An RAA fall meeting understandably marked by apprehension and uncertainty also assumed a palpable air of cynicism this year, as an industry whose fate appeared so dubious after 9/11 continues to grapple with the consequences of the U.S. government’s “war on terror.” With threats of imminent bankruptcy at United Airlines, the prospect of a war with Iraq, continuing economic sluggishness and upgraded terrorism warnings aimed specifically at the airline industry, those regional airline executives who attended the October 13 and 14 meeting in Washington, D.C., seemed in no mood for revelry, despite the impressive traffic gains RAA members have registered lately.
As usual, RAA reserved talk about subjects of any real sensitivity for its closed-door meetings, where the association scored high marks for attracting such noted speakers as TSA undersecretary James Loy, FAA Associate Administrator Nick Sabatini and DOT deputy secretary Michael Jackson. But it didn’t take long to recognize the subdued tenor of the entire event, as the usual merrymaking and good-natured banter of pre-9/11 meetings yielded to the hushed tones of private dialogue and cellphone communiques.
