Now here's a good editorial on AA!

[WorldTraveler]

I doubt the master's thesis (from 1982) talks about massive employee concessions that follow a near-bankruptcy experience precipitated by a terrorist destruction of the WTC using UA and AA 762s, followed by an invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq and a steady price rise in oil to $147/bbl by 2008. I doubt it mentions the much-maligned cornerstone strategy or the need to again lower costs because AA's primary competitors filed multiple bankruptcies and then merged and ate AA's lunch in 2009-11.

It would be funny if it outlined how AA's future depended on large hubs at SJC, RDU and BNA served by hundreds of three-engine widebodies. 😀

probably not.. nor would it mention that other airlines faced many of the same challenges and still managed to adapt to those new realities.
.
The whole point of not filing for BK was because AA was supposed to be able to restructure on its own... something they clearly HAVE NOT done.
.
So, spare us all the whining about how tough it has been on AA and admit that mAAnagement has not done their job - despite having 8 years to do it.
.
And be sure also to note that while all those airlines were restructuring in BK, AA mgmt did not take advantage of the opportunity to grow its franchise at those airlines' expense... something very easy to do when a competitor is up against the wall....

Perhaps it's no surprise that AA's competitors are now doing even before AA enters BK what AA failed to do when those carriers were in BK - and will only increase their assaults when AA is finally completely pinned to the wall....
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because the brutal realities of the competitive marketplace won't make it into a master's thesis - partly because in AA's case it would require AAdmitting that AA has fAAiled to manage its enterprise for a decade or more - while other carriers have taken every opportunity to increase their revenue, including at AA's expense.
And AA's employees will pay a long term price for the loss of the network benefits that have helped AA generate substantial revenue premiums to the industry in the past but which are being eroded by the day.

 

[Frank Szabo]

probably not.. nor would it mention that other airlines faced many of the same challenges and still managed to adapt to those new realities.
.
The whole point of not filing for BK was because AA was supposed to be able to restructure on its own... something they clearly HAVE NOT done.
.
So, spare us all the whining about how tough it has been on AA and admit that mAAnagement has not done their job - despite having 8 years to do it.
.
And be sure also to note that while all those airlines were restructuring in BK, AA mgmt did not take advantage of the opportunity to grow its franchise at those airlines' expense... something very easy to do when a competitor is up against the wall....

Perhaps it's no surprise that AA's competitors are now doing even before AA enters BK what AA failed to do when those carriers were in BK - and will only increase their assaults when AA is finally completely pinned to the wall....
.
because the brutal realities of the competitive marketplace won't make it into a master's thesis - partly because in AA's case it would require AAdmitting that AA has fAAiled to manage its enterprise for a decade or more - while other carriers have taken every opportunity to increase their revenue, including at AA's expense.
And AA's employees will pay a long term price for the loss of the network benefits that have helped AA generate substantial revenue premiums to the industry in the past but which are being eroded by the day.

Arpey's thesis doesn't have to address industry conditions as it probably has NOTHING TO DO with industry conditions but everything to do with pushing peoples' buttons and leading them to do things they normally wouldn't consider.

Leading people towards accepting a predetermined outcome is a strategy called The Delphi Technique. This little piece of gamesmanship was developed by the Rand Corporation in the 50s - 60s originally for a different purpose entirely but also lends itself to people control, almost to the letter of how the 2003 presentation by the company and union unfolded against us.

My interest in reading his thesis is to see how closely the gameplan followed said "technique".

It is the method used by RLG in a modified form - the "management" group hired to "improve" things at TULE.

I've pointed this out before in previous posts as well as pointing out there are individual strategies to neuter it. Unity, the likes of which does not exist at AA, is the key to foiling this crap - it is noted that unity amongst the "target" group and demanding there be no anonymity in any presentation of "facts" removes the would-be "controllers" ability to control.

I'll not go into detail but, but if one would care to read about it for his/herself, go here: Wiki re: the Delphi Technique

btw - using my tinfoil for a hat as often as I'm urged to has depleted my supply.

 

[Frank Szabo]

UT Austin got back with me - there's only one copy and therefore, not available for loan, and neither did Arpey give permission to copy the thesis. Can't say as I blame him as this would have the effect, if all previously said is true, of playing poker with all cards face up.

I'm not going to Austin anytime soon so - if anyone down in that area has curiousity, message or email me and I'll give you the call number/other info to read it in the business school's library.



Correspondence from UT Austin Received this am:

Hello Mr. Szabo,
We do not have permission to copy Mr. Arpey’s Report and since there is only one copy available in our collection it is unavailable for loan.

Thank you for your request.

Sincerely,
Kyle Ayers, Library Copier Services
512-495-4239

 

[odie01]

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