[quote=MOB P45]
The big change, in my opinion, was the appointment of a succession of weak individuals to various Management Pilot roles.
You could well be right. Neither of the 2 Chief Pilots you mention were men that would lightly (ie at all!) allow any interference from above to effect the line operational standards. In fact, at that time, there was a strong management pilot team that supported each other and positively enforced a system whereby any matter to do with Flight Crew was routed through their offices. There was always the potential for, maybe, weaker personalities to have bent under such pressure.
Still, that's just autopsy now. Take strength all those affected by GEM's demise, there's life after Emerald (Danny can testify to that!).