Originally Posted by
Timbo
I was hired under Mr. Garrett and you are right, one of the last of the 'breed'. Over the years since I have often wondered why Ron Allen wasn't more like Dave Garrett, since Ron was born and raised at Delta.
I've come to believe the reason is, Mr. Garrett was in the military and served in WW2, he had a different way of workign with people. He put his people first. He would often show up for a flight, unnannounced, sit in coach, and see how our 'product' was being delivered.
RA showed up with 6 serveants, extra gate agents to help clean first class and make sure his flight got out on time, and he ever served anyone, but himself. The word I heard when talking to people who worked directly under Ron was, "You tell him what he wants to hear, or you're fired!"
And I agree the one mistake I saw by Mr. Garrett was putting Ron in charge intead of Hollis Harris. But as you said, that might not have been his decision.
Just for clarification, the RA to whom you refer is Nella Nor, and NOT Richard Anderson. The current RA is much closer to Mr Garrett than Allen ever hoped to be. (comment not intended to stir debate)
He was slightly before my time, but everything I have ever read or heard about Mr Garrett says to me that he was a first class gentleman, and the kind of CEO that is sorely needed in America today. Delta and the airline industry as a whole is a little weaker in his passing.