ADI IGNATIUS: Heres another question, this is from Cincinnati, Ohio, really a couple questions about data and analytics. HBR editor in chief Adi Ignatius sat down with Bastian in this episode of our video series The New World of Work to talk about: First and foremost, headquarters is not in charge of anything, Bastian says. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Bastien likely would have gone if he thought the meeting would be productive, but he made the executive decision that it wouldnt be and used his planned vacation as an excuse. But if hes like most of his peers, Im guessing that isnt normally an excuse. I cannot believe this many business travelers cannot see this. Im sure one of them maybe could have fit this into their agenda !? You must have a workforce that has differing views on it, how do you make this make sense: that we really need to be together? Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel. ADI IGNATIUS: Im always interested in the path that people take to the C-suite, to the CEO role. This may make it seem as if he has adopted a competitive lifestyle, but actually the marathon was the result of a bet he made with his Delta employees. Ed Bastian Shoes Ed Bastian loves He was the oldest of nine children raised in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. This is his personal decision and literally has nothing to do with his other decision to miss the Trump meeting at which his presence would have had no material immediate, or long-term impact. Six months later, at the request of then-Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein, he returned to the airline to serve as chief financial officer. The, Read More 20 Things You Didnt Know About BrainQContinue, Headlining one of Americas largest and oldest conglomerates is certainly not a small task, and its important for whoever has the reins of GE to be ready for it. Perhaps they went to a nice hotel or home whose reservation could not easily be moved. Certainly, finding a seat on an airline willing to get him where he needed to be would not have been a problem. Delta since its inception has been sound. Weve made a commitment as a company that by the end of the decade, a full 10% of our flying will be done using sustainable aviation fuels. What Do I Do If Someone Stole My Social Security Number To Get a Job? Bastian senses which way the wind was blowing and slipped out on the meeting knowing he would be unable to defend his illogical, protectionist arguments in person in from of Al-Baker and the President, and decided to spare himself the embarrassment. Business reporter Kelly Yamanouchi covers airlines and the airport including Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, one of the world's largest carriers, and Hartsfield-Jackson, the world's busiest airport. I think the figure was that 8,000 Delta employees have contracted Covid within the last four or five weeks, lots of flight cancellations, not just for you, but for the industry. A few years later, Bastian was named partner at age 31. And fortunately, the CDC took our input. Say what you will about Trump, but his word means nothing, and being present would have just been embarrassing for Bastian as it was for his counterparts at UA and AA. [2] This prompted a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, leaving many PWC executives with marred careers. I dont understand how serious an issue this is. What is Ed Bastian salary? Doing the things primarily out of staying out of the news is pure cowardice. All hitting at the same time: the confluence of Omicron, the most infectious variant weve seen, coupled with the highest demand level. The meeting topic was Qatar Airways and Air Italy, two carriers Bastian has decried for years. I think I gave him the benefit of the doubt while just noting the ramifications of his choice. Saturdays 1 p.m. news conference featured a number of big names: Bastian, Utah Gov. Thank you for recognizing that. Family comes first. Secondly, we carry, at Delta, millions of people a week. So its hard to see how an accountant by trade becomes CEO of an airline, but when you start thinking about what makes accountants successful, its people that are able to read financial statements, read financial data, and be very, very comfortable in analyzing and finding good solutions from the data. How has the use of data analytics helped Delta stay ahead of the curve in the industry? Do a weeek later. And we still, to this day, we have a lot of questions that we dont have the answers for, but people respect the fact that were honest with them. Weve been bringing a whole new generation into the company, and theyre doing a fabulous job. "I wasn't making an environmental statement or a new age statement. Shame on the Author. Maybe he just didnt feel like talking to a racist that daycant blame him, No matter what your intention was but this was unnecessary and makes you appear petty. personally and/or professionally, as well as individually as Ed or as a representative of Delta (as Deltas CEO)? Mr. Bastain didnt found Delta Airlines but he was critical to its financial recovery after, ironically, returning to Delta in 2004 upon the request of then-CEO Jerry Grinstein of Delta. We were hearing early on that, while its highly contagious, the impact seems to be a lot less than the original virus, and the guidance with respect to quarantine and isolation had never changed from the very first onset of Covid almost two years ago. He drives a Tesla to work. We use the term headquarters. