FAA History Lesson -- September 8

From the FAA Historical Chronology, 1926-1996...

” Sep 8, 1993: An administrative law judge recommended that DOT deny the application of Friendship Airlines, later renamed ATX, to operate as an air carrier. The company had been founded by former Texas Air chairman Frank Lorenzo. Although DOT ordered the judge to reopen hearings, he reconfirmed his recommendation on Dec 22. On Apr 5, 1994, DOT rejected the application, citing past safety and regulatory compliance problems experienced by airlines run by Lorenzo. ”

Just in case some of the younger folks out there don’t remember Frank Lorenzo, you really should read up on him. Trust me, he’s one history lesson you don’t ever want to repeat.

”By the mid-1980s, he had acquired a reputation for vicious business practices that were particularly unfair to the labor force. By filing for bankruptcy at different points in his career, he was able to bypass unionized labor and impose harsh working conditions on the employees of his various corporations.”

Sound like anybody you know ?

”I’ve said it on several occasions: I cannot and will not sign a contract we cannot afford. -- Marion Blakey, May 19, 2006

Don Brown
September 8, 2007