Who Will Be Ual's Next Pilot?

Gerald Greenwald is a finance guy who spent decades working his way up the auto industry. So is Louis R. Hughes. Greenwald headed one of the Big Three's European operations. So did Hughes. When Greenwald became convinced he'd never get to be chief executive of his company, he left Detroit and in 1994 became CEO of the world's largest airline. Now, Hughes may be following Greenwald's path yet again.

BUSINESS WEEK has learned that the 50-year-old head of new business strategies at General Motors Corp. has emerged as the leading external candidate to become the next CEO of UAL Corp., the parent of United Airlines Inc. He is one of two finalists, UAL insiders say. The other is insider James E. Goodwin, 54, the 32-year United veteran whom Greenwald made president last September. Both have met in recent weeks with board members, who could make a decision as soon as their Mar. 25 meeting.