Well, not sure about "domiciles" as that could all be altered in a merger with some domiciles closing etc. I understood the fence part of it to be equipment oriented (primarily 777/787) as supposedly 7 years would see a lot of the East retired by then. The AA orders are replacement only until the option phase of 460 and that's supposed to start in 6-7 years, if exercised. A coicidence ?

There's a bunch of other stuff about surviving union control, etc. as well.

Look, I think it's almost a certainty AA and U will merge, it's simply a matter of when. Horton himself is open to merger, just not inside BK while he has a chance to effectively "de-unionize" AA and gut the contracts to practially regional level. I assume he'd ca$h in nicely on that (along with certain bankers, etc.) as I said before. The pilots at AA are FAR better off IMO, getting a deal now before Horton abrogates the contract and I think the creditors and future investors would be too.

The non-union creditors should also worry about what AA will become under Horton's plan and IS that the best investment going forward to protect and enhance investors and creditors interests ?

Under Horton's plan, it seems once he's blown the place apart like an F5 tornado, who's on the hook for rebuilding what will almost certainly be a labor disaster for eternity ?

He and his team could collect and move on leaving that concern to others, but again IMHO, I simply cannot see the wreckage left behind from the 1113 decimation as anything worthwhile to rebuild with. It might solve the cost problem, but takes the future product right down with it. Parker offering less pain to preserve the future foundation of the carrier may be the better move in the long run for all parties whose interest is in a viable, cohesive and lean competitor with a workforce that can be emotionally salvaged because it has the capability to economically salvage itself.

The current AMR plan is a graveyard.........again, that's my opinion anyway.

 

Who said anything about today ?

I think I'm doing a pretty decent job of spreading gossip now, don't you ?

On Monday, AMR goes to judge Lane with sharpened axes and the week is young. Perhaps, more will come of this rumor or it will be debunked ?

In any case, this is only the start of the 6-8 week period wherby the real dogfighting begins. I can tell you that with every passing day, it seems more and more are becoming jaded here and seem ready to just get out from under the grip of the current insanity into fresh territory even if it's not utopia.

This carrier cannot be a viable competitor with this same old philosophy of the past and something simply HAS to change.

 

Eaglefly - how about you explaining, in detail, how Doug Parker and USAIR is the savior for AA?

 

I don't buy this DAL plus 3% deal, I think Parker might have shown the APA a plan that would put AMR in a level playing field with DAL/UAL and so the new company would be able to absorb the same type contract, no way have fences etc. discussed with anyone. I just don't buy anything being signed etc., after all AMR management retains exclusive rights and that has not changed.

 

Here's what I love about it. Doug has played his own pilots for suckers. They don't have a combined contract, and he gets to pass all that blame to the two pilot groups. You gotta love the prospect of a ruthless boss like that!

At the same time, the APA leadership knows it would win the representation election in a merged company, so we AA pilots come out ahead. So far not too bad!

Between a ruthless CEO and an opportunistic APA, where's the downside here? East, Central and West,what a stew! We'll be all singing row, row, row your boat in no time flat!

You guys are right, our leadership is whacked, but Doug and Scott will be our saviors; the anticipation is awe inspiring and we will rule the world.

 

I have yet to see either his business plan for the merged carrier or his proposals to AA labor thus that question can't be answered yet. I HAVE seen Hortons plan, so I have half the equation.

When I have specifics from Parker, I'll be happy to comment. Now......since Tom-Tom has dodged the question and your question has overtones of preference for AMR's plan, perhaps you can't explain why Horton's direction for AA is superior ?

 

In reality, the pilots played themselves as suckers and Parker is simply capitalizing on something he himself is currently hamstrung on.

"Ruthless CEO" is a term quite easily applied to our present predicament........and again, since we're here and since Horton's plan is well known, how do you see him and that team leading us out of the abyss they themselves plunged us into ?

 

I too suspect Parker and the APA have met and discussions were held. Has a "plan" been agreeed to ?

Maybe, maybe not.

Nonetheless, it appears that the majority of the creditors are distancing themselves from Horton and thus the camel has his nose in the tent flap..........that's usually more then half the battle. Again, as far as AA labor is concerned and in regards to Horton's 1113, there's no where to go but up. AMR has yet to even meaningfully negotiate and arrogant intransegence seems to be in the drivers seat at Centreport.

Whether desired or not, Horton's practically begging labor to abandon him.

 

When Delta was in BK it was Grinstein who was the hatchet man and did the dirty work. Anderson took the helm only after the storm was over and the seas began to calm. The same will happen with AA/Horton. I dont think he was ever meant to be the long term leader, but only the hatchet man and/or M&A specialist (especially considering his experience from AT&T).

So merger or not, I dont think Horton will be the one leading AA out of the abyss.

 

Its like a marriage in my humble estimation. My wife and I will celebrate our 35th anniversary this friday. Have there been times where I've thought about what another pasture would be like, you bet I have. After some reflection, I've come to realize that all relationships take work!

It's give and take. Always has been and always will be! I think its a nice fantasy play for our pilot leadership to attempt to woo Doug, but they are doing the membership a huge disservice!

You don't have to agree with me but unless you're willing to find a model that provides a sustained profitability whether that is AA,US, US/AA or AA/US, we are doomed!

Doug may promise us the moon, or as I suspect, just stroke our huge pilot egos, its of no consequence. We will either adapt to the current marketplace or cease to exist.

Choices will be made, but will we have some element of control? It remains to be seen.

The thing about Russian Roulette is.......?