Were you on the courthouse steps! Carty pulled a fast one on us, we fell for it. Won't happen again.
It wasn't a fast one, guys.
Immediately after 9/11, I'd written one the programs used for comparing FBI watchlists against the Sabre ON lists before departure. We used this at SOC, and later the SRO, for about two weeks while Sabre completed programming on green screen. Just ask Tim Ahern. He footed the bill for the server we used to crunch the names.
During the concessions voting/standoff, I modified that program to start skimming thru DFW-LGA/PHL/DCA reservations, and loaded it with the names of managing directors and above (I'm sure some of you will see this as a fitting use of the watchlist).
We kept finding DFW-LGA bookings for Gary Kennedy (VP of Legal), John Rau (MD Fuel Purchasing), and two other guys from Legal and Corporate Real Estate whose names escape me at the moment. They eventually flew up on either Thursday or Friday. Those are the guys who would have been present at the first hearing where a judge approves orders to keep paying for fuel, wages, and airport fees.
They might not have been standing on the proverbial steps, but they were certainly in NYC and ready to appear before the bankruptcy judge if necessary.
So say it was a threat, a bluff, or a lie all you want, but I know what I saw with my own eyes. I should have saved a print-out...