When Putnam was 23 years old, he was a sales representative for Capital Airlines.
From August 1978 to 1981, Putnam was President and CEO of Southwest Airlines.
Putnam declined, but the U.S. Federal Government later brought an antitrust action against Crandall and American based on a recording of the conversation.
He is currently a motivational speaker and author of The Winds of Turbulence: A Ceo's Reflections on Surviving and Thriving on the Cutting Edge of Corporate Crisis.
He also produced a DVD:Pass It On, Share The W.I.S.H., which was scheduled for release on April 1, 2007.