American Airlines status?

[WOODMAN]

Okay, maybe I'm just slow, but what is the status of AA these days? I understand they have filed for bankruptcy protection, like several other airlines have recently done. What do you folks think this means to us travelers as a practical matter? I am considering using them for travel to Cozumel in a couple of months, and am wondering if all this might really have an effect on their day to day operations? Woody

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

It means nothing other than continuation of a slow deterioration of customer service. They will be firing a bunch of ground crew and flight attendants and those left probably not be happy campers. AA will be working to dump their retirement system obligations on the US taxpayers which will result in a reduction of benefits to those employees approaching retirement.

As for flights, mileage credit, etc...those will not change. I still fly AA because it works for my location and I have enough status with them to make it worthwhile. Its not like the other airlines are all that much better.

 

[Wookie]

They still suck and have no incentive not to. If you complain to the flight crew that their customer service blows, they call TSA and put you off the plane. They have no reason to do better. They will be there when you want to fly, they are too big to fail.

 

[Rhone Man]

The main reason they filed for Chapter 11 was to shed their pension liabilities. This is what pretty much every other major US airline has already done, and they were the last to cave in. Other than that, not much will change. They will emerge from the restructuring leaner financially, but don't expect either service levels or routes to change much.

 

[ajtoady]

Wookie said it best!!! AA has always been a "Prima Donna" type. Late and overpriced flights just like US Air. Seems to me that most airlines today are the pits, charging for bags is BS and definitely fleecing the public. As far as meals and such , it was never that good. I try to avoid certain airlines and am willing to drive 4 hours to another airport to avoid the worst ones. AA's service will only continue to deteriorate due to the restructure. I am however hoping their stock flies to higher numbers.

 

[WOODMAN]

Wow- so many fans of AA, and so fast too! I suppose I am only nervous about this because I was one of the lucky ducks who was traveling around Australia with Ansett when that carrier suddenly folded up like a well-used roadmap, leaving me high and dry in Cairns. It was in all the papers, they said, but who reads papers (especially foreign papers!) on vacation? Anyway, the whole subject has been a little sensitive for me since then, although I watched Sun Country go through this with no real effect to those traveling with them at the time. Just trying to do my homework, and many thanks to all for your insights, warped or otherwise. Woody

 

[k ellis]

This is one of the many fallouts that airlines are suffering with things like hidden baggage fees and worse food. Like one other poster mentioned I can rent a car, take the family and enjoy a spacious roomy car seat for 8 hours and arrive THOUSANDS cheaper then being sexually assaulted at a gate, sitting in a seat designed for a toddler, eating a crummy meal they charge 5 or more dollars for and then having them say oh in addition to your 500 dollar ticket you have to pay 75 dollars total for both your bags. Then when you get there you find your bag is missing and run the risk it may never be found. Have no rights inside the gate, pay 3 times more for a bottle of water then on the outside. Yep airlines sure have outdone themselves these days!

 

[robint]

yeah, we are stuck using AA to fly to Cozumel next month. Our only other choice is Continental and they charge almost double for the same route. It sucks not having choices, but it is what it is.

 

[Rhone Man]

Wow- so many fans of AA, and so fast too!

I am certainly not a hater. For better or worse, I hold Platinum mileage status on AA. I tend to find all of the US airlines very weak compared to their Asian counterparts.

This is one of the many fallouts that airlines are suffering with things like hidden baggage fees and worse food.

I honestly don't think that AA's financial troubles are as a result of bag handling fees. I think bag handling fees are a result of AA's financial troubles.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

In the US, we have more or less a capitalistic free enterprise system. Its doing what it should, the competition to fill their seats on each flight has driven the cost of flying down. In many cases I pay 15-20 cents per mile, or about 1/3 of what the IRS says it cost to drive a car.

That parts great, but because price has become the single most important measurement service has suffered. People simply don't want to pay an extra 10-20% for good service. We want cheap. On the other hand our airlines have a bloated infrastructure and cost associated with decades of poor management some of the smaller Asian airlines have avoided so far. The result is the nickle and dime charges, shoddy service, etc.... I don't see AA as any different than United, Continental, Delta, etc.... I tried Jet Blue and Southwest, they have their own (slightly different issues).

Personally I try to reduce the problem a bit with the frequent flyer status programs, airline clubs and learning to manipulate the system.