Robert Crandall quotes:

If the Wright Brothers were alive today, Orville would have to lay off Wilbur.

If the pilots were in charge, Columbus would still be in port. They believe the assertion that the world is flat.

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

The airline business is fast-paced, high risk, and highly leveraged. It puts a premium on things I like to do. I think I communicate well. And I am very good at detail. I love detail.

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

If you want to travel on the airline system, you give up your privacy. If you want your privacy, don't fly. Flying is voluntary.

The game we are playing her is closest to the old game of 'Christians and lions.'

[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.

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.

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.'

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.