Continental chief says he'd 'love to snap up' United's plum routes

Travelin' Man · 12-07-2002, 09:19 PM

By John Accola, Rocky Mountain News
December 7, 2002

As United Airlines teeters closer to bankruptcy court, Continental Airlines' chief executive confirms he's eyeing United's turf in Denver and London's Heathrow Airport.

Continental chief Gordon Bethune said he would "love to snap up" United's landing rights at Heathrow and might also want to expand in Denver should United file for bankruptcy reorganization and have to sell some of its most valuable assets.

Bethune's comments, reported by The New York Times, struck United officials as especially predatory in the wake of his intense lobbying to thwart United's $1.8 billion government-backed loan application. A federal panel voted Wednesday to deny the loan guarantees.

Sean1999 Ram Air TA · 12-07-2002, 10:36 PM

Bethune can rot in hell as far as I am concerned so can American for that matter you know both of them lobbied hard to the ATSB board and you know no way in hell Bush would ever let his local Big Texas airlines American or Continental go under. Smart A$$ comments by Bethune will come back and bit him in the A$$ sooner or later his time is coming.

DRDEATH · 12-07-2002, 11:09 PM

The vultures are circling.

Scott · 12-07-2002, 11:39 PM

Well, as stated in a different thread, I'm basically resigned to working for UA in bankruptcy. However, vengeance is "a dish best served cold", (Khan, Star Trek, "The Wrath Of Khan") and it will be provided by a reorganized United kicking butt.
Bethune is no doubt a gifted leader, albeit with an inflated sense of self-worth. His comments are the rantings of a loose canon.

12-07-2002, 11:55 PM

I really hope for a solution on United Airlines economical situation.

Travelin' Man · 12-09-2002, 10:57 AM

Gee - Wasn't Bethune the first guy in the industry to fire employees, using 9/11 as an excuse. He was also the first guy in the industry to receive federal handouts as well. Then he made sure after receiving those "Tax Payer" hand outs, that his company posted a profit for that quarter. Did he give any of the profits back to the government? Did he rehire any of his fired employees? Nope. He took the money and most likely gave himself a bonus.

Fact is, Continental has nothing to brag about. Not too long ago they were Bankrupt as well. They sucked then, and they suck now. UAL kicked it's but in Denver, and frankly anywhere alse they have ever competed. Even in Bankruptcy, UAL is the better airline by far.

Gordon better worry about keeping his airline out of BK instead of getting back. Last time I checked, Continental was doing just marginal.

Fact is every time I have flown CO, it has been a piss poor excuse for an airline. Heck, I have had better flights from carriers in Africa. And we are taking DC-3 type of experiences!

b737gearboy · 12-09-2002, 11:07 AM

Old Gordo loves the sound of his own voice. He never met a microphone he didn't like.

Westjetter · 12-09-2002, 04:25 PM

Well, I think those comments where really idiotic of him to say, but at the same time, I think most of the other major US carriers have had the same thoughts.

Think about it - if (and i say IF) United where to have to close up shop, there would be hundreds of thousands of passengers who need to find alternate transportation. Where will those people go? Straight to the other airlines - sure, not 100% of them will move, but a lot will, and that could mean serious revenue to the other airlines.

Tracon Doug · 12-09-2002, 05:44 PM

This is the same maroon that approached the FAA a couple of years ago to "purchase" the Houston area air traffic control operations. This idiot wanted to buy Houston ARTCC, Intercontinental TRACON, and Intercontinental Tower, presumably so he could hire his own people (from WHERE is open to debate), pay them accordingly (read: Not Much), and be able to provide "preferential" treatment to his own airline, in the Houston area. The FAA had a good laugh after they got up off the floor, and at NATCA we dubbed him "Gordon Buffoon". Tells you where his priorities are!

Steve · 12-09-2002, 11:49 PM

Doug,
Don't forget his notorious "ATC delay" handouts... as 737gearboy stated, Mr Buffoon never met a microphone he didn't like. Unfortunately, he never quite caught on to the need to remove his head from his a*s before speaking.

