Air Canada VP Ben Smith hired for the Air France - KLM CEO position
#121
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
And, @Symmetre, I’m not particularly picking on you — the bolded bit in your comment summarizes a lot of the concerns I’ve read, both here and elsewhere, that Ben’s accomplishments at AC could only be construed as negative from labour, passenger and product perspectives.
So, I ask this: take a look at AC’s stock performance over the past 2, 5 and even 10 years, and consider the labour peace that AC currently enjoys. Does anyone here really believe that the folks who hired Ben don’t want an AC 2.0? I dunno... if that’s what he manages to pull off at the end of his tenure, I’d have a hard time arguing against the evidence that he was the right person for the job.
#123
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
I don’t think AF / KL want to be remade into AC, and I don’t expect that’s why they hired Ben.
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Citizen of the world
Programs: Aeroplan,Skymiles, HiltonHonors, SPG
Posts: 28,261
- Ernest Roume : 1933-1935
- Paul Tirard : 1935-1938
- Bertrand Pujo : 1939-1944
- Henri Desbruères : 1945-1948 (directeur général, pas de président à cette époque)
- Max Hymans : 1948-1961
- Joseph Roos : 1961-1967
- Georges Galichon : 1967-1975
- Pierre Giraudet : 1975-1984
- Marceau Long : 1984-1987
- Jacques Friedmann : 1987-1988
- Bernard Attali : 1988-1993
- Christian Blanc : 1993-1997
- Jean-Cyril Spinetta : 1997-2009
- Pierre-Henri Gourgeon: 2009-2011
- Alexandre de Juniac: 2011-2013, puis président d'Air France-KLM
#125
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Ottawa and Montreal
Programs: SPG Gold / IHG Spire / Emerald Executive Elite
Posts: 457
Met Ben at Montreal in 2003,IIRC at a do. He took the time to listen to my requests and comments from a segment/regional customer.
I had been able to reach out to Ben over the last 15 years when I had comments and observations. He always responded.
Congratulations Ben, in your new role. ^
I had been able to reach out to Ben over the last 15 years when I had comments and observations. He always responded.
Congratulations Ben, in your new role. ^
Is it the same DO at AC HQ, where we also visited (linked by a tunnel) the ACTS (RIP) main hangar?
We saw a bunch of VPs, and R. Milton (then at the helm of ACE) was there too. Parnel was the organizer if I recall.
Indeed, congratulations Ben in your new role!
PS: Just recovered old PMs; my visit occured in Jan 2005, and it was indeed organised by Parnel. I took a picture of the group that attended (including our AC hosts). Got to find it back...
Last edited by YUL; Aug 17, 2018 at 9:23 am Reason: added PS
#126
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YQB
Programs: AC*SE/2.1MM, Flying Blue Explorer, BA Executive Club Blue, AAdvantage Basic, ANA MC
Posts: 2,550
I was there too. In addition to Ben Smith and RM, some of the AC VPs or directors present were: Montie Brewer, M. Forget, Lucie G.
Aeroplan was represented by Craig L and a female colleague.
FTers who I recall being there: parnel, acysb87, Doc Fraud, cedric, Super Larry.
We also had an enjoyable social outing with some YUL concierges.
Best wishes to Ben in his new functions.
#127
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Programs: AC SE100K MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Accor Diamond, National Emerald Club Exec Elite
Posts: 1,085
14JAN 2005 at AC HQ in YUL.
I was there too. In addition to Ben Smith and RM, some of the AC VPs or directors present were: Montie Brewer, M. Forget, Lucie G.
Aeroplan was represented by Craig L and a female colleague.
FTers who I recall being there: parnel, acysb87, Doc Fraud, cedric, Super Larry.
We also had an enjoyable social outing with some YUL concierges.
Best wishes to Ben in his new functions.
I was there too. In addition to Ben Smith and RM, some of the AC VPs or directors present were: Montie Brewer, M. Forget, Lucie G.
Aeroplan was represented by Craig L and a female colleague.
FTers who I recall being there: parnel, acysb87, Doc Fraud, cedric, Super Larry.
We also had an enjoyable social outing with some YUL concierges.
Best wishes to Ben in his new functions.
I was there too. Apart from the hangar tour, a highlight was flying the simulator.
#128
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Ottawa and Montreal
Programs: SPG Gold / IHG Spire / Emerald Executive Elite
Posts: 457
I found a list prepared then by Super Larry:
Final List For Do Dinner In Yul:
Parnel (CONFIRMED) 1
ACYSB87 (CONFIRMED ) 3
Super Larry (CONFIRMED) 2
Snoopyo (CONFIRMED) 1
NordsFan (CONFIRMED) 5 (He is so popular with women!!)
YUL (CONFIRMED) 1
Yulgirl (CONFIRMED) 2
ccorme (CONFIRMED) 1
blue2002 (CONFIRMED) 1
YOWser (CONFIRMED) 1
aad665 (CONFIRMED) 1
Back Seat (CONFIRMED) 1
Steve2286 (CONFIRMED) 1
NewtoCanada (CONFIRMED) 2
Cedric (CONFIRMED) 3
TOTAL 26
YUL Do
So NordsFan , I forgot the number of ladies you brought in...,
Final List For Do Dinner In Yul:
Parnel (CONFIRMED) 1
ACYSB87 (CONFIRMED ) 3
Super Larry (CONFIRMED) 2
Snoopyo (CONFIRMED) 1
NordsFan (CONFIRMED) 5 (He is so popular with women!!)
