Figured I could chime in on this thread. Summer of 2014 hire, got stuck as one of the last guys to go to PHX. Due to military and family commitments I stayed on the east coast and commuted for the last couple years.

Commuting at aa is atrocious. Doesn't matter if you book the jumpseat a week out, if the aircraft is weight restricted the jump seater gets kicked off and passengers get a higher priority in the cabin.

I sat on the sidelines commuting across country to the worst reserve schedule possible at a 10 year old dead airline as my classmates upgraded on the e190, were able to transfer bases etc. My peers at delta and united can hold lines, upgrade to group II captain or hold 76-400 trips, hold any base in the system and make a 20-30% more than I do.

I miss the old America West contract, the POS that was voted in is a disgrace. (5:15 avg day, what a concept) I was unable to vote because I was still a probie, but the sad part is PHX voted it in by at least 90%.

At first I figured it would all work out in the long run and pulled my apps because I'll retire in the top couple hundred at AA. I finally realized why buddies told usair and American to "pound sand" when offered interviews at AA. They understood delta, United, swa had their poop in a group as a company and union. They were the smart ones.

Finally couldn't take it anymore and dropped long term military leave. All my mil bros that had the chance have done the same. One definitely isn't coming back and a couple others are on the fence.

This is my story and fortunately for a new guy/gal getting hired now they won't be able to get stuck like the other PHX refugees and I did. I discourage friends from going to AA when asking for advice unless they live in south Florida. Even then driving to Mco with wn or Fll with b6 might be better.

@drinksonme said it all about the corporate culture at aa. Using company money to fund their own agendas, pit management vs labor and drive up the stock price. Parker's goal is simple, it's Doug Parker. He has no sense of urgency in running a quality operation. Like others have said, he's just a money guy. For the most part it seems like delta and swa have mutually beneficial relationships with their management and have a quality product. What a concept. I don't believe we're going to see a new contract come to fruition in 2019, it wouldn't behoove management in anyway.

I'm going to put my apps in when I come off orders. At least see what else is out there. Is it better to be top 1% at terrible company or top 30% at a decent one.