It is being reported that Delta CEO Ed Bastian skipped another White House meeting yesterday, which continues a trend. What is about the White House, if anything, that keeps Bastian away?
Delta CEO Ed Bastian Skips Another White House Meeting
Yesterday, airline officials from all major U.S. airlines joined a video conference with the White House to discuss domestic flight testing. All airlines were present…except Delta.
During the Trump Administration, Bastian skipped two airline summits at the White House. Even though these summits were on issues of direct importance to the Delta CEO, he was unable to attend either meeting. Once, he claimed it was due to a pre-planned family vacation that could not be modified. The second time, it was due to the death of his mother.
A family vacation and a funeral are not just good, but excellent reasons to skip meetings. It is not clear why he skipped the White House meeting this week, which did not even require his in-person attendance because it was held via video conference.
It makes me wonder whether Delta feels face time with those in power is actually counterproductive. The notion of “out of sight, out of mind” comes to mind, though Delta certainly was not shy about approaching lawmakers and federal officials about the need for further bailouts (even though Delta did not even furlough any flight attendants).
My own life experience has taught me that work is primarily accomplished based upon the relationships you have. I would think that whatever his politics, cultivating a relationship with White House leaders of both parties could pay dividends later. You take the meetings you can get.
CONCLUSION
Perhaps I underestimate the power of Bastian. Maybe he can pick up the phone and secure an audience with the White House at a moment’s notice. But I still find it curious that Bastian seems to put a low priority on White House meetings, especially in an age in which Executive Orders are becoming so much more prevalent.
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I applaud of him for not taking a party here. He doesn’t like both sides. Great job.
I like this way of looking at it – Mr. Bastian is “above politics”!
I think you meant meetings instead of matings: “…but excellent reasons to skip matings.”
Otherwise, the mind boggles 🙂
Or maybe it’s because he thought he had Secretary of Transportation in the bag and it went to someone else??
Majestic typo in para 4 haha
Considering the vast amount of cash Delta has gotten- and trying for even more – joining a video conference with the single person who has the most regulatory control over your company is not only prudent but minimally polite. I suppose that after showing such boundless contempt for their loyal members with multiple rounds of surprise devaluations during a pandemic, Delta could be seen as having contempt for the government that regulates them as well. At least then they’re showing contempt for everyone, showing some kind of gonzo egalitarianism.
His lobbyists make sure he buys and owns anyone of importance. Why waste time when you control the outcome anyway. It’s good time management.
Agree. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to repeatedly snub the leader of the free world. Especially after you led the charge in raising holy hell over ME3 government subsidies. Bastien has cajones I’ll give him credit there. You’d think there’d at least be some fear of DL’s board of directors over this type of thing, but clearly that’s not the case.
Chicken guts.
It’s unclear from this blog post, but did Bastian send a deputy in his stead? That completely changes how this should be interpreted.
Nope, my understanding is Delta sent no rep.
Hmm … well, that is weird. I’d have understood if Delta sent some delegate, but it is very hard to understand why they wouldn’t. You’d think that the corporation would want to protect it’s bottom line. Thanks for the follow-up!