I've said many times that I'd be thrilled to sell the airline to the employees and our guys said no, we'll take all the money, anyway.

This is a nasty, rotten business.

I've never invested in any airline. I'm an airline manager. I don't invest in airlines. And I always said to the employees of American, 'This is not an appropriate investment. It's a great place to work and it's a great company that does important work. But airlines are not an investment.'

You put together the best team that you can with the players you've got, and replace those who aren't good enough.

I did not deal well with the politicians. I tend to tell people that when they are full of crap, that they are full of crap.

[Politicians] - they'll give you everything you want to your face - and then, as you walk away, they'll shoot you in the back because it's fun to watch you die.

A lot of people came into the airline business. Most of them promptly exited, minus their money.