emb145

Facts.

Since Bob Crandall retired in 98, three of his lackeys, all MBA bean counting types have "run" AMR. I think it's safe to say that it's been a colossal failure.

Now I don't like Crandall, I think his pitting the employee groups against one another, B scales and overall policies contributed to the cesspool that has been AMR over the past 14 years. I believe he is the primary reason employees came to loate AMR management. The only thing I can say for Crandall is that he at least had the business sense to make the right moves such as being the 800 lb. gorilla and the biggest, meanest. Not necessarily the most customer service oriented, but the biggest and meanest for sure.

His lackey's though are another story. The end result of 14 years of Crandall protege's running the place are what you see now, an airline in shambles. Even employee groups that have signed agreements during this bankruptcy with the company do the bare minimum. Certainly not a formula for future success.

So, who is responsible for this mess? Short answer, the AMR BOD. These "good old boys" are back slappers who are personal multi millionaires and really didn't give a sh*t about AMR shareholders to begin with. They helped along this strategy of "kick the can." Roger Staubach may have been a good quarterback, but apparently his business acumen is sub par to say the least.

Now that the Creditor's Committee is basically in control of the airline, they are the only group in a position to effect change. Of course, they are only worried about their investment and getting paid. That being said, it is apparent from some statements recently that they are unhappy with the direction the current goon squad management group is taking.

To save American, a complete purge of the current management is necessary. All offices in the executive suite must be cleaned out.

Now, who do you get to take over? Why not Gordon Bethune? This guy has the skills and the ability to turn this ship around. He has already proven it once. If I were sitting on that creditor's committee, I would be very vocal about going after him and getting him to sign on, even if it's for a short period, just to right the ship.

As a pilot, I'm certainly no management fan. Bethune certainly made some mistakes along the way, but at least he wanted to create a great airline and understood he had to bring all employee groups along with him in order to do this. His replacements that followed him weren't great and got worse. However, that should highlight this guy's skills and prove that he's the guy for the job. What would it take for him to say yes? I'm sure he is financially secure for life. What would attract him? The challenge is what I believe.

Anybody out there agree with this?

HalinTexas

Roger Staubach made his money in real estate, not airlines. There are many that don't think as highly of Bethune as you.

What is it with this industry that we have to recycle the same old people and the same old ideas?

redline

I highly recommend this guy: My Recommendation

buddies8

No we dont recycle the old people again, what management does is recycle same old ideas. They keep trying to reinvent the wheel because these same managers keep breaking the wheel. ALL Airlines management stinks, AMR's stinks doubly more.

They are nothing more than money men, does not mean they can manage anything or anyone. AMR BOD are all idiots with money, nothing more.

CaptainBigWood

71 years old, who needs the stress?

emb145

OK, so who do you have in mind to come in and take over? In the end Bethune is management, AMR is going to have management in place. I was suggesting him since he is somewhat of a known quantity. I'm open to anybody besides the goon squad occupying Centerport now.