I really do hope things improve at AA, but I just don't see it:

1. Agreed, the pilot cadre is old and retirees will need to be replaced. But I think Eagle flowthroughs and returning furloughees will cover that, even if the furloughee return rate is somewhat anemic.
2. You can't pick up a paper or watch a "news" channel without seeing something about the rise of China/Asia in terms of economic power. What has AA done to get involved in that growth? They seem solely focussed on "Old Europe" (to quote Donny Rumsfeld) via agreements with British Airways and Air Iberia (not AA jets/crews flying those routes).
3. Fleet growth appears to be nil. Seems any new jets they are getting are to replace worn out ones. Current fleet (not to mention FAs) is old, which = expensive to operate.
4. No dance partner at the Merger Ball (UAL/CAL, SWA/AT, DAL/NWA).
5. Regarding optimism being peddled at flowthrough indoc classes, what would you expect them to say? "Welcome aboard. We suck." And as for the contract, what is it now, year six or something of "negotiations"?
6. The OP was quoting an article about stock price. Supposedly, the market looks ahead six months. Not good.

Please tell me where I am wrong. I do wish the best for the pilots at AA, and hope it's a place worth coming back to some day. But for now, it's Sunday, football season is over and I'm bored so wanted to continue the conversation...