Sure, they probably ARE geniuses in making money for share-holders and themselves when they can identify known strategies to do that, but the people I've talked to who have experienced both Delta and AA rate Delta much higher actually like two different carriers and it will be the product that makes the difference in the future. Sure, times are high for profits, but we all know (or should) that this always won't be the way. AA has the same culture problem as United. Delta fixed theirs for the most part and it obviously shows and it's more then about $$$. Shiny wrapping (new paint jobs for planes and costumes for the employees) won't correct the systemic disease still present here IMO and more then ever. Past management never made much effort in that area and the only thing worse is someone who claimed to understand that primary issue, promised to address it and from all appearances has done no such thing. In many ways, I think we're worse now then before BK and that has nothing to do with SLI indigestion. We're morphing more to be like the old American Eagle, just with higher mainline pay rates and you can't produce a premium product with such feeble efforts at taking care of your employees and in time, that will become more obvious. The quality of trips, the hotel accommodations, treatment by ancillary groups like scheduling, sham foot dragging on many of the few benefits we did get all bely a group of people conducting business exactly how it was in the past with the front line customer service employees feeling no better then before.

Sure, that is indeed DAL management posturing, but it isn't just propaganda. For pilots, they have real, tangible rewards for their efforts in producing what is (and will continue to be even more) clearly the superior US Airline product, while we have.............well, what do we have ?

On the pilots and the SLI, sure whatever nuthouse this place becomes by Fall, will ease somewhat within 5-7 years when most of the Senior Easties are gone (nothing against them intended, but it does dilute the Hatfields and so the McCoy's don't patrol with their rifles as much), but I'm not convinced of the growth people are assuming. Parker seems more interested in outsourcing more down the road, both domestically and Internationally and he has several tools not yet used to maximum effectiveness to accomplish that. I think for years to come we will ask and they will say "no". I wish I could be as optimistic, but all signs point ominously to the New AA being no different then the old despite new packaging and new, larger size.

Just my .02.............