WA707atMSP From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 2042 posts, RR: 13 Reply 2, posted (11 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 7075 times:
R. I. P., Mr. Garrett.
In my mind, he was one of the most under rated airline CEOs of all time. His leadership enabled DL to thrive under deregulation, even as DL rivals like EA and UA struggled.
I'm sure he was saddened to see DL lose its way after he retired, but at least he lived long enough to see DL recover and reclaim the legacy he helped create.
deltaflyertoo From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 1589 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (11 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 7004 times:
Quoting WA707atMSP (Reply 2): In my mind, he was one of the most under rated airline CEOs of all time.
Indeed! I actually never heard of him until this post but followed deregulation very closely and have tones of books on it. To that end when academics write about deregulation or wherever its documented you only hear about Crandall (American) Wolf and Ferris (United) Lorenzo (Continental, Eastern, etc) Icahn (TWA) and somewhat Don Burr (People Express). Yet with all the high profile drama and theatrics over the first en years of deregulation its interesting how Delta marched on and by 1987 I would argue was clearly in the Big 3-setting stage for what they are today.
“Dave Garrett was the very embodiment of Delta -- a keeper of its invaluable traditions but also a leader who led the expansion into the Western U.S., elevating the air line into a powerful national carrier,” said former Delta CEO Jerry Grinstein, in a statement. “It was during Dave’s tenure that the people of Delta gave a 767 to the company, a perfect symbol of what make’s Delta unique. That gift also represents the continuing trust and respect at every level of the company that is Dave’s very special legacy.”
His son, Dave Garrett III, shared with Delta the memory of his father taking coffee to employees at the airport on cold days.
“Delta people cannot imagine how important they were to him,” Garrett III told the airline. “From the time I was a little guy, Delta was part of our family. And whenever he talked about what made Delta great, it was about the people.”
catiii From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 2277 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (11 months 3 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 6062 times:
I also understand from talking to a few employees here in Atlanta today that they're doing the memorial service under the 767 in the Heritage Museum. Nice touch.
mayor From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 9187 posts, RR: 14 Reply 7, posted (11 months 3 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 6035 times:
Quoting catiii (Reply 6): I also understand from talking to a few employees here in Atlanta today that they're doing the memorial service under the 767 in the Heritage Museum. Nice touch.
How appropriate, as he was CEO when "Project 767" was hatched and when the a/c was given to the company.
"A committee is a group of the unprepared, appointed by the unwilling, to do the unnecessary"----Fred Allen
floridaflyboy From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 1985 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (11 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 2716 times:
Mr. Garrett definitely left a legacy and his reputation extended even beyond the walls of Delta. My grandfather was a NW pilot and very involved in labor relations with the company through ALPA. He was very impressed with how Mr. Garrett worked as a team with the Delta people. He fondly spoke of a time when, on a flight from ORD-NRT, a flight attendant mentioned to him that Mr. Garrett was traveling on the flight. He said he had to take a moment to step out there and shake hands with him. Condolences to the Garrett family.
dl021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 11, posted (11 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 1833 times:
He was a gentleman, and an effective CEO who led Delta through times other airlines didn't make it through, with little drama and extraordinary good will from employees and passengers.
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