GOODBYE SMISEK!

[AJK]

FTFY

Not sure what that adds to the discussion.

(P.S. Anyone who pulls this "FTFY" condescending cr@p should at least have the decency to highlight the change.)

[coralsnake]

Not sure what that adds to the discussion.

(P.S. Anyone who pulls this "FTFY" condescending cr@p should at least have the decency to highlight the change.)

Fixed.

The point is that there are many more capable than are actually ever handed the keys to the kingdom.

[David Smith]

And, yes, I agree with you: there aren't that many people who are capable of stewarding Fortune 500 companies... which is precisely why they're paid so much.

FTFY

Once you were fixing it, couldn't you make that may into many?

[AJK]

Fixed.

The point is that there are many more capable than are actually ever handed the keys to the kingdom.

And my response would simply be that they're apparently not as capable as the ones being offered.

[coralsnake]

And my response would simply be that they're apparently not as well connected as the ones being offered.

FTFY

[Yammer]

Agreed, but the huge payouts should at least be somewhat contingent on performance. I understand that when wooing in a bright prospective employee, you can't directly tie the severance package to performance, due to the damper that it will put on the mood during the hiring process. But at least there should be some fine print saying that if you screw the company over beyond belief, then - say, for example - your company car will have its tires slashed or something, at the very least.

The severance packages are also a way to get rid of a CEO that's in dispute whether he's doing a good job. Imagine if the shareholders and board members are in dispute of whether or not to drop a CEO, whether to fire him against his will etc..

It's a great way to part easy and willingly.


Additionally this case might standout as a failed CEO, but in many cases there are circumstances that are causing a company to go downhill even when there is a good CEO, but the shareholders are upset and cry for change.

As AJK said, they get their house in order when they move in.

[Dan]

Hate as in I'd take a swing at the guy? Of course not.
Hate for ruining 2 great airlines (truthfully, as United's abysmal performance enabled Delta to kill their FFP...)? Yes, on the level that hate applies for someone who has lied to his customers multiple times.

The only question is how long his lifetime travel benefits will last. Perhaps it will be "Lifetime, subject to MileagePlus rules" again... http://blog.wandr.me/2014/09/united-million-miler-lawsuit-drama-continues/

Figured the MM lawsuit guy had to be an FT'er...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/1708571-ceo-jeff-smisek-out-oscar-munoz-named-president-ceo-henry-meyer-non-exec-chairman-48.html#post25410889

[coralsnake]

The good news is that UA will no longer pay for his gym membership 

[Dan]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/nyregion/bridge-scandal-creates-unexpected-upheaval.html

[Dan]

How is it that DL profitably flies LGA-CAE but UA couldn't make EWR-CAE work?

[Sam Finkelstein]

How is it that DL profitably flies LGA-CAE but UA couldn't make EWR-CAE work?

I would assume that for such a short flight, people aren't going to schlep out to EWR. (I live in NYC, and EWR is the biggest schlep by far, unless you plan on taking a train straight from your office in Manhattan, which would not be the case on a leisure route.)

[Dan]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2015/09/11/smiseks-united-ouster-were-you-really-surprised/

[DMYD]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2015/09/11/smiseks-united-ouster-were-you-really-surprised/

I like this line:
Customer service scores have been in a nosedive.  United’s customers are the least happy of any major airline (exempting Spirt, Frontier and Allegient – all deep discount airlines that don’t care about customer scores.)

[tzifanya54]

This came over Rosh Hashana. It sounds like he knows that customer service is crap, and he's promising to fix it:

I was recently named the president and CEO of United® and would like to take a few moments of your time to introduce myself to you, our valued customer.

I am excited about the incredible opportunity that the United team has to improve the travel experience essential to the vitality of global business and to the personal lives of millions of people. I want us to be your first choice for every trip you take, and we will put in the work needed to get there.

This goal can be achieved by delivering on three things that I believe are critical to any successful business.

First, we must focus on our customers. Getting you to your destination, on schedule, can make or break your ability to succeed in a work endeavor or to hug a family member at an important moment. If our performance has not met your expectations, I want you to know I'm committed to learning how to better meet your needs and desires.

Second, it's all about teamwork. To get you where you want to go safely and happily requires thousands of us working together with a shared purpose.

Third, this is a company and an industry that demands innovation. We are embracing the changes, and will continue to innovate with the goal of providing our customers better performance, service and products.

Above all, our passion for the safety of our customers and our people will be at the core of everything we do.

My co-workers and I will work each and every day to earn your loyalty by holding true to these principles. We can do better, and will keep listening to our customers to become the top-performing airline. My goal is for you to be as proud to fly United as I am to lead United.

Thank you for flying United.


Oscar Munoz
President and CEO, United Airlines

[Yammer]

This came over Rosh Hashana. It sounds like he knows that customer service is crap, and he's promising to fix it:

I was recently named the president and CEO of United® and would like to take a few moments of your time to introduce myself to you, our valued customer.

I am excited about the incredible opportunity that the United team has to improve the travel experience essential to the vitality of global business and to the personal lives of millions of people. I want us to be your first choice for every trip you take, and we will put in the work needed to get there.

This goal can be achieved by delivering on three things that I believe are critical to any successful business.

First, we must focus on our customers. Getting you to your destination, on schedule, can make or break your ability to succeed in a work endeavor or to hug a family member at an important moment. If our performance has not met your expectations, I want you to know I'm committed to learning how to better meet your needs and desires.

Second, it's all about teamwork. To get you where you want to go safely and happily requires thousands of us working together with a shared purpose.

Third, this is a company and an industry that demands innovation. We are embracing the changes, and will continue to innovate with the goal of providing our customers better performance, service and products.

Above all, our passion for the safety of our customers and our people will be at the core of everything we do.

My co-workers and I will work each and every day to earn your loyalty by holding true to these principles. We can do better, and will keep listening to our customers to become the top-performing airline. My goal is for you to be as proud to fly United as I am to lead United.

Thank you for flying United.


Oscar Munoz
President and CEO, United Airlines

It a looks like he read the Forbes article that Dan posted

[Emkay]

Saw this on twiter
"Just got an email from @united CEO saying he knows how important it is to listen to your customers. It's from a no-reply address. Nailed it."

[Yehoshua]

Saw this on twiter
"Just got an email from @united CEO saying he knows how important it is to listen to your customers. It's from a no-reply address. Nailed it."

Ha! That's awesome

[justaregularguy]

Ha! That's awesome

hes already off to a good start

[Dan]

http://blog.wandr.me/2015/09/a-letter-to-employees-from-uniteds-ceo/

[Chief Rabbi of New York]