Sep
2
Written by:
frequent flyer
02/09/2009 20:17
Like most people I have been on holiday this summer, also like most people I packed enough books to last four times the length of my holiday !
One book in particular took my eye whilst in the book shop pre holiday, Michael O'Leary: A Life in Full Flight. Now successful businessman/women fascinate me and I enjoy reading their biographies, this was no different.
The book proved to be a fascinating read that was a real eye opener, now for those who are not familiar with Mr O'Leary, he is currently the CEO of Ryanair Holdings Plc. To give you a brief synopsis Mr O'Leary started out as Mr Ryan's PA and rose quickly to become the CEO.
The book tells a full and frank account of how he rose to the top and made Ryanair Europe’s most profitable airline (by just about any means possible). Believe me when I say any means possible.
Some of the High/Low lights include:
- Cancelling a competition winners prize of free flights for life because she tried to book a flight at short notice. http://short.ie/oz0noe
- Fought a disabled man in court over an £18 wheelchair charge. http://short.ie/ngp4ft
- Refused to change a flight for a passenger (Child and Parents) who could not return from a family funeral on the day booked because the little lad was ill (He felt it would set a precedent).
- Publicly harangued the then Irish Transport minister 4 days after her husband had died over the airport monopoly at Dublin Airport.
Mr O'Leary clearly says any publicity is good publicity! I guess his statistics bear fruit to that idea. Whilst you take an instant dislike to the man a small part of you comes away admiring what he has achieved.
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