Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan and executive chairman Gary Kelly would be long gone by now if one vocal activist investor had its way, one of the airline’s unions told members this week. “... Elliott advised that its preference would be for board chair Gary Kelly to exit his position sooner than the announced departure at next spring’s shareholder meeting,

The airline has been under pressure from the hedge fund Elliott to replace its top management and make other changes to increase its profits.

Elliott Management wants Bob Jordan out as Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) CEO and executive chairman Gary Kelly to leave sooner than planned, according to a memo viewed by Reuters. The activist investor told members of the carrier’s top union that despite a board refresh and efforts by Southwest (LUV) to appease Elliott,