Originally Posted by APC225

This is a short term view and an incorrect correlating of events. Munoz did not move us forward. Smisek was holding us back like a gorilla sitting on a puppy. Once he was gone a huge five-year weight was lifted, the employees could breath again, and they started moving back to their natural state of enthusiasm for working at a possibly great airline. That Munoz was out of commission the entire time that the numbers were improving shows that even an empty block at the top of the org chart was better than one with Smisek's name in it.

Bethune is a pilot if nothing else--he wants to make the most money with the least work. With Smisek gone, CEO success over the next couple of years will be like taking candy from a baby. Bethune can sidle in, watch us rise while he yuks it up, take credit and leave with another $50m. In fact, someone has told me he's already written his new book, "From Flailing to Flying."