DL + NW = Sheer Stupidity

It has come to this....the traditional "full fare" carriers are entering MERGER-MANIA and so the courting of Delta and Northwest has gone beyond nudging to full fledged fluid swapping. So why is this stupid? Aren't some "low cost" airlines like Frontier having problems too? Well let me set the record straight.



First - I am fond of Delta and I am not an expert air industry analyst. If flying were a drug I'd be an addict - Platinum Medallion on board (and a private pilot). I want Delta to survive and thrive. I grew up on Delta - literally - because my father worked for them and this allowed me to see the golden days of flying when planes were admired and service still meant something to an airline. You could say Delta and me...we have a history.



Second - this is not a done deal yet, but let's face it - the Bush Administration likes big business and this merger creates one heck of a big airline. Want to bet me that United and U.S. Airways aren't close to their latest lovefest? How about American and Continental? Ohhh...consolidation is the wave of the present so get ready for 3 majors in the U.S., more packed planes, screw ups on baggage, and disgruntled employee's that are upset their horse didn't get picked. By the way, did I mention Unions yet? Are you getting anxious? Personally I am beginning to experience hypoxia!



Domestically the large, full fare airlines are getting killed because they have to compete on many routes with low fare airlines like Southwest, AirTran, JetBlue, Frontier and Spirit. These airlines cost structures are far lower than the majors and in the latest Airline Quality Ratings AirTran, JetBlue and Southwest topped the list with the majors a very distant 4th and below. When American business starts figuring this out and making the low cost carriers their carrier of choice expect to see more regionals at the airport near you. Notice how Aloha got put out to pasture by go! (a Mesa airline) and while I am at it let me address Frontier. They are based in Denver and contrary to what you might believe United didn't push them into bankruptcy - Southwest did along with First Data Corp. They entered the Denver market in 2006 and in two years have caused some serious heartache for both United and Frontier. In other words competition is abundant in the airline industry and what the majors are finding out is that frequent flyer programs don't buy loyalty - cheap fares and good service do and with the cost of oil going up and the incompetence of the majors to show transparency they cannot compete domestically - they must expand to international routes. So here we go....merge away.



The problem is simple. Growing your business to be global protects you from some market fluctuations, but it introduces new competition - and with fledgling startups like V Australia and others on the horizon the promise of survival in international waters seems like a red ocean strategy to me.



So skip the fact that Delta has a streamlined Boeing fleet and Northwest has a hodge podge, that Northwests pilots oppose the merger, none of the hubs will be closed and the integration issues of pulling together two very different cultures...consider this fact. The airlines were deregulated in 1978 and got there fully around 1983. Most airlines didn't fully embrace deregulation until the late 80's so we essentially have a 22 year old industry. Like most 22 year olds I know it is not about the future or longevity - it is abut the here and now. So to me this wave of mergers is like 22 year olds having babies and getting married - not concerned about the future or how best to get there...only immediate gratification. Simply put - sheer stupidity.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

I have a good friend named Jason Steele who is an all around good guy and very good writer. Jason has written extensively on his blog about his problems with the TSA and his run in with another Jason Steele (his real name isn't Jason it's Josh Clyde Steele -- another crooked politician) over the leasing of his web site to his political rival.

Now Jason has found out that the root of all his problems may be this guy. His incarcerated twin.

You simply can't make this stuff up. Check out his blog posting for complete details.

May the Best Aircraft Win

I find it funny that Boeing has lost a $40 billion contract for tankers to Airbus, the European consortium that builds the likes of the A340, A380, and in this case the A330 MRTT / KC-45, which is a modified A330-200. This entire thing is like a calamity of errors and pure stupidity. Boeing put forth it's 767, not nearly as capable an aircraft for the tanker mission as it's 777. Airbus put forth its A330 which has variations that compete with both the 767 and larger 777.

Congress meets and decides the A330 is better than the 767 and recommends its purchase and awards a contract. Did Boeing ever propose the 777? You guessed it - NO. The CEO of FedEx is on the panel and tells congress they are making a big mistake in not considering the 777. Duncan Hunter, a Congressman from California sounds the alarms and yet Congress persists in purchasing the A330. That's a fantastic idea - the 777 has outsold the A330 worldwide, it has a larger payload, range and fuel capacity - but alas Boeing has outsourced its brain and now has to play from behind to keep Airbus from claiming its $40 billion prize by filing a protest.

