Yes, just one...IMHO.
You could have Herb Kelleher, Gordon Bethune,
and Greg Brenneman running this new United and there would still be a significant group of employees who would whine about it.
For the last 35 years there have only been two US carriers in the "legacy" category that have
arguably held the best US reputation...Delta for about 20 years and Continental the next 15. United has always been big or one of the biggest, but it has rarely been viewed as the best from an industry standpoint.
The three most charismatic, smart, visionary and with the necessary
gravitas, individuals I've seen in this business could not bring the new United to a best category unless they seriously started getting rid of old dinosaurs that do not have the "best" DNA as part of their genetics. This particular type of DNA doesn't magically appear based upon contracts or management. This type of DNA comes from adult personal maturity and professionalism. It certainly doesn't arise from the notion that being the "biggest" automatically makes you the "best."
God as chief couldn't get the job done unless he performed a miracle. A change at the top would not do a thing. The new United is 87,000 employees...
87,000! The dinosaurs are going to have to become extinct. Old lizards aren't good for much of anything anyway except boots.
Just in case you were wondering...Truman was president when I was born. I qualify for the category.
