Originally Posted by
Catbert10
I started flying CO in the early 90s, before Bethune took over. It was in sorry shape. Out of Austin, it wasn't rare for there to be so few people on the flight that everyone was moved to FC. Bethune turned the airline around, no doubt. And many on this board talk about CO is only used to flying out of fortress hubs. Does everyone think they got those fortress hubs via fiat? Bethune and CO fought and fought hard in the mid 90s to turn EWR into a fortress hub. Even IAH had more competition back in those days. Yes, CO got lazy but they earned their fortress hubs under Bethune.
+1 ^
This is how I remember Bethune CO: smiling employees. Customer service actually helping, with a smile. Good food. Best J seats on domestic flights. New planes. Never a suitcase lost or delayed. Genuine customer-first attitude. Happy customers. And I can keep going...
Was it perfect? No. But it was a pleasure to fly.
IMHO, 2014 UA could do worse than bring Bethune back as the Chairman of the Board...