Companies that vanished: Eastern Air Lines grounded by deregulation, union buster

Eastern was the first airline I flew as a struggling college student on his first vacation. And the first airline'as frequent flyer club I joined. And the first airline I got bumped up to first class in. Somewhere along the lines after its demise I purchased a cocktail glass from a joblot store with the original Eastern logo on it! In the early 90's the defunct Consumer Reports Travel Letter reported that a group of investors was trying to resurrect the Eastern Airlines name. I guess they still are! We wish....they had the best service and the most flights to all the right destinations.

My Mom worked for EAL in CHI Res in the 70's and 80's. She made so many wonderful friends there, many of which we are still in contact. It would be so amazing to see the Silver/Blue again, I hope she lives long enough to take one more "fam trip". What a blast down memory lane for me. I agree about Lorenzo, what a miserable excuse for a human being. When EAL failed, Mom lost 1/2 of her pension, her health benefits, and all travel benefits.

EAL was 23 years of the best in my life, it was a company/airling par excellence there has been none to compare. I was Manager Sales and Service Antigua. As an eastern family member I look forward to hearing more of the company that I and my family have such fond memories of.

My husband, Bill Haney, (and our whole family)loved EAL as much as he loved anything. I was stuck in the Ionosphere Lounge in PIT when they closed. The worst loss to the airline industry. His memorial had a huge EAL plane floral arrangement. We also, like too many,
lost our life savings of insurance and like many started over after 34 years. I would like to live long enough to see them revived. Milly

I was at slcrr. remember all the paycuts but we did it to keep us in the air. EAL is the only thing I'd give up my retirement for. sandy

Memories are all well and good. But in todays environment you'd be out of your mind to begin and airline! Fuel prices so out of control and people wanting to pay $50 for a round trip coast-to-coast there's no way to earn enough to stay viable.

As an 18 year employee at Delta Air Lines I've seen this industry eat itself. Southwest Airlines is doing well ONLY because of fuel hedges that have limited the rest of the industry ability to charge higher prices to cope with the fuel costs.

I recently flew from San Francisco to Cincinnati and the cost of fuel alone was $15,005.24. One airplane, going one destination, in one day. How many flights a day does Delta have? Imagine the fuel bill. Yet, the cost of flying has not kept up with the expense of flying.

Memories are one thing...reality is another.

The effects of EAL going bankupt is still discussed in aviation circles. One of the best airlines was sabotaged by first: Frank Borman; secondly: Lorenzo, who gave EAL the fatal blow. May those two "Executives" rot. They reduced the best airline to a puddle jumping, no redeemable routes
sham of its' former self. Bring back the proud bird of the past. Maybe EAL will be renamed "Phoenix"!

I was a flight attendant for eal from 1978 until 1991 was on a layover in tpa when cnn news on tv told us our fate. I use to be involved with fcap fellowship of christian airline personnel and wonder if it is still active.

What I miss about EAL is their A300 flights. The most quiet of any airline. I also miss being able to park in the MIA company parking lot and catching a ride across the ramp to the terminal to hop on a cross country flight just to watch a movie and eat in first class for a nominal fee. As you might guess, I miss working in Miami for EAL with the flight benefits. Now in Canada, I would go back to EAL in a heartbeat for the comraderie of the workforce. May Charlie Bryan roast in H*LL!

I worked for EAL for 14 years in ATLRR - was there the day we 'closed the doors'. It was a sad day. Wow - I have so many wonderful memories - working with great people (we were like one big happy family), nice customers and not so nice customers, pass riding, girl trips, family trips...those were the days. I'm still proud to say I worked for a great company with so much wonderful history - bring it back!!!!!!!! I have airline blood flowing in my veins and would love to be a part of 'the New EAL'.

IM A FORMER AIRCRAFT MECHANIC WHO WORKED JFK/MIA. LIKE A MAJORITY OF THE RESPONDERS HAVE STATED , IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO WORKED AT, THE GOOD TIMES HAD AND THE GREAT FRIENDS MADE. BUT IM SORRY TO SAY THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER EAL. THAT WAS TAKEN CARE OF BACK IN 3/89, BY LORENZO AND THE FIRST IDIOT BUSH. ANYTHING STARTED NOW WOULD JUST BE A SHELL OF WHAT EASTERN USED TO BE. YOU SEE THE ONE THING MISSING WOULD BE THE 30,000 OR SO EMPLOYEES THAT WERE LOCKED OUT OR WHO HONORED OUR PICKET LINE IN MARCH 1989

I worked for Eastern A/L for 25 of the best years of my life. We really were a "family" at Eastern. I loved the aircraft, the people, the travel privileges,
and the work.
What Frank Lorenzo and Frank Borman did to Eastern should have put them behind bars. I'm always saddened when I hear the unions being blamed. The contracts offered by Frank Lorenzo were designed to guarentee a strike, it was what he wanted. He sold off all the valuable assests that he didn't "give" to Continential, braking numerous laws in the process. Only the government could have saved the A/L by enforcing the laws that were already on the books, but George the first (Bush) let him get away it.
Many fine people were caught in the fall out.
Only the PBGC saved a portion of my pension by forcing him to sell an aircraft to partially fund the retirement plan.
For 25 years of service I get $476. a month;
at least it's something.
I would be first in line to buy a ticket if Eastern Airlines were to come back.

I, too, am an airline brat! My daddy, Joel Clark, worked in ATL crew scheduling for over 20 years. Daddy left eal in 1979 to go to Federal Express in Memphis to help setup their pilots' crew scheduling but he was always loyal to eal and hated what happened to it. I have many memories of pass riding alone as a child and being treated like a queen by the crew. All of the crew loved my dad and I was always so proud to be his daughter when I was flying with you. He passed away in 2000 but I would be thrilled to fly in his memory with the eal name again. Julie Clark Cervantes

Everybody makes Frank Lorenzo out to be some monster?! When he wasn't. The Union was the monster. The monster that created a monstrocity of life changing effects. Were it not for Mr. Lorenzo, Continental Airlines would not even be what they are to this day. He is a brilliant Maverick of our modern times. A wonderful human and hero to our country. So quit your liberal whining and be proud of being an American like he does.

I was a flight attendant from 1965-1967, based in NY..flew out of all three airports. I only quit to get married, as we were not allowed to be married at that time. I had Bobby Kennedy on at least 3 of my flights from NY to Washington. It was a great adventure & I'm still fascinated by aeronautics...I got a college degree from the U. of Houston in humanities, recently, but I'd still rather fly than do anything else. I've kept my looks up (ha), so if the airlines ever start hiring again, I'd love to try it. I still have my wings. Does anyone know the location of the former school in Miami? Since I didn't have a car I was always a little disoriented down there. I wish passengers would dress nicer and behave better, as in the old days.

Does anyone know where to cash in an Eastern Airlines 5% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED Debendure due in 2008?

I worked at Eastern when they took a percent out of pay check and issued a debendure due at 2008 of face value $1000.

I appreciate any help fro anyone.

Thanks you Niko