BA boss slams Hollywood stars as "gutless cowards"
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BA boss slams Hollywood stars as "gutless cowards"
A novel way to drum up trade, but I can't help but agree with his sentiment-
LONDON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The chief executive of British Airways Plc (LSE: BAY.L - news) has branded Hollywood's film celebrities "gutless cowards" for being scared to fly since the September 11 attacks on the United States, a British newspaper said on Thursday.
"They want everyone to see their movies and think how big and brave they are. But at the first sign of trouble they cower under their beds like gutless cowards. It's pathetic," BA chief executive Rod Eddington was quoted as saying in the Mirror.
Eddington praised New Yorkers, who he said had started flying again, but attacked U.S. celebrities saying they had "retired to their mansions" when they should be acting as role models encouraging the public to take to the skies again.
Eddington made the outspoken comments as the world's fastest passenger jet, the supersonic Concorde, returned to service on Wednesday.
A number of British personalities, including pop star Sting and broadcaster David Frost, were among those on the first British Airways Concorde flight to New York since an Air France Concorde crashed shortly after takeoff from Paris last year.
Demand for air travel worldwide has plummeted since hijacked airliners crashed into New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington on September 11, plunging the airline industry into crisis.
Airlines have announced massive job cuts and BA, which earns most of its profits from transatlantic travel, announced on Tuesday that it was losing two million pounds ($2.93 million) a day.
LONDON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The chief executive of British Airways Plc (LSE: BAY.L - news) has branded Hollywood's film celebrities "gutless cowards" for being scared to fly since the September 11 attacks on the United States, a British newspaper said on Thursday.
"They want everyone to see their movies and think how big and brave they are. But at the first sign of trouble they cower under their beds like gutless cowards. It's pathetic," BA chief executive Rod Eddington was quoted as saying in the Mirror.
Eddington praised New Yorkers, who he said had started flying again, but attacked U.S. celebrities saying they had "retired to their mansions" when they should be acting as role models encouraging the public to take to the skies again.
Eddington made the outspoken comments as the world's fastest passenger jet, the supersonic Concorde, returned to service on Wednesday.
A number of British personalities, including pop star Sting and broadcaster David Frost, were among those on the first British Airways Concorde flight to New York since an Air France Concorde crashed shortly after takeoff from Paris last year.
Demand for air travel worldwide has plummeted since hijacked airliners crashed into New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington on September 11, plunging the airline industry into crisis.
Airlines have announced massive job cuts and BA, which earns most of its profits from transatlantic travel, announced on Tuesday that it was losing two million pounds ($2.93 million) a day.
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What rubbish! Eddington knows nothing!
Hollywood stars have singlehandedly won the Battle of Britain, captured the first Enigma machine; repulsed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; won the Vietnam War; and defeated the British during the War of Independence.
I know.
I've seen it on the Big Screen!
Hollywood stars have singlehandedly won the Battle of Britain, captured the first Enigma machine; repulsed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; won the Vietnam War; and defeated the British during the War of Independence.
I know.
I've seen it on the Big Screen!
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He's got a point, flawed as it is. Does anyone actually respect current "Hollywood Stars" as role models?
Maybe, once upon a time in the west, Gary Cooper, Kirk Douglas, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney... but these days?
Maybe, once upon a time in the west, Gary Cooper, Kirk Douglas, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney... but these days?
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Spoken like a true Aussie!
I agree with his sentiments 100%. I saw an interview with Samuel L Jackson a few days ago when he was asked if he was apprehensive about flying. He gave the interviewer a funny look and said if anyone tried to hijack a plane he was on he'd smack them!!
One of my business contacts told me that he had to cancel a very important meeting with a very large US corporate as the executives that were due toi come over refused to fly and were sending underlings instead. He refused to accept the substitutes and is now looking for alternative suppliers for a £100 million plus project!
The US economy was in the 5hit before 11/9 but if there execs continue with this sort of behaviour then it can only get worse.
I agree with his sentiments 100%. I saw an interview with Samuel L Jackson a few days ago when he was asked if he was apprehensive about flying. He gave the interviewer a funny look and said if anyone tried to hijack a plane he was on he'd smack them!!
