-- "Everyone gave them the benefit of the doubt. It was their game to lose and they've done it spectacularly,”

-- "Mr. Mann contends United Continental's woes are rooted in the fact that it cast off United's revenue management systems in favor of Continental's, which were suited to a smaller airline."

-- Ms. Becker, however, is not convinced. “The basic blocking and tackling you're talking about should have been done. . . .Frankly, if the people in charge can't do it, there should be new people in charge.”

-- “They have a gold mine with this network. Everyone gave them reams and reams of rope to get this together because this was going to be wonderful,” she said. “When you have what should be wonderful and you squander it, that's management.”