I think you may need to read the SWA Board of Directors Corporate Bylaws and Articles. Specifically, article four section five. BJ has full authority to do what he wants. The board has the abilty to hire and fire him. That's pretty much about it. Since GK has been one of the longest tenures as CEO of a major airline, the board of course will ask him to hang around for while. Parker at AAL is also Chairman of the Board. Institutional investors want it. Since 80% of SWA stock is owned by institution's, I would assume they want him around to protect their investments. Almost all CEO's that have had long tenures in any company, retire to just Chairman. That's corporate America.

Just as GK admitted many times, he would lean on Herb sometimes when things would come up, I would assume that BJ does with GK. But make no bones about it, BJ runs the company.