With high hopes for the public and the entire air travel industry, the US Federal government deregulated the airlines in the 1970s. The effect was chaotic fares, fewer airlines and a decline in service. This book discloses how good intentions went wrong and how deregulation's promising take-off led to a disastrous nose dive. Tracing 18 years of deregulation, the authors survey and analyze all the clashes, and describe the colourful characters who have changed the face of the industry. The book explains why the start-up airlines never succeeded, and how computer reservations and the hub-and-spoke airport system strengthened the larger airlines while strangling smaller ones, creating a debacle that continues today.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Travel reporters Peterson ( Travel Weekly ) and Glab (former managing editor of Travel Management Daily ) use their knowledge of and contacts in the airline industry to provide this account of what must be one of the most mismanaged operations in America. How else could one explain the fact that, according to the authors, U.S. airlines lost $6 billion in 1990 and 1991, a sum greater than the profits earned by the airlines since commercial aviation was launched in the 1920s. In examining how the industry got itself into such a mess, the authors argue that while deregulation put in motion the events that would shape the future of the airlines, myriad other factors played parts as well. The firing of the air traffic controllers during the Reagan administration, the downsizing of the Federal Aviation Administration and, most importantly, the merger and acquisition craze of the 1980s were some of the events that helped create a financially troubled industry. The book is enlivened by descriptions of the colorful men who ran and still run the airlines and although the authors identify no clear heroes, there are plenty of villains, most notably Frank Lorenzo and Carl Ichan who the authors suggest ruined Texas Air (comprised of such subsidiaries as Continental and Eastern Airlines) and TWA, respectively. Those who are interested in corporate wheeling and dealing will find this an enlightening and enjoyable read. Photos not seen by PW .
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Instead of increasing competition, lowering costs, and improving service, the 1978 airline deregulation resulted in poor service, a confusing array of ticket prices, questionable safety, and fewer airlines. United, American, and Delta emerged as the deregulation winners; losers included Pan Am, Eastern, Braniff, People's Express, and Midway. Thoroughly researched and well written by experienced writers on the airline industry, this work paints colorful portraits of the airlines' prominent figures, including Bob Crandall of American and Carl Icahn of TWA, as it assesses the consequences of deregulation. There is also some discussion of the impact of Sabre (American's computerized reservation service), frequent flyer programs, super-saver fares, wage scales, and international competition on the industry. This is solid reading about the industry, politics, and business; highly recommended.
William A. McIntyre, New Hampshire Technical Coll. Lib., Nashua
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
William A. McIntyre, New Hampshire Technical Coll. Lib., Nashua
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Deregulation in the skies over America.,
By
This review is from: Rapid Descent: Deregulation and the Shakeout in the Airlines (Hardcover)
This is a nice view of what happened when Kennedy, Kahn, and Carter deregulated the airline business in the late 1970s and the resulting chaos caused by this new law. A stable industry was thrown for a loop as new laws were implemented, and the old ways were thrown out. Such venerable companies as Pan Am, Braniff, and TWA went out of business. Predators in the business (Ichan and Lorenzo) bought up companies and vowed labor confrontation to bring down costs. Some companies(United, American, and Delta) became giants in the industry. This book describes the immediate aftermath of the airline deregulation act. More people flew and were employed in the business, but many lost their careers and incomes in this consolidating industry.
I think the authors did a wonderful job of depicting the industry up to 1991. I would have liked some more information on the early part of the industry, since this may have shed more light on their various philosophies. Overall a great book on the industry.
1 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT DETAILED EVENTS OF THE NATION'S AIRLINES.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Rapid Descent: Deregulation and the Shakeout in the Airlines (Hardcover)
USED AS TEXT AT EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY. EXCELLENT ADDITION TO ANY AVIATION LIBRARY....!!
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