Steve

HNL-Chris · 12-10-2002, 02:24 AM

Wasn't it Gordon who was the first to mention Bankruptcy following 9/11? Continental has made great strides in recent years. But. there are former suppliers and stockholders all over the world who lost millions and who are the ones who really paid the price for their current success. However, Continental, like most U.S. airlines today is on thin ice. Therefore, Gordon better watch where he's blowing his hot air.

Travis Campbell · 12-10-2002, 02:51 PM

Does this fool really think that United will sell of it's profitable position at Heathrow. I see them dumping some unporfitable routes, but not the money makers. And Denver, I highly doubt United will leave that monopoly anytime soon. Gordon seems to be taking part in some very wishful thinking...

Nick · 12-10-2002, 04:46 PM

More importantly, that quote was NOT made by Kahn...although it slips my mind now who it was, I can assure you it's not a Star Trek original...

I always got the impression that Gordon was an arse when I saw the cover of his book "From Worst to First" or something like that...Who cares? Honestly.
Although kudos to him when he wrote a letter to Airbus telling them the folly of their "safer with four engines" ad. campaign that blasted ETOPS aircraft...considering the A330 and all.

Phugoid · 12-10-2002, 08:30 PM

Nobody but United is responsible for their downfall. This is a perfect example of hubris, UAL management has been malignant for the past twenty years or more. That COA wants some profitable routes from United is not surprising; from whence did UAL grow its Pacific structure? Pan Am. And were they kind to Pan Am employees? No. What goes around comes around. Many of us in the aviation industry have been there at least once.

Gordo's remarks may be untimely and insensitive, but he isn’t being employed as a therapist. Running an airline is a cutthroat business and it always has been. To wit, Pan Am grew their initial routes through a hostile take over of the Rio – Buenos Aires – New York Line. Braniff screwed EAL for routes, Eastern in turn screwed Yellow Bird, the list is endless.

Scott · 12-11-2002, 01:46 AM

United will survive, though the rehabilitation must occurr rapidly with minimal impact to the all-important customer. If any of you have seen or heard CEO Glenn Tilton's comments - believe them.
You have no idea how strong the survival instinct is now that the Ch 11 gauntlet has dropped. (well, perhaps the mechanics are not yet with the program)

Phugoid's analysis of UA's integration of Pan Am's personnel is grievously flawed. Nearly 400 PA pilots, flight attendants, and support staff transferred on "PAC day". (date of UA operation of PA pacific routes) This was roughly the contingent required to operate the newly adopted aircraft. Do some research to learn how few employees DL acquired with their acquisition of PA atlantic routes. I believe you can count them on one hand. Reaching further into the annals of history, do you know that UA hired several hundred ex-EA pilots? DL accepted less than 10.
I'm so proud of the many "recycled" pilots in our ranks. We're an incredibly harmonized group.... I never hear "we did it this way" at EA... or any other carrier.

12-07-2002, 09:19 PM	#1
Travelin' Man Insane Collector Join Date: May 2000 Location: Aspen USA!!! Posts: 1,919	Continental chief says he'd 'love to snap up' United's plum routes By John Accola, Rocky Mountain News December 7, 2002 As United Airlines teeters closer to bankruptcy court, Continental Airlines' chief executive confirms he's eyeing United's turf in Denver and London's Heathrow Airport. Continental chief Gordon Bethune said he would "love to snap up" United's landing rights at Heathrow and might also want to expand in Denver should United file for bankruptcy reorganization and have to sell some of its most valuable assets. Bethune's comments, reported by The New York Times, struck United officials as especially predatory in the wake of his intense lobbying to thwart United's $1.8 billion government-backed loan application. A federal panel voted Wednesday to deny the loan guarantees.

