By Marilyn Barnewall
© 2004 Business Reform
From the comments received, one thing is very clear: The airline industry has a leadership problem.
The pilots all said the same thing: "They hired a bunch of bean counters to run the airline and they haven't got a clue about how things outside of their accounting books work."
It is clear the mentality of airline management and the pilots represents opposing views.............
..........One retired Delta flight attendant wrote about the good old days to say "Delta's corporate offices had metal desks and linoleum floors. All of Delta's officers came up through the ranks. The airline was always in the black. Employees were appreciated and rewarded with raises every year. Officers were not paid millions. Any employee could reach any officer at any time.
"Delta went downhill because they had a complex about being a southern airline... suddenly the corporate offices became mahogany row. Nothing was too good. Yearly meetings changed from Monroe, LA, to the Plaza in New York, and retreats to Pebble Beach. Free car-type perks became the norm. Managers were hired from outside the company. A company with 70,000 employees didn't have anyone qualified? Delta went from five vice presidents to over 60. Of course, these officers did not make any sacrifices to build Delta. They had no allegiance to Delta. They came and they took.
"Yes, in the flight attendant department there is a union drive now. What would you expect? Most Delta flight attendants have at least an undergraduate degree yet they are told they are 'under-worked, over-paid, kitchen help.'
"The reality is, when a company is not listed in the top 100,000 companies to work for, there may be a reason for a union." Or, I would add, bad service.
A union does not solve this problem.
Getting rid of an executive staff with delusions of grandeur and self-importance is the only thing that solves this problem.
