End of the Year Review
by Bill Leader
DALLAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT received the J.D. Power and Associates Award for Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Large Airports. DFW Airport Board officials as well as airline officials were justifiably delighted. Joe Lopano, executive vice president - marketing and terminal management for DFW Airport, collected the familiar award bearing the airports name. He has carried the award with him to many functions. Officials are quick to point out that all airport employees helped the airport gain this prestigious award by providing efficient and friendly service to that one essential element without which the airport could not exist THE PASSENGER.
AMERICAN AIRLINES, disguised as Santa Claus, brought some early gifts to about 500 furloughed employees. On Thursday, December 13, the Fort Worth-based airline announced the recall of 247 flight attendants and four days later (Thursday, December 17) announced the recall of between 200 and 250 maintenance people.
BEFORE 2007 became history, President George W. Bush signed a bill into law Thursday, December 13, which extends the mandatory retirement age of airline pilots from age 60 to age 65. It is the Fair Treatment of Experienced Pilots Act. This piece of legislation passed through the U.S. House and Senate and the final signature with amazing speed. The House approved the piece of legislation Tuesday, December 11, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, December 12, and then on to President Bush's desk for his signature Thursday, December 13. Since 1959 when the mandatory retirement age of 60 was put in place the rule has been in contention. For younger pilots it will mean slower advancement into the larger airplanes and captain's seats. But some of the older pilots believe few pilots will want to continue flying past age 62. A person who retires at age 62 becomes eligible for Medicare.
DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) Executive Vice President Douglas A. Allen informed Irving city leaders that DART rail will likely miss its 2011 deadline to extend the Orange Line to Irving. The $988 million costs has escalated to between $1.8 and $1.9 billion. It is a case of a shortage of materials steel in particular that is creating the delay. The announcement was a blow for DFW International Airport. The Orange Line is the line that is to extend out to a station at DFW International Airport supposedly by 2013. There is a strong need for public rail service to DFW Airport from both Dallas and Fort Worth. However some "emergency funds" were found to extend Hwy. 161 south from Hwy. 183 to Hwy. 30 to help speed traffic to the new Dallas Cowboys Football Stadium under construction in Arlington.
On Tuesday, May 22 ญญ officials of the Chesapeake Energy Co. staged a ceremony for the start up of drilling for natural gas at DFW Airport. The Oklahoma City-based company paid the DFW Airport Board $185.6 million for the exclusive right to drill on the airport's 18,460 acres.
Tuesday, December 4 ญญ John Terrell, DFW Airport Board's vice president - commercial development, unveiled plans to develop an area southeast of the airport ญญ south of the DFW Car Rental Center ญญ into a mixed development to be known as the Southgate Plaza development. The develop envisions two hotels, shops and restaurants. Tuesday, January 7 U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the much-coveted Beijing-United States to United Airlines. United Airlines had petitioned for the new route from Dulles International Airport, Washington D.C. to Beijing. American Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Continental Airlines were all hoping to win the route. American Airlines had wanted to fly between Dallas/Fort Worth and Beijing. An issue with the pilots over extending their 16-hour duty day had the Fort Worth changed their route application flying from Chicago O'Hare in the westerly direction and into DFW eastbound. The DOT rejected this application.
Wednesday, January 10 US Airways, which proposed a merger with Delta Air Lines November 15, 2006, upped the ante. The first proposal offered unsecured creditors 78.5 million shares plus $4 billion in cash. Now US Airways offered 89.5 million shares and $5 billion in cash. The offer is only good until February 1, 2007.
Friday, January 12 Eddie Morris, an American Airlines fleet service clerk, was severely injured when a push-back tug ran into him on the ramp area between Terminals A and C. The accident happened shortly after 10 p.m. during driving rain. Mr. Morris's legs had to be amputated. He suffered from a crushed pelvis. DFW EMTs (emergency medical technicians) carried Morris to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.
Monday, January 22 Angel Biasatti, who was manager of public affairs for DFW International Airport from 1982 to 1999, started with the Chesapeake Energy Corporation as the Barnett Shale marketing manager. Chesapeake Energy announced it would begin to drill on DFW Airport's property in March this year.
