My Case For Alan Mulally as UAL CEO
Apr 25, 2014, 3:15 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
How about Graham Atkinson? Always thought he seemed to "get it".
Apr 25, 2014, 3:22 pm
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,228
Actually I prefer we terminate the entire board first, then a new board can terminate Smisek...and Rainey.
Alienating customers, employees, suppliers, partners and investors - and consistently underperforming the industry group while doing nothing but spew corpspeak gibberish, jargon and excuses - it's time to end this.
Apr 25, 2014, 3:34 pm
#33
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
Programs: UA MM 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,419
Graham is way to friendly and customer service. I had the joy of meeting Graham, fantastic person, who really does get it.
Apr 25, 2014, 4:49 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K 3MM , Marriott Amb, Hyatt D, HH D, Hertz PC
Posts: 851
Apr 25, 2014, 8:23 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SJC
Programs: Southwest, Alaska, United, American Airlines
Posts: 994
I disagree with Alan Mulally as a future CEO. He's quite talented, but his career is steeped in the ways of the manufacturing world. He would make a great independent Chairman for UAL, however.
IMO, United would be better served with a leader experienced in retail in a cutthroat marketplace, such as upscale apparel and consumer goods. The current President of Nordstrom, Blake W. Nordstrom, would be a solid fit for United. He's 52, and has led Nordstrom to outperform its chief competitors and analyst earnings estimates.
Leading United along the idea of "Nordstrom with wings" makes sense. United's operating hubs are located in upscale economic markets, the airline historically caters to premium business traveler clientele, and a revival of the customer experience analogous to what one receives when shopping at Nordstrom is essential for United to compete effectively against international and revived domestic competitors. It also helps that the product/branding tie-in possibilities Blake Nordstrom can bring to United from his own industry relationships would be nothing short of mind-boggling. Above all, Nordstrom gets "the vision thing", and can hire the ops and revenue management experts needed to translate the vision into a liked reality.
IMO, United would be better served with a leader experienced in retail in a cutthroat marketplace, such as upscale apparel and consumer goods. The current President of Nordstrom, Blake W. Nordstrom, would be a solid fit for United. He's 52, and has led Nordstrom to outperform its chief competitors and analyst earnings estimates.
Leading United along the idea of "Nordstrom with wings" makes sense. United's operating hubs are located in upscale economic markets, the airline historically caters to premium business traveler clientele, and a revival of the customer experience analogous to what one receives when shopping at Nordstrom is essential for United to compete effectively against international and revived domestic competitors. It also helps that the product/branding tie-in possibilities Blake Nordstrom can bring to United from his own industry relationships would be nothing short of mind-boggling. Above all, Nordstrom gets "the vision thing", and can hire the ops and revenue management experts needed to translate the vision into a liked reality.
Last edited by nerdbirdsjc; Apr 25, 2014 at 8:36 pm
Apr 25, 2014, 8:31 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
IMO, United would be better served with a leader experienced in retail in a cutthroat marketplace, such as upscale apparel and consumer goods. The current President of Nordstrom, Blake W. Nordstrom, would be a solid fit for United. He's 52, and has led Nordstrom to outperform its chief competitors and analyst earnings estimates.
Hmm...we'd go from no pillows in F to nice pillows in F...
Apr 26, 2014, 5:22 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
My case for Megan Mulally
Pros:
Cons:
the point of this list? it's just as relevant as FT posters making cases for new UA CEOs.
- She's hilarious
- Will and Grace would've been lame without her
- She can drink
- Husband is absent, so she'll have plenty of time to pay attention to UA
Cons:
- Her voice can be grating at times
- Reduced to commercial work lately
- Knows nothing about the airline business
the point of this list? it's just as relevant as FT posters making cases for new UA CEOs.
Apr 26, 2014, 5:32 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,319
I thought that the idea for the Nordstrom CEO moving over was interesting and thought provoking! When CEO's at this level move industries it either works really well - or its a disaster - not much in between... The focus and experience with delivering exceptional customer service would be a big plus to UA, but the lack of experience with unions and highly complex operating models (where many critical factors are out of your control) would be hard to overcome...
Last edited by bmwe92fan; Apr 27, 2014 at 6:05 am
Apr 26, 2014, 7:26 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Places
Programs: All of Them
Posts: 242
How about Greg Brenneman? He's relatively young, and has airline exp. Was former COO and Board Member of Continental, and turned that company around. Currently runs Volotea, a LCC based out of Spain I think. Former CEO of Quiznos, Burger King, PwC, and executed turnarounds in all of the companies above. Worked at Bain before. Seems like a solid, smart, and relatively young chap.
Apr 27, 2014, 12:44 am
#42
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,228
How about Greg Brenneman? He's relatively young, and has airline exp. Was former COO and Board Member of Continental, and turned that company around. Currently runs Volotea, a LCC based out of Spain I think. Former CEO of Quiznos, Burger King, PwC, and executed turnarounds in all of the companies above. Worked at Bain before. Seems like a solid, smart, and relatively young chap.
May 1, 2014, 11:22 am
#43
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
lots of discss about Mulally and his future on CNBC today
Ford's Mulally—a free agent with a ton of options
United has been mentioned by a few but then along a comment of why given the mess .
Ford's Mulally—a free agent with a ton of options
United has been mentioned by a few but then along a comment of why given the mess .
May 17, 2014, 10:09 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA1MM*GL/1K, AA, BnVy PlatL, HH Silver,
Posts: 681
last I checked it's Continental with the word "United" on the plane. United was a great airline. Continetal has always been craptaculur. This abomination is nothing like United, which is why the United flyers that had no problem spending money on airfares and premium service have left.