AA CEO: Employees ‘Still Don’t Trust Us’

U.S. Airways CEO Doug Parker announces the planned merger of AMR Corp, the parent of American Airlines, with U.S. Airways during a news conference at Dallas-Ft Worth International Airport February 14, 2013. The $11 billion all-stock deal, announced on Thursday, would create the world's largest air carrier. REUTERS/Mike Stone (UNITED STATES - Tags: BUSINESS TRANSPORT)

Chief executive promises long-term culture shift during industry conference after union sends letter.

American Airlines’ chief executive Doug Parker agrees that change has to start from within as the aviation industry works to find solutions to new challenges in a post-consolidation period. The Dallas Morning News reports the leader of the combined American and US Airways made the comments at the J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference on Tuesday, March 8.

While the executive spoke about the business of air transportation, he dedicated part of his time at the podium to address the internal derision between the airline’s leadership and their employees. He acknowledged that although issues remain, the airline needs to overcome them to continue growing in 2016 and beyond.

“[Employees] still don’t trust us,” Parker told the conference, according to the Dallas Morning News. “They don’t trust us because of what they’ve experienced … they’re still gun-shy.”

As a result, Parker echoed a number of changes previously announced by the airline, including an investment in new aircraft and improving the passenger experience. However, the head of the airline noted that spending money, including raising the paychecks of employees, would not be enough to shift employees’ attitudes.

“What matters the most is making sure you have your team excited and engaged,” Parker said, according to the newspaper. “That they know what their role is and have the tools to do it.”

The comments come nearly one week after the American Airlines’ pilot union sent an open letter to Parker accusing the airline of being “outright embarrassing.” The letter accused the senior leadership of “contractual [and] legal abuses,” along with discrepancies in payroll matters. The letter makes three demands of the new leadership, including “lasting and durable cultural change.”

Parker also touched on several additional topics pertinent to the airline, including building a stronger business model and adding a basic economy section on aircraft in the summer of 2016. The topic of improving in-flight wi-fi also came up, as American is currently exploring alternate plans which may not include long-time partner Gogo.

[Photo: Mike Stone / Reuters]