Hi there
One has to hand it to WW in his appointment as CEO at "The world's favourite airline". What must be remembered is that Willie's backround is in industrial relations, which will have implications for all in BA.
One should not identify with his past as a pilot. He did very little flying at ALT and virtually never flew after 1990.
Whether one sees him as a grand visionary with an insight as to what future strategic direction BA should take, then rest assured he will have done his homework.
WW as CEO of Aer Lingus had an opportunity to do what no other previous Chief could, and that was to run the company as a going concern.
Willie said in a radio interview once that he knew what needed to be done in Aer Lingus, post Sept. 11 and the foot and mouth outbreak which were the main business killers in 2001.
He got the opportunity and he got the job done. With it has come enormous Kudos and exposure.
While the sun looks magnificent and bright in the distance, up close the violence and destruction become evident.
This is where I believe WW limits are met. He is simply not an organisation builder.
As CEO he is responsible for promoting the culture of the organisation. BA as we know and can read online has been through this cultural transformation before.
To all who sail on the good ship BA, times they are a changing.
Eddington has started his master plan and someone must step up to the plate and continue what has begun.
There is more than a touch of Freud to the start-up operation GO and Eddingtons own strategic plans in the late 90s.
Anyone taking any money on harmonious industrial relations at BA in the foreseeable future?