best "regional airline" in where proud they also call Seattle home.
Highguy76 From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 184 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 9772 times:
I've gotta admit, I've non-reved on both of them several times, and they are great airlines. I wish Horizon had service from Renton Municiple to SEA, then I wouldn't have to drive to work.
Highguy
DIA From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3273 posts, RR: 30 Reply 5, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 9754 times:
I still wish Alaska would bring back those other old colorful designs of other Alaskan history. Think there was some Russian architecture, a totem poll (s.p.?), and I think I'm missing one or two others.
Ding! You are now free to keep supporting Frontier.
Highguy76 From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 184 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 9744 times:
Searpqx From Netherlands, joined Jun 2000, 4343 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 9671 times:
Along with the eskimo, there was a purple onion dome (from a Russian Orthodox church), a red gold miner/sourdough and a green totem pole (I may have the colors reversed on the church/totem).
The eskimo is simply an artists rendering, doesn't represent anyone in particular. When they went from the blue/green cheat lines to the current livery a few years ago, he gained his smile.
"The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity"
Duke From Canada, joined Sep 1999, 1135 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 9620 times:
He's cute. Did you know that that people prefers to be called
"Inuit"? That's perhaps better known by us in Canada - we have
lots of them here. This is their own name and simply means
"people", whereas "Eskimo" is a word used by certain Indians and
means something like - get this - eaters of raw fish.
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29350 posts, RR: 62 Reply 9, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 9502 times:
No you got the old colors right Searpqx.
My understanding is that he is a guy out of Kotzubue, but don't hold me to that. I also heard the story that he was pissed that his likeness was used by the airline in that way.
There are some people that do consider Eskimo derogatory. Generally they are Athabaskan or Aleut.
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29350 posts, RR: 62 Reply 11, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 9437 times:
I think it might be Bob Marley
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
Brianhames From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 795 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (9 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 9412 times:
I've heard people say the eskimo looks like Jerry Garcia too.
The eskimo first showed up (in blue) on their 727s in 1972, along with a totem head (green), goldminer (red), and russian church (purple). The eskimo also apeared on the 707s and 720s. The eskimo didn't start to smile until Alaska's previous color scheme was introduced in 1978. They decided to make the eskimo smile as a symbol of "many happy flights."
I'm sure the book "The Alaska Airlines Story" by Archie Satterfield could help answer any questions too.
Inflightmags From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 103 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (9 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 9355 times:
AIRLINERS magazine did a feature on them I think about 5-7 years ago....don't forget the eskimo with the sunglassess on...|-)
Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1856 posts, RR: 3 Reply 14, posted (9 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 9333 times:
Horizon Air is known as "Wings of the great Northwest" Horizon is more of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho's Airline. U could add Montana and Cali in there too! But OR, WA, and Idaho especially! I live in Oregon. And Horizon flys to a lot of destinations here (not sure if they are all current) Pendleton, Portland (HUB), Eugene, Klamath Falls, Medford, North Bend/Coos bay, and Bend Redmond... Am I leaving someone out? Prolly am. But non the less, they are really special to a lot of people here. I love them!!!
my views expressed here are my own, and do not represent any company or organization
Rydawg82 From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 818 posts, RR: 8 Reply 15, posted (9 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 9262 times:
L-188 I think has it....The many times I have visited Kotzebue I have heard this story about "Chester" - while I cannot recall the story, I just remember this story about a guy named chester and he worked there in OTZ....Wound up on the tail I guess....Don't hold me to it, but thats what the locals tell me....
The company will tell you otherwise Ryan
You can take the pup out of Alaska, but you can't take the Alaska out of the pup.
Darrell From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 236 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (9 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 9161 times:
As a kid growing up in Cordova, Alaska, AS was the only way to get to town (unless you had a boat!) I believe Cordova still has 2 daily flights...One North to Anchorage, and one South to Yakutat, continuing on to Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan, and finally Seattle. We would joke around that the Eskimo's name was Herbie Nayukpuk. Herbie was a local champion dog sled musher in Alaska in the 70's and 80's. He once claimed that the picture on the tail was of him. Could be true, I don't know. But I have always referred to the AS Eskimo as Herbie ever since. I hope this helps, or confuses things even worse. AS may be based in Seattle, but I have always considered it to be Alaska's airline, with Seattle serving as the gateway to the lower 48.
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29350 posts, RR: 62 Reply 17, posted (9 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 9151 times:
Hey the Shishmaref Cannonballer
Is he still around?
Darrell, Alaska was running something like 12 freighters a week out of Cordova this year for the Copper River opening.
Alaska was founding in Anchorage, but right after World War II, the owner of the Alaska, a crook named Raymond Marshall had the offices moved to Seattle so that he would be in better communication with them from his New York base.
Frankly I think it is time for the airline to move back.
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
Flashmeister From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 2863 posts, RR: 7 Reply 18, posted (9 years 10 months 2 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 9061 times:
Frankly I think it is time for the airline to move back.
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