David Neeleman Quotes

#1. Of course, we should all be aware of what we're packing in our carry-on luggage - anything that might be considered dangerous could be confiscated at a security checkpoint.

David Neeleman

#2. We tried to set up a company that patterned ourselves after Southwest in all the fun, the spirit, the great people, the smile, the efficiency side of it, but we've added some extras that people aren't used to finding on Southwest.

David Neeleman

#3. You don't have to spend a jillion dollars on advertising to get your word out. What matters is that customers have a good experience with your product at every single point of contact.

David Neeleman

#4. This is not a business where you can hand off and run by remote control.

David Neeleman

#5. Never, ever forget that you are a servant.

David Neeleman

#6. We are just interested in dealing with the people we're paying every day. We know federal law allows them to vote in a union at anytime, but we think we can resist that by talking to our own people and giving them enough upside.

David Neeleman

#7. People were desperately trying to fill their seats for the summer. And so prices are really low right now. And so they are kept from raising prices to make up for that difference.

David Neeleman

#8. We're reviewing everything to see how we can do it better, faster, and more efficiently.

David Neeleman

#9. Be it $15 million here and $11 million there, it takes hundreds of millions to be successful in this business.

David Neeleman

#10. With high trust, success comes faster, better, and at lower cost.

David Neeleman

#11. A lot of airlines have come and gone.

David Neeleman

#12. It's so important to experience what your customers are experiencing and listen to their suggestions.

David Neeleman

#13. In the midst of all the chaos swirling through your brain, all the disorganization and impulsiveness, the condition (ADHD) also seems to trigger a certain kind of creativity.

David Neeleman

#14. People who invest in aviation are the biggest suckers in the world.

David Neeleman

#15. The Blackberry is really essential for keeping up on my emails when I'm out of the office, which is a lot.

David Neeleman

#16. Our people get profit-sharing checks. I got a report the other day that says that 84 percent of our people participate in our stock purchase program, where they can buy stock at a 15 percent discount.

David Neeleman

#17. What you can't buy is the loyalty that comes through our dedicated crewmembers.

David Neeleman

#18. We don't want a third party who may or may not have our best interests in mind or our crew members' best interests in mind because they may be serving a union of one of our competitors. They are trying to equalize us and take away our competitive advantage.

David Neeleman

#19. I really see low-fare carriers, quality low-fare carriers anyway, continuing to become more and more popular.

David Neeleman

#20. Seat assignment didn't matter if you're flying Dallas to Houston and you did it 38 times a day. People just got on, you didn't sit next to your wife, and it was a 45-minute flight. It didn't matter.

David Neeleman

#21. I'm always crunching numbers, so my calculator watch is a must.

David Neeleman

#22. Certainly, we are hurt by the high fuel prices because it raises our cost.

David Neeleman

#23. I believe the public's confidence would be increased if the federal government took over the functions of airport security screening for all passengers.

David Neeleman

#24. People do a better job if they respect the leader of the company. I learned that on my mission
the value of people and how to truly appreciate them,

David Neeleman

#25. And you've got to remember that I'm also the father of nine children.

David Neeleman

#26. I think they got caught up in how much money they could get from each of the city governments as far as tax rebates. But that stuff works when you make money. It's a little bit phantom money.

David Neeleman

#27. I actually thrive on all the challenges, and I don't feel like ADD has impaired my ability.

David Neeleman

#28. Value will always be on top of everyone's lists now, right along with safety.

David Neeleman

#29. I also really like getting to know our crew members better.

David Neeleman

#30. Nobody ever thought about having to protect the passengers from the pilots.

David Neeleman

#31. And, of course, customers really need to feel safe and are seeking reassurance when they fly.

David Neeleman

#32. Just keep thinking about the good side of ADD - the creativity and the originality it can stimulate.

David Neeleman