American Airlines Hatred

[TexasStooge]

BRIDGETON, MO -- Fort Worth-based American Airlines has bounced back from the brink of bankruptcy, but not everyone is happy about the airline returning to profitability. People in one Missouri city say they are bearing the brunt of the company's massive restructuring.

Buffering the Mississippi River and known as the gateway to the West, St. Louis is a big city with a small-town feel, and the people there say they "hate" American for dealing a crushing blow to their economy.

Business was once so good at Lambert International Airport that the city started building a new billion-dollar runway.

However, massive cuts at American have left city leaders reeling. Just this month, the airline slashed its daily flights there by more than half, from 417 to 207.

"It's a major hit. It's a disaster," Bridgeton Mayor Conrad Bowers said.

The airport laid off 2,000 workers, and many now worry about losing their homes.

"It's devastating," laid-off worker Ed Manhart. "I don't know how I am going to make all the payments."

Back in January 2001, however, it was a much different mood when American took over St. Louis' bankrupt hometown airline, TWA. .

At that time, American CEO Don Carty had encouraging words for TWA employees.

"I think, if anything, this transaction certainly assures their future in the aviation business as part of a great company," Carty said.

Then came Sept. 11, 2001. The entire airline industry felt the effects, including American.

According to company officials, the cuts are unfortunate, but a matter of survival.

"We looked at St. Louis versus hubs in DFW and Chicago, and it was clear that compared to those two big hubs, St. Louis was just not working for us," American Spokesman Marty Heires said.

Many TWA employees have expressed frustration with American, and have accused the company of driving TWA into the ground.

However, Heires disagrees.

Actually, we extended the life of TWA by more than two years," he said.

As for the billion-dollar runway, St. Louis doesn't have enough money to finish the project. And scared off by the possibility of big hikes in airport taxes, other airlines, like Southwest, are reluctant to add flights.

City leaders continue to seek out more funding, but brace for the worst.

"People have indicated somebody else will move in and pick up the slack. That's not going to happen," Bowers said. "We have to recognize where we are, recognize that and plan accordingly."

And while American cutbacks have adversely impacted St. Louis, they may actually benefit Dallas-Fort Worth.

The airline has cut its St. Louis flights by more than half, but it is actually adding some flights to its larger hubs, including DFW.