Points raised in the hyperlinked article:
"The logistical problems associated with hub operations at Philadelphia International Airport are legendary," said Daniel Von Bargen, vice chairman of Air Line Pilots Association Council 41. "Couple this with the continual short-staffing of the operation, even on good days, and US Airways skates near operational disasters on a daily basis."
Von Bargen blamed the breakdown on Alan W. Crellin, US Airways' executive vice president for operations.
"The operation fell apart completely," Von Bargen said. "There was no sign of middle and senior management on the scene."
US Airways said it might take action against workers who illegally called in sick. But it has given no indication that any managers would be disciplined for inadequate planning, said Marick Masters, a University of Pittsburgh business professor who is following the airline's labor relations.
"Where does the buck stop? It stops any place but management," Masters said.
Bill Oliver, vice president at the Boyd Group, an aviation consulting firm in Evergreen, Colo., said: "Management is responsible for what occurred."
Oliver faulted senior executives for underestimating labor problems and failing to arrange adequate staffing for the Christmas crush of customers.
"Mr. Lakefield and his group apparently don't understand this industry or the service industry," Oliver said.
