The CEO of United Airlines Just Resigned—Because of Bridgegate

[liberal N proud]

The CEO and chairman of United Airlines, Jeffery Smisek, resigned on Tuesday after the "bridgegate" investigation that is dogging GOP presidential hopeful and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie revealed possible wrongdoing on the part of the airline.

The original investigation sought to answer whether the George Washington Bridge lane closures of September 2013, which caused massive traffic problems in the town of Fort Lee, N.J., were political payback for the Fort Lee mayor's refusal to endorse Christie for reelection. Since the start, the investigation has revolved around Christie's personal friend and top executive at the Port Authority, David Samson, who is cooperating with federal agents.

But the probe of Samson raised the possibility that United Airlines ran an illegal influence campaign to convince Samson to lower flight fees at Newark Liberty Airport and approve millions in spending to improve the airport. (The Port Authority is the airport's chief regulator.) According to WYNC, "United’s overtures included a special flight route that benefited the Port Authority’s former chairman David Samson; campaign contributions; fancy lunches and dinners; and meetings with top officials, including Christie."

United is conducting an internal investigation, but the feds are not waiting. Ahead of Smisek's resignation, investigators subpoenaed many top officials at the airline.
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2015/09/ceo-united-airlines-just-resigned-because-bridgegate

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. It's not clear yet whether it was bribery or a shakedown.

There's some evidence that Samson tabled United's request to finance EWR improvement projects until Simek agreed to add an unprofitable route for Samson's convenience - that would be the shakedown. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-28/the-dinner-proposal-that-led-united-into-corruption-probe

Or maybe Simek bribed Samson by promising to add the flight he wanted in exchange for the promise of funding the projects United wanted. I'm leaning toward the theory that Samson shook down United rather than the other way around, but either way, it's smelly.

[PatrickforO]

2. As crappy as ALL airlines have gotten, I applaud this.

These airlines barely make any profit, but the CEO salaries are stratospheric. Seats have been shrunk, legroom has been reduced, and they nickel and dime you to death. I HATE flying because you don't even get treated like a human. I don't fly unless I have to for business, because it sucks.

When I was a kid, flying was MUCH nicer.

So if the allegations are true, I certainly hope that Smisek is held accountable.

[spiderpig]

5. Major airline veteran here

These corporate banksters ruined the entire industry. I bailed years ago when the handwriting was on the wall. Haven't been on a commercial flight in over 5 years. Sad.

[malaise]

3. As I said back then

Samson will be his Delilah

[Laxman]

4. The Most Ominous Part Of That Article....

is kind of buried-

Since the start, the investigation has revolved around Christie's personal friend and top executive at the Port Authority, David Samson, who is cooperating with federal agents.

If that statement is true.....oh boy, this is going to be quite a few interesting weeks coming up!

[malaise]

6. I saw that

Delish!! Pass the chocolates

[Starry Messenger]

7. Marking to read later.

Whoa.

[SoapBox]

8. Skeeze at it's best.

"The "special flight route" United allegedly created for Samson ran from Newark to Columbia, close to where Samson and his wife spent the weekends. Bloomberg reports that Samson asked for the route over dinner with Smisek in a "playful, but not joking" manner:

He complained that he and his wife had grown weary of the trip to their weekend home in Aiken, South Carolina, because the best flight out of Newark was to Charlotte, North Carolina, 150 miles away. Until 2009, Continental had run direct service from Newark to Columbia, South Carolina, 100 miles closer.

Samson later said the Bloomberg report "badly mischaracterizes" the meeting. Four days after Samson resigned over the bridge scandal, United stopped running the flights."

Wasn't this guy at Continental and not the old United? It may now be named United but it's really Continental that took over.

[alcibiades_mystery]

10. "Hey, can you make a special route to our vacation home near Columbia, South Carolina?"

[WillyT]

9. K & R !!!

[MisterP]

11. Christie's got it covered--planes, trains, and automobiles

[genxlib]

12. Poor Guy

The first thing that I wondered...

Smisek would get a severance payment of $4.9 million and be eligible for a bonus. Smisek, 61, will have health insurance until he is eligible for Medicare and keep flight benefits and parking privileges for the rest of his life. He gets to keep his company car.

I wish I could fail that badly

[liberal N proud]

13. I bet none of United Employees get health insurance when severed from the company.

[malaise]

14. So did Joe Scum and the rest of them mention this???

This should be a bigger story than Clinton's email but you'd never know that.