JMV From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 241 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 3362 times:
It isn't an obsession, but an admiration for an individual that was able to turn around a perpetual loser into one of the better airlines in the world. In addition to that, he is an articulate executive with a personality with which the "common man" can relate.
Roberta From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 3359 times:
That whole other thread "Gordan Bethune comments blah blah blah" was just designed to (unsuccesfully) wind up some Airbus fans. He's good but nobody really thinks he's that great. Well maybe hardcore Boeing fans.
Leskova From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 6075 posts, RR: 72 Reply 5, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3339 times:
I think it probably has to do with the fact that he's simply the most visible and audible of the US airline CEO's... the others rarely say things in the same, somewhat blunt, way that he does.
He's simply someone that polarizes - most will either love him or hate him, then again, quite a substantial number of those who hate him will also admit to him doing a great job at Continental.
Alpha 1 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3329 times:
That whole other thread "Gordan Bethune comments blah blah blah" was just designed to (unsuccesfully) wind up some Airbus fans.
The Airbus fans can take blame for that. Unfortunately, many Airbus lovers (and, when it's reversed, many Boeing lovers) simply cannot stand anyone who doesn't see the aviation world as they do, and can't come to terms that someone just doesn't want that product.
Gordo used to work for Boeing, so it shouldn't suprirse anyone with even a perephial knowledge of the man and his background, now he's feels.
Being rated as one of the "better" airlines in the USA is nothing to brag about.
Col From Malaysia, joined Nov 2003, 2040 posts, RR: 22 Reply 8, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3326 times:
Many Americans do not travel as much as Europeans/Asians etc. We tend to stay in our own backyard, so doing a comparison on a global basis is difficult. Gordon has done a superb job turning CO around, with the help of a supporting workforce (although I am totally against his statement of last week regarding 380 etc).
Our Industry also got hit hard following 9/11 and a downturn, so many people needed a leader or a guiding light, Gordon is the only one out there, since Herb retired. David Neeleman will be our next God when Gordon takes over Boeing (sorry getting ahead of myself).
My own view is that the global quality of airlines is as follows:
Asian Carriers - 1
European - 2
Americas - 3
Once things pick up, I believe we could take number 2 spot, but it will be difficult beating the likes of SQ, CX, MH as their cultures are aimed more a customer service.
ND From Belgium, joined Feb 2004, 280 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3322 times:
Being rated as one of the "better" airlines in the USA is nothing to brag about.
Don't let his respect rating fool you all, this one is pretty ignorant...
...so ignorant to the point where I actually enjoyed my CO flight IAH-LGW more than my BA IAH-LHR...
...so much more ignorant to the point that many reputable individuals have given nothing but excellent comments about the airline...
...so much more ignorant that CO ranked in the Top 10 of Skytrack's Best Airline List, among all those other Asian and European carriers (although some of you don't seem to approve).
Caetravlr From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 898 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3290 times:
I think that even in the eyes of some of us with a broader view of the world, Mr. Bethune has done good things at Continental. It is not my favorite airline or anything like that, but not one I would hesitate to fly. Considering that they have been in BK not once, but twice, and they are now one of the healthier of the old school majors in the US, that is quite an achievment. I don't idolize him or anything like that, but I admire what he has done, and his way with words. We are all entitled to our opinions.
A woman drove me to drink and I didn't have the decency to thank her. - W.C. Fields
Manni From South Korea, joined Nov 2001, 4221 posts, RR: 23 Reply 12, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3245 times:
A Boeing executive becomes the CEO of an American airline. What else would you expect from him, besides slagging of Airbus and praising Boeing when it comes to commenting on aircraft manufacturers?
As far as Continental concerns,... I've yet to come across more ignorant and rude cabin crew, and yes I've been on American, US Airways and Delta aswell. On a positive note, catering and cleanliness are miles ahead of dirty Delta.
ConcordeBoy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 3169 times:
Being rated as one of the "better" airlines in the USA is nothing to brag about
I'd say it is. How well do you think Airline XXX would do if they were placed in the exact same situation?
