Delta and Boeing Bid Farewell to ‘Spirit of Delta’

[Paul]

“The Spirit of Delta†– Delta Air Lines’ employee-purchased aircraft – this week continues its farewell tour and final flights in key Delta markets before returning home for permanent display at the Delta Air Transport Heritage Museum in Atlanta. The Boeing 767 aircraft, a symbol of pride for Delta people, today touches down at 2 p.m. at Boeing Field to mark its retirement in the city where it first took off more than two decades ago.

An additional stop at Payne Field in Everett, Wash., is scheduled for Wednesday.

Both events will allow Delta and Boeing employees to take one last ride aboard The Spirit of Delta. Additionally, adults and children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a local Delta-sponsored organization, will participate in Tuesday’s festivities.

“The Spirit of Delta is more than just an aircraft. More than 20 years ago, Delta people defined our company’s culture – one that would include teamwork and dedication to seeing the company through difficult times in pursuit of making our airline the best in the world,†said Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein. “Though our industry has changed considerably since 1982, these same characteristics remain as Delta people work to build a strong, profitable, competitive company based on a vision of shared future success. While The Spirit of Delta will not fly again after this tour, I believe the spirit of Delta people can and will.â€

WebWire

The Spirit of Delta

 

[hp_fa]

"Both events will allow Delta and Boeing employees to take one last ride aboard The Spirit of Delta. Additionally, adults and children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a local Delta-sponsored organization, will participate in Tuesday’s festivities."

OK, let me get this straight. Delta is in the midst of reorganization and yet they have the money for a fairwell tour for an aircraft to give employees and contractors "one last ride"? I understand that this plane is special because the employees literally bought and gifted it to the company, but in this day and age of having to cut wages of some of those same employees isn't this a little unneccesary?

If I was on the Unsecured Creditors Committee I would be screaming at and to the Bankruptcy Court.

 

[Flufdriver]

hp fa...you don't understand, it's Delta! They have different rules and ways of doing business. I'm sure we will hear from WT about how this is good for all at DAL.

 

[Borescope]

Why not sell it and give what little they can get for it back to the employees.

 

[Flying Titan]

Actually, I give Delta a lot of credit for this farewell tour...for several reasons.

As we were all taught as kids, it's important to say "thank you." This is a nice and appropriate gesture to do so.

It's also a very good marketing opportunity. I would imagine that there have been television news reports, newspaper articles and perhaps a few radio interviews along the way during this tour. I'm sure that Delta has put out press releases in each market and probably had some photo ops, as well. That amount of publicity is certainly worth more than the cost of the flights.

Finally, keeping it in a Delta museum hangar is smart because heritage matters. Unlike many companies, Delta seems to get this. It promotes employee pride and a connection w/ the hometown folks in ATL.

All in all, I think Delta is doing a good job w/ this.

 

[a320av8r]

Is it just me or does it seem appropriate that "The Spirit of Delta" is being retired with all of the labor strife at DL?

 

[etops1]

i think it's a good thing delta is doing. the employess need this right now . to get there mind off of all the b/s. it's kinda of like the (heritage logo) that was introduced to us at airways. i say good for them. and goodbye to the "THE SPIRIT OF DELTA".

 

[WorldTraveler]

Actually, Boeing and GE are on DL's creditors committee. Boeing provided funding for the refurbishment. GE just dropped millions of dollars on Olympic charters provided by DL; DL's creditors are very supportive of what they are doing.

If you read ALL of the article, you will see that employees are not the only ones getting to ride on the Spirit. DL is using the aircraft for promotional purposes with the public - a very important function to be performed during difficult times. DL is reorganizing - not being given last rites. And by all accounts, DL's reorganization is happening much faster and accomplishing more than any of the bankruptcies that proceeded it.

The Spirit of Delta is about survival in the midst of adversity - a story that is unchanged in 25 years.

 

[luv2fly]

The Spirit of Delta is about survival in the midst of adversity - a story that is unchanged in 25 years.

What would you know about the spirit of DL?

 

[WorldTraveler]

Actually, I flew the Spirit of Delta from DFW to BOS 23 years ago. I'd show you the frequent flyer credit for the flight but even I don't keep paperwork that long. There was a very good Reader's Digest article about the Spirit of Delta shortly after it came out.

I've flown DL for years and DL's customer service and employee dedication was legendary. It has suffered for sure in the past few years but it will come back. I commend DL management for giving it another try.

 

[hp_fa]

Actually, Boeing and GE are on DL's creditors committee.

Just so we are clear, I think I stated unsecured creditors. Boeing and GE are, or should mostly be, secured creditors.

 

[WorldTraveler]

Boeing is DL's largest unsecured creditor. DL's commitments to buy aircraft are considered unsecured debt and Boeing is the largest creditor - secured or unsecured. GE is largely a secured creditor as you note.

 

[flyhigh]

...wouldn't be a real surprise if Boeing is actually paying for this. It's good for their PR too. With the partners DL had...I really wouldn't be too surprised to see some folks from Coke, Home Depot, UPS, etc on there helping out too.

 

[robbedagain]

I remember the days when the Spirit of Delta was painted with the white top silver bottom and the red and white and blue stripes with the widgets. It looked cool then and even today it looks nice. I think I may have a photo of the ship 102 with the old widget colors somewhere

 

[LCC_#1]

OK, let me get this straight. Delta is in the midst of reorganization and yet they have the money for a fairwell tour for an aircraft to give employees and contractors "one last ride"? I understand that this plane is special because the employees literally bought and gifted it to the company, but in this day and age of having to cut wages of some of those same employees isn't this a little unneccesary?

No more than the new US Airways flying an airplane with a new livery across the fruited plain right AFTER reorganization.