I'm the first to criticize where it is due, but this is off base. RG was not born out of Freedom Airlines. He was the Chief Pilot of the ERJ operation out of Charlotte when it was on the Mesa Certificate. He then followed the ERJs to Orlando when they were put onto the Freedom Certificate. (This was Freedom B, not Freedom A) Freedom A was non-union, alter ego. It was shut down. The certificate was used to build up the Delta code-share as Freedom B and was ALPA using Mesa Pilots, with one seniority list. Totally blessed by the union.

I worked under RG for years. He was an excellent Chief Pilot, who was consistently fair, and stood up for pilots. He was well respected by line pilots. I dealt with him on several occasions over many years. Sometimes because I needed something from him... sometimes because I needed my @SS chewed on a little bit. He always handled everything with predictable equity and common sense. I was not his friend, or his buddy. But I'll call a spade a spade. He was a decent guy who did a very good job under tough conditions.

I don't know the politics but he was let go after Freedom lost the Delta flying and we parked 36 jets. If he was the "reason" for losing that flying... Why would Delta let him come over to Comair? He wasn't the reason for anything! If anything he got a raw deal - but we all get raw deals from time to time. Looks like he's done well for himself - and who can blame him if he's a bit bitter. I don't.