Love Branson (or just hate him)?
Have worked both for him and the Birdseed opposition. Attended one of his (at one time) annual summer parties at his home in Oxfordshire. On the day we went, as part of some 10.000 employees (for that day) - five days of similar numbers - he was at the gate, greeting everybody from early morning until about 3 PM, when he left a chalked message that his arm was aching and he'd gone to join everyone else. Splendid day, all for free, music, food, drink etc. and the freedom of his house and grounds. Not sure that there was much publicity mileage to be gained from that but we Virgin peeps thought it was pretty good. 
I think I may have seen Sir Col. in passing when at Braincrank but he WAS terribly, terribly busy!
I think I may have seen Sir Col. in passing when at Braincrank but he WAS terribly, terribly busy!
http://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=18773&nav
You have to admire this guy's sense of humour!
24 July 2003
OPEN LETTER TO GEOFF DIXON FROM RICHARD BRANSON
Dear Geoff,
I was amused to read Qantas’s completely dismissive comments about Virgin Atlantic’s chances of getting permission to fly to Australia. It would be prudent for you to remind yourself of your and James Strong’s equally dismissive comments about Virgin Blue’s chances of entering the Australian market only three years ago.
Here goes! This is the gist of what you said:
“Virgin Blue is a lot of media hype.”
“This market is not big enough to sustain Virgin Blue.”
“Virgin Blue doesn’t have deep enough pockets to cope.”
“Qantas will employ any option to see off this interloper.”
“They’ll be unlikely to survive a year.”
“Claims by Richard Branson that domestic fares are high are a misnomer!”(my exclamation mark)
Here is what James Strong, your former C.E.O, said about Virgin Blue and myself:
“If you listen to most of the pretenders there is a distinct air that they are making it up as they go along. In terms of real plans and real commitment you could fire a shot gun up the main street and not hit anybody.”
Yet three years later you are telling your staff that this same airline, “that was making it up as it went along” and that now has 30% of the market could, “Drive Qantas out of business!” We also find it flattering, if a little silly, that three years on you now have spies hiding behind pot plants in the Virgin terminal trying to work out why we are so successful.
Even if some of your comments don’t suggest it, your actions indicate you are taking us seriously. But let’s not take ourselves too seriously. I would like to propose a friendly challenge!
If Virgin Atlantic fails to fly to Australia (within 18 months, say) I’d be prepared to suffer the indignity of donning one of your stewardesses brand new designer outfits and will work your flight from London to Australia serving your customers throughout.
However, if Virgin Atlantic does fly to Australia you would do so instead. On our inaugural flight from London to Australia you would wear one of our beautiful red Virgin Stewardesses uniforms and serve our inaugural guests all the way to Australia. Oh and in case you were wondering, we’re not hung up on flying through Hong Kong. You might end up doing your days work experience through Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia instead.
This is the challenge. If you believe in what Qantas said to the press there can’t be any risk for you. We expect your response within one week. Our inaugural flights are great fun and I look forward to welcoming you on board personally. Oh and by the way my preferred drink is ………..!
Kind regards,
p.s. I enclose a picture to give you an idea of what you might look like.
You have to admire this guy's sense of humour!
24 July 2003
OPEN LETTER TO GEOFF DIXON FROM RICHARD BRANSON
Dear Geoff,
I was amused to read Qantas’s completely dismissive comments about Virgin Atlantic’s chances of getting permission to fly to Australia. It would be prudent for you to remind yourself of your and James Strong’s equally dismissive comments about Virgin Blue’s chances of entering the Australian market only three years ago.
Here goes! This is the gist of what you said:
“Virgin Blue is a lot of media hype.”
“This market is not big enough to sustain Virgin Blue.”
“Virgin Blue doesn’t have deep enough pockets to cope.”
“Qantas will employ any option to see off this interloper.”
“They’ll be unlikely to survive a year.”
“Claims by Richard Branson that domestic fares are high are a misnomer!”(my exclamation mark)
Here is what James Strong, your former C.E.O, said about Virgin Blue and myself:
“If you listen to most of the pretenders there is a distinct air that they are making it up as they go along. In terms of real plans and real commitment you could fire a shot gun up the main street and not hit anybody.”
Yet three years later you are telling your staff that this same airline, “that was making it up as it went along” and that now has 30% of the market could, “Drive Qantas out of business!” We also find it flattering, if a little silly, that three years on you now have spies hiding behind pot plants in the Virgin terminal trying to work out why we are so successful.
Even if some of your comments don’t suggest it, your actions indicate you are taking us seriously. But let’s not take ourselves too seriously. I would like to propose a friendly challenge!
If Virgin Atlantic fails to fly to Australia (within 18 months, say) I’d be prepared to suffer the indignity of donning one of your stewardesses brand new designer outfits and will work your flight from London to Australia serving your customers throughout.
However, if Virgin Atlantic does fly to Australia you would do so instead. On our inaugural flight from London to Australia you would wear one of our beautiful red Virgin Stewardesses uniforms and serve our inaugural guests all the way to Australia. Oh and in case you were wondering, we’re not hung up on flying through Hong Kong. You might end up doing your days work experience through Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia instead.
This is the challenge. If you believe in what Qantas said to the press there can’t be any risk for you. We expect your response within one week. Our inaugural flights are great fun and I look forward to welcoming you on board personally. Oh and by the way my preferred drink is ………..!
Kind regards,
p.s. I enclose a picture to give you an idea of what you might look like.
Nemesis of the Proot Dynasty
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It might be camera angle, but he looks a damn sight higher than six feet in the photograph! Nearer 20 -30 ft, judging by the photographers in the background.
is alright by me.
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Question was posed whether Richard B is a licensed pilot?
Is the Cayley glider replica an aircraft? If it isn't a licensed aircraft or never gets above 50' is it in the navigable airspace of the UK and does it need certification, licensing or approval? Naah, save everybody a lot of time and trouble and just fly it around your private estate w/o benefit of licensing. If you kill yourself in the process, well you shouldn't have signed up if you can't take a joke.
Is the Cayley glider replica an aircraft? If it isn't a licensed aircraft or never gets above 50' is it in the navigable airspace of the UK and does it need certification, licensing or approval? Naah, save everybody a lot of time and trouble and just fly it around your private estate w/o benefit of licensing. If you kill yourself in the process, well you shouldn't have signed up if you can't take a joke.
Last edited by Iron City; 29th Jul 2003 at 21:16.
