The story of ValuJet has been documented and told lots of places, you can do a google search and find all the info you want. As for comparison to AAY it has to do with cutting corners as much as possible on maintenance and operations, in order to maximize profits. Both airlines had/have the same CEO and he follows the same business methods for each. Anyone on his management team not going along with his methods is gotten rid of. That is the most compelling part, people don't change their way of doing things unless outside forces cause them to. Especially when it has to do with money. With some people greed will top all other considerations and that's what they have at AAY upper management.

AAY has been very profitable for several years. Even if AAY shutdown tomorrow the CEO would be financially well-off for the rest of his life, yet he isn't going to spend more than he marginally has to on the business, even if it would improve safety, working conditions for employees, moral, a better customer experience, etc. He doesn't quantify safety costs like he does fuel, equipment leases, etc. Safety expenditures are done similar to personnel costs - lowest possible cost, doesn't see any reason to spend more in those areas. All businesses want to control costs, but there is a point where it negatively affects things. He probably talks to his corporate and personal lawyers more than his business advisers.

anyway, that's my opinion.