Not really........at least for myself. It usually takes at least 7-10 years to play the "trash your shareholders" card and AA should be able to milk themselves at least that long. But, for arguments sake, let's say something forced them to file in 5 years or so. As part of that, would they then seek the usual "gut your union employees" move ?

Perhaps, but what would that result in for pilots ?

If it involved pay rates, likely an accelerated mass exodus of the older senior Group IV pilots who have had one too many bankruptcies and wouldn't stick around for another gutted low-ball pay contract. Not only that, the retirement acceleration rate because of that on top of the age 65'ers would be unpredictable and quick. Such a scenario could be disasterous for AA's International ops and could threaten their existance even IN Chapter 11. I'm sure many Group II captains would say "**** you" to AAG too. The next BK for this outfit (should it ever arrive) could be its last IF they included slitting the pilots financial jugular's as part of it. They'd have to be VERY careful what granades they threw at this old and rapidly retiring pilot group and they are VERY vulnerable in ways they never were before.

What they COULD do instead is go after scope or other non-pay items and since most senior and/or older (which will be the majority) would still keep flying if their pay rates wern't trashed, I could see Group I falling off a cliff, which would eventually catch up to the others and not jeopardize the remainder of their operation and more then age 65 already will.