[QUOTE=KenJohn;9103648]SkyTeam includes Air France, KLM,
Alitalia,
Czech, Aeroflot. So I am not sure why you are trying about another air alliance. /QUOTE]
Maybe that's why......
I would not recommend to join the AA program in the OPs case because of the TATL issue. And you clearly want to be on a BA flight from NY when possible. Plus you will also not get domestic lounge access when you have status with AA.
So most probably you will be better off by joining BA.