Hard Landing: The Epic Contest for Power and Profits That Plunged the Airlines Into Chaos

by Thomas Petzinger and Thomas Petzinger Jr.

Book Overview

In this updated paperback edition of a "rich, readable, and authoritative" Fortune) book, Wall Street Journal reporter Petzinger tells the dramatic story of how a dozen men, including Robert Crandall of American Airlines, Frank Borman of Eastern, and Richard Ferris of United, battled for control of the world's airlines.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812928350
• ISBN13: 9780812928358
• Release Date: December 1996
• Publisher: Crown Currency
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Well written !

As a retired airline employee , I really enjoyed this book . Well researched and written , it was like reliving the Deregulation days all over again . A terrific read . Hard to put down .

I wish I hadn't read this book...

because I would love to go through the experience of reading it for the first time again. I work in the Airline Industry in Australia in an operational role that has aspects of Industrial Relations associated with it. To read a book that relates so many interesting and insightful stories into the trials and tribulations of De-reg in the US and the power plays between the various airlines and the Unions was nothing but fascinating.Well researched, well written and very enjoyable. I recomend it to anyone employed or aspiring to airline management

Stranger -- and better -- than fiction

This book was thoroughly engrossing, and the executives profiled are like actors in a Greek drama. The only downside to the book is that it stops in 1996, and so much has happened since then. But Hard Landing provides all the behind-the-scenes information that helps you understand the airline industry today -- the innovations such as reservations systems, frequent-flyer programs, discount pricing and hub-and-spoke route maps, which we all take for granted today. In his postscript, Petzinger notes that the industry was relatively stable when he concluded the book, but that he awaited its next crisis to see how its leaders respond. Well, I think it's safe to say we're there now. The Greek drama continues.

Better Than Fiction

Mr. Petzinger has written an engrossing and completely engaging history of the airline industry. This work ranks alongside of business histories such as Barbarians at the Gate. He provides a thorough, yet not overly drawn out, history of the beginnings of the airline industry, and demonstrates the disaster that deregulation of the industry created, both for customers, airlines, and their employees. Some might object that Petzinger portray Stephen Wolf in a light less than flattering; I would argue that Petzinger's characterization of Wolf as a controlling and mean spirited CEO is more than accurate.

Powerful read about one of our major industries

Mr. Petzinger makes a very confusing, controversial, and always timely subject very accessible. As the son of a long-time manager in the airline industry, I was able to track events from my childhood by different labor strikes, airline births and deaths. The attention to the founding of the industry and the always unique position held by the airlines in making America what she currently is is exceptional.

Mr. Petzinger handles a complex subject very, very well.

As an airline professional with one of the carriers covered extensively in the book, I was skeptical as to whether any author could present a clear picture of the industry's inner workings. "Complex" is somehow an inadequate word when applied to the airline industry, especially since Deregulation. Mr. Petzinger, however, has succeeded not only in telling the story; he has done so in an entertaining style which makes for a fascinating and highly informative trip through all of the turmoil wrought by deregulation. The reader comes away with an understanding of the cause and effect of every relevant force affecting the airline business over the last few decades. This, combined with a comprehensive overview of the industry's formative years, makes this book a treasure. The book would be a 10 except for a couple of minor research errors. The content, however, is outstanding and compels me to use an overused cliche: this really is a must-read for everyone in the industry and anyone with even a passing interest in the airline business.