Tom in NO From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, RR: 40 Posted (9 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2902 times:
I'm just finishing up reading "Southwest Passage", a detailed history of the creation and life of Southwest airlines, written by Lamar Muse, a primary creator of the airline. An excellent book, very easy to read and understand, yet full of information and statistics.
As in any company, there were people that worked well together, and others that didn't. In this case, Muse and at least one of his board members, Rollin King, were constantly at odds. Which brings me to a couple of questions:
Southwest has a number of planes named for current and former executives of the airline:
737-200's
a) N52SW named after Herbert Kelleher
b) N67SW named after Rollin W. King
c) N71SW named after Donald G. Ogden
d) N96SW named after Fred J. Jones
737-300's
e) N365SW named after Herbert D. Kelleher
f) N607SW named after June M. Morris
1) Why wasn't there a plane named after Lamar Muse?
2) When were the above planes (especially the -200's) given their names? I'm wondering if it was after Muse left the airline, and if Rollin King wouldn't allow one to be named after Muse?
3) Who was Fred J. Jones?
Seems to me Southwest would want to remember Lamar Muse in some way.
Tom at MSY
"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina
OzarkD9S From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 4684 posts, RR: 23 Reply 1, posted (9 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 2832 times:
I'm just guessing, but maybe he's viewed as a bit of a traitor for jumping ship and forming Muse Air, a direct competitor. Might be a bit like the USA having a "Benedict Arnold National Monument". Maybe a longtime Southwest employee on the forum could tell us what the general attitude at WN regarding Muse is.
Goingboeing From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 4875 posts, RR: 19 Reply 2, posted (9 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 2828 times:
If you're lucky, perhaps TxAgKuwait will respond to this thread, as he is pretty well versed on SWA's early years and Lamar Muse.
OPNLguy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (9 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 2795 times:
>>>1) Why wasn't there a plane named after Lamar Muse?
As mentioned, having been fired and going on to form "Revenge Air" didn't exactly endear him to folks, his previous accomplishments at SWA notwithstanding...
>>>2) When were the above planes (especially the -200's) given their names? I'm wondering if it was after Muse left the airline, and if Rollin King wouldn't allow one to be named after Muse?
If memory serves, the mentioned -200s were named in the late 1970s or early 1980s...
>>>3) Who was Fred J. Jones?
He was an original employee (mechanic) who had risen in the MX department, and had succumbed to cancer. Nice guy... FYI, N96SW is the only -200 in the new "Canyon Blue" paint scheme...
And, should anyone ask, Don Ogden was a former VP of Flight Ops...
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 4, posted (9 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 2783 times:
I would have to say because he left to form his own airline, tho WN did buy it out from Muse. Maybe he should have negotiated that before the buy out.
Tom in NO From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, RR: 40 Reply 5, posted (9 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 2772 times:
I was thinking that Muse resigned his position, which was why I figured he'd have a plane named after him. I read that Muse Air was created in mid-1981 (I was thinking it was more like '83, not having read that far yet in "Southwest Passage", but learned that from another website), so as you say, that probably wouldn't have helped his reputation with the higher-ups at WN at that time.
If I can add an aside question, whatever became of Rollin King? Is he still on WN's board, is he even still alive, etc, etc?
Tom at MSY
"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina
Goingboeing From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 4875 posts, RR: 19 Reply 6, posted (9 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 2756 times:
If I can add an aside question, whatever became of Rollin King? Is he still on WN's board, is he even still alive, etc, etc?
IMissPiedmont From United States of America, joined May 2001, 6208 posts, RR: 42 Reply 8, posted (9 years 11 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 2662 times:
It's been a while since I last lobbied for this one. A vanquished foe.
"The Spirit of the Braniff brothers". Hope springs eternal.
What is it with all the "is there a possibilty airline X will.." threads? The answer it'll is possible.
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From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, 
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