Come on Jackie, since when does the amount of flt time a guy has dictate his ability to run an airline? I prefer he had less, and spent more time in the office fighting those resistant to change and new ideas. This freight train is out of control and he MAY BE the wrench needed to stop this thing. AD came down here with a closet full of skeletons and we all new it. BN is now pushed into the deep end of the pool. Give the boy a chance to swim. I hate to say this, I'm gonna have to go with brassplate on this one.
Its not denial, its called running out of options. It's gonna get worse before it gets better-for sure. With your large amount of flt time, maybe you should throw in your CV. The positon is still open.