Keep American My American

[UAfan]

I thought a thread for those of us who support an independent, post-bankruptcy American was is order. Having already gone through the excruciating CO/UA acquisition (hardly a so-called merger), coming over to the dAArk side early this year has been an eye-opening joy (yes, joy). I have flown about 75K on AA this year, in paid Y, J and F.

The AA experience, even during bankruptcy (pilot work slow-down aside) has been leaps better than the COdbaUA experience, IMHO. Across every metric important to me (upgrades, service, dependability, Wi-Fi, etc), AA wins hands-down. In the areas they do not (equipment and route network, to name two), they are clearly working to improve those.

I, for one, would like to see the things that matter survive as AA exits bankruptcy. In a US merger, especially with Parker as a potential CEO, I have every reason to believe that the least common denominator will win out, just as it did at UA with the survival of SHARES and countless other legacy CO aspects that were inferior to pre-'merger' UA's. Here at my hometown airport, DCA, we joke about the inferior US product; I shudder to think it could soon envelope the superior AA product and experience.

Certainly, there are those who will not share the above view. Understood. What I would like to pose, for those who do share it, is the question: How do we help Keep American My American?

Happy Holidays,

[thomwithanh]

Originally Posted by UAfan

I thought a thread for those of us who support an independent, post-bankruptcy American was is order. Having already gone through the excruciating CO/UA acquisition (hardly a so-called merger), coming over to the dAArk side early this year has been an eye-opening joy (yes, joy). I have flown about 75K on AA this year, in paid Y, J and F.

The AA experience, even during bankruptcy (pilot work slow-down aside) has been leaps better than the COdbaUA experience, IMHO. Across every metric important to me (upgrades, service, dependability, Wi-Fi, etc), AA wins hands-down. In the areas they do not (equipment and route network, to name two), they are clearly working to improve those.

I, for one, would like to see the things that matter survive as AA exits bankruptcy. In a US merger, especially with Parker as a potential CEO, I have every reason to believe that the least common denominator will win out, just as it did at UA with the survival of SHARES and countless other legacy CO aspects that were inferior to pre-'merger' UA's. Here at my hometown airport, DCA, we joke about the inferior US product; I shudder to think it could soon envelope the superior AA product and experience.

Certainly, there are those who will not share the above view. Understood. What I would like to pose, for those who do share it, is the question: How do we help Keep American My American?

Happy Holidays,

Formerly a lifelong Continental flyer (Silver elite for several years back when that actually meant something) late last year I left for the USeful Airline. Why do I call it that? Yes, it's to refute the haters who refer to US Airways as "USeless" but more seriously because we've focused on a strong domestic network with a few key international destinations (primarialy *A hubs) and it's what the airline does well.

As much as I'd like to see destinations in Asia and South America, I'm not convinced Dougie & Company will be able to run the potential combined airline as efficiently as it's run today. With the still ongoing problems with UACO - I have a hard time believing that AAUS will be a seamless transition, not to mention fewer upgrades (one of the biggest 's about being an elite on US).

I really hope AA and US remain independent. Just two cents from somebody on the other side of the merger.

[TheBeerHunter]

For whatever reason I find a thread called Keep American My American started by someone named UAFan a bit incongruous.

[RewAArdSeeker]

Originally Posted by TheBeerHunter

For whatever reason I find a thread called Keep American My American started by someone named UAFan a bit incongruous.

+1

[elitetraveler]

The interesting point of this is with Keep My Delta it was started by the employees whereas in this case at least a portion of the employees want the merger and don't want current management.

[ByrdluvsAWACO]

I'm a hybrid when it comes to the AA/US merger. I have very little issue with the merger itself, but I have no trust in Dougie Parker and Scott Kirby. This is also the same management team that brought plastic cups to F, tried to charge for water, and couldn't grow PHL to Asia.

I can almost guarantee they will begin a scissor campaign as soon as they get into the office, and AAdvantage will be amongst the first to feel the effects.

If a merger can happen without Doug and Scott, I would have no problem with it.

[thomwithanh]

Originally Posted by ByrdluvsAWACO

I can almost guarantee they will begin a scissor campaign as soon as they get into the office, and AAdvantage will be amongst the first to feel the effects.

Doug and Scott have already said that AAdvantage and not Dividend Miles will continue, though I have a feeling it will end up being like the "new" MileagePlus:

[grahampros]

Originally Posted by elitetraveler

The interesting point of this is with Keep My Delta it was started by the employees whereas in this case at least a portion of the employees want the merger and don't want current management.

