In the mid 1980’s I had just completed a business trip to Derby, England and boarded a flight from Heathrow Airport to JFK. I was located on the window seat in the business section of a 747. A short time later, a distinguished, senior gentleman, impeccably dressed, sat next to me on the aisle seat. My first thought was that he was probably not a person who would be much of a conversationalist, so I said “hello” and he responded in kind. After we took off and reached cruising altitude I decided to engage in a conversation with the gentleman. I asked if he was on business or pleasure, and he told me that he was an aerospace consultant doing business in Europe and had recently retired as a Vice President at De Havilland Aircraft, Canada. He then asked if I was on business, and I told him I worked for Pratt & Whitney and was evaluating measurement equipment in the midlands. The mere mention of Pratt & Whitney changed this man from proper and conservative to a person full of emotion, both in his eyes and face. He raised his voice slightly and asked, “What is wrong with the management of United Technologies and Pratt & Whitney for changing the traditional P & W eagle logo to that foolish looking modern thing?”

I explained to him that no one I knew at Pratt & Whitney liked the new logo, and we were hoping that they would change back to the traditional eagle. He then said, “Never touch corporate logos as they are just too important.”

I told him that I never met anyone who disliked the new P & W logo more than he did and asked if he would mind sharing the reason for his strong feelings. With his face flushed and emotion in his eyes he said, “I will tell you why. I was a World War II pilot and my flights took me over the North Pole region, and every time I made those flights I thought I would never see my family again. The cockpit was freezing, window iced and water dripping off the gauges. Periodically I would rotate my three index fingers in a circular motion to melt the ice off the side cockpit window. This allowed me to see out and view those P & W eagle logos. That gave me great comfort because I knew those dependable Pratt & Whitney radial engines would get me home. That is the reason that traditional P & W eagle is important to me.”

Little did I know on that day I would sit next to the ultimate satisfied P & W customer whose life depended on P & W radial engines during World War II. Looking back, I am sure glad that I engaged him in conversation as it was an emotional moment for the both of us. It was one of my proudest moments as an employee of Pratt & Whitney and re-enforced the importance of the corporate logo and respect for the Pratt & Whitney name. In 1987, P & W changed back to a slightly modified original traditional eagle and I couldn’t help think how that must have pleased the gentleman who I flew with on that day. I only wish I had asked for his name.

Wayne Kilpatrick