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. People are excited. WebEd Bastian is married. We make decisions here, hundreds if not thousands of times a day, and we need to be really good decision makers. My guess is he knew it was going to be a dog and pony show with no real results, especially with a president that is more interested in growing trump properties overseas than with issues at home. Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord. One of my favorite wedding memories! Clearly if Bastian had thought it was important, he would have been there, its his job that he gets paid a ton of money to do (I made far less money than he did when I worked at a Big Law firm, where I was expected to be available 24/7 and cancel vacations/doctors appts/whatever at the drop of a hat if I was needed by the partners, so I have to believe the CEO of Delta would also be expected to be as available when necessary). As we operate a very, very complex and sophisticated scale company on a global basis, 24/7. The first time he stepped on to an airplane was after he graduated college at 25, flying to the Interview with Price Waterhouse in New York City. Staffing all in the right places. Eds really did great things for all the families of Delta employees who will pay the price for his dissing the President and his fear of being in the same room with Al Bakr. To the extent Bastian wanted to push his misguided agenda forward, the best way to do that was not showing up. > Read More: Dense, Dimwitted Logic From A Deliberately Deceptive Delta CEO However, interested individuals, Read More How The Transportation Industry Plans on Saving The EnvironmentContinue, American entrepreneur Wycliffe (Wyk) Grousbeck has served as the Chief Executive Officer, governor and co-owner of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association since he acquired the franchise in 2002. Its not like going to a restaurant or going to movies where youve got various options. Not sure what your point is. Sorry you disagree Arun, but as someone who owns a company and is forced to travel often for in-person meetings, I cannot stress how important personal presence is. Need more examples set like this. Way to go, Ed Bastian! Could he have made last-minute arrangements to attend said meeting and meet up with his family mid-vacation? 7. We worked through it. Family and down time is critically important for everyone. I disagree with Bastians protectionist take on the ME3, but I wouldnt have canceled my vacation either as this meeting was never going to advance that cause. The couple operated a dental practice from within the family home. We had a very, very large early retirement opportunity for our people as voluntary. Why didnt he just send someone to stand in for him ? As a supervisor in the Lets face it Delta now has a million (yes over the top) evps, svps , vps and directors. Thanks. And you think about the world needing air travel. Unfortunately that meeting was set up at the very last minute as I was heading out of the country with my family on a long scheduled one week vacation that would have caused me to cancel the vacation with my family. Theres an endless number of topics that you could pick on a social matter to engage in. But more important than ever, I think its all given us a chance to sit back and ask ourselves the tough questions as to why do we do what we do? He says he has to keep working hard for her, and this may be one of the role model type examples of how you can stay motivated to keep healthy and working no matter how successful you become. Perhaps his absence was a strategic ploy for a second meeting with the chief spokesperson at the table for the U.S. side. I have no sympathy for this guy. A lot of people dont have options, they need to travel and they need to get to where theyre at. Family first. It really needs to be a support center to the people out in the business that are making it happen out in the field. Fortunately theres been no severe illnesses caused by it. Do something for them or the country. I get that Bastian works hard all year, his family is also busy, and this trip was likely very carefully planned. In 2021, Bastian will assume the ED BASTIAN: I think everyone in this environment needs to ensure theyre staying very, very close to their people, theyre communicating, that theres a level of transparency about whats happening, and never more so than their travel experience with all the challenges that you highlight. Ed Bastians daughter Brittany Bastian got married to Nathan Gannon in August 2020 A Deep Dive with Ed Bastian | Detroit Economic Club. Skift Take.. 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