The filing of bankruptcy by American Airlines’ parent company was “inevitable.”
That was the common reaction to AMR Corporation’s Chapter 11 claim this morning on Airliners.net, an aviation-centric message board that talks all-things-flight. The message board, which costs to join, is a full service website for aviation fans who want to discuss related news, compile trip reports, and submit photography.
In general, the paywall seems to have help create a lively and intelligent environment for dialogue and interaction, safe from the trolling that occurs in some open, online communities.
“It is, among many other things, a story of management mistakes, shortcomings and missed opportunities, labor intransigence, and ultimately moral hazard,” wrote commavia. The topic “Official: AMR Files Bankruptcy” has more than 140 posts, with many messages read more than 10,000 times.
“When every one of AMR’s competitors has derived a competitive advantage … AMR had no choice but to follow suit,” continued commavia. Many posters agreed with commavia and added that labor issues were part of the downfall for the Fort Worth-based airline.
“Clearly legacy airlines like AA have a structure as to pensions and labor that is not sustainable in the current era,” wrote ltbewr. “We are in a serious recession, with long term changes in the American economy, an inability to raise fares due to non-union competition yet stuck with high legacy and fuel costs.”
AA’s chief executive officer, Gerard Arpey, is also retiring. That news was guarded optimism by many members who blamed him for the ill state that the airline is in. Members are also combing through AA’s restructuring statement and speculate what the “new” AA might look look like. One commenter, realism, noted that, since the airline is retiring older airplanes while delaying delivery of newer jets, the airline could be “much smaller.”
Two new topics were also created following the bankruptcy: one dedicated to what the post-bankruptcy AA will look like, the other wondering who Thomas Horton, the new CEO, is.
Posters did express their sadness for all those affected by the filing, especially the employees.
“This is truly a sad day, but hopefully, a new beginning,” posted ozark1, who has worked for the airline for more than 35 years. “I am numb, not angry. Such a fine company back in the 60’s through the 80’s. So proud to say that I worked for AA. Now it’s something, when asked, that I mutter under my breath.”
Photo by BriYYZ
