Newer airplanes meant lower costs, a trend that has continued ever since.
In 2003, a low point for aircraft sales, Airtran moved again, ordering up to 100 new 737s. "We got a really good deal," Leonard says. "We know it because today, we are selling airplanes at a substantial profit." Leonard knew Boeing, where he went to work as a flight engineer after graduating from Auburn in 1965. He subsequently filled executive jobs at Northwest (NWA Quote) twice, at American and at AlliedSignal, rising to CEO of marketing before leaving a safe job at a strong company to join AirTran. In his first stint at Northwest, Leonard worked under chairman Donald Nyrop. He says Nyrop "taught cost control with religious zeal," approving every expense over $19.95, and "was a really tough guy from the old school. Praise from him was a lack of criticism. "To me, that's the way it's supposed to be," says Leonard, who still lunches annually with Nyrop, now in his mid-90's. "I have high standards and expect people to deliver."- Loading Comments...
- Loading Comments...
Featured Photo Galleries
| Dow Jones | S&P 500 | NASDAQ | 10-Year Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,270.47 | 1,093.48 | 2,167.88 | 34.29 |
Oil *
75.55
|
|
UP
73.00
|
UP
6.24
|
UP
18.86
|
DOWN
0.17
|
10 Yr
3.43%
SPDR Gold
109.74
|
|
+0.72%
|
+0.57%
|
+0.88%
|
-0.49%
|
Data delayed 20 minutes |














