Freefall: The Needless Destruction of Eastern Air Lines and the Valiant Struggle to Save It
In this credible assessment, former Eastern Airlines executive Robinson notes factors and names of those whom he blames for Eastern Airlines' downfall. In his appraisal of the company's place in aviation history before and after its 1986 takeover by Frank Lorenzo, he attributes a large share of the airlines' problems to conflicts with unions (inherited by Lorenzo from Frank Borman), along with the Aviation Deregulation Act of 1978. The author also recounts vain attempts to revive Eastern after bankruptcy was declared in 1989, an effort made by a court-appointed trustee assisted by Robinson himself. However, he charges that much of the fault for Eastern's demise rests with bankruptcy court Judge Burton Lifland, whose rulings thwarted the purpose of bankruptcy laws to defend the interests of company creditors and, if needed, insure orderly liquidation of remaining funds. The author concludes that the "incompetence . . . animosity and vanity" of individuals killed Eastern. Photos not seen by PW.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.