Wednesday, January 31 US Airways dropped its hostile $9.8 billion bid to purchase Delta Air Lines. Having gone to the Delta board of directors and having been rejected, US Airways went to the airline's creditors. However, a key group of these creditors came to the conclusion that Delta Air Lines and its employees would better off on a stand-alone basis.
Saturday, February 3 The U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command delivered one of the last F-14 Tomcats to the OV-10 Bronco Association and Forward Air Controllers Museum at Meacham Airport, Fort Worth. Admiral Jim Lair, who heads up the TSA security program at DFW Airport, suggested the air force make delivery of the fighter jet part of its routine training mission thus there was no expense to the museum and no extra expense to the taxpayers.
Monday, February 5 M. Lamar Muse died of lung cancer at the age of 86. He was the first chief executive of the new Southwest Airlines. Herb Kelleher and Rollin King hired Mr. Muse in 1971. In 1972 he became involved in a fare war with Braniff Airlines. Muse refused to lower the fares of Southwest Airlines but offered each travel a bottle of premium liquor such as Crown Royal whiskey. But, in 1978 after a boardroom battle he resigned. In 1981 with his son, Michael, Mr. Muse went on to start his own airline, Muse Air. Muse Air was the nation's first non-smoking airline. It advertised itself as all-executive class but it did not make it and in 1985 was sold to Southwest Airlines for $70 million. Mr. Muse had spent many years in the airline business. In 1960 he joined American Airlines as vice prsident - corporate planning. In 1965 he was president and chief executive officer of Central Airlines based in Fort Worth.
Wednesday, February 7 The Airbus A380 double-deck super jumbo took 200 journalists for flight over the Pyrenees. The airplane had two (drinks) bars. The A380 was the seventh to be built and is to be delivered to Etihad Airways in 2009.
Friday, March 2 Negotiators from the United States and the European Union met and proposed an agreement loosening restrictions on air service between the United States and the 27 nations that make up the European Union. The unions representing American Airlines pilots and also the AFA (Association of Flight Attendants) opposed the greater access of foreign airlines into this country. They see increased competition as a threat to their jobs. It is hinted that this treaty could lead to foreign airlines operating inside the United States.
Monday, March 19 The Airbus A380 the largest jetliner in the world landed on U.S. concrete for the first time. The four-engined double-decked jetliner, which can seat 800 in an all economy class configuration touched down at 12:10 p.m. (Eastern Time) at New York's JFK Airport. Capt. Juergen Raps, Lufthansa's chief pilot, said it was "like driving a Ferrari."
Tuesday, March 20 American Airlines began installing new personal video and audio entertainment devices ofr its Business Class cabins on its fleet of 58 Boeing 767-300s. Each aircraft is to be equipped with portable entertainment devices that feature a 10.6 inch monitor. Their system offers up to 14 feature films, up to 15 hours of pre-loaded televison and news programs, 50 music CDs, 10-15 music vidoeas. There are also 14 American Airlines banded audio channels, including headline news stories and a variety of games. Language options include English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Italian.
Thursday, March 22 The 27-nation European Union and the United States agreed to an "open skies" deal lifting restrictions regarding trans-Atlantic flights between the United States and the European Countries. Only four airlines have the rights to fly to Britain's London Heathrow Airport British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and United Airlines. European negotiators are seeking to have European airlines fly domestically inside the United States. European negotiators state they have the right to suspend some service from the United States if further talks do not lead to more concessions from the United States within three years.
Tuesday, March 27 Jerry Grinstein, CEO of Delta Air Lines, announced at an investors' meeting that Delta will emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, April 30. Delta Air Lines has operated under Chapter 11 protection since September 14, 2005.
Wednesday, April 4 Kevin E. Cox, senior executive vice presient and chief operating officer for DFW International Airport, decided to accept an offer from American Airlines. An attorney and an accountant, Cox was with the airport for 16 years. He finished with the airport on Friday, April 6, and started his new job as vice president - community affairs with AA on Monday, April 9.
Thursday, April 5 John Terrell, vice president - commercial development, presented a tentative plan for the development of the remaining 5,239 acres of DFW Airport property.
