JoePatroni

Since there were "many people capable of running the airline" how about some names? You obviously are much smarter than the BOD.

AllenAllert

I'm not trying to protect myself like the BOD seems to have been. You've been hanging around Willis bumping elbows with the elite of the brain trust - I'm sure you could pick one or two more capable than OM.

It's Friday.............l

Old UCAL CA

Saw this in the the San Antonio Express - News today:




By Andrea Rumbaugh April 7, 2016


Gordon Bethune, the former CEO of Continental Airlines, covered a variety of topics during a recent interview with the Chronicle:

On Jeff Smisek, the former CEO of United Airlines
"Jeff saved our butts so many times," Bethune said, helping Continental with securities law, hostile takeovers, refinancing after Sept. 11, 2001, and other serious issues facing the airline.

Bethune, who hired him in 1995, said Smisek spent years learning the airline business and was a knowledgeable industry executive. But he couldn't overcome adversity created by the merger.

"I think he was dealt a pretty bad hand on the merger agreement, something that I wouldn't have signed and I told him that," Bethune said.

Among headwinds facing Smisek was labor distrust at United, Bethune said. Labor and management hasn't had a long history of getting along in Chicago, he said, and the integration of the two airlines didn't get off to a happy start.

Smisek resigned in the wake of an internal investigation related to a federal probe of the airline's dealings with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Media reports said the latter investigation concerned flights that United reinstated and that a former Port Authority chairman used to travel to and from his weekend home in South Carolina. Yet Bethune described Smisek as "one of the most honest people I know."

On Oscar Munoz, the current CEO of United Airlines
Munoz replaced Smisek in September. He called Bethune, who recruited him onto the Continental board, for advice, and they met in Chicago.
"I told him what I thought he should do, and he took notes and he did it. And he's good at it," Bethune said.

He recommended that Munoz visit workers and say hello. "Show some respect to the workers because they haven't had it for a while, and that will get you off on the right foot," Bethune said. He also said United should stop outsourcing jobs.

Bethune emphasized that his proxy fight isn't about Munoz.
"They're not even talking about Oscar because no one is going to replace Oscar," he said.

On new international flights at Hobby Airport
Last October, Southwest Airlines began flying international from Hobby Airport. This is the first time Hobby has had scheduled international service since 1969.

"Transportation isn't about having 20 airlines," Bethune said. "It's having one airline be your partner, just like Delta is Atlanta's partner and American is Dallas' partner. Houston needs a really good transportation system to attract companies to move to Houston."

He said it's not smart to split international service between two airports. Let's say a traveler wants to fly from France to Cancun, Mexico. He or she could fly to Bush Intercontinental Airport and then connect to Mexico. But with more flights departing Hobby Airport, Bush may cut back on its frequency of flights, which increases layover times. The traveler may then opt to fly through another airport, like Dallas or Atlanta, offering a shorter layover, Bethune said.

"Every year, Houston's going to slip a little," he said.

JoePatroni

There's that pesky fact thing again. You throw some BS statement out, get called on it, and that's the best you can do? The BOD "protecting" themselves? Keep digging, China is getting closer.

AllenAllert

What - you got tired of playing with the pigeons. Yes, the board protecting themselves. There are plenty of well qualified people to run the airline. OM drew the short straw and parlayed past position at the railroads into mega-win for himself. The illness gained him plenty of sympathy from the rank and file needing comfort after being released from the JS rule. Still a pig-in-a-poke until he does something significant. GB says he a good man - let's see if he rolls with takeover crowd, sides with FL or stays with people that made him 'supreme leader number 1'. Time will tell but Carry On -----

It's Saturday----------------!

Flytolive

He is obviously clueless about real world corporate governance.

JoePatroni

Who are the qualified people and why are they qualified? Just because you keep repeating it doesn't make it true. You obviously think the BOD is incompetent, still waiting for one fact or shred of evidence that your BS argument holds any water whatsoever but I'm not holding my breath.

JoePatroni

It's actually amusing.

Boeing Aviator

Pete M,

That's why I don't trust Gordo. Even though Smisek, is the single largest reason for our post merger woes, Gordo still raves about Smisek very publically. Gordon also chased of the real brain child of the CAL turnaround Greg Brennerman. Gordo made sure when he left CAL Smisek moved up to President under Kellner.

Let Gordon count all the millions he made on the sidelines, but stay away from the UAL BOD as the talking head for his hedge fund buddies!

How's retirement?

gettinbumped

And the AFA, and the IAM, and ALPA. All of whom have come out in support of Mr. Munoz. During the contract extension you inferred than anyone who was voting yes was a company shill and anti-ALPA. Of course you were on the losing side of an 80/20 split. Now ALPA has come out in support of OM, yet you still make up lies and produce wildly insane and unstable theories. So I guess that makes YOU the one that's anti-ALPA.

I can count on 1 finger the number of people on this board that don't think you're clinically insane. And he will respond to this post in 3.....2.....1