Mueller joining EK
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 302
Likes: 40
From: Building Site
How many times have people had the thought, "ahhhh a breath of fresh air this new person will be, they'll sort it out" and yet, as time ticks inexorably by, the same intractable mindset of reduced accountability, cultural adjustment and finally punitive measures ensures the more things change, the more they stay the same.
This guy will be do his best to make his mark until he crosses the wrong Habibi at which point he will fall into line, or leave, it's all so depressingly predictable.
This guy will be do his best to make his mark until he crosses the wrong Habibi at which point he will fall into line, or leave, it's all so depressingly predictable.
1. He allegedly quit Malaysian because he couldn't cope with the corruption. In my book that means that he is sincere in his way of doing things. (I know that he is ruthless, but al least he seems to believe in what he is doing). Also, Sheik A probably knows this as well..
2. Other guys where people might have been thinking "a breath of fresh air" usually aren't coming in the company directly at this high of a position, with the task of thinning out the weeds... Muller isn't exactly on a position like TCAS, MM (training), JA or Dunnowho. He will be hired in the highes echelons of Emirates. The only 'habibi' he will have to answer to is called Maktoum, the other guy will be TC.
3. Rumor is that EK has a complete hiring stop (apart from pilots)... Seems that they do know their overhead of Costa staff is too high.
So yes, I might be naive, but I am quite curious on what's going on, and I don't think this is necessarily a negative evolution...
Then again, I'm not holding my breath...
MR8
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: USA
CTO is a group position, so me thinks EG CTO makes EK CEO a lame duck. I think it is a strategic move to change group's direction without changing leadership.
My hope CM brings PR spending under control. $2.7 Billion just to keep few fanboys happy. Sport sponsorships are a OK, but recent ad campaigns didn't do any good. Even top subscriptions to rating agencies not resulting in positive feedback. Most of its social media effort is dedicated to putting down negative comments and sanitizing posts.
Employee and customer satisfaction is going down while money is flowing out at a faster rate.
CM's MH experience should help him with dealing state owned enterprises(I know EK is a pure commercial organization), ie., there will be some whom he cannot touch.
With 95,000 total and very few core EK employees, it is very difficult to judge if EG is lean or bloated.
dnata is growing globally and adding rapidly to the employee count.
Hopefully he will increase FC and CC counts.
My hope CM brings PR spending under control. $2.7 Billion just to keep few fanboys happy. Sport sponsorships are a OK, but recent ad campaigns didn't do any good. Even top subscriptions to rating agencies not resulting in positive feedback. Most of its social media effort is dedicated to putting down negative comments and sanitizing posts.
Employee and customer satisfaction is going down while money is flowing out at a faster rate.
CM's MH experience should help him with dealing state owned enterprises(I know EK is a pure commercial organization), ie., there will be some whom he cannot touch.
With 95,000 total and very few core EK employees, it is very difficult to judge if EG is lean or bloated.
dnata is growing globally and adding rapidly to the employee count.
Hopefully he will increase FC and CC counts.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: in a hotspot on that planet
Quiet naive to think that things will get better...
EK is a lost ship and we will be shafted more...
The clear statement of not increasing the package is the direction Ek is moving...
We will have to safe more... and guys I bet you they will also start looking into the provident fund, housing allowance, schooling...
He is not to come to make us happy... he is to come to transform the airline in an even bigger cash cow...
Better brace for the things to come...
Good luck to those that are still happy and have no exit plan...
EK is a lost ship and we will be shafted more...
The clear statement of not increasing the package is the direction Ek is moving...
We will have to safe more... and guys I bet you they will also start looking into the provident fund, housing allowance, schooling...
He is not to come to make us happy... he is to come to transform the airline in an even bigger cash cow...
Better brace for the things to come...
Good luck to those that are still happy and have no exit plan...
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: USA
EK is a highly leveraged enterprise
Arm length entities no longer able to prop up EK
Kuwait and Saudi probably stopped no interest, no schedule loans
Dubai never had money
(and)
CM is a crisis manager.
Arm length entities no longer able to prop up EK
Kuwait and Saudi probably stopped no interest, no schedule loans
Dubai never had money
(and)
CM is a crisis manager.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 661
Likes: 14
From: UK
Interesting bit of info from a source close to the finance side of things, allegedly away from the obviously premium heavy routes to the UK and certain parts in the east, the 380 is haemorrhaging money as it is flying around heavy in Y, but very light in J and F, watch this space for changes in the network makeup.
Note the word allegedly as this info is at best second hand, but plays to the narrative regarding CM having a crisis to solve.
