So I've just taken my first BA economy class short-haul in 2016, and I was indeed credited 500 EQMs and 500 redeemable miles plus 500 miles elite bonus.

The worst thing with the new rules if you don't live in the US is the no-better-than 50% EQM with any partner on any discounted economy fare. Even UA gives you 100% EQM if you fly with their partners. However, short-hauls with BA now don't seem like such a bad deal. If I fly LHR-BRU in deep-discount economy on BA, I'll earn 500 EQM and 500+500 redeemable miles. If I flew the same route on SN, I'd earn 217 EQMs and zilch redeemable miles with UA's Mileage Plus. So paradoxically, short-haul flights with partners such as BA are still a good deal with AAdvantage. It's the long-haul earnings that are a killer.