Michael O'Leary: Air France strike a blow for the common man!

[glennox]

http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2005/11/13/story9675.asp

[BEagle]

Couldn't he afford Business Class.....?

Even though I despise the way Ryanair is widely reported as treating its staff, I do not wallow in schadenfreude at MoL being bumped as reported. Or any other non-volunteer passenger, for that matter.

Back before security-paranoia days I used to be able to carry everything I needed for a weekend in a carry-on bag. So as I only had hand luggage, if the flight was overbooked and volunteers were requested to transfer to a later flight, then I would consider doing so.

But now that there'd probably be something the security people didn't like, no matter how careful I'd been when packing, I invariably take hold luggage and a small briefcase. So I would be very unlikely to volunteer to switch flights (and even more so airlines) if the flight was overbooked.

[GlueBall]

A tight wad multimillionaire who is still trying to make chickensalad out of chickensh!t. :{

[Globaliser]

BEagle: Even though I despise the way Ryanair is widely reported as treating its staff, I do not wallow in schadenfreude at MoL being bumped as reported. Or any other non-volunteer passenger, for that matter.I agree. And this is the first time that I have read MOL being quoted as saying something pretty humble and reasonable. I'm no fan of MOL or FR, but this made a refreshing change to read, and it sounds to me like he did the right thing this time.

[EI-CFC]

He seemed to take it quite well. People get bumped off flights all the time in the airline world, and MOL knows that as well as anyone.

[manintheback]

quote:
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Couldn't he afford Business Class.....?
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I thought heads of airlines were flown free as a courtesy on other airlines?

[EI-CFC]

Couldn't he afford Business Class.....?

Business Class pax get bumped too! Although, I'm not sure MOL would be too bothered with Business Class on a short haul route. Maybe he prefers to sit with the common people :D

I thought heads of airlines were flown free as a courtesy on other airlines?

I don't know what the situation on that is to be honest.

[Avman]

So why in the first place didn't he fly Paris-Dublin-Liverpool with his own airline? Nothing to do with the fact that his Paris (Beauvais) airport is 65 miles from Paris by any chance?!!

[MarkD]

I wonder how many people got excited at

O'Leary bumped off

[EI-CFC]

Perhaps a Liverpool - Beauvais route will be in the offing.. :D