BTW this post is about revenue, and not a tractor v bus argument!
Note the word allegedly as this info is at best second hand, but plays to the narrative regarding CM having a crisis to solve.
BTW this post is about revenue, and not a tractor v bus argument!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 0
From: UK
Big Geordie
Chief Transformation Officer
Would be looking at everything to do with cost and efficiency. He'll probably get a team of guys to help him.
On paper Pilots should be OK as there's not much blood left to get out of the stone .....
Chief Transformation Officer
Would be looking at everything to do with cost and efficiency. He'll probably get a team of guys to help him.
On paper Pilots should be OK as there's not much blood left to get out of the stone .....
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 1
From: earth
Interesting bit of info from a source close to the finance side of things, allegedly away from the obviously premium heavy routes to the UK and certain parts in the east, the 380 is haemorrhaging money as it is flying around heavy in Y, but very light in J and F, watch this space for changes in the network makeup.
Note the word allegedly as this info is at best second hand, but plays to the narrative regarding CM having a crisis to solve.
BTW this post is about revenue, and not a tractor v bus argument!
Note the word allegedly as this info is at best second hand, but plays to the narrative regarding CM having a crisis to solve.
BTW this post is about revenue, and not a tractor v bus argument!
No one could possibly have seen this coming .....
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Anywhere there are cats to chase.
International consultancy companies have been banging on the castle doors for years trying to get in to solve the problem(s) here and have been politely shown the door each and every time. Finally, it seems, EK has realized that they can no longer continue on the past business model to insure success in the future. It may be too late. Good luck.
Joined: Sep 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: FACT
A friend in HQ sent me this. It gets better the longer you watch.
https://vimeo.com/109234717
It's obvious from the video Muller won't trust any numbers he gets from Finance.
Close the door. Enjoy the flight...
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Sandpit.
It might go to penalties but I predict Germany will still win.
A friend in HQ sent me this. It gets better the longer you watch.
https://vimeo.com/109234717
It's obvious from the video Muller won't trust any numbers he gets from Finance.
Close the door. Enjoy the flight...
A friend in HQ sent me this. It gets better the longer you watch.
https://vimeo.com/109234717
It's obvious from the video Muller won't trust any numbers he gets from Finance.
Close the door. Enjoy the flight...
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 302
Likes: 40
From: Building Site
Interesting video
I especially like the part where he says that in basically all cases, change can't be accomplished with the current management. He talks the talk, let's see if he can walk the walk.
MR8
I especially like the part where he says that in basically all cases, change can't be accomplished with the current management. He talks the talk, let's see if he can walk the walk.
MR8
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 280
Likes: 7
From: Dubai
Very interesting indeed. In short, the owners/management are often incompetent, they are liars and should involve their employees through a collective labor agreements/unions in order to achieve the best turnaround result. Good luck at EK, Mueller!
Last edited by ekpilot; 4th July 2016 at 09:49. Reason: typo
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: On the sidewalk
Very interesting indeed. In short, the owners/management are often incompetent, they are liars and should involve their employees through a collective labor agreements/unions in order to achieve the best turnaround result. Good luck at EK, Mueller!
He failed/resigned at Malaysian and I don't think his odds at EK are much better.
Good luck indeed. I'm so happy I'm out of here.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: USA
EK still generates significant revenue so wisely spent it can be a turned around. Question is how Emiratis/Mueller take control back from Brits and Indians. Traditionally, Emairatis treat sub-continent folks badly, but at EK British/Indians are treating everyone else badly. I still cannot figure out how these relationships formed.
Timing is perfect because most of the British PR/media/fans who would be fighting this from outside are reeling from BREXIT vote.
Mueller never stood a chance at MH because Malaysia hired him just as a face saving measure and not to fix the company.
I wound't call his MH gig a failure.
Timing is perfect because most of the British PR/media/fans who would be fighting this from outside are reeling from BREXIT vote.
Mueller never stood a chance at MH because Malaysia hired him just as a face saving measure and not to fix the company.
I wound't call his MH gig a failure.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: germany
I met Christoph Mueller a decade ago when he was with Hapag-Lloyd/TUI. His job was to create a pan european low cost airline out of the several independent TUI carrier. Finally he got stalled by TUI management which deemed his investment plan negative. Interestingly, they kind of do the same thing now with one aviation. Anyhow, he was well respected within the company and had a clear plan how to run the shop. Hope he is successful at EK. I think MH has some strong, financial connections that he was not to touch, therefore the resignment on own will.