YUL (CONFIRMED) 1
Yulgirl (CONFIRMED) 2
ccorme (CONFIRMED) 1
blue2002 (CONFIRMED) 1
YOWser (CONFIRMED) 1
aad665 (CONFIRMED) 1
Back Seat (CONFIRMED) 1
Steve2286 (CONFIRMED) 1
NewtoCanada (CONFIRMED) 2
Cedric (CONFIRMED) 3
TOTAL 26
YUL Do
So NordsFan , I forgot the number of ladies you brought in...,
#129
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
And we're off to the races.
Ben is mentioned a few times in this article.
"More Strikes Loom at Air France-KLM, Shares Plummet" by Katherine Fan 31 minutes ago
https://thepointsguy.com/news/more-s...hares-plummet/
#130
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YQB
Programs: AC*SE/2.1MM, Flying Blue Explorer, BA Executive Club Blue, AAdvantage Basic, ANA MC
Posts: 2,550
I was with Empress and PunishedYEGman in the A320 sim. The evac sim with the ride on the slide was quite impressive !
Last edited by NordsFan; Aug 17, 2018 at 12:37 pm
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
@Stranger
And we're off to the races.
Ben is mentioned a few times in this article.
"More Strikes Loom at Air France-KLM, Shares Plummet" by Katherine Fan 31 minutes ago
https://thepointsguy.com/news/more-s...hares-plummet/
And we're off to the races.
Ben is mentioned a few times in this article.
"More Strikes Loom at Air France-KLM, Shares Plummet" by Katherine Fan 31 minutes ago
https://thepointsguy.com/news/more-s...hares-plummet/
So I would not be surprised if in the end, these French unions find themselves happier than they expect.
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
There was also something similar at YVR c.2004, IIRC.
#133
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YQB
Programs: AC*SE/2.1MM, Flying Blue Explorer, BA Executive Club Blue, AAdvantage Basic, ANA MC
Posts: 2,550
I found a list prepared then by Super Larry:
Final List For Do Dinner In Yul:
Parnel (CONFIRMED) 1
ACYSB87 (CONFIRMED ) 3
Super Larry (CONFIRMED) 2
Snoopyo (CONFIRMED) 1
NordsFan (CONFIRMED) 5 (He is so popular with women!!)
YUL (CONFIRMED) 1
Yulgirl (CONFIRMED) 2
ccorme (CONFIRMED) 1
blue2002 (CONFIRMED) 1
YOWser (CONFIRMED) 1
aad665 (CONFIRMED) 1
Back Seat (CONFIRMED) 1
Steve2286 (CONFIRMED) 1
NewtoCanada (CONFIRMED) 2
Cedric (CONFIRMED) 3
TOTAL 26
YUL Do
So NordsFan , I forgot the number of ladies you brought in...,
Final List For Do Dinner In Yul:
Parnel (CONFIRMED) 1
ACYSB87 (CONFIRMED ) 3
Super Larry (CONFIRMED) 2
Snoopyo (CONFIRMED) 1
NordsFan (CONFIRMED) 5 (He is so popular with women!!)
YUL (CONFIRMED) 1
Yulgirl (CONFIRMED) 2
ccorme (CONFIRMED) 1
blue2002 (CONFIRMED) 1
YOWser (CONFIRMED) 1
aad665 (CONFIRMED) 1
Back Seat (CONFIRMED) 1
Steve2286 (CONFIRMED) 1
NewtoCanada (CONFIRMED) 2
Cedric (CONFIRMED) 3
TOTAL 26
YUL Do
So NordsFan , I forgot the number of ladies you brought in...,
Last edited by NordsFan; Aug 17, 2018 at 1:35 pm
#134
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Programs: AC SE100K MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Accor Diamond, National Emerald Club Exec Elite
Posts: 1,085
14JAN 2005 at AC HQ in YUL.
I was there too. In addition to Ben Smith and RM, some of the AC VPs or directors present were: Montie Brewer, M. Forget, Lucie G.
Aeroplan was represented by Craig L and a female colleague.
FTers who I recall being there: parnel, acysb87, Doc Fraud, cedric, Super Larry.
We also had an enjoyable social outing with some YUL concierges.
Best wishes to Ben in his new functions.
I was there too. In addition to Ben Smith and RM, some of the AC VPs or directors present were: Montie Brewer, M. Forget, Lucie G.
Aeroplan was represented by Craig L and a female colleague.
FTers who I recall being there: parnel, acysb87, Doc Fraud, cedric, Super Larry.
We also had an enjoyable social outing with some YUL concierges.
Best wishes to Ben in his new functions.
#135
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YQB
Programs: AC*SE/2.1MM, Flying Blue Explorer, BA Executive Club Blue, AAdvantage Basic, ANA MC
Posts: 2,550
We had a group dinner at the Bifthèque on Dixon Road that evening. Several of us stayed at the Marriott.
Some attendees I remember: Empress, PunishedYEGman, YYCguy2, Q Shoe Guy, acysb87, parnel, Mozzarella, BlondeBomber, Shareholder, why fly.