(Ps. that was rhetoric, if you couldnt tell )
McDonald's is one of the largest 'restaurant' chains in the world but that doesn't make their food nice
...nor is Walmart's merchandise of the highest quality possible--
but exactly how adept are others at competing with either one?
N737AF From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 51 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 3162 times:
Beno,
I really don't have anything to contribute here aviation-wise, so this post may end up being deleted, but you obviously have a huge chip on your shoulder. Getting to the point, I wanted to take the time to officially make fun of your user name.
Beano? Beano? It really is a fantastic product. I'm not sure you have it where you come from, but since you are full of a lot of hot air, you may want to invest in it.
Beano.
What a joke...
Out.
"Beans, beans - the musical fruit.
The more you eat them the more you toot.
The more you toot, the better you feel.
So eat beans at every meal...."
Hey people on this board make fun of fat, ugly, smelly and dumb people all the time. Here's to getting my shot.
Continental 450, contact Departure and have a Good Evening.
Hugojimenez From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 3125 times:
CO is definitely one of the best (or why not the best) airline in the U.S.. Nevertheless I prefer AA for many reasons (just one: more destinations and frequencies).
But compared with LH, AF, SQ, among many others, CO is just average.
Artsyman From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4741 posts, RR: 43 Reply 19, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 3109 times:
But compared with LH, AF, SQ, among many others, CO is just average.
***
Well as I have not flown Singapore etc, I cannot comment on them, but I have flown AF, LH, BA etc plenty, and in truth, I'd take Continental over most of them. The only advantage (if you can call it that) that the Euro carriers offer is that they do not charge for alcohol, and this just is not a factor in my travel.
Most of the time on longhaul I travel in business of first, most recently this was on AF, and I would say that I prefer CO over AF in both cabins.
Ramerinianair From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1486 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 3097 times:
For me Gordo is a good picture in front of the CO label and hard working people! CO was almost destroyed by Frank Lorenzo, something similar but worse was executed by Carl Ichon to TWA and ultimately they couldn't recover because of things like the Ichon karibu agreement. Gordo rallied his troops and made some sound business decesions. It isn't always the person but if you surrond yourself with other smart businessmen and women, you and your COmpany will succeed. Gordo shook off the "old CO" view and re-invented them. They now have the most superior product in my eyes as far of any major in the US. They are reliable and clean, they have the best service in my eyes and great Customer Service.
I do have some gripes but for Gordo to help CO that much is great.
CO has a high price for FF upgrades and the seats for reward travel and up-grade travel are very limited. CO also has a higher price but you pay for what you get. I don't like to fly the 737 all over but from LGA and JFK you must use it to connect in IAH or CLE to another 737. I do travel into EWR for a 762 with PTVs and BusinessFirst though, which, is superior to LAX.
SR
Planemaker From Tuvalu, joined Aug 2003, 5481 posts, RR: 34 Reply 22, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 3066 times:
"Considering that they have been in BK not once, but twice, and they are now one of the healthier of the old school majors in the US, that is quite an achievment."
2 X BK is precisely why they are one of the healthier "old school." What UAL is doing now - cutting staff, cutting wages, re-negotiating debts, returning aircraft, simplifying fleet, etc., etc., etc., Continental did twice previously. BK is actually an advantage to the airline (but not to the employees nor creditors, obviously) as it gives them an opportunity to lower costs - and in Continental's case, twice. Unfortunately for US Airways, they didn't cut enough and came out too soon from BK. If they go back into Chap. 11, and survive, they'll just be pulling a Continental. More impressive is AA's BK avoidence.
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind. - A. Einstein
Aa777jr From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 3063 times:
Could care less about CO and their CEO. They aren't that better than any other carrier, personally prefer AA and BA. Everyone is always talking about their dream job being the CEO of CO...very odd. I'd rather be saddled up on a B773-ER flying from ORD to LHR...IMHO!
Artsyman From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4741 posts, RR: 43 Reply 24, posted (9 years 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 3061 times:
CO has a high price for FF upgrades and the seats for reward travel and up-grade travel are very limited. CO also has a higher price but you pay for what you get.
