this guy is dying to be CEO and/or have the power he once did. So he releases a You Tube video so he can "talk to everyone." (Gotta love the internet). However he is a has-been, akin to Jimmy Carter releasing a video on how to "handle" Syria. Uh,.....

He talks American American American. What he may not realize is that post-merger, the MBA's at both companies may rename it US Airlines and AA (and US Airways) will be a thing of the past.

Just my two cents, Merry Christmas

The "NO to merger" thing is gaining some steam at AA. Most of the guys I talk to are very concerned about SLI and the inevitable closure of overlapping bases and assets, which knock fences down fast.

AA has the route structure and the fleet to go it alone, if not mismanaged, and if employees are treated as assets rather than labor cost units.

Parker has stated publicly that it will indeed remain American Airlines. Top to bottom, the colors, logo, uniforms etc. and headquarters will be DFW.

Read between the lines as he states pilots loosing seniority and having to fly smaller equipment, in other words don't expect your WB to carry so much weight as to push US Airways pilots towards the bottom of the list.

I think Bob Crandall is still loyal to AA management and my bet says he has been tasked to assist them in retaining control. In the opinion of some, a certain captain who posts a blog is also suspected of acting directly on behalf of current management.

What better way to flip pilots out regarding a merger then bring up draconian seniority issues ? :eek:

If current managment wanted to convince most of the pilots a stand alone plan is better than a merge for them, all they would have to do (or have done) is offer a competitive contract and then produce a believable and viable business plan. They've done neither. Horton himself has said he's not adverse to a merger, he just wants to do it with current management in control and that means after Chapter 11 exit which is best to maximize HIS personal profit. The seniority issue will be in no different a place should it occur after Chapter 11 exit as before, it's just one management team will benefit more.

Either way, the AA pilots are in the same boat in a merger. If a merger is likely to happen anyway, I'd prefer it to occur while still in Chapter 11 which provides a better chance at improving our contract and at the same times DOESN'T reward those (again) for screwing the pilots over ad nauseum.

Exactly- US Airways is toxic. All the pilots over there want is date of hire- that's all they parrot

Thank you eaglefly.

Thank you for restoring my faith in the general acumen of American pilots. Are there really guys who think this will go Date of Hire? Do they not know of/care about the McCaskill-Bond?

As we all know, there are no guarantees in aviation

Unfortunately yes, there is a small percentage of pilots succombing to fear and running around in circles waving their hands and screaming that the sky is falling. Some are looking to foster that fear for the benefit of still others. Ultimately, it will be the UCC that decides merger or not and IMO, it's far more likely than less. That being the case, if it's going to happen eventually, let's do it now for my previously stated reasons. Horton went into give his plan to the APA BOD and it met with little support, so it couldn't have been that spectacular.

If one looks at the SLI's of the "big 2" and Southwest/AirTran, I think none of the three were identical and each had their specific factors. AA/U wont be any different. WHAT ultimately occurs is unknown, but Crandall's opinion has little to do with the interests of pilots and more to do with the interests of certain managements. Thus, I think one should read his opinions with amusement, but not consider them any further than that.

No, but the name 'American Airlines' is an iconic "brand" and it alone has value. I can't see them relinquishing that identity. If they did, someone else would be hot to snatch it and start up or change their carriers name to it.

In the case of this merger, in 5-7 years, it really becomes a merger of American Airlines and America West as virtually all the U East pilots will be gone (along with many from AA). That is ONE aspect I would think the APA would be communicating regarding seniority consideration of a post-fence airline and that is the crux of concern for most AA pilots that are concerned. I think fences would virtually eliminate windfall for the East pilots, but relatively junior West pilots could make end runs to the Widebodies.

We shall see.