Culture should never be a factor in choosing a job you’re going to work at for 30 years. Culture is what you and the person sitting next to you make of it. Plus, “culture” doesn’t pay my bills.
AA has lots of pros and cons. So does SWA. Really can’t go wrong with either. But whatever choice you make don’t look back.
The AA debt does seem concerning. However, when i listen to Parker explain their reasoning for why they choose to carry that debt level it makes sense. As inept as we like to think management is I think they would have a better idea of how to run a giant corporation than a bunch of guys who fly airplanes for a living.
Plus AA is in the “too big to fail” territory, similar to the US automakers a few years ago. That plus lots of retirements and industry consolidation should keep AA safe if there is a downturn.