Thursday, April 5 Andrew "Andy" Bell returns to DFW Airport Board with the position of vice president planning. Jim Crites, executive vice president - operations, introduced Bell to board members at the April 5 board meeting. For the past two years Bell had been managing director of Kellogg, Root and Brown.
Monday, April 9 AirTran Airways and its pilot union, The National Pilots Association, announced their support of the FAA's (Federal Aviation Administration) plan to extend the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 60 to 65.
Friday, April 13 American Airlines flight attendants rallied outside the company's headquarters on Amon Carter Blvd. in protest of the $160 million some top executives will share under a Performance Unit Plan.
Wednesday, April 18 American Airlines pilots marched from their APA (Allied Pilots Association) headquarters. Ralph Hunter, president of the APA, led the march. In front of AMR Corporation headquarters, Hunter talked about the "arrogance" of top executives in taking their bonuses in light of the employees taking pay cuts. Since union employees voted Yes to the "restructuring" program in April 2003 the employees have given up $7 billion in wages and benefits.
Wednesday, April 18 American Airlines reported a net profit of $81 million for the first quarter (January, February, March) It marked the fourth consecutive profitable for the quarter. American Airlines managed to fill up the seats with a record 78.1 percent load factor during the quarter.
Monday, April 30 American Airlines Federal Credit Union launched their first quarterly magazine cent$
Thursday, May 3 American Airlines took over the former hangar of Delta Air Lines at DFW Airport. American Airlines, under its third party maintenance program, takes in work for 80 other aviation entities.
Friday, May 4 Jeffrey P. Fegan, CEO of DFW International Airport, cut the ribbon opening the new headquarters for the DFW Ambassadors Program. The new headquarters are located in Terminal B, Gate 33, on the non-secure side. The new headquarters were once the VIP lounge of Braniff International Airlines. Dennis Meek, a former DFW Airport Board executive, was determined to save the huge bronze doors a legacy of the flamboyant Braniff Airlines. Meek was a former Braniff employee before accepting a position with the DFW Airport.
Sunday, May 6 Jimmy Wooten, who was appointed Federal Security Director for DFW International Airport April 2002, died. He was 59 years old. Wooten set up the 18 TSA (Transportation Security Administration) security checkpoints at DFW.
Saturday, May 19 American Airlines celebrated the 25th anniversary of its DFW Airport to London Gatwick Service. Braniff International pioneered the flight but went out of business May 2, 1982.
Monday, April 30 Delta Air Lines emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Gerald "Jerry" Grinstein, CEO of the Atlanta airline, states: "This is a great day in Delta Air Lines history."
Wednesday, April 18 American Airlines executives and managers 874 people shared in $160 million in performance-based pay-outs. This irritates many of the rank and file workers of the airline who accepted pay cuts as well as tougher work rules back in April 2003 in order to save the company from having to seek protection from bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Gerard J. Arpey, chairman president and CEO, received a salary of $581,534 during 2006 but stock awards of $8,558,878 plus option awards of $851,398 made his total compensation package to $10,201,059.
Tuesday, May 22 ญญ Chesapeake Energy Co. held a ceremony with a gold-painted drill bit to mark the beginning of drilling for natural gas at DFW International Airport. The company plans to drill about 300 wells from 50 pad sites on the airport's 18,460 acres. The massive Barnett Shale, believed to have one trillion cubic feet of natural gas per every seven square miles, extends west and underneath DFW property.
May DFW International Airport wins the J.D. Power and Associates award for Best Customer Service of large airports in North America. DFW Airport also won the ACI Airports Council International award for Best Customer Service of large airports in North America.
Thursday, May 31 Northwest Airlines having sliced costs by $4.3 billion ($1.4 billion in labor costs) emerged out from under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. The airline sought shelter under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on Wednesday, September 14, 2005.
Friday, June 1 Delta Air Lines kicked off its Worldwide Carbon Offset in which passengers who book through Delta.com may contribute $5.50 (domestic) or $11 (international) to purchase trees to plant to offset the planet-heating CO2s. (Carbon Dioxide). The program is in conjunction with The Conservation Fund. The airline commits to purchasing 47,000 trees one for each of its employees.
