EK who is responsible

[JammedStab]

I read quite a few complaints on this forum about the working conditions at EK. I make no judgement on the validity of these statements which quite often seem to show unhappiness with the actions of the managers. Somebody called TCAS(whoever that is) or Ed in days gone by seem to get criticism, but I never hear a thing about Tim Clark, the man who gets all the accolades in the press as the guy who built this airline into what it is.

He is the president, doesn't the buck stop with him. Is he the man responsible for your working conditions or is he a good guy who tries his best for the employees but is over-ruled by others.

[Nikita81]

TC is a guy who doesn't even look at his employees while walking at the airport, let alone saying "hi" to them.

Also, he never approaches to check in counter to be checked in, VIP service does that for him. He may be a VIP but he is also a top manager. It is a matter of good organizational culture for manager to approach employees and meet them.

I believe he is arrogant and really doesn't care about anything or anyone but power (money he has). This is why the company reached its near bottom.

[Odins Raven]

Interesting question.

I once brought Sir TC from BHX to DXB. On entering the aircraft I expected him to at least introduce himself to the staff on duty in the first class cabin and the flight deck, but he just sealed himself off in the private suite for the flight.

Everyone has different leadership styles but I certainly expected something more motivating for the staff on the 'shop floor' such as getting a feel for the issues affecting the front line... I really can't imagine the CEO of Google or Apple walking across the factory floor ignoring people.

Guess that's just me as I'm used to needing to display good leadership as Captain to ensure the safe journey of a 450 seat airborne cruise ship.

So-called "Captain of Industry"...? I am afraid from my experience I would say NOT. Shame really
, has the power to make such a difference to the airline's failing reputation even in the face of Emiratisation of the upper echelons of EGHQ.

[Panther 88]

O.R.
The exact same happened on one of my flights. Can't even imagine Richard Branson or even that idiot that runs Delta to the same.

[notapilot15]

No one is responsible for this scheme. It is setup that way so on D-Day everyone will point finger at other but all top/mid-level management is Teflon coated.

Locals make sure there are no regulations and there is enough money.
Locals are also responsible to secure liberal bilateral agreements.
STC is responsible for productivity improvement (employees may use different term) ideas.

Run through any negative scenario, you cannot pin blame any one other than some low level employee.

God knows what they paid for the knighthood!

SilverSeated
That a good one. I thought they knighted him because he brings $4+ Billion/year to the kingdom thru EK.

[DCS99]

People skills lacking in a people business.
You could say hello to SMF reading the morning paper in HQ.

It costs nothing to smile and say hello.

[Talparc]

For what did he get his Sir?
For treating his staff like slaves? We should ask that question to the queen!
Any media interested to find out?

[Emma Royds]

For what did he get his Sir?

Maybe 11 380s and 7 Triples going to the UK each day, along with the immense amount of cash that has been injected into sport and tourism industry within the UK, may have something to do with it.

I have spoken to a couple of colleagues who have chatted to Sir TC whilst he was on board. On those occasions he was polite and and engaged in conversation with both flight deck and cabin crew but it is very rare!

Anyone for squeezing Lemons?

[Nikita81]

On those occasions he was polite and and engaged in conversation with both flight deck and cabin crew but it is very rare!

Of course he was. You don't expect him to be rude, do you? Most of the people are polite in first encounters with other people. It means nothing in relation to the fact that he is the first among managers in EK.

That Sir title is only valid and only means something in UK. For the rest of us it can really say "Mute TC", what do we care for UK titles...

[notapilot15]

Talparc

Official statement is for his contribution to innovations in aviation or something like that.

But in reality he brings home lot of bacon

- Expats bring back lot of dough (other than FC/CCs most are not employable)
- Revenue to RR
- Revenue to Airbus UK A380 wings and others
- EK's most of PR fluff($2B) spent thru UK, like marketing agencies, media outlets, rating agencies, independent analysts, brand management, reputation management ...

So there is no question about his contribution to UK's economy.

Not so sure about his contribution to world aviation though.

[Emma Royds]

Of course he was. You don't expect him to be rude, do you?

Errr.... the general point that is being made here is that he is rude during most first encounters.

[Nikita81]

I am sorry for the misunderstanding, ER.

Anyway, I am more interested in the more often examples when he was not so polite.

[V1cutz]

Had him on a flight as well. Would of thought he would of at least said hello or goodbye. The man has no manners nor any respect for his staff.

[gl69]

Well if TC gets Knighted for 11 380s and 7 777s a day into the UK should the CEO of American Airlines get to be the next King of England because AA has 20 flights a day to LHR and numerous other flights to the secondary cities within the UK?

[fatbus]

Had him on a flt years ago , nothing! What a great waste of an opportunity on his part.
The good thing is, he gives us nothing he gets the same in return!

[Schnowzer]

Had him on a flight, went to see him in his seat. Perfectly civil chat.

[ruserious]

My experience with STC go's back to the days when we used to have a yearly meeting with him. He was highly intelligent, listened and responded to well though out arguments and complaints and acted on them. He did have minimal time for waffle and stupidity, but then so do I. Have met him a few times since and he has been nothing but polite. Could he do better like Richard Branson et al, yes of course, but not everyone has that skill set.
Just my experience, not intended to counter other peoples experience, just sayin.

[Gillegan]

I had a few dealings with him over the years and these are my observations; definitely not a people person- he could be polite but definitely didn't seek people out. He did have an impressive grasp of detail. Was at a managers meeting after a major change in regulations (I was a fly on the wall, not a manager) and he had a better grasp of the changes and the consequences than did the managers who should have been the experts. IMHO, he is the person most responsible for the things that EK have done well (marketing, fleet and route planning) and also the person most responsible for the mess we see now. Anyone who saw him during Flanagans time (remember the famous pilots meeting after the Gulf Air crash?) will not be the least bit surprised at how things have turned out. His management philosophy could best be described as "shut up and do what your told".

[halas]

Had STC on a flight to CDG years ago. On his way to Toulouse to sign something or other.
Left the flight deck for a slash, and he was there talking to the purser.
Said g'day and he looked up and then away without breaking conversation with purser.
After said slash came out again and introduced myself, and he all but ignored me and went back to his suite.
I am only the bloke in charge of his safety for the next few hours.
But to be honest, l didn't really want to meet him.

He is surrounded by staff who feed him nothing but good news and filter all other stuff out.
Everything is perfect in his world as along as those below do their job.
As such nothing will change until the system above changes.
And that is not going to happen for a while, as he likes it here.
I would too under those terms.

halas

[InnocentBystander]

I am only the bloke in charge of his safety for the next few hours.

Wrong. In his mind the new equipment bought from AB and Boeing with all the bells and whistles is what keeps everyone safe. You're just the bus driver supposed to not touch anything. If he had his way there would be automation from push back to block in.

That's how spreadsheet driven bean counters work; people don't matter. We're all just robots supposed to work as told.

Also, I don't think he cares for money or power anymore; he just loves to sit at aviation conferences and tell all the other airlines CEO's how crap they are at doing their job. That's what he lives for.

I pity the man.