Little was done to the laws in the way of labor protection, no matter what anyone thinks they still can come after the employees, and they will.

What changed was the ability to shed debt and back out of lease agreements etc.

One of the biggest changes that really is the wild card is: The corporation has normally been able to maintain DIP (Debtor in Position) though the entire process. The rules were amended to only allow a 180 day window of allowing the corporate officers the ability to be DIP before the creditors are allowed to submit their own plan.

In AMR's case that really is the wild card if they do not have a prepackaged deal already done before filing. Many of their creditors want to see the industry shrunk and consolidated ever more. Because of this, if they pass the 180 day mark their creditors may see supreme value in parting the company out to the other airlines and as a result gain a better risk on all of their outstanding debt in the airline sector.