• Los Angeles Times, Monday, October 4, 2010 10:53 AM

Julie Johnsson writes that Jeff Smisek, the Harvard-trained lawyer who became CEO of United Airlines when Continental formally merged with it Friday, envisions building a combined brand where service and teamwork are unmatched. To that end, he is embarking on a massive team-building effort and a union leader says he's got about 90 days to win over skeptics. But the prospects don't daunt Smisek.

"If you are an airline geek, it doesn't get any better than this: bringing these two carriers together," Smisek says. "They are the perfect marriage, the perfect fit. I think we're creating a tremendous carrier here."

The merger's benefits will come not from slashing costs but from generating new sales, attracting new customers and connecting cities, analysts tell Johnsson, so striking a balance and creating harmony is crucial to survival. Smisek plans to bring Continental's people-first culture and business approach to United. That means all eyes are focused forward.

"There's an old saying that we use here a lot: There's no rearview mirror on the flight deck," Smisek says. "Because it doesn't matter what's behind you. If you're going 540 miles per hour, who the hell cares what's back there, right?"

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