Luv2cattlecall From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 1648 posts, RR: 2 Posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 3019 times:
I've had a few flights on Virgin America since they started, and aside from the IFE being somewhat unreliable and the flight crew still going through teething problems, think they're an asset to our country's air system. While I am pro-globalization, I do feel that Branson is a bit more involved in PR than he "promised" pre-approval. For awhile there was talk of him not even going on the inaugural flight, but suddenly he appears on The Colbert Report, Glen Beck, Ellen, and who knows what else. Then I remembered an article I read last year:
SF Gate Article
Q: To what extent is Richard Branson involved with the airline? Do you call him?
A: I see him mostly socially. He's always dreamt of seeing a Virgin-branded airline operating in the United States. But Richard is also very smart, and he understands that the only way to do that in the United States is through a trademark license, nothing more, nothing less than a trademark license that the U.S. investors contracted with the Virgin Group.
So Richard is an idea guy. Richard is a creative guy. But he's not on the board. I saw him three times face to face last year, and spoke to him twice on the telephone. In total, five times. The conversation is usually like, "Well, how are things going?" I say, "Great." He says, "Are you ever going to get that airline started or not?" and I say, "One of these days," He says, "Do you need anything and are you comfortable?" I say, "I'm great." He does not get involved in the financials or the governance.
Does anyone else think that management at VX tried to downplay Branson's involvement with the new airline or am I just over-analyzing things?
*I hope I did the whole quoting an article thing correctly/legally? Also, please don't take this as an anti-VX post by any means.
When you have to breaststroke to your connecting flight...it's a crash!
SJBOEING From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 26 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2775 times:
I'm with you on this one. Of course it was downplayed........enough so to make nice for the USDOT and everyone/anyone else who was opposed to VX from the beginning. Come on, he's Richard Branson. With an ego like that we all knew it was only a matter of time before his VX PR nonsense started.
Gigneil From United States of America, joined Nov 2002, 16215 posts, RR: 88 Reply 2, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 2602 times:
Hardly nonsense. He can talk all he wants. He just can't involve himself.
SRB is SRB because he is a master of PR. It would be nonsense for him to say nothing.
Ikramerica From United States of America, joined May 2005, 21043 posts, RR: 60 Reply 3, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 2548 times:
Quoting Luv2cattlecall (Thread starter): Does anyone else think that management at VX tried to downplay Branson's involvement with the new airline or am I just over-analyzing things?
I have been saying this since day one. I like VX as a stand alone concept. The sham of the whole thing is that it is billed as a domestic airline, and not another piece of the Virgin system.
SRB is smart. He's attempting to make a global network without worrying about treaties, and there are enough greedy politicians in each region to bite.
BA's approach in the USA is much more political, trying to force our nation to change the law. Branson just plays lip service to the law while he builds a round the world network.
I'd be interested to see how CO is dealing with this behind the scenes, as they were the most vocal about the whole thing and predicted it would be a farce.
I think it was a big mistake to allow the name Virgin to be used at all. But we'll see what happens when VX attempts to codeshare with VS and V Australia...
Quoting Gigneil (Reply 2): Hardly nonsense. He can talk all he wants. He just can't involve himself.
Wrong. He is marketing the airline personally.
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31155 posts, RR: 76 Reply 5, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 2403 times:
Let him market it all he wants. The U.S. needs to get rid of the ridiculous foreign ownership restrictions on U.S. airlines, which are poorly managed. The U.S. would benefit incredibly if well managed European airlines like Air France-KLM and Lufthansa were allowed to take active, major stakes in U.S. carriers.
Aerofan From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 1515 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 2403 times:
Agreed! and gotten rid of fast. Silly, silly, silly
Bond007 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 5098 posts, RR: 8 Reply 7, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 2345 times:
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 3): Wrong. He is marketing the airline personally.
I don't see where that is against any US regulations.
He has obvious financial interests in the US 'company', he just does not have a place on the board, and no voting rights. If the shareholders of VX want him (or don't want him) to do something ... my understanding is that it's OK.
Jimbo
I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground!
SJBOEING From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 26 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2094 times:
I guess the manner in which I was using the term 'nonsense' may have been misconstrued. I don't have a problem with SRB. I guess my point was that anyone who honestly thought he'd take a back seat was grossly mistaken. He's a damn smart guy and I respect him.
I don't think foreign ownership of U.S. airlines is the answer to our problems. I would agree that the law is 'silly' and archaic, but I don't see any immediate overall benefit to having a European or Asian carrier come over and assume control of a major U.S. carrier. The issue with VX was obviously limiting SRB's involvement because the last thing we needed was a small 'startup' that was being bankrolled by a billionaire and not subjecting itself to market forces like everyone else.
In the international rhelm, I can see the major U.S. carriers being taught a thing or two by the Europeans, Asians, etc. It needs to be done. But, domestically, foreign ownership isn't going to do us much good. The bottom line over here is weening the American public off of these ridiculously cheap domestic fares and bringing revenues in line with costs. Ownership isn't the issue. Too many seats.
Bond007 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 5098 posts, RR: 8 Reply 10, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2062 times:
Quoting SJBOEING (Reply 9): But, domestically, foreign ownership isn't going to do us much good. The bottom line over here is weening the American public off of these ridiculously cheap domestic fares and bringing revenues in line with costs. Ownership isn't the issue.
The ownership is the reason that this didn't happen 10 years ago.
Jimbo
I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground!
MKENut From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 687 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 2009 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 5): Let him market it all he wants. The U.S. needs to get rid of the ridiculous foreign ownership restrictions on U.S. airlines, which are poorly managed. The U.S. would benefit incredibly if well managed European airlines like Air France-KLM and Lufthansa were allowed to take active, major stakes in U.S. carriers.
I agree with you 100%. Protectionism doesn't work in this day and age. But lets remember that other countries will not reciprocate and allow US companies to own their airlines. This all needs to be worked out and agreements with other countries are forth coming. I hope.
ShootTheMoon From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 27 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 1785 times:
It is said that Branson has bought a house in the hills of Burlingame, just outside SFO and is overseeing the start of the airline. I got this information from a cigar shop owner in downtown Burlingame who sells Branson cigars and occasionally smokes with him. Noticed the cigar shop because of the picture of the owner and Branson in the window.
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31155 posts, RR: 76 Reply 13, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 1775 times:
Quoting MKENut (Reply 11): But lets remember that other countries will not reciprocate and allow US companies to own their airlines.
Of course they will, they already have. U.S. airlines and U.S. companies/investors have been owning foreign airlines for years. Continental, for example, owns a big chunk of Copa. Many countries do not have the strict airline ownership rules the U.S. has. Of course, it varies from country to country, but many countries have liberal foriegn ownership laws.
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 14, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 1632 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 13): Of course they will, they already have. U.S. airlines and U.S. companies/investors have been owning foreign airlines for years. Continental, for example, owns a big chunk of Copa. Many countries do not have the strict airline ownership rules the U.S. has. Of course, it varies from country to country, but many countries have liberal foriegn ownership laws
CO sold off 7.5 million shares over a year ago, though they still own roughly 4.4 million shares.
Fumanchewd From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (5 years 7 months 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 1583 times:
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 3): SRB is smart. He's attempting to make a global network without worrying about treaties, and there are enough greedy politicians in each region to bite.
I've also heard from people speaking with Richard that he is extremely excited about his newest project.
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