| Page 2 of 2 < |
Despite Persistent Criticism, Airline Chief Stayed His Course
Flyi chief executive Kerry B. Skeen, center, marks the start of service on June 16, 2004.
(By Tracy A. Woodward -- The Washington Post)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
But Skeen said there was no guarantee that the other options would have worked out better.
Critics questioned Skeen's approach from the beginning. "I applauded what the management tried to do; I just disagreed with their execution. They handled it very badly," Becker said.
The seed for Independence was planted five years ago, when the airline was operating as Atlantic Coast Airlines. For nearly 14 of its 15 years, Atlantic Coast operated as a regional carrier for United and Delta Air Lines under Skeen's leadership. But in the summer of 2000, according to people familiar with the decision, Skeen first pondered the possibility that his airline should venture out on its own. The idea came after United was forced to cancel thousands of flights that summer after United's pilots refused to work because of a labor contract dispute. Skeen became frustrated that his airline's fortunes were tied so closely to United's operations and began looking for ways to end the small carrier's reliance on other airlines.
When United filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2002, United announced plans to lower the fees it paid its regional partners. That's when Skeen decided it was time to go out on his own.
In a different environment, Skeen said, Independence would have been a long-term success.
"We all make mistakes," he said. "I made some mistakes along the way. But I have no regrets. It was a very difficult time in the industry."
Skeen, 53, said he plans to stay with the airline through the bankruptcy process. Skeen said he is most proud of his employees, many of whom continued to work through the holidays and accommodate passengers, despite their airline's impending demise.
The employees, he said, will "have to dust off their resumes," but he said he believes they shouldn't have any trouble finding jobs.
"They'll have something other employers in or outside of the airline industry will take notice of. It's a good thing to have Independence Air on their resumes."
