Hey - check out this retiree dude's letter. I can almost picture him at breakfast, eagerly pouring over the business section in the morning paper in search of bad news about AA as he drools in his oatmeal....
As a retired American Airlines captain, by way of the takeover of TWA, I'd like to comment on the Feb. 22 Page One story "A new flight plan." The sentence that prompted me to write was: "In the cockpit, Capt. Byron Smith keeps a closer eye on fuel conservation by carefully monitoring the airplane's altitude and airspeed."
Been there with TWA. Inept management is the cause of declining airline profitability, and it tries to impress on the working stiffs the need to economize -- except in the boardrooms and corporate offices.
In 1986, I and all other TWA captains, except those in management, took a 40 percent pay cut to save TWA. It didn't work, of course, and I knew it wouldn't, so I retired the following year.
Corporate raider Carl Icahn took over TWA with junk bonds and turned it into a junk airline. He sold gates throughout the system, making TWA uncompetitive and a target for acquisition by American Airlines. Meanwhile, Icahn -- the savior of TWA, according to company propaganda -- pocketed $61 million for himself.
I decided to give the passengers something. I offered complimentary liquor on every flight I flew for a year. The passengers were delighted.
Management finally noticed after 10 months, and I was asked in November why I had given away about $82,000 worth of liquor in October alone. My answer was simple: As captain, I was authorized to do so. I retired two months later after 30 years with TWA.
Others scrimped and saved, took minimum fuel and tried to save TWA from itself, which of course was to no avail.
So, all you good, loyal crews, keep doing your best for dear old American Airlines: Forget the lessons of TWA, don't dare point a finger at management as the real problem, and good luck.
It's great to be retired. I hope you make it, but don't hold your breath.
Ed Toner, Brick, N.J.
Link
As a retired American Airlines captain, by way of the takeover of TWA, I'd like to comment on the Feb. 22 Page One story "A new flight plan." The sentence that prompted me to write was: "In the cockpit, Capt. Byron Smith keeps a closer eye on fuel conservation by carefully monitoring the airplane's altitude and airspeed."
Been there with TWA. Inept management is the cause of declining airline profitability, and it tries to impress on the working stiffs the need to economize -- except in the boardrooms and corporate offices.
In 1986, I and all other TWA captains, except those in management, took a 40 percent pay cut to save TWA. It didn't work, of course, and I knew it wouldn't, so I retired the following year.
Corporate raider Carl Icahn took over TWA with junk bonds and turned it into a junk airline. He sold gates throughout the system, making TWA uncompetitive and a target for acquisition by American Airlines. Meanwhile, Icahn -- the savior of TWA, according to company propaganda -- pocketed $61 million for himself.
I decided to give the passengers something. I offered complimentary liquor on every flight I flew for a year. The passengers were delighted.
Management finally noticed after 10 months, and I was asked in November why I had given away about $82,000 worth of liquor in October alone. My answer was simple: As captain, I was authorized to do so. I retired two months later after 30 years with TWA.
Others scrimped and saved, took minimum fuel and tried to save TWA from itself, which of course was to no avail.
So, all you good, loyal crews, keep doing your best for dear old American Airlines: Forget the lessons of TWA, don't dare point a finger at management as the real problem, and good luck.
It's great to be retired. I hope you make it, but don't hold your breath.
Ed Toner, Brick, N.J.
Link
