United Airlines (UAL) CEO Smisek to Step Down; Successor Named

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/08/unite...ek-leaves.html

This quick of a replacement, with no successor in place (Munoz is a boardmember who's temporarily taking the lead) is a clear firing of Smisek.

Edit: sounds like Munoz will be a permanent replacement, not temporary. That indicates that the United Board of Directors had a 'succession plan' in place prior to implementing this.

A couple other senior United execs 'resigned'; CNBC saying that Smisek and the two execs' departure is linked to the NY Port Authority/United bribery (route service) scandal.

Was this expected?

Hmmmmm....
"The company also announced that its executive vice president of communications and government affairs and its senior vice president of corporate and government affairs have stepped down. The departures announced today are in connection with the company’s previously disclosed internal investigation related to the federal investigation associated with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The investigations are ongoing and the company continues to cooperate with the government."

Often longed for, but this was a shock.

Live conference call on the matter at 4:30PM CT. Link to listen available on ir.united.com

United - Investor Relations - News

Here's the issue at play, apparently:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/02/07...hief.html?_r=0

Is this the reason? UAL/Port Authority scandal:

The Dinner Proposal That Led United Into Corruption Probe - Bloomberg Business

Yes.











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