I will tell you the same thing I told the other guy, shrinking to profitability rarely works. Many companies try it but only a very small percentage benefit from that tactic, most go bust. Shrinking to profitability is usually an act of desperation by a dying company. Crack a paper open. You see it all the time in the business section. Sears is a good example.
Also I would not compare AA and United with SWA. They operate very differently and serve very different markets. AA and United have a varied fleet and cater to the business traveler. Southwest has one type of aircraft (unless something has changed since my day) and caters to the cattle car crowd. There is also the issue of American Airlines having a lot larger workforce than Southwest. I know American at least, if not United, does a lot of maintenance in house. I am betting Southwest most likely contracts most of it out to a low cost MRO. Last but not least American Airlines had a focus on international travel specifically to Asia and Europe. They have mostly lost that business. Southwest was not as vested in international travel so were not nearly as impacted by closures due to the pandemic.
That being said Airlines always seem to be peak and valley and once the first world is mostly vaccinated you are going to see a tidal wave of a peak. Concession ARE coming. Nothing is going to stop that. The best think you can do is pressure your UNION to push a snap back clause for when the tide hits to make sure you are lifted up with it.
Look man I don't want AA to go bust. First off and most obviously my wife works there. Second AA is a major employer in Tulsa. Third I really do believe American Airlines gives people a good opportunity to earn a living wage for people with little or no education. Offering full benefits for part time work make it an excellent job for students. Just because American Airlines was not a good fit for me does not mean it is not a good employer or job.
Believe it or not I am very happy to have American Airlines in my life.I am thankful my wife has a good paying job. I am thankful TULE is such an economic boom to our city. American Airlines has been a part of my family for three generations. It is my hope it will be there providing others opportunities for three more.
You all need to put your loathing of management aside and realize that outside of the Golden Parachute Brigade we are all in this together. Even former employees with a pension married to current employees.