Even if they laid down a bunt to move the runner over and went for a 4/8/3/3, they would still be in Bankruptcy. In fact, if they spent any more on anything during that time they would have went into Bankruptcy even sooner. The APA isn't screwed because they asked for too much. The APA is screwed because they work for AMR and AMR has the single worst business plan of any large US airline right now. They are bleeding revenues big time and flailing around gasping for air with one of the worst balance sheets and executed business plans around.

Their wounds aren't self inflicted, their drunk husband just beats them, and they can't leave because even though they hate him they still love him too much and have nowhere else to go anyway.