The nepotism. The buddy system. The fake "we are family" facade. The required Company "reeducation" meetings. The lack of growth that has guys sitting in the right seat for 15 years.

Everything they do is for show. Why do you think they pioneered the check in Kiosk? To eliminate CSA jobs.

Calling the OAK mechanics in for a "meeting" and firing them all. Replacing the SEA rampers with Menzies with no notice.

One AS CEO once told a meeting of F/As and rampers "These are entry level positions and none of you should aspire to home ownership." That attitude has never changed. You are just a number, a butt in the seat. And if you get too expensive, they are more than willing to show you the door and replace you with a new hire at first year wages.

10-11 hour layovers are now the norm. Summer vacations have been drastically reduced to the point where only the top 10% of the seniority list has a prayer at getting one. Staffing is so close to the bone that they routinely offer to buy back vacations and if they don't get enough greedy volunteers they have no problem canceling your vacation and allowing you to "choose" one next year from what is left AFTER everyone has bid.

AS looks good from the outside, but if I was a mainline candidate, I'd be taking a hard look at DAL, FDX, SWA, UPS, AA and UAL in that order.