PWMTrav

Airline execs aren't underpaid when you consider how little (any?) profit the industry as a whole has made over its history. I do agree they have a lot to deal with - it's a tough business.

morrisunc

Parker's compensation is largely based on financial success - the airlines have to be run by someone and Doug Parker could make a lot more money going into PE and having 5 employees. Tough business is an understatement - I do think Parker/Horton/Anderson are passionate about the business which helps - no so sure about Smiseck - I think he just kinda landed on the throne and would be just as happy running a fast food chain.

Jacobin777

Thanks for the link! It seems a bit of "revisionism" to me however. Also from the article:

"But it won’t be Horton at the top. And that has to sting mightily. "

Also, regarding him not being at the top:

"Horton refuses to go there." He sidesteps that and talks about "team".

The article also states how Parker went behind the back of Horton.

The article does support one of LAXJFKesq's comment of:

"Horton said he initiated talks with Parker about a possible merger in September 2011, shortly after American announced its blockbuster airplane deal for 460 Boeing and Airbus jets, with options for 465 more."

All of the carriers lately have been financially "successful" -at least profitable.

Also, part of US profitabilty was due to below-industry average wages.

I can't wait to see how all of this turns out the next 2-3 years.

Like I said, "pass the popcorn please".

elitetraveler

It seems to say TH approached DP before entering 11 -- and thought DP was willing to wait until post - 11 --- and that DP blindsided TH - as TH thought they had a gentleman's agreement.

While that may have happened, it certainly doesn't make a lot of sense -- why would DP wait on the sidelines - after having been a dumped date multiple times before? What would DP have told his BoD if AMR had like the others jilted him? Why would DP wait for AMR to emerge from 11 when it would be strong instead of making the move when it was weak?

All in all - a very interesting piece -- however - it seems like a real stretch that Parker would have some type of gentleman's agreement to "stand down" during 11.

I do think the piece also underscores where Horton is tone-deaf to the Unions, continuing to refer to his "good-friend" AArpey. While Horton may be a really good friend and stand up guy - his only way to get the Unions on his side would be been throwing his 'good friend' under the bus.

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

In the end Parker outfoxed Horton. He took the lessons from failed DL and UA and used them well. No whether he can deliver time will tell.

perseus11

What are the 2011-2012 O&D numbers for PHL - Europe?

LarkSFO

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel...lines/3650281/

"In the past eight years, a period when the airline industry experienced a flurry of mergers, escalating fuel costs and a global recession, many airports that experienced deep cuts in service have seen steep spikes in fares.

A USA TODAY Network analysis of the country's top 100 airports in the 48 contiguous states found that on average, those that lost at least a quarter of their domestic seats since the start of 2005 saw nearly twice the average fare increase over the past eight years. The analysis is based on inflation-adjusted fare data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and airline schedule data from OAG Aviation Worldwide."

There is an illuminating chart included with the article:

"FARES AT 100 LARGE U.S. AIRPORTS
First-quarter 2013 average domestic fares, the change since first-quarter 2005 after adjusting for inflation, and the change in available seats on domestic flights for the same period:"

morrisunc

Agree - It's not DP's company to have an gentlemen s agreement with - it's own by the shareholders and his fiduciary responsibility is to them - I would say that he has served their interests well - I just wish I had bought their stock back when it traded for $5.

denCSA

LCC stock is not for the faint of heart. Yeah hindsight is great and I DID buy it back at $6/share, watched as DP played around with shareholders every couple months. The price would go up, and DP would dump $200mil worth of more shares on the market, driving the price down. It's a mess of a stock, and I held on till $10, but that took almost 3 years. DP is a smart businessman, but in no way looking out for common shareholder interests. It's all about institutional investors.

RDUpax

We will have Judge Lane's ruling on the private antitrust complaint before Thanksgiving...
Judge: I’ll rule as quickly as I can in American Airlines-US Airways case, maybe today

MAH4546

Annual passengers:

Frankfurt

Chicago - 120,000
Miami - 140,000
New York - 469,000
Philadelphia - 60,000

London

Chicago - 377,000
Miami - 490,000
New York - 2,400,000
Philadelphia - 152,000

Paris

Chicago -174,000
Miami - 245,000
New York - 1,080,000
Philadelphia - 66,000

Rome

Chicago - 95,000
Miami - 125,000
New York - 455,000
Philadelphia - 64,000

Venice

Chicago - 21,000
Miami - 35,000
New York - 132,000
Philadelphia - 16,000

Zurich

Chicago - 60,000
Miami - 125,000
New York - 341,000
Philadelphia - 18,000

cbn42

Judge Lane is a bankruptcy judge in New York. The private antitrust complaint is in the Northern District of California.

RDUpax

Yes, exactly! I don't understand why Alioto is not asking a judge in California for the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) but he was in Judge Lane's court today asking for a TRO.

kettle1

Try judge Judy or Judge Joseph Albert Wapner (born November 15, 1919), a retired American judge and former television judge. He is the first star of the ongoing reality courtroom series, The People's Court.

Jacobin777

I also believe the reason is below:

+1. That's basically what it boils down to IMHO.

Very interesting link (thank you).

Thanks DOJ..spineless jerks.

Like him or hate him, he really stepped up to the plate and delivered.

Now lets see how does going forward. IMHO, he won't be as effective as promised or is claiming.