Or he may be going into that role to start looking at the next evolutionary step in the US airline business -- direct responsibility for regional partners by the major that is selling the seats... The DoT already applied the delay/cancellation rules to both parties in a code-sharing arrangement. The FAA is also finally preparing to act on the 2010 Airline Safety Act. The OIG found that they had not fully complied with its three-year deadline, specifically in the mentoring, leadership, and professional development programs.

Looking at the big picture -- our own staffing needs, the new FAA training requirements (you can count on them being short-sighted and worthless but required immediately), and the impending shortage of candidates for the regional carriers -- it sure looks like AA is trying to develop our own solution and stay ahead of the curve. Maybe this is simply putting the guy with the most experience developing training programs into the position that will redesign the regionals' training programs. By redesigning their programs, he can ensure that they will have the right skills, attitudes, and abilities to succeed in our training. From first-hand conversations, I know Skinner has had some ideas ranging from Ab Initio programs to Collegiate partnerships to flow-throughs in how to stay ahead of the hiring curve and ensure we continue to get the best candidates (except for guys like EMB that slip through the cracks... ).