12-07-2002, 10:36 PM	#2
Sean1999 Ram Air TA Senior Collector Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 249	Bethune can rot in hell as far as I am concerned so can American for that matter you know both of them lobbied hard to the ATSB board and you know no way in hell Bush would ever let his local Big Texas airlines American or Continental go under. Smart A$$ comments by Bethune will come back and bit him in the A$$ sooner or later his time is coming. __________________ United Airlines Historian and Memorabilia Collector WAHS Member

12-07-2002, 11:39 PM	#4
Scott Insane Collector Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Escondido, Ca. USA Age: 50 Posts: 2,763	Well, as stated in a different thread, I'm basically resigned to working for UA in bankruptcy. However, vengeance is "a dish best served cold", (Khan, Star Trek, "The Wrath Of Khan") and it will be provided by a reorganized United kicking butt. Bethune is no doubt a gifted leader, albeit with an inflated sense of self-worth. His comments are the rantings of a loose canon. __________________ Fly the Friendly Skies of United uniTED takes wing Feb 12, 2004 Last edited by Scott; 12-08-2002 at 01:16 AM.

12-09-2002, 11:07 AM	#7
b737gearboy Senior Collector Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: KMHT Age: 40 Posts: 248	Old Gordo loves the sound of his own voice. He never met a microphone he didn't like. __________________ GO BUCKEYES!!!! NATIONAL CHAMPS!! O----H----I----O

12-09-2002, 05:44 PM	#9
Tracon Doug Vector For Spacing Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 51 Posts: 857	This is the same maroon that approached the FAA a couple of years ago to "purchase" the Houston area air traffic control operations. This idiot wanted to buy Houston ARTCC, Intercontinental TRACON, and Intercontinental Tower, presumably so he could hire his own people (from WHERE is open to debate), pay them accordingly (read: Not Much), and be able to provide "preferential" treatment to his own airline, in the Houston area. The FAA had a good laugh after they got up off the floor, and at NATCA we dubbed him "Gordon Buffoon". Tells you where his priorities are! __________________ Piss On Noise Abatement! Doug Kenaga Portland TRACON Dallas/Fort Worth TRACON SoCal TRACON Los Angeles TRACON

12-07-2002, 11:09 PM	#3
DRDEATH Master Collector Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NORTH RIVERSIDE ILLINOIS Age: 45 Posts: 609	The vultures are circling.

12-07-2002, 11:55 PM	#5
nutsXplanes Guest Posts: n/a	I really hope for a solution on United Airlines economical situation.

12-09-2002, 10:57 AM	#6
Travelin' Man Insane Collector Join Date: May 2000 Location: Aspen USA!!! Posts: 1,919	Gee - Wasn't Bethune the first guy in the industry to fire employees, using 9/11 as an excuse. He was also the first guy in the industry to receive federal handouts as well. Then he made sure after receiving those "Tax Payer" hand outs, that his company posted a profit for that quarter. Did he give any of the profits back to the government? Did he rehire any of his fired employees? Nope. He took the money and most likely gave himself a bonus. Fact is, Continental has nothing to brag about. Not too long ago they were Bankrupt as well. They sucked then, and they suck now. UAL kicked it's but in Denver, and frankly anywhere alse they have ever competed. Even in Bankruptcy, UAL is the better airline by far. Gordon better worry about keeping his airline out of BK instead of getting back. Last time I checked, Continental was doing just marginal. Fact is every time I have flown CO, it has been a piss poor excuse for an airline. Heck, I have had better flights from carriers in Africa. And we are taking DC-3 type of experiences!

12-09-2002, 04:25 PM	#8
Westjetter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Age: 27 Posts: 2,650	Well, I think those comments where really idiotic of him to say, but at the same time, I think most of the other major US carriers have had the same thoughts. Think about it - if (and i say IF) United where to have to close up shop, there would be hundreds of thousands of passengers who need to find alternate transportation. Where will those people go? Straight to the other airlines - sure, not 100% of them will move, but a lot will, and that could mean serious revenue to the other airlines.

