I believe that United have some FAs over 70 years old. Top of the seniority tree, of course, they tend to bid for the transpacific routes. Presumably they still manage to pass their checks.
Yes, AA has long done those tacky individual DVD players, right from the days when they were a new concept, rather than PTVs. I guess, like Betamax or 8-track (or MD-11s!), they just chose the wrong technology.
Regarding the FA doing crocheting, correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't that require implements that are not allowed past security ?