From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continentals Remarkable Comeback

The numerous anecdotes alone are worth the price of the book . . . most readers will find themselves asking why everyone doesn′t run a business as preached by the chief executive of Continental Airlines.–The Washington Post Book World . . . in an age where managing seems increasingly complicated, some of Bethune′s prescriptions are refreshingly straightforward.–Business Week From Worst to First outlines Gordon Bethune′s triumphs . . . about the turnaround he′s led at Continental, a perennial basket case that′s become an industry darling.–The Atlanta Journal–Constitution From Worst to First is [Gordon Bethune′s] story of Continental Airlines′ turnaround under his command . . . The blueprint has worked . . . Fortune magazine named Continental the company that has ′raised its overall marks more than any other in the 1990s.′–The Seattle Post–Intelligencer All of Gordon Bethune′s proceeds from this book will be donated to the We Care Trust, a nonprofit organization that assists Continental Airlines′ employees and their families in times of need.

HOW WE CLIMBED FROM WORST TO FIRST. Is This Any Way to Run an Airline? The Last Suppers, or Whose Problem Is It? Fly to Win, or You Can Make a Pizza So Cheap Nobody Wants to Eat It. Fund the Future, or If There Ain′t No Funds, There Ain′t Gonna Be No Future. Make Reliability a Reality, or It′s Time to Act Like a Real Airline. Working Together, or Which Part of This Watch Don′t You Think We Need? Success Has No Autopilot. A FLIGHT PLAN FOR SUCCESS. How the Sickest Patients Need the Best Doctors, and Concerning Tapeworms. Nobody Loses When the Whole Team Wins. Keeping the Lines of Communication Open. Predictability, or the Value of a Zippo. What Gets Measured Gets Managed. Crop Duster′s Son. Why You Just Read This Book. Acknowledgments. Index.

Gordon Bethune is Chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines. Prior to joining Continental, he was vice president and general manager of customer service at Boeing. Bethune was also a senior operations executive at Braniff Airways, Western, and Piedmont Airlines. Scott Huler is a professional journalist. He has been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and other leading North American newspapers and magazines.

In his new book FROM WORST TO FIRST, Continental Airlines CEO Gordon Bethune tells how he led Continental′s transformation into an award–winning carrier after years as an unprofitable airline that angered employees and customers.–USA Today "Some of Bethune′s prescriptions are refreshingly straightforward... Bethune includes some fresh examples of his plain–spoken management style."–Business Week