12-09-2002, 11:49 PM	#10
Steve Master Collector Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 838	Doug, Don't forget his notorious "ATC delay" handouts... as 737gearboy stated, Mr Buffoon never met a microphone he didn't like. Unfortunately, he never quite caught on to the need to remove his head from his a*s before speaking. Steve __________________ Aerosite ...check it out!

12-10-2002, 02:24 AM	#11
HNL-Chris Insane Collector Join Date: May 2000 Location: Honolulu, HI/Denver, CO USA Age: 24 Posts: 2,087	Continental vultures.... Wasn't it Gordon who was the first to mention Bankruptcy following 9/11? Continental has made great strides in recent years. But. there are former suppliers and stockholders all over the world who lost millions and who are the ones who really paid the price for their current success. However, Continental, like most U.S. airlines today is on thin ice. Therefore, Gordon better watch where he's blowing his hot air. __________________ To visit Chris and Jack's 1/400 & 1/500 photo albums at, Click here or our web site at http://www.hnl-chris.com

12-10-2002, 02:51 PM	#12
Travis Campbell Insane Collector Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Detroit, Michigan (Roughly) Age: 27 Posts: 1,067	Does this fool really think that United will sell of it's profitable position at Heathrow. I see them dumping some unporfitable routes, but not the money makers. And Denver, I highly doubt United will leave that monopoly anytime soon. Gordon seems to be taking part in some very wishful thinking...

12-10-2002, 04:46 PM	#13
Nick Old School Collector Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: England Age: 33 Posts: 109	More importantly, that quote was NOT made by Kahn...although it slips my mind now who it was, I can assure you it's not a Star Trek original... I always got the impression that Gordon was an arse when I saw the cover of his book "From Worst to First" or something like that...Who cares? Honestly. Although kudos to him when he wrote a letter to Airbus telling them the folly of their "safer with four engines" ad. campaign that blasted ETOPS aircraft...considering the A330 and all. __________________ ~Nick I should have something witty or a quote written here... But I can't think of either.

12-10-2002, 08:30 PM	#14
Phugoid Collector Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 90	Nobody but United is responsible for their downfall. This is a perfect example of hubris, UAL management has been malignant for the past twenty years or more. That COA wants some profitable routes from United is not surprising; from whence did UAL grow its Pacific structure? Pan Am. And were they kind to Pan Am employees? No. What goes around comes around. Many of us in the aviation industry have been there at least once. Gordo's remarks may be untimely and insensitive, but he isn’t being employed as a therapist. Running an airline is a cutthroat business and it always has been. To wit, Pan Am grew their initial routes through a hostile take over of the Rio – Buenos Aires – New York Line. Braniff screwed EAL for routes, Eastern in turn screwed Yellow Bird, the list is endless.

12-11-2002, 01:46 AM	#15
Scott Insane Collector Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Escondido, Ca. USA Age: 50 Posts: 2,763	United will survive, though the rehabilitation must occurr rapidly with minimal impact to the all-important customer. If any of you have seen or heard CEO Glenn Tilton's comments - believe them. You have no idea how strong the survival instinct is now that the Ch 11 gauntlet has dropped. (well, perhaps the mechanics are not yet with the program) Phugoid's analysis of UA's integration of Pan Am's personnel is grievously flawed. Nearly 400 PA pilots, flight attendants, and support staff transferred on "PAC day". (date of UA operation of PA pacific routes) This was roughly the contingent required to operate the newly adopted aircraft. Do some research to learn how few employees DL acquired with their acquisition of PA atlantic routes. I believe you can count them on one hand. Reaching further into the annals of history, do you know that UA hired several hundred ex-EA pilots? DL accepted less than 10. I'm so proud of the many "recycled" pilots in our ranks. We're an incredibly harmonized group.... I never hear "we did it this way" at EA... or any other carrier. __________________ Fly the Friendly Skies of United uniTED takes wing Feb 12, 2004

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