Gordon Bethune
Gordon Bethune
Gordon M. Bethuneis a retired US airline executive. He was the CEO of Continental Airlines from 1994 until his retirement at the end of 2004. He currently serves on the boards of Honeywell, Sprint, Prudential Financial...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth29 August 1941
CountryUnited States of America
argue morning
I am doing what I want to do, which is kind of a first. I get up in the morning and don't argue with the government, and I don't argue about money.
believe dignity employees forced tough treated
We believe that employees should always be treated with dignity and respect, especially when we are forced to make these tough decisions,
amadeus focus giving management
Our focus as management is on liquidating (our Amadeus stake) ... and giving that back to shareholders,
adverse customers dedicated effect employees massive necessity regret schedule
While we regret the necessity for this massive furlough and the substantial schedule reduction, the adverse effect on our dedicated employees and customers and the communities we serve, we have ... no choice.
came march overcame poor revenue strong worked
We really worked our revenue and March came on so strong we overcame a pretty poor start,
chicago either means states united
You know how Chicago works? You're either on United or American; that's it, ... You take what they give you at the same fare, which means the whole United States would look like Chicago.
air alliance demand focus global members previous proud shares travelers
Around the world, today's air travelers demand reliability, flexibility and high-quality service. We know from our previous dealings with them that the SkyTeam members are world-beaters by all these measures, and we're proud to be part of a global alliance that shares our focus on the customer.
change
The nimbler are those that can change. The nimble will do well and the ones that can't change will go by the by.
hear loaded proposed security tax taxes top turkeys tv
To hear all these congressmen harrumphing on TV that this is horrible. Why, these are the same turkeys who just proposed a new security tax on top of all the other taxes they've loaded on the airlines.
comfort cost fleet latest market next order plan providing reduce technology total
Continental now has a fleet plan that makes us competitive in every market well into the next century. This latest order will reduce our total cost while providing the latest in technology and comfort to our customers.
customers percent
Bookings are OK, but sometimes as many as 30 percent of the customers don't show up,
buying closer dominant west zero
The probabilities (of) United, the dominant carrier in the West, buying and merging with the third-biggest carrier in the West (America West) are closer to zero than they are to any other number,
ability airline approved business compete contend deal dominate fix largest prices schedules
The world's largest airline and Europe's largest carrier contend they can't compete without the ability to fix prices and schedules and dominate the world's largest business market, ... This is a deal that just should not be approved under any circumstances.
What you measure and reward is what you're going to get.