And? let them leave ... if there's another airline, that didn't take federal bailout money, then they should be able to hire that executive and give them whatever compensation they want. Clearly if they didn't take bailout money, then they have nothing to be limited by.

But for the airlines that take bailout money ... well, if that executive leaves, someone else will step into their place. Who cares ... you people act as if executives are some magical breed of superhuman; they're not. Sure they might have a strong business network, but nothing the new executive can't build over time.