The airlines, what’s new and what’s not, will be American Airlines executive Robert L. Crandall’s hot topic at a business leaders breakfast April 20 at the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
He plans a no-holds-barred question session about an industry that appears to be whirling in a downward financial spiral. Doors open for registration at 7:30.
“Few airline industry veterans have the experience, insight and vision of Bob Crandall,” explained Bill Lennartz, president and CEO of the museum. “He rarely comes to San Diego, so this gives us an exclusive opportunity to meet one of the industry’s top leaders.’
It is said that Crandall is not shy about making tough and controversial decisions while maintaining a commitment to financial acumen.
In the post-deregulation period of the 1980s, when other airlines were going broke, he tripled American Airlines’ revenue, reversing its billion-dollar net loss into a billion dollar net profit, and transformed it into the nation’s second largest international air carrier.
Under his leadership, American introduced the “hub and spoke” routing system, perfected the industry’s first computer reservations systems and rewarded frequent travelers with a bonus program.
Harvard Business School named him one of the 20th century’s American business leaders, and Wall Street called him “the man who changed the way the world flies.” Forbes magazine referred to him as “Sky King.”
“¢ Under the new title of San Diego Air and Space Museum, a busy and comprehensive children’s Aerosummer 2006 program will begin June 26 with Space Adventures for school grades 5 and 6.
This will be followed by Up, Up and Away July 10 for first- and second graders, Reach for the Sky will take place July 10 (Gillespie Field) and Flights of Fancy for grades 6 to 8 is set for July 15.
Others include Destination Mars, July 17, Aerospace Investigators July 24, First Flight, July 24 (Gillespie Field), Aviation Adventures, July 31, Second Stage, Aug. 7, Airport Explorers, Aug. 7 (Gillespie), First Flight, Aug. 14, Silent Flight, Aug. 21 and Modeling Fun, Aug. 21 (Gillespie).
“¢ The 13th annual Motorcycles in the Park is scheduled for the month of April at the San Diego Automotive Museum.
The Antique Motorcycle Club anticipates more than 100 two-wheelers of all description and vintage. The museum will follow this show with off-road vehicles May through July.
“¢ Golf legends Billy Casper, Gene Littler, Phil Rodgers and Scott Simpson will be the featured speakers at the Hall of Champions’ Sports at Lunch on April 12.
These San Diego players have won many of golf’s prized national tournaments.
“¢ Last month, the Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theatre announced a major five-year fundraising campaign, projected to raise $75 million by the Theatre’s 75th Anniversary in 2010.
“Our organizational strength and artistic successes have brought the Globe national recognition, record ticket sales, major Broadway-bound projects, increased community support and balanced budgets,” said Executive Director Louis Spisto. “It is our responsibility as San Diego’s cultural landmark to do all we can to assure this institution’s long-term vitality, which has been an essential part of the fabric of this community for over 70 years.”
Currently, the Globe has an annual budget of more than $16 million yet maintains an endowment of only $3 million.
For more information on Balboa Park and its events, log on to www.balboapark.org.
