Maybe they also need to think the unthinkable: that the current top management is not only overcompensated, but is underperforming and should be replaced.

I'm part of their revenue problem...I used to be a gold level medallion flyer, but they lost me in 1998 over LUser and have only made matters worse with changes since. And that's in a market (ATL) they're supposed to "own."

Since Leo doesn't want to upgrade me under any circumstances with certain fares -- and because FF programs tend to be "all or nothing" (you have to fly loyally on one carrier/alliance to maximize benefits) -- Leo has lost ALL my business at all fare levels.

I may not be the "best" or most-desired customer, but flying a seat with me in it beats flying an empty seat any day of the week.

The problem is that it's hard to show a direct correlation between SM missteps and fewer people flying in front or in back. Leo & Co. will always blame 9/11, security costs, SARS, labor costs or anything else they can think of besides themselves. Change will probably have to come from shareholders.

Remember that Continental, to its credit, brought in new management in 1995 and one of the first things they recognized was that the previous management had made some grave errors with OnePass. Maybe there's help with DL if there's finally a regime change.


[This message has been edited by RustyC (edited 04-17-2003).]