One of my business contacts told me that he had to cancel a very important meeting with a very large US corporate as the executives that were due toi come over refused to fly and were sending underlings instead. He refused to accept the substitutes and is now looking for alternative suppliers for a £100 million plus project!
The US economy was in the 5hit before 11/9 but if there execs continue with this sort of behaviour then it can only get worse.
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AirBubba - that happened once and the chances of it happening are miniscule.
That's like saying:
* I'll never fly Concorde again, coz it crashed.
* Nor will I fly on any B707, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, DC8, DC8, DC10 etc etc as they have all had crashes at some time.
* Nor will I ever go in any car, train, bus etc as they have all had fatal incidents.
* And I'd better not live in a house because of the danger of housefires.
Get the picture? Grow up!
That's like saying:
* I'll never fly Concorde again, coz it crashed.
* Nor will I fly on any B707, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, DC8, DC8, DC10 etc etc as they have all had crashes at some time.
* Nor will I ever go in any car, train, bus etc as they have all had fatal incidents.
* And I'd better not live in a house because of the danger of housefires.
Get the picture? Grow up!
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Couldn't agree more with Mr Eddington if I tried. 
I can't believe that these people get up to $20 million per film anyway...
Role models....???.....GOD help us....
Last time I flew (post 11/9/01) frankly I was more scared of puking than anything else....
I wonder how the Captain would restore order among the SLF if there was another hijacking....
[ 08 November 2001: Message edited by: swashplate ]
I can't believe that these people get up to $20 million per film anyway...
Role models....???.....GOD help us....
Last time I flew (post 11/9/01) frankly I was more scared of puking than anything else....
I wonder how the Captain would restore order among the SLF if there was another hijacking....
[ 08 November 2001: Message edited by: swashplate ]
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I'm just trying to picture the panic in their PR department afterwards!
Got to agree with him, but it's amazing that someone from BA should actually say it. Be honest, whenever FR, U2 etc have a go at BA they're usually absolutely pathetic at responding.
Maybe they'll learn something...
Doubt it.
Got to agree with him, but it's amazing that someone from BA should actually say it. Be honest, whenever FR, U2 etc have a go at BA they're usually absolutely pathetic at responding.
Maybe they'll learn something...
Doubt it.
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If I recall correctly, it was Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone who had cancelled trips to Europe "because their children were scared".
It is, of course, absolutely incredible to hear that these Hollywood hard-men are actually total pussies. Next you'll be telling me that half the romantic leading men in Hollywood are gay!!!
It is, of course, absolutely incredible to hear that these Hollywood hard-men are actually total pussies. Next you'll be telling me that half the romantic leading men in Hollywood are gay!!!
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Having watched Rod and others on various programmes on telly yesterday, I have to say that for once I was encouraged. That and other news suggests that his patience with Pink and Fluffy plc is at an end, and he’s finally going to kick some butt.
I admire plain speaking and no bull£$%t, so seeing my CEO saying what we all feel is excellent news. Please God this isn’t a false dawn.
I admire plain speaking and no bull£$%t, so seeing my CEO saying what we all feel is excellent news. Please God this isn’t a false dawn.
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Well said Porky. Having visited New York several times since 9/11, the spirit, and resilience of the people has to be seen to be believed. The loads on the JFK flights have recovered beyond all expectations, and the future bookings are strong in all classes. Let's hope the other US cities follow their example.
Airclues
[ 08 November 2001: Message edited by: Captain Airclues ]
Airclues
[ 08 November 2001: Message edited by: Captain Airclues ]
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...and in order to encourage their premium passengers to fly again, BA has raised business class fares by up to 10%, and some Concorde fares by 20%.
Guess that should do it!
Guess that should do it!
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I've had a sneaking respect for this Australian ever since I heard where he took a
Very Senior BAA man for a business lunch...Harry Ramsden's in Terminal 3!
As to his remarks about the recently outed wimps Bruce, Sly and Arnie, well said Rod!I only hope that these "big girls blouses" get the publicity that they deserve.
Very Senior BAA man for a business lunch...Harry Ramsden's in Terminal 3!
As to his remarks about the recently outed wimps Bruce, Sly and Arnie, well said Rod!I only hope that these "big girls blouses" get the publicity that they deserve.