To honor T38's request of staying on the 8 Ball topic, here's a new thread just for you.
The whole point of that "one guys opinion", which your post below furthers, is that CAL mgmt. has made the KEY decisions since the merger. Tilton gave them the keys to the Exec. offices as part of the agreement.
Since 2010 CAL mgmt has managed to make critical errors in judgement, including driving out their most talented to the competition. So, when this FF says changes are for the worse, he's right. But he (or you, apparently) hasn't/haven't a clue why.
One thing we can agree on is the value of the ball.
God Save the Ball.
"Do you really think that one guy's opinion means anything? I could give you just as many or more for every guy who feels like this.
Here is one for example:
Merger angst: Will United ruin Continental?
Ask a Continental Airlines frequent flier what he thinks about the United merger, and there's a good chance you'll hear some version of "United is going to ruin Continental." Most of my own mileage is on Continental, and I am already seeing it happening; I've had two trips in the past week, and a long haul to Asia coming next week, all on United/Continental (or whatever they are calling it today). Unfortunately, changes for the worse are already evident, particularly in the attitudes of the employees.
Waiting in the "elite" boarding line for a delayed flight while the agents mishandled just about everything (and everyone), I heard road warriors commiserating:
"There goes the airline."
"goodbye, Continental."
"I knew United was going to screw it up."
"Anyone want to trade 300,000 miles on another airline?"
Continental typically rates among the top US carriers in customer satisfaction, while United historically scores towards the bottom. In fact, depending on the data you look at, the only place United is typically first or second is in complaints received.
Opinions are like um...mouths. Everyone has one.
Edit: Ok sorry T38. I like the 8 ball idea, sounds like fun"