I hate to correct you on this but unfortunately 4yr Cpt. pay would be a pipe dream for AMR. The TWA guys are getting full recognition of seniority for pay. That's right, TWA people who had 10 years at TWA, and 4 years at AA are getting 14 year Cpt. pay. They get 14 year 401(k) matching too. The only thing they don't get 14 year of is vacation. (feel free to correct me on this if you know otherwise). You're right, they do have a great gig. I think it is AMR's 'brilliant' way of shifting cost centers so that AA looks better for the shareholders. I can see the year end report now: "See, we reduced XX millions of $$ in payroll thus decreasing our expense ratios." Little do those shareholders know that Eagle is left holding the bag paying these shmucks while they sit at home and drink beer and have bbq soaking up 14 yr Capt. pay and adding ZERO productivity to AMR. AMR's situation is only marginally better by shifting "flow back" pilots to Eagle. The 14 year Eagle Capt. pay is cheaper than 14 year AA FO pay (maybe, I don't know). AMR is taking FULL advantage of Eagle's Flow policy for their financial gain. It is good for Eagle in good times, and good for AMR in bad times. It gives them a convienient place to stick their unwanted cling-on pilots when things aren't so good. The shareholders don't car about Eagle. We're the ba$stard child. And I ask you now, why is Eagle having such a hard time posting that "p word?" Kick out the flowbies, and you'll see that "p word" a lot more often.
Most "flobies" I've flown with are TWA.
J_D