JAL CEO Cuts His Own Pay Below That of Pilots

[Matt Molnar]

After being forced to offer early retirement buyouts to many of his pilots, JAL CEO Haruka Nishimatsu thought it was only fair that he cut his own perks and salary. He now makes the equivalent of US$90,000 a year.


For comparison, I compiled a list of what the CEOs of the top US carriers took home last year despite alienating most of their customer base with deteriorating service, laying off tens of thousands, weaseling out of pension obligations, and doing a generally abysmal job.

W Douglas Parker, US Airways Group: $11.34 million
Lawrence W Kellner, Continental Airlines: $10.33 million
Glenn F Tilton, UAL: $5.55 million
Douglas M Steenland, Northwest Airlines: $1.81 million
Gary C Kelly, Southwest Airlines: $1.21 million
Gerard J Arpey, AMR: $1.10 million
Richard H Anderson, Delta Air Lines: $600,000
David Barger, JetBlue: $257,270

It's probably no coincidence that the CEOs of the country's best run airlines are on the bottom half of the list.

[mirrodie]

That is a great story. And something that should be all over the news.

WOndering, is Arpey's figure with or without stock options? IIRC his salary was $650000.

[G-BOAD]

Very honorable move on his behalf, i hope more executive could follow in his example!

[stuart schechter]

Very honorable thing to do for him and his airline.

[cancidas]

now there is a smart man.

[Informant]

There's something you don't see....ever.