I commend Airbus for their efforts and zest in fighting for this contract, but do you think it as stupid as I do that we have a far more capable aircraft that can do even better than the one selected and both Boeing and Congress missed the proverbial boat? Oh well, with what the government saves by awarding the contract to Airbus they can pay unemployment to the saps at Boeing that got caught napping....or buy more $500 hammers.

The Blog That Wasn't

I spent the last four days with some friends of mine on a guys weekend playing in the 2008 WSOP Circuit Event at Caesars Indiana. During our four days there of gambling, drinking and just having a good time I meant to write a blog called the "Drunken Blog", but alas I never turned on my computer and didn't even check my work email. So knowing that few people will read this and even fewer will make comments about it I am going to summarize the entire trip into a few one liners that you can pick and chose from to ask me about later when I see you.

1. The great race between the Infiniti G35 and the Honda Odyssey.
2. Dale DaCruz finishing 55th in a field of 622 at Event #4 of the WSOP Circuit Event.
3. The drinks aren't on the house?
4. Snoring - everywhere!
5. The "Legend".
6. The 75 year old master of the "vogue"
7. Jerry Donovan's bed time pool.
8. Kasey Lynn
9. The food was actually good - Cleos Philly Cheesesteak.
10. The drunken throw down at Legends.
11. BB King's ribs - phenomenal.
12. 3 card poker and the WSOP table game.
13. Spencer hitting two straight flushes within minutes with the same cards.
14. So much water everywhere.
15. Great time - next time let's pick a different location.

TOP 10 THINGS THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ERIC SAY AT THE SPA?

One of Meredith's friends wrote this - I am assuming because she knew Meredith and I went to a spa together for a bit of pampering a few weeks ago - and I found it so funny I felt it should be shared.

TOP 10 THINGS THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ERIC SAY AT THE SPA?

1O. Does this look like ringworm to you?

9. This isn't the same oil that my Mommy uses....

8. Refers to the cucumber slices as dippers for the champagne.

7. Careful, that tattoo of Minnie Mouse is still healing.

6. I thought I ordered the NASCAR Package with the Richard Mani-Petty....

5. Can we get this on DVD?

4. Careful with the Swedish meatballs, Doll -- this isn't IKEA!

3. Instead of a pedicure, can I get the word "Meredith" shaved onto my back?

2. Meredith, I left my wallet at home....

1. Can I keep my thong on for this?

Building Back Up

In 2007 I got divorced - in all honesty my marriage had been over for more than 3 years. Having no children made the experience better, but divorce is not easy no matter how you go about it . It left me gun shy to give my heart to anyone and took me some time to allow someone to join me in spirit because I had built walls to protect myself.

It is amazing how the blossoming of a new relationship can impact your spirit and change your view on the world in the most positive and amazing ways. I have finally found someone that I choose to share time with, want to develop a meaningful relationship with and fondly think of when she is not in my presence.

She has penetrated my walls. I think she is beautiful, smart, funny, and we share with each other what we did not have before. I know she is going to read this and I want to thank her for giving me the best birthday present I have had in years. I want her to know I am thinking of her. I want her to know I hope we create something truly special.

For you.

Love,
Eric

My Birthday - World Autism Awareness Day

Today is my birthday...and every year there seems to be some "event" or "day" that someone dreams up to accompany it. Usually I find these links meaningless, but today is different. For many years my cousin and her husband have fought tooth and nail to see that their autistic son has the best upbringing he can have and provided all the unconditional love they can muster. I admire them for that and in recognition I take this opportunity to point out that today is "World Autism Awareness Day" to help raise our awareness of autism and the struggles of families with an autistic member.

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. There is no cure for autism and the symptoms range from quite mild to severe. While autism rates are increasing around the world, its causes remain unknown and there is currently no test to help prevent it.

Autistic behavior such as hand flapping, tapping and mouthing objects, toe walking, rocking back and forth, head banging, and vocalizing have led researchers to consider that those with autism are overly sensitive, under-sensitive, or both. Autistic people may share common behaviors which appear in all sorts of combination and vary in levels of intensity.

The World Autism Awareness Day celebration revolves around the hope that in the future, improved research studies and technology, as well as increased awareness and compassion among members of society will help to improve our knowledge and understanding of and responsiveness to autism.

I encourage you to learn more about autism by visiting the Autism Society of America and challenge you to make a matching donation to my recent $20 in the name of bringing solutions to all families with autistic members.