I know you were flaming... but there is a lot of truth to the statement.
The difference this time around is that Delta reacts much more quickly to market conditions. Delta's management is much more operationally focused and unlike Delta's old management (and United's current management) is less focused on harvard'esque case studies by 28 year old MBA's who had never been in airline ops. Now Delta is being run by 50 somethings with a lot of PIC time in the equipment.
I think Delta always has to be on guard for creeping arrogance. Yes, we are the biggest. Yes, we are well positioned, BUT we are at the mercy of each and every customer we serve. We need their business.
I think many of your points are vaild-except two:
-The first being who runs Delta now. It is good that the company dumped out many of the Harvard MBAs who came in on the Mullin gravy train. Those guys were incompetant and wasted tons of money. The only thing worse is what you now have... All the new upper mgmt is from NWA. There is no worse track record among any modern airline than the one earned by NWA mgmt (as far as mgmt-employee relations go.) These NWA guys are smart in some ways, but they are mean as hell! It may take a while to become obvious-but these are not good people-they are just waiting to screw you!
-The second point I disagree with is "creeping arrogance." The arrogance of DAL mgmt. is "creeping" about like a cheetah "creeps" after a fleeing gazelle. DAL has become the 800lb gorilla-and mgmt. has no idea what the hell is customer is about. I can tell you all about many customers who are pissed-they are very pissed about flying around in crappy old Saab 340s in the middle of the summer. They will jump on the first option that comes along. (Have you noticed how Allegiant is showing up at more and more of these places?)
*That-General Lee is what you call a first-class-ass-kicking, knocking right on your door.
-Sweat your pink butt off just once in a 135 degree Saab 340, and watch how fast you can find that AirTran or Allegiant site the next time your travel needs arise!
-I know many people in many departments at Delta-and what I hear astounds me. You should listen to these warnings. These new NWA tools are gonna wreck the place (they hijacked the board and all the important upper management positions.) The are trying hard piss off the entire customer base as well as the employees. The old Delta was once famous for great service-the new NWA is pissing on its grave.
-INTL is cratering (after a tremedous cash outlay,) and domestic is slipping more and more to SWA, Allegiant, and AirTran. Not exactly an enviable job these NWA clowns are performing so far.
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