Thursday, June 7 Frontier Airlines inaugurated service to Mazatlin, Mexico, on the Pacific coast. There was a Mariachi Band and good eats for departing passengers.
Thursday, June 7 DFW Airport Board awarded $5 million contract to a new entity Visit Dallas/Fort Worth to promote DFW Airport, specifically with ancillary references to Dallas and Fort Worth to cities that have direct service into DFW Airport.
Thursday, June 7 Julie Wilson of the Chesapeake Energy Corporation presented her company's $1,250,000 scholarship plans. She said Chesapeake would offer more scholarship money up to $1,250,000 to match dollar for dollar other efforts to give scholarship money.
Monday, June 11 The 500,000th soldier came through DFW International Airport for the two-week Rest and Recuperation program. There was a grand reception to honor the troops arriving from Iraq.
Wednesday, June 27 DFW Airport Board announced that British Airways will switch its flight out of DFW Airport to London Heathrow rather than London Gatwick. The new service will begin March 30, 2008. British Airways daily service to London will use Heathrow's new Terminal 5. The airport board estimates 185,000 passengers travel between DFW and London each year.
Thursday, June 28 American Airlines announced it will seek U.S.Department of Transportation authority to fly from Chicago O'Hare to Beijing, China. AA would like to begin the service on March 25, 2009.
Saturday, June 30 Terrorists who turn out to be British doctors of Pakistani descent, attempted to ram a Jeep Cherokee into Glasgow (Scotland) International Airport. The vehicle became wedged between two concrete bollards or barriers and thus the vehicle was prevented from entering the terminal where, if it had exploded, would likely have killed hundreds.
Sunday, July 8 Boeing Commercial Airplanes rolled out its first 787 Dreamliner. The company describes the airplane as the "new generation." Its fuselage, wings, vertical stabililzer and even the GEnx engines are made from composite (carbon fiber) materials. The airplane is thus lighter and will consume 20 percent less fuel than any airplane of comparable size. The airplane comes in three sizes with a fourth contemplated the 787-3, 787-8; 787-9 and, coming, 787-10. The roll out deliberately fell on 7 - 8 - 07. On the roll-out Boeing had received 677 orders for the 787 from 47 customers. The airplane started life as the 7E7 the E for efficiency. After a 60 airplane order from the People's Republic of China January 28, 2005, the airplane became the 787.
Thursday, July 12 Alvy J. Dodson, vice president of public safety for DFW International Airport, announced his retirement. He leaves DFW Airport after 29 years to become Federal Security Director for Dallas Love Field.
Thursday, July 12 Robert A. "Bob" Barker, vice president - facilities infrastructure, resigned in order to take of his ill father. He came to DFW Airport June 1996 as superintendent of operations for the Central Utility Plant now known as the Energy Plaza. A former U.S. Navy officer with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Barker was chief engineer aboard the USS Blue Ridge, the Admirals Flagship during the First Gulf War.
Wednesday, July 18 A TAM jetliner an Airbus A320 attempted to land on the 6,362-foot runway of Sao Paulo's Congonhas Airport (Brazil). The airplane touched down but when the pilot realized he was not going to stop in time he took off again, narrowly made it over the perimeter fence but then crashed into a gas station. All 186 on board were killed. Another 15 on the ground were killed. This accident rekindled fears of Dallas Love Field its shorter runways and its close proximity to downtown Dallas.
July Dr. Cedric Alexander, a former police chief of Rochester, New York, is appointed Federal Security Director (FSD) for DFW International Airport. Jimmy Wooten, the former security director, was appointed in April 2002. He died on May 6, 2007. Admiral Jim Lair took on the job as interim Federal Security Director until a replacement could be found.
Monday, July 30 Northwest Airlines canceled 700 flights in four days beginning Saturday, July 28 through Tuesday, July 31. Northwest Airlines came to an agreement with the pilots to bring back more furloughed pilots. The pilots claimed they were under-staffed and once they reach their 90 hours of actual flying maximum they cannot report for work. Thus the airplanes cannot take off. The company attached a plan where employees receive a bonus for perfect attendance.
