From there he worked his way up to management ranks.

Most agents who reached management ranks had little counterterrorism experience.

American also said yesterday it was cutting its management ranks and support staff by 5 percent.

Eventually, some became satisfactory employees and began to rise in the management ranks.

So far, there has been little turnover in the management ranks.

The result was that an increasing number of agents joined the management ranks.

"We will reduce management ranks before going to direct services workers," he said.

The board also approved a plan to cut $430 million in costs over three years from management ranks.

The jobs will be cut through continuing efforts to reduce the management ranks and by giving work to outside vendors.

The potential for turmoil goes well below the top management ranks.