If you’re flying on Southwest Airlines today, don’t be spooked if you see Ben Franklin, the Statue of Liberty, Larry Bird or Julia Child along for the ride.
Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly is known to surprise passengers and employees with a costume every Halloween, and he practically makes the occasion a company holiday.
In past years, Kelly has masqueraded as Gene Simmons of the rock band Kiss, Wild Bill Hickok, Captain Jack Sparrow, Edna Turnblad from the movie “Hairspray” and the long-bearded Billy Gibbons from the rock band ZZ Top.
When the airline boss was in town last week, we asked him what his costume will be this year. He wouldn’t give it up but did say, “We have a theme.”
Employees have been playing the guessing game on Kelly’s get-up. TV chef Julia Child is the overwhelming favorite.
At Southwest, they refer to this time of year as “Gary Kelly’s yearly identity crisis” when he has to come up with a Halloween costume.
“You all sent your suggestions for his Halloween costume and he chose something that won’t let you down, but you won’t find out what it is until our SWA headquarters Halloween celebration,” according to the Southwest blog, Nuts About Southwest.
Southwest insiders confirm Halloween is a mega- big deal at the Dallas-based carrier.
Each department has a theme and a time slot to show off its decor. Employees line up early to get into each department to watch skits that the departments have been working on at lunchtime for months. “Not a lot of work gets done,” a source confessed.
Plane name game.
For the third time in Frontier Airlines’ 15-year history, a plane has been named for one of the Denver-based carrier’s leaders.
An Airbus A320 will be emblazoned with the names of chief executive Sean Menke and his wife, Arminda. The Menkes learned of the honor recently when Frontier folks gathered at Wings Over the Rockies to celebrate the carrier’s emergence from bankruptcy.
“They were surprised,” Frontier spokesman Steve Snyder said.
The honor recognizes “outstanding contributions to the company, particularly through bankruptcy,” Snyder said.
Menke recently was named executive vice president and chief marketing officer with Republic Airways, which acquired Frontier on Oct. 1.
The Menkes’ names will be painted just below the pilot’s and first officer’s windows on the plane. That’s Frontier aircraft 204 for you plane-spotting fans, and it’s the one with the eagle Freedom on the tail for the rest of us.
Other Frontier leaders so honored? Founders Hank Lund and Sam Addoms.
From market to mall.
Zavella, a Denver-based organic- cotton clothing-maker that built its reputation selling its wares at local farmers’ markets, is opening its first retail outlet Sunday in the Cherry Creek mall.
The eco-friendly company makes T-shirts from organic cotton, bamboo and hemp. Zavella was founded by former corporate trainer turned entrepreneur Sarah Iskandani.
Eavesdropping.
Two 50-something women:
“You’re wearing a hoodie?”
“In fact, Josh McDaniels stole the idea from me.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
