I asked roughly the same questions early last year when I PLT on AA. At that time I was receiving upgrades around 70% of the time, which for me, is crucial – I am one of those guys who works from the first bell till the FA asks me to shut down, I need the 1st Class space, or least I believe I do . Anyway, in my industry, I was one of the few road warriors to fly AA. Most of my contemporaries flew CO or DELTA. I knew I would make the highest Elite level on any airlines last year and was trying to decide between CO and AA. The CO guys were really pushing the “newer” CO fleet and the Presidents Club (free cocktails!) trying to persuade me to go with CO. I started doing research and actually joined FT to get advice which turned out to be a wise decision. With the help of the FT veterans I made the choice to stay with AA. I’ve now flown as EXPLT for 9 months; it just doesn’t get any better. I’ve missed only one upgrade on over 70 segments (DFW-SEA) and that was probably because I had to rebook. My CO PLT buddies are not getting any kind of consistent upgrades this year, especially on the business hour flights. Needless to say, one of my CO buddies in now taking the Platinum Challenge on AA, which he will complete next month. The timing is kind of bad, because he won’t make EXPLT until late 2010, but he is determined to come over to AA.

As for equipment, your EWR to MSY flight has a 6 AM Departure on a 757, connecting in MIA on a 737 and arriving in MSY at 11:34 local. This about the only non Super 80/83 equipment morning flight out of EWR. This would be a nice flight that gives you 3540 QMS per roundtrip. I’m sure that the EWR to MIA leg is always packed but you will at least have 22 exit row seats to potentially book on the 757.

Anyway, good luck and safe travels.