****
huh?, which part of unlimited free upgrades do you not understand ?. Continental's policy for mileage upgrades is actually quite good, and reasonably easy to obtain. Where they seem to be a little thin is using mileage to acrue "free" tickets as opposed to upgrades. As far as fares, Continental is usually the cheapest option on most of the routes they fly
J
25 SR 103: I fly CO a lot, and while they are not my favorite airline, they do a great job as a US carrier. Unlike some others here, I do prefer airlines such as
26 Beno: N737AF, I stand by my comment: "When you compare CO to all the other major airlines around the world (not just USA) they rank very low IMHO." And I th
27 YoungDon: What major airlines would you be talking about? I think they are probably the best US major. As far as internationally, I'm not sure, I actually like
28 Beno: Actually I like almost all the US major airlines and wish more of them would serve Australia/NZ. (Including CO 777s)
29 AAJAXFlyer: Gordon Bethune has done a lot to turn around Continental, but then again, just about anybody could have improved on the situation Continental was in w
30 YoungDon: You like US Airlines, but yet being rated as one of the better ones is nothing to brag about... okay....
31 Hugojimenez: Well as I have not flown Singapore etc, I cannot comment on them, but I have flown AF, LH, BA etc plenty, and in truth, I'd take Continental over most
32 Artsyman: I fly BA all the time, I fly BA more than everyone else other than Continental, and do not find much of a difference between them. If the price of the
33 EMBQA: Back to the question at had........ "Why so obessed with Gordon Bethune" Why,...? Because the man is a hoot. Read his book, read some of what he has s
34 Hugojimenez: I fly BA all the time, I fly BA more than everyone else other than Continental, and do not find much of a difference between them. If the price of the
35 Artsyman: By the way, if everything seems to be the same between BA and CO, what's make greater CO over BA according to you? And why do you mean by 'I fly BA mo
36 Hugojimenez: I never stated that CO was better than BA, I stated that I do not find a difference of note between them. As far as the comment "'I fly BA more than e
37 Artsyman: Do we have to understand from it that BA a/c's are dirtier than CO ones? *** Interior wise, absolutely, I couldn't care less what it looks like on the
38 Hugojimenez: Look, you seem to have a bee in your bonnet over this, we can agree to disagree. In May I will fly approximately 41,000 miles on both carriers, and wi
39 Alpha 1: Those of you who don't like CO, or don't like Gordon, you really make me laugh. Not because you have your own opinion, because that's your God-given r
40 Ltbewr: As I have noted in related topics, Bethune is a flying enthuist. He grew up around airplanes with his father's company. He worked on a/c for the US Na
41 Artsyman: only a few flights at LGA, none at JFK, most in NYC area at EWR **** While I agree with, and enjoyed your post, I thought I'd add that Continental doe
42 Alpha 1: none at JFK, CO/COEX serves JFK from IAH and CLE.
43 COfaninBOS: The reason I like Gordon is because he's a straight shooter. I'd love to have a beer with the man and pick his brain because you would never have to d
44 Hugojimenez: CO tries to deliver 3 things: on time, a clean plane, with your bags. ************* Not only CO but many other airlines (maybe more than you think) do
45 Artsyman: Not only CO but many other airlines (maybe more than you think) do these things and many more, and don't loose $124 millions just in the first quarter
46 Mark777300: Before anyone gives too much credit to Gordon Bethune, let's not forget to mention all the hard working individuals who work for CO who make it what i
47 Artsyman: Before anyone gives too much credit to Gordon Bethune, let's not forget to mention all the hard working individuals who work for CO who make it what i
48 Hugojimenez: Unfortunately for you, the full year results are what matter most, and like last year, Continental will post a full year profit. ********* I'm not unf
49 Alpha 1: Before anyone gives too much credit to Gordon Bethune, let's not forget to mention all the hard working individuals who work for CO who make it what i
50 Mark777300: Alpha 1 I' never said that Gordon Bethune doesn't give credit to his employees, but the folks on this spread seem to think that it was just all him wh
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