That wasn't my intent.

I take Gordon for what he was. He was a "talker" he had great charisma and the ability to relate to anyone in a room. He remembered people, and faces and names. He could simply translate the boards business model into a way that the employees could buy into.

Here's the deal. Gordon was charged with "attaining and maintaining a labor cost advantage." He not only did that, but found a way to get employees to "like it." He found a way to communicate with the rank and file and appeal to their "inner love of the company" and put the company first, second, and third. You, the employee come in fourth place in Gordon's mind.

He was on the record in an MEC meeting stating "I would have paid you more, you just have to A. Ask for it, and B. make me do it."

Running an airline becomes easier if you can trick your employees into making less than their counter-parts at other airlines (competitors). The same charm he used to remove the panties off of young flight attendants was used on the entire airline. in terms of pilot land, he simply picked our pockets while simultaneously distracting us with things like "working together." He used the scabs very effectively and essentially had a behind the scenes negotiating team both lowering our career expectations and our contractual demands.

Absolutely amazing he was a former US Navy Mechanic. But hey former enlisted guys from the military have a way of relating to the rank and file. Hitler did it. Wasn't he a Corporal? He convinced thousands to kill millions. Gordon simply convinced us to give up millions so the airline could save billions.