It's no secret American employee's are fed up with it's current management team. With that in mind i'd like to ask who you feel should go, and why you feel they should go. Please do not leave the current BOD out if you choose to comment.
At least they haven't come after out Pensions.
I am sure that when you stated that "We" in reference to Crandall, you meant yourself. I was happy with Crandall, he made it a fun and interesting place to work. The results of the Carty era have been nothing but disastrous, even the home computer deal was cheap.It's OK if you want to get rid of the current Executives. What if the next group is worse? I remember when we were glad to get rid of Crandall. When Carty came in there was systemwide celebration, especially after the '01 contract. We know how that turned out. I don't like the current group, but I'd rather secure a contract before these guys are replaced. At least they haven't come after out Pensions.
What AA needs right now is a hands-on, "charge the hill" type of guy. Just the opposite of Ourpay. When is the last time anyone has even seen this guy? The airline is STARVING for leadership. A leader needs to be seen out in the field, and the employees have to believe that the leader has a feel for the operation - both good and bad. Along those lines, the employees have to feel that the leader is actively working to fix problems and is interested in making AA the BEST operationally, and also growing the airline into a global leader.
As far as compensation, I have no problem paying the top guys big money IF THEY HAVE EARNED IT. A guy doing everything I listed above would probably garner support from the vast majority of employees for high salaries and bonuses. Our current "leadership" seems to think that they deserve the big bucks for running our operation into the ground. Last place or close to last place in almost every DOT category, billions in losses while everyone else is making money, massive downsizing and outsourcing, and they reward themselves with MILLIONS.
The AMR BOD is missing in action and clueless. They seem to be running a "good ol' boy" network. The airline went from the industry leader to a distant third (and still sinking fast), with many thinking bankruptcy is inevitable. The BOD's answer? Keep the current team! They are doing such a great job, why make changes?!
You could have not said it better. 100% agree with this statement.
What a joke. The most frustrating part is that it doesn't have to be this way. I think AA could make a fast turnaround with the right leadership. Unfortunately, new leadership (with absolutely NO ties to the inbred current leadership) is not even on the radar screen.
What AA needs right now is a hands-on, "charge the hill" type of guy. Just the opposite of Ourpay. When is the last time anyone has even seen this guy? The airline is STARVING for leadership. A leader needs to be seen out in the field, and the employees have to believe that the leader has a feel for the operation - both good and bad. Along those lines, the employees have to feel that the leader is actively working to fix problems and is interested in making AA the BEST operationally, and also growing the airline into a global leader.
As far as compensation, I have no problem paying the top guys big money IF THEY HAVE EARNED IT. A guy doing everything I listed above would probably garner support from the vast majority of employees for high salaries and bonuses. Our current "leadership" seems to think that they deserve the big bucks for running our operation into the ground. Last place or close to last place in almost every DOT category, billions in losses while everyone else is making money, massive downsizing and outsourcing, and they reward themselves with MILLIONS.
The AMR BOD is missing in action and clueless. They seem to be running a "good ol' boy" network. The airline went from the industry leader to a distant third (and still sinking fast), with many thinking bankruptcy is inevitable. The BOD's answer? Keep the current team! They are doing such a great job, why make changes?!
What a joke. The most frustrating part is that it doesn't have to be this way. I think AA could make a fast turnaround with the right leadership. Unfortunately, new leadership (with absolutely NO ties to the inbred current leadership) is not even on the radar screen.
Crandall's "Window of Opportunity". ?Don Carty (the Good Cop) brought a kinder and gentler feeling to AA than Crandall (the definite) BAD COP.
But hear me out. I would have NEVER EVER wished that Crandall would leave,........... NEVER !
I'm guessin' from (uncle) Bobby's perspective, that he needed a "time out", and took it.
With the alliance's ( T H E 4 best in the world) in place, covering the globe like a Blanket( BA, JAL and Qantas), ( and financing in place for a shet Load of new a/c) this would be the Perfect time for RLC to make a (trumpets please) return to HDQ !!!!!!!!!!!
Always remember that (uncle) Bobby said emphatically, that he'd NEVER chase "nickles and dimes". And if that meant getting rid of AE, and downsizing AA "to the bone" (Remember 1983 ???? ) , thats what he'd do for the time being, only to come ROARING back as he did for a 15 year run !
Let's see..... Horton hired on at AA in 85 and in 2000 he was named CFO until he bailed in 2002 along with several other rats that were abandoning the sinking ship. So he was technically not there for the 2003 concessions but was there for the ill advised purchase of TWA that started the downward spiral. And he was here for the "Industry leading contracts" that brought other concessions. And an endorsement from someone like you, who lurks on this board for the sole purpose of further destroying the AMT profession by pushing the company's agenda of setting new records for lowest pay and benefits in the industry, makes my case that Horton needs to go too. The big concessions were in 2003 but the company was crying broke and making incredibly stupid moves before then. Lots of these moves were done while Horton was here and then he flew the coop like several others when the going got tough. You want good people? Go after somone from Southwest. They obviously know how to run an airline and want to stay in business. But this doesn't fit the Arpey/AA M.O. of treating customers like crap and employees worse. The reason Arpey is not seen anywhere is that he is depised by his employees. We sacrificed to save the airline but Arpey (and Horton) and all other management did not. In fact they were rewarded for driving the bus off a cliff. I honestly feel that what goes around comes around and someday Arpey and all his cronies will get paid back in spades. Now what your opinon is about "What needs to be done." is something that would be interesting to see. I am sure it has something to do with getting rid of pensions and other benefits that management will continue to enjoy while the union people suffer even more. I am beginning to think that your last name is Arpey.I'm a little more inclined to believe Horton could do what he needed if given the title. Try to remember that he wasn't around for the concessions, and wasn't one of the guys who lied to you.
I agree Ourpay and Horton gives a hoot, should pull their rip cords and fly AAway. When making big changes with regards to our mess, these two are a must for starters. Ed Barnes, former CFO of JetBlue packed up and walked out recently. Why? Not sure. Personally I would think a guy in his position would have "plan B" in place. He seems to have quietly disappeared. Maybe it's just not the right time for him to resurface. I still believe that Bob Crandall would be a great player in a "new beginning." His leadership is without a doubt, needed! I would like to see other's such as Mark Bandage and Tom DeValue pull their rip cords as well. What a great bunch of valuable leaders, "TALENT" as their referred to. Oh boy!At a minimum, Arpey and Horton need to be kicked off the property. The entire BOD should be sent packing for letting them destroy the company. Bring Crandall back and put him on the board of directors. I don't think he would allow anybody to ruin "His" airline. Bring airline people in. If we keep letting bean counters run the company and marketing guys run the maintenance bases we're doomed.
Horton now holds all three top positions per the news services as he was referred to as the Chairman, CEO and president - the HMFNIC. His "on the record" comments don't bode well for in-house maintenance. Arpey is rather young so it's rather evident he was shown the door - ie, "retire" and take your Golden Parachute with you.I'm a little more inclined to believe Horton could do what he needed if given the title. Try to remember that he wasn't around for the concessions, and wasn't one of the guys who lied to you.