Gordon Bethune

Somebody who knows what they're doing, who has a good track record, they come across as very articulate, bright and looking for a challenge - that's absolutely my kind of hire.

The guy in the airplane goes with you. So he has self-interest to do the good things, too, and I don't know of any pilots that don't have a self-interest in staying alive.

It really helps to know what success is before you get there, and if you know, then you can head right for it. For some people, it's the most money. For some, it's the most power. For some, it's the most girlfriends. Everybody's got a measure. For me, I guess it's having the respect and admiration of your peers.

Whether I'm at the hangar or at the airport or on an airplane, I get respect. And that's the best part of my day.

I just want to be able to get on an airplane and enjoy myself in Disneyland, not sit there worrying about all these assassins.

You're only as good as your dumbest competitor.

I've spent my life as an airplane mechanic, pilot, aircraft manufacturer and airline CEO who never lost a life or an airplane. I am considerate of the risk we take every time we fly. I also know we need to fly and always to improve safety.

Most businesses fail because they want the right things but measure the wrong things, and they get the wrong results.

The airline business is the biggest team sport in the world. When you're all consumed with fighting among yourselves, your opponents can run over you every day.

It's not about market share. If you have a successful company, you will get your market share. But to get a successful company, what do you have to have? The same metrics of success that your customer does.

No one is going to stick their head out of the trenches for someone they don't respect or trust. You can get shot doing that.

It all sounds almost silly, but the fact is that the only way to change a corporate culture is to just change it.