I've never bought into the argument that he who rules NYC or the transcons rules the industry anymore than I've bought into the argument that being the biggest airline makes you the leader.
The only thing AA should be concerned with is being profitable. If it means they're the third or the sixth biggest dick on the table, who cares?
I agree with you, but WT has said it so many times in the past few months (since his return to this website) that it's difficult to not agree with him.