I guess it depends on who's viewpoint you see it from. If you are an airline employee, you hate Lorenzo. If you are a businessman, you see Lorenzo as genious. According to wikipedia, Lorenzo was given top awards for his acheivements as an executive. Obviously the business community likes his accomplishments. I can't comment personally, all I know is what I have read.

As far as Eastern, deregulation hit them very hard and they could not compete with the new low cost carriers. They needed concessions and the unions refused and fought hard until it eventually ended up sinking the company. These new cost carriers were doing the job for way less because they had way less overhead. There is always someone that will do the job cheaper.