GM of American's Kansas City base leaving

Ed Chevrestt, general manager of American Airlines maintenance base in Kansas City, told his fellow employees in a letter Wednesday that he's stepping down to take a job with another company. He spent the last three of his 20-year career at American at the Kansas City facility.

Chevrestt departs Kansas City as workers there brace for what could be a heavy round of job cuts. Officials expect to learn soon how many jobs will be eliminated there as well as at American's other maintenance bases as the carrier downsizes.

- Trebor Banstetter

Comments

[APAv8r]

Chevrestt is just one more of many AMR executives proving one by one that the "retention" bonuses paid to senior AMR executives are nothing more than a cash grab: he's leaving AMR *with* his "retention" bonus to work for a competitor.

Arpey asleep at the wheel again--or maybe, asleep with the safe door wide open and his executives looting the till, then defecting to a competitor.

Look for more defections of the "retention bonus" executives, leaving with huge chunks of cash, proving that greed is the real motivator at AMR Headquarters.

[John S]

Can you blame the guy for leaving? The unions are in full revolt because the industry has changed and won't support the pay levels of previous eras. Union leaders know this, but still seek to justify their existence by banging on about management in billboards and adverts and talking of "snap back" and 50% pay increases.

I'm terribly sorry if you don't like what the executives get paid, APAV8R. If you are so unhappy with your compensation, why don't you get a master's degree and go earn yourself some stock grants of your very own?

[JLO]

APAv8r, do you have any proof of what you've said?

Nope, didn't think so.

Don't you get your "retention bonus" every 1st and 15th?

Whiner

[Kate]

Who can blame the guy for moving on and why is this deemed so unusual? People leave jobs all of the time for better opportunities, a change of pace, and to pursue other interests. Given the turmoil in the industry as well as the challenges airline employees face at this time, perhaps this fellow thought it best for his family to seek alternate employment. Regardless of his reasons, projecting baseless claims that reek of paranoid conspiracy theories is uncalled for and spiteful. I sincerely hope that the majority of his colleagues wish him well in his new endeavor. If not, this is one more reason for him to jump ship.

[APAV8R]

Hey JelLO!

Yes, the mandatory SEC Filing that lists Chevrestt 2007 and 2008 retention bonus payout, along with that of Dillman who left to take the same job at United, and Chew who took his "retention" bonus and went to JetBlue.

If they just took their paychecks--which is what we all get on the 15th and 25th (has your boss fooled you into thinking your paycheck is a "bonus?"--there'd be no ethical quarrel.

But the moral and ethical lapse demonstrated by AMR executives slips by the simpletons like you as it did the poor saps regulating Enron management. The difference is, you don't have a dog in either fight--you're just mouthy.

You signed your post "Whiner," which is fitting for you. Add to it "Ignorant" and the description is perfect.

APAv8r

[APAV8R]

John S.,

Master's Degree? The Managing Director of Employee Relations at AMR who is totally botching the contract negotiations with three separate unions has only a high school diploma and a couple of semesters at chef's school.

He too has a lavish annual "retention" bonus, though he's gridlocked labor relations even after having been handed an unprecedented cooperative relationship between AMR when he started.

More like a GED to get a cushy AMR management job--and if you totally screw it up, no worries: you got your millions up front and you just walk away and leave the pieces for the employees to mop up.

He doesn't need you to apologize for his failure, although you might tell him at lunch that you did if sucking up gets you on the AMR management bonus gravy train.

[wpII]

"I'm terribly sorry if you don't like what the executives get paid, APAV8R. If you are so unhappy with your compensation, why don't you get a master's degree and go earn yourself some stock grants of your very own?" LOL

May I recommend Harvard B School - They been specializing in producing the most avaricious executives for ages.

Is there any other industry with a much childish rancor between management and its unions as the airline business?

Unbelievable!

[rick]

man i'm really curious...jlo.do ya work for amr?

[rick]

for jlo. curious to know? do you actually work in any capacity for a/a?