I know of one former Wing CC that is plugging along at a regional....3 years or so while guys in his units have been hired. One bad pirep is probably not a big deal. If a handful of guys--or more--are reminding the airline management that the pilot in question was a tool when he had a little power, it will be noted. One guy...maybe sour grapes. A couple...a leader has to make hard calls and cannot make everyone happy. More than that? Well...with 10,000 apps maybe we just give this other guy a call.
And remember--who is running the show at the airlines? While there are some former heavy hitters from the military, many of folks who are at the airlines were "quitters"...junior or mid level officers who left to pursue money, a better quality of life, or less overall BS. Many who did get out continued to serve in the Guard. If you ever had an active duty guy belittle or hassle someone in the total force, you can understand how some resentment can accumulate.
Point is I know of guys still riding the bench. Not sure but suspect very much they got some bad words being spun about them...