Originally Posted by
CRM114
The non-union mid-level management positions that actually make the airline run have been decimated over the past decade. To a large extent, those who have the depth of talent to run the airline have either retired, been fired, or have moved on to better pay and conditions. Jeff is no doubt a huge disappointment to employees, investors, and passengers but firing him doesn't solve the brain-drain that UA has suffered (for the record, I say fire him anyway).
When I was in the service the people who moved the mountains and had their finger on the pulse were the senior enlisted. An officer in a leadership position without one (or more) of these was doomed to failure. They were loyal, capable, patriotic (the equivalent here of buying in to the company vision) and they knew their people. I think you're right. These positions are being eliminated and when they're replaced their being replaced by 2nd lieutenants who, while sincere, are incapable of filling this experience gap. A recent college grad on the ramp with a clipboard making checkmarks on a form won't change anything.