laptoptravel

Excellent points. We called this retirement last year (November) saying that Richard would be exiting before a new US President would be elected. I guess he wants to fly before the new C+ rules take effect May 16th, huh? :P

The pilots contract talks (although part of 4 generally) could be significant. In fact all employees have a good point in asking Delta for more since they have record profits.

Also the NRT /HND issues will loom large on Ed's to do list.

Going forward another issue will be how Delta res-structures its operations to avoid paying taxes (or as little as possible.) They have been enjoying tax-loss carryforward status which has reduced their tax liability to ZERO in these recent years of windfall profits. Look for Delta to set up some type of offshore operations to shelter income against paying US taxes (so much for US Jobs as RA argued against the GCC and their 'damage' to Open Skies.)

Ed will not be a friend to Medallions...or any pax for that matter. However, as the stock may falter, jet fuel prices rise (at some point), Japan's Tokyo airports decision and the loss of many elites may perhaps impact Ed into becoming a little softer towards the loyal elites left after the past 18 months of SkyMiles decimation.

I would certainly look at it as an opportunity to raise our voices....

LegalTender

Leaving at the top of the curve. Interesting the WSJ called him "pugnacious," not that there's anything wrong with that.

ClipperDelta

Nonsense. This management team has succeeded in delivering the most important aspect of air travel (besides safety) to most pax on a consistent basis - operational excellence - getting pax to their destination reliably and on time. What is the point of cheap upgrades and free tickets when you can't rely on the airline to get you to your destination on a timely basis?

Longboater

Dick is the best airline CEO since Bob Crandall. While many on this forum despise him for turning SkyPesos into SkyYen, he took over an airline exiting bankruptcy and will leave it as the most reliable large airline in the world. The operational performance of Delta in the past several months is sick. He's the best there is out there. He'll surely be missed.

GRALISTAIR

+ 1 Absolutely spot on. ^

N830MH

Yeah, I bet he did. I am truly missed him. I am bit sad about him.

Ryno1234

I met RA about a year ago. Not that this is any indicator of what type of leader/CEO he is or was- but he was one of the nicest, seemingly most genuine guys I've ever met. And I have met an number of executives. I really liked him judging by the one encounter. I wish him well.

GRALISTAIR

My sentiments too ^

jrkmsp

Yeah, I do think he's a genuinely good person. He's made some blunders, and I hate what he's allowed to happen to SkyMiles, but I think he's a kind, genuine person. Happy retirement to him.

laptoptravel

I agree! He is...I knew him before airlines were in his career path...he has always been genuine

My best wishes for a wonderful life of retirement.

PayItForward

He gets to avoid addressing any issues the new C+ might have!!! Dodged the bullet there. Then again, it might now be easier to do some minor tweaks like maybe PM/DM + 1 other pax for C+ at time of booking?

DL2SXM

That is of course, my opinion. Doesn't he have a significant voice in the matter?

readywhenyouare

Good riddance. I will miss his lies and anticompetitive tactics.

N830MH

Please don't say that. Be nice to him. Be respectful.

BearX220

Say what you will about RA, he played a hand pretty similar to the cards Smisek was dealt and won the poker tournament. Smisek ended up having to borrow bus fare home from the casino.