View Full Version : Getting tired of the WTC scapegoat
Fright Level
13th Oct 2001, 02:26
Without undermining the seriousness of the event itself, the global economy was already in a decline prior to Sept 11th. I was surprised how prompt statements were made to the effect that the event had had a severe effect on airlines business, but passenger figures and the nett effect were released in hours. The longer term view is that people are returning to the airlines, certainly many of my recent flights are as full as they were prior to 9/11, but now the news is telling us Polariod have folded QUOTE: market conditions have become bleaker following the 11 September terrorist attacks, forcing Polaroid to admit defeat
I'm sorry, Polaroid have gone because of the arrival of digital cameras. Will corporations please stand up and admit their own mistakes instead of using this tragedy as an excuse?
We could start with my own employers taking note ..
Rod
BOING
13th Oct 2001, 05:03
You are right, of course.
Our #2 man (the Babu)appeared in flight operations recently. Said that as far as he was concerned ALL contract provisions were void due to "force majeure".
babu (bahboo)n. Hindu gentleman; native clerk or official who writes English etc. Hindu, esp. Bengali, with superficial English education.
It can be boiled down to....gross management failure.
Failure to contain costs (including flight crew salaries), ordering too many aircraft, rushing about to buy another carrier (AA+TWA), and worst of all, excessive management salaries and perks.
Do we hear of a shareholder revolt? Sadly, no.
411a,
There is an excellent article in the current issue of "Airways" magazine about airline management and leadership. Judging from your comments, I'd think you'll find it interesting reading.
The Guvnor
13th Oct 2001, 13:25
Actually, much as you guys don't like to hear it, 411A is - as usual - spot on with his assessment.
Multimillion dollar packages for top executives and captains getting paid more than anyone else in the company (except said top executives) makes for a remarkably inefficient company.
Recessions come around with great regularity every ten years or so. I've been warning about this one for the last six to nine months - the signs were extremely clear to see; and if I can pick them up then an airline economist has no excuse not to!
If I was a shareholder of a US airline, I'd be issuing lawsuits - against ALPA as well as management.