Southwest Airlines CEO, Gary Kelly is retiring and he has gifted his company’s 3,000 employees with an amazing video tribute. Ex-CEO of American Express Doug Parker who retired from the business in May this year was given a fitting farewell for what will be one of the most memorable retirement videos ever made.
Gary Kelly, the CEO of Southwest Airlines, created an incredible tribute video to retiring American Airlines CEO Doug Parker.
on December 7, 2021 by Gary Leff
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker won the Wings Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award on October 22nd. In my coverage of Parker’s retirement announcement earlier today, I included the video American made for the ceremony, as well as Parker’s acceptance speech. Parker will continue as CEO until March 31, when he will transition to Chairman and current airline President Robert Isom will take over as CEO.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly’s music video tribute was the true highlight of the Wings Club event, which drew about 1300 attendees to the New York Hilton. Since that night, it’s been kept close to the vest.
I attempted to get a copy of the film. My many inquiries to Southwest were unanswered. They seemed to be saving it for Parker’s retirement.
The musical parody homage was posted on Twitter this afternoon by outgoing CEO Gary Kelly (who, like Parker, will become his airline’s non-executive Chairman on February 1).
Congratulations to my buddy Doug Parker, who has served as the CEO of AA for a long and successful tenure. When Doug was awarded with the 2021 WINGS Club Foundation Distinguished Achievement Award, I “roasted” him in a video tribute, and I couldn’t think of a better time to share it! pic.twitter.com/fXzEeBf2sS
December 7, 2021 — Gary Kelly (@gary kelly)
We arrived in boots, which we blame on his travels. To celebrate his black-tie event.
We were thrilled to learn that Doug would be honored at the huge Wings Club performance, and that you will all be there.
I can see his amazement as well as his dread in his eyes. As he ponders what will happen next,
Yes, Doug, we’ll give it to you since it’s so obvious.
Take a look at all these pleasant faces to see that Doug has high-ranking pals. All our best to you. It’s been tested and true.
Who knew you were so well-mannered? Because some of these men are complete knuckleheads.
Doug has a lot of high-ranking pals.
To make it this far, he needed to be strong. Since the majority of the names have vanished,
In retrospect, though. He seems to be correct in combining all of those airlines into one.
Then America West, then America Northwest. He tried to get off US Airways, but he couldn’t. Then who knows, maybe He attempted to purchase you all as well. However, the United States came out on top.
Doug has a lot of high-ranking pals. Doug’s AA-okay where the Jet A burns and the jet stream sweeps His blue away.
One of his favorite hangout spots is the Admirals Club. Place his office there; it’ll be his haven! Doug has a lot of high-ranking pals.
When it’s all said and done, we’re insane to enjoy our job as much as we do.
We all have our fleets, which we use to fly and compete, chasing blue skies.
Doug didn’t want to raise such a ruckus. We did, however, want to make this the first class.
So, because he’s better than most, we raise our glasses to him. After that, we should simply kiss him….
So, Doug has a lot of high-ranking pals, as seen by all of these pleasant faces. All of our best wishes go out to you, as you’ve been tested and true.
Where did you learn such etiquette? Because some of these men are complete knuckleheads.
Doug has a lot of high-ranking pals.
When iconic Southwest Airlines CEO Herb Kelleher retired, then-American CEO Bob Crandall paid homage to him at the Wings Club with a musical tribute. As a result, this has become something of a custom.
However, I believe Southwest squandered a chance with the Oasis line.
