Dear Aeroflot: YOU SUCK!

walterh January 31, 2012
[2] comments

I knew that things weren’t all that good for gays and lesbians in Russia, but I didn’t know it was this bad.  In 2011, a gay male flight attendant started a GLBT organization for Aeroflot in response to the denigration of gays and lesbians in Russia, as well as at Aeroflot.

What did Aeroflot do in response?  They gave the man an ultimatum: Either get married to a woman, or lose your job.

What the frick, Aeroflot?

I know that I’m not in the Russian Federation, and honestly will probably never fly Aeroflot.  But I also know that Aeroflot is part of the SkyTeam Alliance.  Hey Delta, Air France/KLM?  Do you want to be associated with these people?  If you want to keep your business with the GLBT community in the United States and Europe, how about you dissolve your partnership with Aeroflot?  I know that I’m personally more apt to work with companies that support GLBT causes, and shun companies that either support or turn a blind eye to the abuse of minorities.

Posted in Airlines, F'd Up Issue of the Week | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who’s Buying Who And Merging And What Now?

walterh January 29, 2012
[0] comments

So what in the hell is exactly going on these days?

First, AMR, the parent company of American Airlines (but then again if you’re an airline junkie like I am, you already knew that!), filed for bankruptcy.  And almost immediately, there were rumors swirling around about Delta possibly putting together a bid for AMR.  And then there were rumors about another group (TPG Capital), a private equity firm, also looking into buying AMR with the help of British Airways.  Finally, there was a rumor of US Airways buying American Airlines.

Now there’s a rumor that Delta is thinking about buying US Airways.

What the hell?

Honestly, now that Delta is tied up with Northwest, SkyTeam Alliance (474M pax/year) is very well positioned in the United States.  American, now the third largest airline in the United States (and probably going to shrink considerably based on their bankruptcy) is oneworld (303M pax/year), which is having all sorts of problems.  I mean JAL, long-time OneWorld partner almost bailing?  Wow…  And on the other hand is United/Continental and US Airways as part of the Star Alliance (604M pax/year).  And with United/Continental being as gargantuan as they are, is it really doing US Airways any good being part of Star Alliance?

What should probably happen (in my personal airline-geekdom opinion) is that any bid by Delta be tossed out.  Delta is already huge; should the be allowed to get even bigger?  But US Airways?  If they want to stay viable with the big boys, I think they need to do two things.  First, they need to bail on Star Alliance and join up with oneworld.  This would make the playing field a little more equal with Star Alliance (minus US Airways) at 543M pax/year, SkyTeam Alliance still at 474M pax/year, and oneworld upped to 365M pax/year alliance-wise.  That would be a first good step.  And then, just like Continental bailing on SkyTeam and then United buying them (keeping the United name but the Continental brand, thereby shedding a bad image since Continental was more well liked than United), US Airways needs to buy American Airlines, and shed their US Airways image (though take over the company, again a la Continental CEO Smisek taking over United post merger).

Just my personal opinions about what needs to happen with the big guys.  We’ll see how it plays out.  And in the meantime, maybe I should put together some ideas for the smaller carriers.

Posted in Airlines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hey Delta – want to make us happy?

walterh June 23, 2011
[0] comments

I understand the Middle East is a hotbed of religion and stuff nolvadex tablets online.  But religion and business should never mix.  Ever.  That’s why I think Delta should tell Saudi Arabian Airlines to FOAD, then not enter the joint partnership.  Let me explain.

Delta is the main carrier for Skyteam in the US.  It’s a huge global network.  And Delta’s new partner in Skyteam is Saudi Arabian Airlines.  But what’s coming out now is that, while the article states “Jews” can’t fly to Saudi Arabia on Delta nor bring in any Jewish items, it should really say that any religious symbology isn’t allowed.  Other than Islamic.

Delta agreed to this.  And that’s wrong.

I know that I would never go to Saudi Arabia, though I’ve A) been to the Middle East many times and B) been requested to go to Saudi Arabia.  (Instead of traveling there, I made my Saudi Arabian customers come to me in Abu Dhabi).  But still; it’s the principal of the thing.  And companies still have principals besides the all mighty dollar, don’t they?

So Delta?  Dissolve your relationship with Saudi Arabian Airlines.  For the good of us all.  It’s the right thing to do.

Posted in Airlines, F'd Up Issue of the Week | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment