MountainFlyer From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 363 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 2371 times:
Definitely my favorite airline as well. I fly AS whenever possible.
ItalianFlyer From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 948 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 2348 times:
Quoting redrooster3 (Reply 1): Slightly off topic, how is AS so successful in these times?
- code share
- productive labor contracts
-code share
-captive audience in a mineral rich state where driving people/freight isn't an option
-code share
-conservative growth and fiscal discipline
-code share
I wish him well in retirement...he is leaving a solid, well-run operation as his legacy.
HiFlyerAS From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 606 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 2324 times:
Congratulations to Brad Tilden...an approachable, genuine, strong leader who has played a big part in the current succuss of the company. He will take AS even further and higher. 2 for 1 stock split today announced for Alaska Air Group as well....a big vote of confidence regarding Tilden's turn at the helm and the future of AAG.
catiii From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 2278 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 2307 times:
Quoting ItalianFlyer (Reply 3): - code share
- productive labor contracts
-code share
-captive audience in a mineral rich state where driving people/freight isn't an option
-code share
-conservative growth and fiscal discipline
-code share
You forgot their expansive code sharing arrangements.
In all seriousness, they have written the book for how a mid-size regional carrier can not only survive in times of economic turmoil, but also in times of massive consolidation.
SANFan From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 4721 posts, RR: 15 Reply 6, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 2241 times:
Wow, what a surprise. I wish Mr. Ayer happiness and success in whatever he takes on next (will he really "retire"?) and congratulate him on the amazing job he's done with TAAG! A job (incredibly) well done!
I am glad to see Mr. Tilden taking the reigns and know he will keep things on the same path of growth and success. I look forward to a great future for Alaska and Horizon!
seabosdca From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 4277 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 2223 times:
Great execution of an innovative and thoughtful business plan.
In particular, continuing to play two of the majors against each other using codeshares and FF benefits is a masterstroke. It makes it very hard for either major to swallow AS, while bringing AS a lot of business.
I root for AS because it's my hometown airline but also because it consistently gives me a solid travel experience. Of course I've experienced delays and annoyances on AS, but never had a trip descend into "cluster***k" territory as often seems to happen on the majors.
Most gorgeous aircraft: Tu-204-300, 757-200, A330-200, 777-200LR, 787-8
BoeingGuy From United States of America, joined Dec 2010, 2309 posts, RR: 7 Reply 8, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 2148 times:
Quoting catiii (Reply 5): Quoting ItalianFlyer (Reply 3):
- code share
- productive labor contracts
-code share
-captive audience in a mineral rich state where driving people/freight isn't an option
-code share
-conservative growth and fiscal discipline
-code share
You forgot their expansive code sharing arrangements.
In all seriousness, they have written the book for how a mid-size regional carrier can not only survive in times of economic turmoil, but also in times of massive consolidation.
Yeah, yet another reason for their success is their extensive code share agreements with AA, DL and to a lesser degree QF, AF, KL, LA, FI, EK, KE, etc.
Staying independent is another very smart move on their part. They have positioned themselves extremely well to remain independent and successful long long after many people have predicted their demise. As I have posted many times on A.net, my belief is that say DL buying out AS might flatter Richard Anderson's ego and maybe (big maybe) line the pockets of a few very short term investors, but just about everyone else would lose except for WN (long term shareholders, customers, employees, communities). It appears that Ayers and leadership see this too and have worked hard to make sure they remain independent and successful and not ancient history like PSA.
as739x From United States of America, joined Apr 2003, 5820 posts, RR: 23 Reply 9, posted (1 year 3 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 2097 times:
Well Congrats to both. Ayer, despite the usual company bashing was a great CEO when I worked there and it was nice to have a CEO know me by name. Brad, IMHO will be a great leader too. He is a pleasant conversation as well and was very receptive the few times I met him. AS is in good hands.
[Edited 2012-02-16 09:56:28]
"Some pilots avoid storm cells and some play connect the dots!"
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 11, posted (1 year 3 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1700 times:
I agree. I think Tilden will be a much better fit as AS CEO. I have no ill will towards Ayer, but some of the stuff he did was not the kind of things I agreed with. I hope they bring back the SEA rampers soon. This was one of the things I did not like.
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
HiFlyerAS From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 606 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (1 year 3 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1657 times:
Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 11): I hope they bring back the SEA rampers soon. This was one of the things I did not like.
I would love to see this as well but can't imagine it will happen. Was there ever a final court-ruling and settlement over the replacement of the SEA ramp?
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 13, posted (1 year 3 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1651 times:
Quoting HiFlyerAS (Reply 12): Was there ever a final court-ruling and settlement over the replacement of the SEA ramp?
I don't know, but I remember something about that the court sided with the union on the wrongful termination part, I believe. Or it might have been something else. I don't know if the final ruling ever came about. Someone else would know though.
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
EA CO AS From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 12561 posts, RR: 64 Reply 15, posted (1 year 3 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1378 times:
Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 13): Quoting HiFlyerAS (Reply 12):
Was there ever a final court-ruling and settlement over the replacement of the SEA ramp?
I don't know, but I remember something about that the court sided with the union on the wrongful termination part, I believe. Or it might have been something else. I don't know if the final ruling ever came about. Someone else would know though.
Unless I'm mistaken, it essentially came down to the court saying that even though the company wasn't necessarily in the right to remove the IAM workers from the SEA ramp, the company provided well over and above what would have been called for contractually and that there was essentially no remedy available.
Bottom line, the IAM will not be returning to the SEA ramp for AS.
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem - government IS the problem." - Ronald Reagan
GentFromAlaska From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2072 posts, RR: 2 Reply 16, posted (1 year 3 months 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1115 times:
Mr Ayers fair winds and following seas.
Man can be taken from Alaska. Alaska can never be taken from the man.
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From United States of America, joined May 2004, 895 posts, 
I agree. I think Tilden will be a much better fit as AS CEO. I have no ill will towards Ayer, but some of the stuff he did was not the kind of things I agreed with. I hope they bring back the SEA rampers soon. This was one of the things I did not like.
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