Originally Posted by
TCASTESTOK
Wow really? Im just stating my opinion based on reading the book as to how great CAL turned out with Bethune at the helm and how UAL could try some tactics like it to get out on top. I mean that incentive plan was genius. Sure it cost the company money to implement but it got employees throughout the company to try their best to push on time and even increased moral.
Gordon pulled a rabbit out of a hat. But here's the deal. Gordon had the unique ability to relate to the common man, the uneducated man, and a Harvard MBA while charming the panties off of any female in the room. He could sell an ice-box to an Eskimo, and he was smart enough to have centralized control and decentralized execution. He, with the exception of DL McCoy, put good people in charge of stuff and let them run their departments.
But, there was a dark side. In Flight Operations, McCoy gave way to Abbot. The punitive and harsh, and often personal vendetta style of discipline was without merit, and it ultimately was the reason, in my opinion that the ops group gave way to the IACP, and the IACP gave way to ALPA.
You get as much "union as you deserve." CAL deserved all the union it got.
Gordon had a very simple plan, with 4 equally important cornerstones. He got Boeing and GE on board, and having big players and institutional investors on board helps you negotiate good prices on engines and airframes.
But, there will never be another Gordon. Why? Because I am about 1.3 million light in earnings. Gordon only made money when he held a labor cost advantage. So, goodie for Gordon. He ran a good airline, and he financed it on my earnings, and my retirement. When Gordon retired I didn't get my retro-bonus check to make up for me working for sub-standard and below average wages.
There is always a place for a charismatic leader who can rally the employee groups and keep upper and middle level management all pulling together.
Oscar seems like he is doing a good job. He seems competent, honest and forthright. He also seems like he is going out and getting good people.That's really all I need from a leader.
I have left Oscar voice mails and emails over a few different issues. He has had senior vice presidents get back with me to follow up. In one case I had a suggestion as to how we could make more money on cargo. The same day, the VP of Cargo (Jars) called me back and we began a diologue as to specific routes, and airframes and time-lines for cargo close-outs. The VP of Cargo was so interested in my ideas we talked back and forth for a few weeks. I see an engaged CEO who has told his subordinates to seek new ideas and explore all options.
I think the Jury is out on Kirby. He won't be able to pull out any scope relief out of his hat. Gordon, and his successor Kellner tried furiously and feverishly to exploit and abrogate the CAL scope clause. So, I don't give Gordon that much love.....