A few more observations.
I returned last night from a LAX-JFK-BOS-LAX weekend. Upgrades cleared before airport arrival on both long flights (767 J and 757 F). My observations:
-- J on the 3-cabin 762s (ex-JFK only) is really domestic F. (My wife flew JFK-LAX at the same time I was flying BOS-LAX, and our meals were identical: salad & appetizer (tomato/mozzarella, my 2nd favorite to the smoked salmon), followed by choice of beef, chicken & pasta, followed by sundae/cheesecake dessert choice.)
-- AA has mis-read the market when they down-graded meal service in J/F for non-dinner meals. They need to understand that breakfast/lunch on board are probably MORE important to premium cabin travelers.
-- AA got it right by eliminating meals from J/F on the transcon redeyes. Hardly anyone stays awake (voluntarily, at least).
-- Friendly service from the FAs makes up for a lot of shortcomings in the available amenities. But the FAs need help. The simple task of boarding F/J with enough spare time to get people seated, coats taken & drinks ordered would go a long way. All that requires is that the a/c be ready - cleaned, catered & crewed - 5 minutes earlier, and the GAs look behind them occasionally once boarding starts.
-- AA should revise its FA assignments during boarding, as follows:
FA 1: Aircraft door, to greet people and (after Group 1 has boarded) stop (and tag/check) the luggage that won't fit the bins early. Also, when the line backs up, people get stopped in the jetway (except during really bad weather).
FA 2: First/Business, for coats, drinks, etc.
FA 3: Station at back end of F/J for "Bin Patrol"; assist with coats.
FA 4: Aft galley, if needed to prepare for departure; otherwise, back of Y.
For widebodies, the additional FAs would do the jobs of FA2 and FA3 in the second aisle, then do FA 4.