RIP Continental Airlines

YankeeFan · Nov 30, 2011

What was a terrible airline in the '80's became a tremendous airline in the '90's under CEO Gordon Bethune.

Today was the end:

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved a single operating certificate for United Airlines and Continental Airlines, a major regulatory and public-relations victory for their parent, United Continental Holdings Inc., as it works to fully integrate the two carriers.

The decision, announced by United Continental Wednesday, means oversight of United and Continental has been consolidated and, from a regulatory perspective, they are now considered a single entity. It followed months of internal company debate and public controversy about how the two airlines' pilots would be jointly trained.

Pilots from both carriers have started using the "United" designation when communicating with air-traffic controllers. United and Continental flight dispatchers also have begun relying on the same rules and standards to authorize flights.

http://online.wSportsJournalists.com/article/SB10001424052970203833104577070331754231546.html
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And, in a world where the 99% resent the 1%, Gordon is still beloved by his former employees.

Gordon is a guy who rose from Navy Mechanic, to CEO. He also held a pilot's license, and often flew delivery flights.

He posted this message today on his Facebook page:

Gordon Bethune

Today is the first day since 1937 that there are no Continental Airline airplanes operating anywhere in the world. Thousands of ex cons are saddened by the loss of a great brand that brought pride to so many of us. Unlike other airlines who disappeared, CO was the only one who went out "On Top". Most admired global airline, more JD Power awards than any airline ever...you name it, CO won it......every customer satisfaction award, 100 best places to work in America for six straight years. It's like a college diploma, it's our accomplishment and it's in the record books. We can all go do other things but we will always be tied by our joint accomplishment....making CO the best airline there ever was. My thanks to all of you who went the extra mile to put us on the map. No one could have done it better than you. gb

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=230510657017419&id=171726322895853
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Even though I didn't leave on the best of terms, it was a great place to work.

A lot of companies could learn from how it operated.

suburbia · Nov 30, 2011

YankeeFan said:

What was a terrible airline in the '80's became a tremendous airline in the '90's under CEO Gordon Bethune.

Today was the end:

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved a single operating certificate for United Airlines and Continental Airlines, a major regulatory and public-relations victory for their parent, United Continental Holdings Inc., as it works to fully integrate the two carriers.

The decision, announced by United Continental Wednesday, means oversight of United and Continental has been consolidated and, from a regulatory perspective, they are now considered a single entity. It followed months of internal company debate and public controversy about how the two airlines' pilots would be jointly trained.

Pilots from both carriers have started using the "United" designation when communicating with air-traffic controllers. United and Continental flight dispatchers also have begun relying on the same rules and standards to authorize flights.

http://online.wSportsJournalists.com/article/SB10001424052970203833104577070331754231546.html
Click to expand...

And, in a world where the 99% resent the 1%, Gordon is still beloved by his former employees.

Gordon is a guy who rose from Navy Mechanic, to CEO. He also held a pilot's license, and often flew delivery flights.

He posted this message today on his Facebook page:

Gordon Bethune

Today is the first day since 1937 that there are no Continental Airline airplanes operating anywhere in the world. Thousands of ex cons are saddened by the loss of a great brand that brought pride to so many of us. Unlike other airlines who disappeared, CO was the only one who went out "On Top". Most admired global airline, more JD Power awards than any airline ever...you name it, CO won it......every customer satisfaction award, 100 best places to work in America for six straight years. It's like a college diploma, it's our accomplishment and it's in the record books. We can all go do other things but we will always be tied by our joint accomplishment....making CO the best airline there ever was. My thanks to all of you who went the extra mile to put us on the map. No one could have done it better than you. gb

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=230510657017419&id=171726322895853
Click to expand...

Even though I didn't leave on the best of terms, it was a great place to work.

A lot of companies could learn from how it operated.
Click to expand...

What I find interesting is that, given Continental's strong reputation in the industry, why the airline is using the United name?

YankeeFan · Nov 30, 2011

suburbia said:

What I find interesting is that, given Continental's strong reputation in the industry, why the airline is using the United name?
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United is the bigger, better known global brand.

But, operationally, it's being run by CO people.

And, the logo, the livery, and the marketing look have been modified to CO's old look.

dixiehack · Nov 30, 2011

Continental was good in The Client.

Abe Vigoda · Nov 30, 2011

Bah. I'll still take the train.

rmanfredi · Nov 30, 2011

Cue Christopher Walken SNL screen cap in 3...2...1...

PCLoadLetter · Dec 15, 2014

rmanfredi said:

Cue Christopher Walken SNL screen cap in 3...2...1...
Click to expand...

Is this the photo you seek... my little wide-eyed doe?

Bad Guy Zero · Nov 30, 2011

dixiehack said:

Continental was good in The Client.
Click to expand...

Not as good as Brad Renfro.

bydesign77 · Nov 30, 2011

Just interviewed with CO in IAH. They were careful not to.call it continental anymore but continental subsidary or something like that. I wonder how this will affect the 900 flight attendants they just hired

Bubbler · Nov 30, 2011

Continental + United = shit.

Baron Scicluna · Nov 30, 2011

The Meadowlands will never be the same.

FileNotFound · Nov 30, 2011

I love Contintental Airlines -- always consistent service, the cleanest planes, good food at the Houston hub. I can only hope that the CO people now in charge are ready for their first O'Hare/Denver winter storm meltdown.

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RIP Continental Airlines

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RIP Continental Airlines

YankeeFan Well-Known Member

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YankeeFan Well-Known Member

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Abe Vigoda Member

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