One thing that may not be apparent to many is that if AAG agrees to contract improvements at Envoy outside of section 6, APA will publicly pounce on them for their hypocrisy. Parker has steadfastly represented to APA that they do not and will not entertain improvements to AA pilots industry trailing contractual provisions until section 6 negotiations years from now. If they suddenly give Envoy improvements in opposition to that supposed standard, it cramps their supposedly immovable position represented to APA which means simply throwing more money at Envoy pilots will put more pressure on them to throw more at AA pilots thus making this move potentially a lot more expensive then it appears at first glance.

Another aspect is that I'm sure they question whether simple pay raises would have much impact truly keeping Envoy pilots from accepting positions at legacies or especially LCC's and in this I think that is correct. Personally, I think it would be throwing good money after bad and the real solution has to be something outside Envoy in and of itself. It will have to be a (painful for them, I'm sure) admission that they've screwed up and significant investment in their operations pilots across the board from mainline through to regional. Since the resource of pilots is still flush for legacy flying, that is where IMO they should apply their efforts just like Delta and UAL as ultimately, that has the best chance at maximizing the career benefits to both present and future pilots operating the smaller regional sized aircraft on behalf of AA. AAG once again just demonstrated their penchant for being followers of others by altering their FF model to money spent as opposed to miles earned just like the others, so this would be nothing new.

The clock is ticking for AAG and hopefully whatever solution they decide on will be correct and timely. The longer they kick this can, the higher likelihood of mortal infection from a rusty over-kicked can.