Not the best thing at all, but increasingly the lessor of two evils.

I'd be interested to hear your argument of what Horton will do that's better. Aside from ripping out some seats in the 737's and shrinking AA and expanding Eagle and code-shares, Horton's plan doesn't offer much. In fact, the majority of the future is described in 6,500 pages of how the employees effectively need to be brought to their knees as the primary obstacle to the future shrunken AA's success.

Please explain in detail why you think the same group of people who got AA into this mess are the saviors to lead it out.

Is the delta plus 3% gonna be just for the American pilots or will it be in a joint contract with both east and west us airways too?

I'm assuming that the proposed 7 year fence means that Airways pilots cannot bid for AA domiciles and equipment for that period, correct? That does not prevent the Airways side from opening a DFW base for their equipment, does it? After the merger is complete (but prior to the fence expiring) where would a new hire be able to bid?

Well, it's rumor status right now, so don't get TOO worked up over it. But I heard it was across the board. A bunch of other details too, but I decided not to get too into it, as it's just in rumor status. I simply threw it out there for future discussion if things go in that direction.

Come on Eaglefly... no big announcement today. the least you can do is spread some gossip!

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.