Thursday, August 16 T.P. "Tom" Donahue retired from his job of division manager - Southern Reservations Office with American Airlines. He put in 37 years with the company starting his career April 1970 as manager under study at LaGuardia Airport. He held the top job at the SRO since November 1988.
Tuesday, August 21 Richard Anderson, 52, a former CEO of Northwest Airlines, was named CEO of Delta Air Lines. Edward H. Bastian, formerly chief financial officer of Delta, became President reporting to Anderson. Daniel A. Carp is chairman of Delta's board of directors. Anderson replaced Gerald "Jerry" Grinstein, who served as CEO during the period of Delta Air Lines Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Wednesday, August 29 Hazel Faye "Candy" Daniels, DFW Airport Board contract specialist who had been with the airport since February 1996 died in the hospital. She had gone into the hospital for what was described as a "routine procedure."
Monday, September 17 FedEx donated a 27-year-old Boeing 727-200 cargo jetliner to the DFW Airport Board. The airplane was originally delivered to Air Canada April 1980. The Boeing airplane, after its engines, auxiliary power unit and other items were removed the airplane is towed to the DFW Airport's Air Rescue and Fire Fighting Center.
Thursday, September 27 KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) announced it will begin service from DFW Airport to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport beginning Sunday, March 30.
Thursday, September 27 British Airways placed orders for 12 Airbus A380s the giant double-decked four-engined jetliners. The London, England--based airline added options for an additional seven. BA selected Trent 900 engines.
Friday, September 28 American Airlines formally dedicated the 344,000-square-foot hangar on the east side as its Hangar 5.
Wednesday, October 24 A celebration was held for the first five years of the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) TSA (Transportation Security Administration) security officers at DFW International Airport. In September 2002, the first TSA security guards arrived taking over Terminal E.
Thursday, October 25 First revenue flight of Singapore Airlines A380 Superjumbo on a flight from Singapore to Sydney, Australia. Exxon/Mobile, headquartered in Irving, Texas, donated the fuel.
Sunday, November 4 Belle Nash, a US Airways flight attendant, who primary works the Washington D.C.-New York - Boston shuttle service, celebrated 50 years of working as a flight attendant. She started with Eastern Airlines and began working on the Eastern Airlines shuttle in April, 1961. Donald Trump bought the shuttle from bankrupt Eastern Airlines and the Trump Shuttle went into service June 18, 1989.
Wednesday, November 28 AMR Corporation announced plans to divest its American Eagle operation. An Iceland investment company, which owned about nine percent of AMR Corporation stock, wanted to see better returns for their investors. American Eagle, which provides passenger "feed" for American Airlines will either be "spun off" or sold to another company.
Saturday, December 1 Marilyn DeVoe is named vice president in charge of American Airlines operations at DFW International Airport. The appointment became effective Saturday, December 1. She takes over from Tim Ahern, who is named vice president - airport services for American's U.S-Canadian Division. Ahern held the job for over five years.
Monday, December 3 Cathay Pacific Cargo began its first direct and eighth flight into DFW Internatioanl Airport. Cathay Pacific had offered daily service from Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, to DFW but then flew on to Atlanta, Georgia., and back to Hong Kong. The eighth Boeing 747-400 freighter flight, which began on Monday, December 3, flies directly into DFW Airport from Hong Kong. And then directly back again to Hong Kong.
Saturday, December 15 A new, more advanced screening device for carry-on luggage went on line in DFW Airport's Terminal D's North Village. Called the Analogic COBRA (Carry-On Baggage Real-time Assessment), the machine incorporates some of the CAT scan technology used in hospitals. It gives TSA security officers the added benefit of looking at objects three-dimensionally.
Thursday, December 13 President George W. Bush signed into law The Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act. The bill had passed through the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously on Tuesday (December 11), then Wednesday (December 12) through the U.S. Senate, also unanimously, and finally on the President's desk Thursday, December 13, where it was signed into law.
And that's the way it was for 2007. We wish all our readers a wonderful 2008. Our hope here is that somehow DART will be able to speed up delivery of light rail service to DFW International Airport. Coming up in March KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will offer direct service to Amsterdam with connections to the Middle East and Africa. And British Airways and American Airlines both plan service into London Heathrow.
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