I think Mr. Bethune is doing his best. In the Navy a good skipper would walk around his ship and find out how things are working out on the deckplates.

It says something about his management style and character that he does the same at IAH and is willing to call back a passenger. (Unfortunately, the lack of CO candor to passengers also says something.)

How easy it is for us to second-guess his performance, though I suppose that is common everywhere, particularly with an industry in trouble.

Of course he is not going to call back a total flamer. That would be a waste of his time.