Exactly. At DL, it was employees who fought the merger with US with the slogan. In the case of AA, most key labor groups want current management out, and US is the only alternative currently presented to make this happen.

[elitetraveler]

Originally Posted by ByrdluvsAWACO

I'm a hybrid when it comes to the AA/US merger. I have very little issue with the merger itself, but I have no trust in Dougie Parker and Scott Kirby. This is also the same management team that brought plastic cups to F, tried to charge for water, and couldn't grow PHL to Asia.

They back-tracked on the plastic cups and charging for water - I sort of look at that as a positive - they try something but when they can see it is clearly wrong they own up and change back. Now again I am not saying US management is anything exceptional, but on the other hand Horton (perhaps due to lack of experience as a CEO) has bumbled a number of times, contradicting himself and coming off IMO as a bit arrogant. He certainly didn't do much with his short honeymoon period in terms of winning over employees - or even gaining their respect. As previously stated, neither managements are anything to get excited about.

[azepine00]

Originally Posted by thomwithanh

.. though I have a feeling it will end up being like the "new" MileagePlus:

I wish all programs were like Mileage Plus - i keep burning through UA miles while sitting on piles of Skypesos which never have availability and AA which these days come with BA-triggered copays of $500+ which i refuse to pay.
Maybe it's just my flying needs...


I am also very amused by this developing AA vs US flyer bitterness over the merger. It's like UA - CO story again. Don't expect things to stay the same no matter who runs the shop. Some things will improve some will get worse but changes will happen. Deal with it.

[ijgordon]

Originally Posted by azepine00

I wish all programs were like Mileage Plus - i keep burning through UA miles while sitting on piles of Skypesos which never have availability and AA which these days come with BA-triggered copays of $500+ which i refuse to pay.
Maybe it's just my flying needs...

Yeah, I think AA is the better program for elite benefits, but UA is the better program for using miles regardless of status (though obviously status helps keep the fees down).

[UAfan]

Originally Posted by TheBeerHunter

For whatever reason I find a thread called Keep American My American started by someone named UAFan a bit incongruous.

Your sole takeaway is a quip about my 9 year old FT username... from "TheBeerHunter?" Okay, I will proudly admit I was a fan of United for decades. It was once a world-class airline that recognized and rewarded frequent fliers, that is until Jeff Smisek and crew came along and turned it into COdbaUA.

Now, I’m equally a fan of AA (see my signature)… and I’d sure like to not see Parker do the same. The pilots may want a US merger but it's less so among other labor and certainly not among a majority of customers I know.

Originally Posted by azepine00

I am also very amused by this developing AA vs US flyer bitterness over the merger. It's like UA - CO story again.

History tends to repeat itself.

Originally Posted by ByrdluvsAWACO

I can almost guarantee they will begin a scissor campaign as soon as they get into the office, and AAdvantage will be amongst the first to feel the effects.

My point exactly. I for one don’t want to see US do to AA what CO did to UA. MileagePlus was scissored by Smisek - watched my upgrade ratio plummet from 90% before the merger to 15% after, upgrade instruments became nearly worthless, and the Million Miler program did become worthless.

[Thunderroad]

Originally Posted by thomwithanh

Doug and Scott have already said that AAdvantage and not Dividend Miles will continue, though I have a feeling it will end up being like the "new" MileagePlus:

LOL! And how true! I fear that an AA/US merger with lousy management at the top will take the combined airline down the same road as UA/CO, also with lousy management at the top.

Originally Posted by azepine00

I wish all programs were like Mileage Plus - i keep burning through UA miles while sitting on piles of Skypesos which never have availability and AA which these days come with BA-triggered copays of $500+ which i refuse to pay.
Maybe it's just my flying needs...


I am also very amused by this developing AA vs US flyer bitterness over the merger. It's like UA - CO story again. Don't expect things to stay the same no matter who runs the shop. Some things will improve some will get worse but changes will happen. Deal with it.

Beg to differ. IMHO, most things are the combined UA/DO have gotten considerably worse, with no indications of they're getting better and the prospect of more damage yet to come under this management team.

[UAfan]

So, given that hundreds have read this thread in just the past few hours, I'm concluding there's ample interest to Keep American My American.

Maybe the next step is a website, FB page, etc. Or perhaps it's time to print and start distributing some stickers, wristbands or other collateral material? I'd welcome thoughts here or PM me. I'm becoming very motivated to get the ball rolling...

If anyone has some graphics talent, I'd love to see a logo idea!

[dayone]

Passengers (and fans) will have little, if any, effect on whether there is a merger or not.