Ornstein left Mesa in 1994 to head Continental Express, a commuter line owned by Continental Airlines.

FORBES: Second act

Hungry for some of American's business, David Siegel, president of Continental Express, the short-haul division of Continental Airlines, had a bright idea.

FORBES: Dogfight

He notes there was a major exception: the Continental Express fiasco Despite efforts by the crew and dispatcher to resolve the situation, "results for the customers were clearly unacceptable, " he said.

WSJ: Flight Nightmares Overshadow Airlines�� Improving Record

Ornstein wanted Continental to spin off the Express subsidiary so he could be boss of his own show.

FORBES: Second act