http://www.people.virginia.edu/~mdz4c/blog Because there aren't enough insane, semi-literate rants on the Internet already... en Copyright 2005 by Matthew Zimmerman blosxom simplerss20 (modified) 180 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss /rants Thu, 16 Jun 2005 23:01:00 EST <p>So United Airlines recently declared bankruptcy, which is not surprising given the generally poor fiscal state of most American air carriers. The company also recently <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/12/AR2005061201367.html?sub=AR">decided that it had to default on $9 billion of pension obligations</a> [washingtonpost.com-- try <a href="http://www.bugmenot.com">bugmenot.com</a> for a registration], which will affect 120,000 employees and retirees. I understand that when a company is in such severe financial straits, there comes a place where you have to take a step as drastic as that. If there isn't the money, there isn't the money. But I don't understand what United's CEO says later in the same article:</p> <blockquote> Last week, United Chief Executive Officer Glenn Tilton testified to the Senate Finance Committee about $4.5 million he is receiving from United to replace benefits he had accrued over a 32-year career at Texaco, his previous employer. Tilton said that the default will not affect the payment, and that he has $1.5 million left to collect. He said this does not represent a double standard because United promised him the money in his contract. </blockquote> <p>This guy is a jackass. Of the highest order. He's a multi-millionaire. He runs a company whose 80-year-old retirees are now applying for jobs at Wal-Mart to make ends meet, and demonstrating by his actions that his own $4.5 million is more important than the retirement benefits of his employees. True, maybe a few million dollars wouldn't stave off a pension default for long, but nonetheless it points quite clearly where his true loyalties lie.</p> <p>I fly to Chicago for work on a fairly regular basis. Since O'Hare is a United hub, they are almost always the cheapest, and about two years back I got a frequent flyer account to take advantages of the regular trips. But now, I feel sick about this. I don't know if I can patronize a company run by a man who acts like this, who insists on being overpaid even when his company is screwing over the people who were most loyal to it. I think I'm going to cut up my frequent flyer card and mail it to Mr. Tilton. This makes me so angry I'm having trouble finding the words.</p> http://www.people.virginia.edu/~mdz4c/blog/2005/06/16/#35_fly_the_friendly_skies_my_ass http://www.people.virginia.edu/~mdz4c/blog/2005/06/16/#35_fly_the_friendly_skies_my_ass